Promised

by Jolene Dawe

Marianna first noticed him following her three weeks before her twenty-first birthday. He showed up as she left work that evening and walked a couple of yards behind her all the way to her car. When she arrived at the apartment she shared with two roommates he was there, discreetly hidden behind the dumpster banks. Marianna saw him, but she gave no outward sign of it. What good would that do? Who could she tell? Read more.

Hide Says Toc, Run Says Tic

by Carrie Pålsson

"Jessie?" Amanda's small voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes, hon?" I answered, not much louder. I had my hand at the ready, prepared to cover her mouth if need be.

"I'm so tired, Jessie. I just want to go to bed." Her words broke my heart.  Read more.

Around the World

by Adam Jeffries Schwartz

Dogs in Thailand

22 October 2005

At the meditation center where I am staying dogs are in charge.

The dogs on the female side hate men--especially strangers--but they don't like monks either. When they see one coming they form a triangular guard worthy of the Imperial Roman Army; no one gets near a Nun. Read more.