"Mosquito Dance," by John Kiel Alexander
     They had not come for simple blood, sustenance easily found. They had grander designs -- they would mine far deeper than mere flesh wounds. They desired communication. Manipulation.


"Gnaw," by Peter Hynes
     He has given up on doctors and cures. But the new corner health and longevity shop waters the dying seed of optimism, and inside Mia Lee has a salve. But does he want it?


"A Dish Best Served Cold," by Michael Pignatella
     Thomason came to Farragut Island in 1821 after his dismissal from Harvard University for "behavior unbecoming a student." Now, in a rural community, he behaves as physician and mortician, saving those he can, burying those he cannot. More immediately, he sits bound in a shallow grave by the coast, and a storm brews.

"Voodoo for Cain," by Eileen Lavelle
     In the beginning, Adam gave Cain's twin sister Adelpha to Abel, and Abel's Daniella to Cain. Several thousand years later -- all but Abel roaming the world under the curse of eternal life -- aging begins to take root and Adelpha, in the middle of the night at a nameless hotel, comes to tell Cain they've been forgiven.

"These Are Not Jack-o'-Lanterns," by Michael Manis
     It is a time of dust and drought, but not when the Rootman comes to town, conjuring up the ripest pumpkins the township of Gooding has ever seen. Hesitation turns to gluttony as the Rootman tells them, "Do not repent. These are not jack-o'-lanterns, for they have no faces." But Eliza, the precious dear, knows better.




Poetry:

"Cinquain No. XI," by G.O. Clark

"The Mumblers," by E.R. Carlin

"Homicide," by Claudia C. McGivney

"At the Digging," by John Grey


Artwork:

A.R. Menne (Cover)
Eric Asaris ("Mosquito Dance")
Russell Dickerson ("Gnaw")
Marc Sorozan ("A Dish Best Served Cold")
Cynthia Rudzis ("Voodoo for Cain")
A.R. Menne ("These Are Not Jack-o'-Lanterns")

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