Fiction

“A Thief in Monkey Junction,” by Deborah-Zenha Adams

Dec 20th, 2022 | By

Miss Virginia Fryar’s breakfast was all but spoiled by the sight of the corpse in her back yard. Miss Virginia spotted it as she crossed the dew-wet lawn, carrying a tray that contained her usual morning Danish and coffee.



“Lawyers in Love,” by Cameron Vanderwerf

Dec 20th, 2022 | By

Not long into the trial of the Steubenville Strangler, the prosecutor and the defense attorney fell deeply in love with each other. For obvious reasons, this was not an ideal development, and the two lawyers decided to keep this fact concealed from the rest of the courtroom.



“The Weatherman,” by Brian Clark

Dec 20th, 2022 | By

Susan: This is WKNW, 1160 on your radio dial, and I’m Susan Collins, keeping you company on your drive home. WKNW now has triple the number of weather updates, with reports every 10 minutes. Meteorologist Chuck Blain is on the case. How are things looking, Chuck? 



“On Anophthalmia in Cervids,” by Daniel Galef

Dec 20th, 2022 | By

I had an Ideas problem. Not too few, but too many. I was plagued by them. More of an infestation, really. I needed to get them out of my hair. Literally.



“Genie Needs Help,” by Alex Dermody

Dec 20th, 2022 | By

Genie floated above Aladdin, a towering blue know-it-all. “I grant you three wishes, little man,” Genie said. “The rules are—”

“I wish for the ability to stop biting and picking my fingernails,” Aladdin replied.

The corners of Genie’s mouth curled into a small smile. “Biting your nails?”

“Biting and picking,” Aladdin said. “I wish for the ability to stop biting and picking my fingernails.”