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Adair, Jay |
Adhikari, Sudeep |
Ahern, Edward |
Aldrich, Janet M. |
Allan, T. N. |
Allen, M. G. |
Ammonds, Phillip J. |
Anderson, Fred |
Anderson, Peter |
Andreopoulos, Elliott |
Arab, Bint |
Armstrong, Dini |
Augustyn, P. K. |
Aymar, E. A. |
Babbs, James |
Baber, Bill |
Bagwell, Dennis |
Bailey, Ashley |
Bailey, Thomas |
Baird, Meg |
Bakala, Brendan |
Baker, Nathan |
Balaz, Joe |
BAM |
Barber, Shannon |
Barker, Tom |
Barlow, Tom |
Bates, Jack |
Bayly, Karen |
Baugh, Darlene |
Bauman, Michael |
Baumgartner, Jessica Marie |
Beale, Jonathan |
Beck, George |
Beckman, Paul |
Benet, Esme |
Bennett, Brett |
Bennett, Charlie |
Bennett, D. V. |
Benton, Ralph |
Berg, Carly |
Berman, Daniel |
Bernardara, Will Jr. |
Berriozabal, Luis |
Beveridge, Robert |
Bickerstaff, Russ |
Bigney, Tyler |
Blackwell, C. W. |
Bladon, Henry |
Blake, Steven |
Blakey, James |
Bohem, Charlie Keys and Les |
Bonner, Kim |
Booth, Brenton |
Boski, David |
Bougger, Jason |
Boyd, A. V. |
Boyd, Morgan |
Boyle, James |
Bracey, DG |
Brewka-Clark, Nancy |
Britt, Alan |
Broccoli, Jimmy |
Brooke, j |
Brown, R. Thomas |
Brown, Sam |
Bruce, K. Marvin |
Bryson, Kathleen |
Burke, Wayne F. |
Burnwell, Otto |
Burton, Michael |
Bushtalov, Denis |
Butcher, Jonathan |
Butkowski, Jason |
Butler, Terence |
Cameron, W. B. |
Campbell, J. J. |
Campbell, Jack Jr. |
Cano, Valentina |
Cardinale, Samuel |
Cardoza, Dan A. |
Carlton, Bob |
Carr, Jennifer |
Cartwright, Steve |
Carver, Marc |
Castle, Chris |
Catlin, Alan |
Centorbi, David |
Chesler, Adam |
Christensen, Jan |
Clausen, Daniel |
Clevenger, Victor |
Clifton, Gary |
Cmileski, Sue |
Cody, Bethany |
Coey, Jack |
Coffey, James |
Colasuonno, Alfonso |
Condora, Maddisyn |
Conley, Jen |
Connor, Tod |
Cooper, Malcolm Graham |
Copes, Matthew |
Coral, Jay |
Corrigan, Mickey J. |
Cosby, S. A. |
Costello, Bruce |
Cotton, Mark |
Coverley, Harris |
Crandall, Rob |
Criscuolo, Carla |
Crist, Kenneth |
Cross, Thomas X. |
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D., Jack |
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Danoski, Joseph V. |
Daly, Sean |
Davies, J. C. |
Davis, Christopher |
Davis, Michael D. |
Day, Holly |
de Bruler, Connor |
Degani, Gay |
De France, Steve |
De La Garza, Lela Marie |
Deming, Ruth Z. |
Demmer, Calvin |
De Neve, M. A. |
Dennehy, John W. |
DeVeau, Spencer |
Di Chellis, Peter |
Dillon, John J. |
DiLorenzo, Ciro |
Dilworth, Marcy |
Dioguardi, Michael Anthony |
Dionne, Ron |
Dobson, Melissa |
Domenichini, John |
Dominelli, Rob |
Doran, Phil |
Doreski, William |
Dority, Michael |
Dorman, Roy |
Doherty, Rachel |
Dosser, Jeff |
Doyle, Jacqueline |
Doyle, John |
Draime, Doug |
Drake, Lena Judith |
Dromey, John H. |
Dubal, Paul Michael |
Duke, Jason |
Duncan, Gary |
Dunham, T. Fox |
Duschesneau, Pauline |
Dunn, Robin Wyatt |
Duxbury, Karen |
Duy, Michelle |
Eade, Kevin |
Ebel, Pamela |
Elliott, Garnett |
Ellman, Neil |
England, Kristina |
Erianne, John |
Espinosa, Maria |
Esterholm, Jeff |
Fabian, R. Gerry |
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Farren, Jim |
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Fishbane, Craig |
Fisher, Miles Ryan |
Flanagan, Daniel N. |
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Flynn, Jay |
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Frank, Tim |
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Funk, Matthew C. |
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Gardner, Cheryl Ann |
Garvey, Kevin Z. |
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Golds, Stephen J. |
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Grant, Stewart |
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Gunn, Johnny |
Gurney, Kenneth P. |
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Hanson, Christopher Kenneth |
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Harris, Bruce |
Hart, GJ |
Hartman, Michelle |
Hartwell, Janet |
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Hawley, Doug |
Haycock, Brian |
Hayes, A. J. |
Hayes, John |
Hayes, Peter W. J. |
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Heslop, Karen |
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Hill, Richard |
Hivner, Christopher |
Hockey, Matthew J. |
Hogan, Andrew J. |
Holderfield, Culley |
Holton, Dave |
Houlahan, Jeff |
Howells, Ann |
Hoy, J. L. |
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Huffman, A. J. |
Huguenin, Timothy G. |
Huskey, Jason L. |
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Irascible, Dr. I. M. |
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James, Christopher |
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Jones, Erin J. |
Jones, Mark |
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Kaplan, Barry Jay |
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Keaton, David James |
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Kerins, Mike |
Keshigian, Michael |
Kevlock, Mark Joseph |
King, Michelle Ann |
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Kitcher, William |
Knott, Anthony |
Koenig, Michael |
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Kolarik, Andrew J. |
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Krafft, E. K. |
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Lacks, Lee Todd |
Lang, Preston |
Larkham, Jack |
La Rosa, F. Michael |
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Leatherwood, Roger |
LeDue, Richard |
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Leins, Tom |
Lemieux, Michael |
Lemming, Jennifer |
Lerner, Steven M |
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Levine, Phyllis Peterson |
Lewis, Cynthia Ruth |
Lewis, LuAnn |
Licht, Matthew |
Lifshin, Lyn |
Lilley, James |
Liskey, Tom Darin |
Lodge, Oliver |
Lopez, Aurelio Rico III |
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Lovisi, Gary |
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Lucas, Gregory E. |
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Lynch, Nulty |
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Lyons, Matthew |
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MacArthur, Jodi |
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Mann, Aiki |
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Marcius, Cal |
Marrotti, Michael |
Mason, Wayne |
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Mattila, Matt |
Matulich, Joel |
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McCaffrey, Stanton |
McCartney, Chris |
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McFarlane, Adam Beau |
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McMannus, Jack |
McQuiston, Rick |
Mellon, Mark |
Memi, Samantha |
Middleton, Bradford |
Miles, Marietta |
Miller, Max |
Minihan, Jeremiah |
Montagna, Mitchel |
Monson, Mike |
Mooney, Christopher P. |
Moran, Jacqueline M. |
Morgan, Bill W. |
Moss, David Harry |
Mullins, Ian |
Mulvihill, Michael |
Muslim, Kristine Ong |
Nardolilli, Ben |
Nelson, Trevor |
Nessly, Ray |
Nester, Steven |
Neuda, M. C. |
Newell, Ben |
Newman, Paul |
Nielsen, Ayaz |
Nobody, Ed |
Nore, Abe |
Numann, Randy |
Ogurek, Douglas J. |
O'Keefe, Sean |
Orrico, Connor |
Ortiz, Sergio |
Pagel, Briane |
Park, Jon |
Parks, Garr |
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Parrish, Rhonda |
Partin-Nielsen, Judith |
Peralez, R. |
Perez, Juan M. |
Perez, Robert Aguon |
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Petroziello, Brian |
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Petyo, Robert |
Phillips, Matt |
Picher, Gabrielle |
Pierce, Curtis |
Pierce, Rob |
Pietrzykowski, Marc |
Plath, Rob |
Pointer, David |
Post, John |
Powell, David |
Power, Jed |
Powers, M. P. |
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Prazych, Richard |
Priest, Ryan |
Prusky, Steve |
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Purfield, M. E. |
Purkis, Gordon |
Quinlan, Joseph R. |
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Rabas, Kevin |
Ragan, Robert |
Ram, Sri |
Rapth, Sam |
Ravindra, Rudy |
Reich, Betty |
Renney, Mark |
reutter, g emil |
Rhatigan, Chris |
Rhiel, Ann Marie |
Ribshman, Kevin |
Ricchiuti, Andrew |
Richardson, Travis |
Richey, John Lunar |
Ridgeway, Kevin |
Rihlmann, Brian |
Ritchie, Bob |
Ritchie, Salvadore |
Robinson, John D. |
Robinson, Kent |
Rodgers, K. M. |
Roger, Frank |
Rose, Mandi |
Rose, Mick |
Rosenberger, Brian |
Rosenblum, Mark |
Rosmus, Cindy |
Rowland, C. A. |
Ruhlman, Walter |
Rutherford, Scotch |
Sahms, Diane |
Saier, Monique |
Salinas, Alex |
Sanders, Isabelle |
Sanders, Sebnem |
Santo, Heather |
Savage, Jack |
Sayles, Betty J. |
Schauber, Karen |
Schneeweiss, Jonathan |
Schraeder, E. F. |
Schumejda, Rebecca |
See, Tom |
Sethi, Sanjeev |
Sexton, Rex |
Seymour, J. E. |
Shaikh, Aftab Yusuf |
Sheagren, Gerald E. |
Shepherd, Robert |
Shirey, D. L. |
Shore, Donald D. |
Short, John |
Sim, Anton |
Simmler, T. Maxim |
Simpson, Henry |
Sinisi, J. J. |
Sixsmith, JD |
Slagle, Cutter |
Slaviero, Susan |
Sloan, Frank |
Small, Alan Edward |
Smith, Brian J. |
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Smith, C.R.J. |
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Smith, Greg |
Smith, Elena E. |
Smith, Ian C. |
Smith, Paul |
Smith, Stephanie |
Smith, Willie |
Smuts, Carolyn |
Snethen, Daniel G. |
Snoody, Elmore |
Sojka, Carol |
Solender, Michael J. |
Sortwell, Pete |
Sparling, George |
Spicer, David |
Squirrell, William |
Stanton, Henry G. |
Steven, Michael |
Stevens, J. B. |
Stewart, Michael S. |
Stickel, Anne |
Stoler, Cathi |
Stolec, Trina |
Stoll, Don |
Stryker, Joseph H. |
Stucchio, Chris |
Succre, Ray |
Sullivan, Thomas |
Surkiewicz, Joe |
Swanson, Peter |
Swartz, Justin A. |
Sweet, John |
Tarbard, Grant |
Tait, Alyson |
Taylor, J. M. |
Thompson, John L. |
Thompson, Phillip |
Thrax, Max |
Ticktin, Ruth |
Tillman, Stephen |
Titus, Lori |
Tivey, Lauren |
Tobin, Tim |
Torrence, Ron |
Tu, Andy |
Turner, Lamont A. |
Tustin, John |
Ullerich, Eric |
Valent, Raymond A. |
Valvis, James |
Vilhotti, Jerry |
Waldman, Dr. Mel |
Walker, Dustin |
Walsh, Patricia |
Walters, Luke |
Ward, Emma |
Washburn, Joseph |
Watt, Max |
Weber, R.O. |
Weil, Lester L. |
White, Judy Friedman |
White, Robb |
White, Terry |
Wickham, Alice |
Wilhide, Zach |
Williams, K. A. |
Wilsky, Jim |
Wilson, Robley |
Wilson, Tabitha |
Woodland, Francis |
Woods, Jonathan |
Young, Mark |
Yuan, Changming |
Zackel, Fred |
Zafiro, Frank |
Zapata, Angel |
Zee, Carly |
Zeigler, Martin |
Zimmerman, Thomas |
Butler, Simon Hardy |
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Inside Room 107 by Dustin Walker
Her
voice trickled out of Room 107. Soft and pleading, but still loud enough to catch Johnny's
attention on his way to the motel ice machine. “No, sweetie.
Please, don’t.” Then a slap. A muffled cry. And what sounded
like a mallet hitting a piece of raw steak. Johnny knew that
sound. He’d heard it every day as a kid while hiding in the pantry, listening as
his dad beat on his mom. He imagined the woman on the other side of the door, huddled on
the dirty carpet as some biker or gangbanger stood over her with a clenched fist. Her face
swollen. Lips bleeding. Johnny’s hands curled into tight balls.
He glanced around. His Camaro and a jacked-up Silverado were the only vehicles in the parking
lot. A pair of streetlights threw dirty tungsten on everything, but it was still pretty
dark. And there wasn’t anyone in sight. He pressed his ear
against the door and listened. Whispering. Harsh, pointed. The way you’d
hiss I warned you or I fucking told you at someone. Johnny recognized that
sound from his childhood, too. Another slap. Another muted cry. He
grit his teeth and adjusted the giant skull ring on his index finger. He raised his hand
to knock on the door just as the woman screamed, “Please, no!” The
door flew open. Johnny jumped back. A rail-thin girl stumbled out of the room, tripped
and fell on the concrete. She wore blue jeans and a black crop top. Mascara ran down her
face like inky tears. She looked up at him but didn’t say
a word. Didn’t ask for help. Johnny’s mom had never asked, either. He
stayed to the side of the door, just out of sight. Fists raised, ready to fuck up the bastard
who would walk out of that room. Ready to unleash the pent-up fury from a
childhood hell full of beatings and days spent in hiding. Johnny bounced
from foot to foot and wrung out his massive hands. Cracked his neck. But he
couldn’t wait. Fuck the sneak attack. He lunged through
the doorway, his skull-clad fist drawn back, ready to throw the hardest right
cross of his life. The room was empty. Johnny
dropped his hands to his side and wondered if the guy had slipped into the bathroom. Light
footsteps from behind. Johnny spun around. The woman stood in
the doorway with her arms folded across her chest and her face scrunched up like
a crumpled roadmap. “The fuck you
want?” she said. Her voice thicker and stronger than before. “Sticking your
goddamn nose where it doesn't belong, looks like.” She walked up to
Johnny and got right in his face. Her eyes had a hardness to them. And a
distant, empty gleam. “I heard you cry out
. . . I wanted to help.” Johnny turned toward the bathroom for a second, worried
the guy might jump him from behind. He turned back to the woman, just as she stuck a butterfly
knife into his gut. “Who’s the big tough man, now?”
She smiled before pulling the blade out of Johnny’s abdomen. He slumped against the
wood-paneled wall and clutched at his wound. Heart racing. Cold sweat streaming down his
face. The woman
wiped the knife on his jean jacket and slipped it back into her pocket. She put her
hand on the doorknob and looked back at Johnny. “Everyone’s a fucking hero
these days.” Johnny’s legs gave
out and he collapsed onto the carpet, hand still pressed against his spurting
gut. She turned off the light and closed the door, leaving
him in darkness. “Get in the truck, bitch.” Her
voice carried into the room. Then a slap. A muffled cry. Johnny
slipped into unconsciousness. Dustin Walker is a former newspaper reporter who specialized
in writing feature stories about addiction, homelessness, and other social issues.
He now uses those experiences as inspiration for his fiction. His work has
appeared in places like Dark Moon Digest and SilverBlade Magazine.
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In Association with Fossil Publications
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