Fiction

Fairy Tales

Published by Black Hare Press, 2023

I will be waiting for him when he comes, just like in a fairly tale. The sun will be setting in a perfect golden glow and he will come up my walk with the dying sun on the tips of his hair. His chin will drop in that way it does, his lips curving up in smile that I know is just for me. Beautiful death in the dying day on the edge of endless night. I am the princess and he is the prince. He will awaken me with his touch and his kiss will be for all time.

Special Agent

Featured on Creepy Pod, 2023

Fast, so fast, under the strange orange volcanic sky, she ran. Exhilarating, the way her legs pumped and she glorified in speed. Her imagination took over, unable to resist the mood of the flaming storm sky. Breath quick and sure, she ran from monsters conjured by her vivid wit, horrible mangled things with foul breath and slimy hides and yellow demon eyes, a compilation of every horror story she had ever heard.

Vestigial

Published by Dark Lit Horror, 2023

There have been many prophets before, speaking some version of truth. But I am a new thing.

I stand and lift my arms above my head. I know the spotlight catches on my cheekbones and shadows the hollows of my eyes. I know the lantern behind me diffuses through my gown, outlining my body in light. I know they find me beautiful. I am beautiful.

Maenad

Published in Moon: The Book of Lunar Horror, 2023

Elinore twisted the dial on her computer speaker, increasing the volume of the classical music playing on YouTube. She’d forgotten her headphones at home and, if she heard Cathy clear her throat one more time, she thought she might lose it.

Asherah

Published in I Cast You Out by CultureCult, 2022

I do not remember sleeping, only waking, the light against my eyes. I curled inward, shielding myself from the light, more asleep than awake. Then I found myself lifted into sunlight so intense I cried out before I could stop myself. 

The last thing I remembered, a boy shining silver, bright as the moon. I had taken him in my arms and his mouth tasted of sweet honey and the sour elixir designed to slow his heart until he fell into my depths in sacrifice.

Dust

Published in The Dead Unleashed Vol. 3, by Skywatcher Press

Ashley drew her heel through the dust accumulated on the floor, leaving a streak of clean on the boards. The particles stirred by her passing sparkled in the late afternoon light. She blew out a breath and the motes swirled in the air, agitated. Outside, the wind pushed against the walls, frustrated wailing around the eves. The grit rained against the old wooden siding in a relentless roar.

Recognition

Published in Something Wicked, 2008

It felt like recognition. I did not know him but everything about him haunted my memory, the planes of his face, his scent, the taste of his skin. The buttons of his shirt melted under my fingers and I ran my hands down his stomach, nails teasing through the golden hair below his navel, a trail of starlight disappearing, tantalizing, into the waistband of his pants.