The Eighth of June

Last year, my first ever collection of short stories was published. The collection is titled DOOMSDAY FURNACE. It features cover art by the one and only Matt Wajek. One of the stories is called “The Eighth of June,” and since today is the 8th of June, I thought I’d share it. Enjoy! (“Enjoy” may not be the right word…)

Doomsday Furnace short story collection by Brent Michael Kelley - a collection of dark fantasy, sci-fi, new horror, dark humor, and whimsy. Brent Kelley is a horror author who lives in northern Wisconsin.

The Eighth of June

Do you remember where you were when you heard about the Doomsday Cloud? I remember where I was. I was sleeping in my bed, and Paula had stolen most of the blankets. At 3:20 am my cell rang. I am not a reasonable man when awoken from a deep sleep, and I think I woke up swearing.

Nobody calls to chit chat or deliver good news at 3:20 am. If the phone rings then, it’s probably an emergency. It was Izabel, and she was hysterical.

At 4:11 am on August 10th, I walked through the door at Sky Harbor Observatory. The entire place was alive. There was a fearless excitement in the air, and to be a part of that was like nothing I’ve ever known.

(more…)

Continue ReadingThe Eighth of June

The First Star I Lose Tonight – Flash Fic From Jessica McHugh

 

horror, flash fiction, teeth

Howdy again, chums! Today I am glad to present a flash fiction story by my inky cohort Jessica McHugh! The story is called “The First Star I Lose Tonight,” and I think you’re gonna dig it. Give it a read, and then click Jessica’s links at the end. She’s got a ton of wild stuff for readers young and old that you should have on your shelf.

—

The First Star I Lose Tonight

By Jessica McHugh

 

The Bellevue home is a monument to victory. Every surface boasts at least one trophy, frequently flanked by certificates of merit in gilded frames. With each burst of air conditioning, the ribbons decorating the wall flutter like tiny blue flags representing a country that refuses to tolerate failure.

As I survey the room, a poster declaring, “Second Place is the First Loser” makes me cringe, but Megan Bellevue beams when she catches me observing it.

“Nice, isn’t it?”

Knowing what I risk to lose by being disagreeable, I force a smile and nod.

“Sure is.”

“I made it myself,” she says as she dances her fingers over the frame. “Well, my daughter helped with the border.”

Inspecting the poster more closely, I spot a crooked pink border barely visible under the matting.

“It was a little messy, so I had to cover it,” she explains. “You know how it is with kids.”

I do know how it is with kids. I’ve spent enough time skidding around heaps of dirty clothes and toys in the dark to know most kids love the haphazard life. And fortunately for me, I love a challenge. (more…)

Continue ReadingThe First Star I Lose Tonight – Flash Fic From Jessica McHugh

Dr. Strangebrew – Flash Fic From Ben Eads

Howdy, magnificent people!

Today I have something super cool to share. It’s a piece of flash fiction by my pal Mr. Ben Eads, which I predict you will enjoy thoroughly. Be sure to click Ben’s links at the end of the story. I’m just gonna pipe down now and let Ben do his thing:

Fear and Loathing in Orlando… 
Or How I learned to love Coffee

By Ben Eads

We were somewhere outside of Orlando when the caffeine withdrawals began to take hold. I remember saying something like, “I feel a bit lightheaded. Let’s pull over and check the beans.” And suddenly I began to shake. No sympathy for the devil.

Was it really my fault that my Barista and I ended up like this? Who would have known the antidote for whatever God-forsaken plague hit us was coffee?

“I can only drive with beans, Strangebrew…what do we have left?” My Barista asked. Christ, man…keep calm. I turned the radio on as I began to pull over next to an abandoned warehouse.

Reports are coming in that the terrorist threat is now in total control of the world’s coffee bean surplus. President—

I had to turn it off. Too depressing. Six more hours to Miami. Six tough hours. In search of a dream, and greener pastures. Where the beans could be plucked from trees with your bare hands. In this foul year of our Lord, 2018, it was the only chance we had.

We would arrive twisted, bent, reeling from the beans and other party favors in the trunk. We even had a can of Folgers…and I knew we would get into that nasty shit soon. There is nothing more helpless and depraved than a man in the depths of a Folgers binge. The brain refuses commands, the spine recoils in horror. You start behaving like the town drunkard in some old Irish novel. Again, no sympathy for the devil.

(more…)

Continue ReadingDr. Strangebrew – Flash Fic From Ben Eads