October 27, 1986 The animated warble of the sportscasters’ voice carries through the room, and I’m sitting cross-legged on the floor watching game 7 of the World Series. My little sister Sally is painting her nails in her trademark red, …
The Start by Katie Kocheski
A short figure was standing in the middle of a field of blood and bodies. She was panting, puffs of air coming out like smoke; it was freezing. Sword in hand staring off into nothingness, doused in the blood of …
Fair Mermaid by Lawrence Koebernik
The moon was full and high in the sky that night, giving off a glow of light to the beach. It allowed me to see the board walkway that led nearly to the water’s edge, stopping only a couple yards …
Stranded by James Archuleta
The little space ship rattled as it entered the atmosphere. Alarms blared insistently. “Come on, come on, please . . .” The pilot was a black ant trying to pull out of free fall. “This is Brandy to the Colony …
Parley Staff Picks: Copy Editor, Tswana Caine
We’ve received a number of exceptional submissions, and Parley’s Copy Editor, Tswana Caine picked some of her favorites (in no particular order). The Goblin Shack Ganker by Kirk Thomas I’ve chosen this piece because I was instantly captivated by the sensory language at …
Parley Staff Picks: Editor in Chief, Camille Liptak
We’ve received a number of exceptional submissions, and Parley’s Editor in Chief, Camille Liptak has picked some of her favorites (in no particular order). When She Realized the Universe Was on Her Side by Lache S. Man, oh man do …
The Cycle of Winter by Keri Kapfer
Poem Version: All seasonsAll colorsAll sights for eyes to seeAll soundsAnd all smells tooAll for a heart to melt overAll to see your faceOh SummerMy cousin has come to me fallingNow I wish it wasn’t meWasn’t my turnYou know me …
Transformation by Jill Wilcox
The evening sun was glaring as I drifted into my apartment. I was greeted by the sound of running water. Had I left something on? That’s when I noticed the gigantic bulge in the ceiling. The white gypsum drywall swelled, …
Demonology by Aubrey Eisel
Her eyes bulge out of their sockets. She’s breathing heavily through her nose because her jaw is clenched tight. That vein in her forehead is even going again. Thump, thump, thump, it pulses. She can’t seem to find the words …
Red Wine by Alexa Hulmes
Stacy lounges on her worn couch enjoying a well-deserved glass of red wine. Bare feet rest atop the coffee table as she clicks through the channels, only half paying attention. She swirls the glass in her hand, taking in the …