Spoiled Milk

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by James Hall

 

Back in the eighties and all the way through until the late nineties, the images of missing children were a common sight on any paper milk carton: whether it be hand delivered by little Jonny on his bicycle, or picked up in the local store. It wasn’t until the introduction of plastic jugs that this practice declined.

Here at Amity Dairy Farms, we pride ourselves on being the only National milk distributor in the states that still print our paper cartons with missing children on. We feel it’s educational for the consumers to know what our dairy cows are fed.

James Hall

Writing has never been optional for James Hall. Like eating and breathing, it’s something integral to their existence. ​Working for a family-owned sausage company, he writes scary stories for a few hours a day before each shift whilst fuelling his caffeine addiction in a local independent coffee shop.

 

 

Behind Blue Eyes

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by LJ McLeod

 

Annabelle had never liked the old brown cow. It was the eyes. Those unblinking, ice-blue eyes.

When Annabelle checked the fences, it was there. When she put out the hay for the herd, it was already waiting.

“It’s just a cow,” she would remind herself. “Nothing to fear.” So why did its mere presence make her shiver?

Then the cow started lingering at her fence. One night she found it outside her bedroom window, though the gate remained locked.

It wasn’t until she woke up and found herself staring into those ice-blue eyes that she realised she was in trouble.

LJ McLeod

LJ McLeod lives in Queensland, Australia. She works in Pathology and writes in her spare time. She has been published in several anthologies and has been nominated twice for the Aurealis Award.  In her spare time, she enjoys diving, reading and travelling.  

 

Revenge

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by Blaise Langlois

 

There was only one way to do it, and they had to be quick. Rats were always more intelligent than humans gave them credit for, and now they had become extra clever. Trying to avoid the farmer’s tricks wasn’t a game—it was a matter of survival, and one too many of their comrades had fallen.

Unable to lift the box from the shed, they had gingerly carried the pellets one by one to the edge of the well. As each rat dropped a pellet of warfarin into the water, they dreamed about the green death that awaited the farmer.

Blaise Langlois

Emerging author, Blaise Langlois, will never turn down the chance to tell a creepy story. You are sure to find her writing in between teaching and raising four beautiful children, or feverishly scratching out ideas (which to the chagrin of her supportive husband, usually occurs just after midnight).

Website: ravenfictionca.wordpress.com

 

Twice the Pleasure

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by Pauline Yates

 

I love how my lover slides his mouth down the woman’s neck. How he pauses near her jugular vein, warming his lips with heat from her racing heart. He nips her skin, teasing, her involuntary moan at the pleasure he inflicts sets fire to my cold heart. When he’s finished with her, his lips will tease me in places we share with nobody.

He glances at me, gaze sultry. “Would you like to share?”

“No need.” I sink my fangs into the neck of the man in my arms.

I’ll kiss the blood off my lover’s lips after we feed.

Pauline Yates

Pauline Yates is an Australian author of horror and speculative fiction. Her short stories appear with Midnight Echo, Metaphorosis, Redwood Press, plus others, as well as several anthologies including Mondi Incantanti, published by Riflessi di Luce Lunare (RiLL), Italy. Links to Pauline’s stories can be found at https://paulineyates.com/

 

Sweet Hearts

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by Tracy Davidson

 

The detective doesn’t understand. He thinks we’ll turn on each other. But our bond is too deep for that. It took a lifetime to find her, someone whose dark soul was a match for mine, someone equally thrilled at the sight and smell of blood, the sound of screaming.

Scarlet suits her. She wears entrails wrapped around her neck, like a feather boa, while we make love.

The detective still has his entrails. For now. His body untouched, more or less. He is my wedding gift to her. She will feast on his heart. And our unborn child will grow.

Tracy Davidson

Tracy Davidson lives in Warwickshire, England, and writes poetry and flash fiction. Her work has appeared in various publications and anthologies, including: Poet’s Market, Mslexia, Atlas Poetica, Modern Haiku, The Binnacle, A Hundred Gourds, Shooter, Journey to Crone, The Great Gatsby Anthology, WAR, In Protest: 150 Poems for Human Rights.

 

Re-Election

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by Sophie Wagner

 

“Happy anniversary,” Dalin whispered, removing her blindfold.

Maia frowned as she stared at the open senior yearbook he had placed in her hands and the nomination page stared back; the class clown, the fashionista, and worst of all, the cutest couple. Maia had been certain that she and Dalin would win, but Stacy and Johnny always beat them.

However, when she looked again, she noticed that Stacy and Johnny’s faces had been crossed out with x’s.

Dalin smirked at her, then opened their bedroom door, revealing both of them bound and bloody.

“Happy anniversary,” he whispered, handing her a knife.

Sophie Wagner

Sophie Wagner is an emerging student author who has had multiple short story and poetry publications. You can find her work at The Macabre Ladies, Black Ink Fiction, Eerie River Press, Iron Faerie Publishing, Black Hare Press and more. She hopes you have a horror filled day!

 

Kiss of Death

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by Brianna Witte

 

Dan took the blindfold away from my eyes, the dark basement surrounding me. A naked man was chained to the cement wall, a gag stuffed into his small mouth.

I looked at his chest, his heavy breathing making more blood pool from his wounds. My eyes focused on two words carved into his skin, my heart fluttering with pure joy… Marry Me.

“Yes!” I shouted, my lips touching Dan’s in a passionate kiss.

I took the knife from my fiancé’s hand, slicing the man across the face.

“Can I kill him? You know I love the raw stench of death.”

Brianna Witte

Brianna is an active member of the Writers Community of Durham Region. She had received a commendation for her short story, The Hunt, in the 2019 Author of Tomorrow Award by the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation. To date, Brianna has had many short stories published in various anthologies.

 

He Liked to Watch

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by Jameson Grey

 

He liked to watch. That was Ted’s thing.

His wife would bring home one-night stands, and he’d sit behind the two-way mirror he’d installed, watching as she took lovers into their marital bed. She’d tie them to the bedposts, adding an extra frisson, and ride them until she was satisfied.

Only then would Ted appear, smiling.

He relished the fear and confusion his presence caused. He’d hand his wife his tie, or one of her silk stockings, and retreat to the corner of the room—where he’d stand, silent, as she slowly strangled her helpless conquests.

He liked to watch.

Jameson Grey

Jameson Grey is originally from England but now lives with his family in western Canada. His work has been published in Dark Dispatch, The Birdseed and anthologies from Ghost Orchid Press, Black Hare Press, Black Ink Fiction and Hellbound Books.
Website: https://jameson-grey.com

 

For You

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by Jodie Angell

 

Eyeing the blue pills in front of her, Faye grinned. She knew what it would do to her—unleash a feral ferocity buried deep within her. That was exactly what her lover, Klaus, desperately desired.

“For you, my love.” She popped the tablet into her mouth, then swallowed.

Her round eyes glowed afire, and a maniacal laughter escaped Klaus’ mouth.

With shotgun barrels resting on one shoulder and their free hands clasped, they skipped down the quaint street of Petunia Walk.

Their idea of a date was warped. Fires razed the houses. Civilians murdered. Children’s screams. Blood staining neat lawns.

Jodie Angell

Jodie Angell grew up in South Wales, U.K. She started writing at the age of eleven, entering children’s anthologies. Her first book, Crimson Kiss, is published with Champagne Book Group. Jodie explores all genres. She has expanded her repertoire and has signed several dark short stories with Black Hare Press.

Twitter: @JodieA_Author

 

Broken Things

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by Lillie E. Franks

 

Some women would have thrown it away after the first argument. She didn’t throw away broken things. She fixed them.

She stayed when he hid in his basement all day. She waited with dinner until he came up. They ate quietly, and she swept away the dirt while he slept.

She fixed things. She fixed the acrid smell from the basement. She fixed it when Deputy Arnold asked questions.

When she heard a thump and a scared, bloody woman staggered through the basement door, she didn’t hesitate. She took the knife she was chopping onions with, and she fixed it.

Lillie E. Franks

LILLIE E. FRANKS is a trans author and teacher who lives in Chicago, Illinois with the best cats. You can read her work at places like Sword and Kettle Press, Poemeleon, and NonBinary Review or follow her on Twitter at @onyxaminedlife. She loves anything that is not the way it should be.

Website: lillieefranks.wordpress.com