For the Month of November 2026, These Are the Stories That Intrigue Us Most.
* Rain Check by Kamran Connelly
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* Two? by James Foster
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* Undressing the Manikin by Peter Waddell
Rain Check
by
Kamran Connelly
Thailand. The stop I’ve been dreading.
When the big night arrives, my friends can’t comprehend my lack of enthusiasm for the full moon beach party.
“People come from all over the world to see this!”
I insist, I’m in no state to attend. Street food gets the blame and provides the convenient cover I need.
When they leave for the celebration, I hurry to the jungle, as far away from people as I can get.
Morning brings headaches and tales of the revelry.
The morning paper brings news of four bodies, found mauled near the edge of the city.
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Kam’s Novelette DEATH BED INC is due for publication by Twisted Dreams Press.
He has features in anthologies by Hollowpoint Press, Wolfsinger Publications RDG Books Press and UnpopularPublications. Is currently shopping around his debut novel, The Extinction Process. And his Vampire novella BLOOD BANK.
Is published online at The Horror Tree, Trembling with Fear, Flash Phantoms, and WitCraft for his works of fiction. Has poetry featured in three anthologies, and a novella featured in the Paul Cave Prize for literature.
Two?
by
James Foster
She’ll have to do, I suppose. When you’re done, remember to roll the body under the bed with the empties. We are not slobs. I’ll get the cleaner in there tomorrow.
In case you forgot, the code for the lock is L17 R46 L3.
Glad you changed your mind. You had me worried for a hot minute. An unfortunate misunderstanding, right? But make no mistake, when your friend runs out of fingers, we’re done. You and me.
Don’t fuck this up. I’m not big on second chances. Let alone third. And remember…no mess.
I wonder if there’s room for two.
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James is a Pushcart nominee whose work has appeared in Jersey Devil Press, Synkronicity, and Bowery Gothic. He is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Biology, Philosophy, and Computer Science. For fun, James reads classical Greek, plays the Blues, pursues wild fish in remote places, and drinks excellent whisky--ideally all at the same time.
Undressing the Manikin
by
Peter Waddell
Standing quiet and still in the window, showcasing the red dress. The proud shopkeeper doing a copious amount of business. The manikin drawing them in, on impulse.
“I love the red dress in the window.”
…are just some things the counterjumper hears every day. Today was no different. The snooty posh lady with the gold earrings walked in and demanded that red dress on the manikin. The clerk tried to dissuade her.
Mrs. Snooty smiled at the naked manikin upon leaving.
Newsflash: Lady of York Missing.
The manikin, once again, resplendent in the red dress and shiny gold earrings.
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Peter is a South African currently living in China.