Parva Gradus

Stories

  • Thank You for the Undead

    The kill team encircles the facility, shadowy specters against the oily trees of the morning forest. Eddie severs a padlock, kicks in a door. Angie swings inside. The shadows storm through the hallway. Muzzles aimed at scrambling lab coats cry out… Read more

  • Archibald

    The first month I lived in my apartment building I found a closed enveloped peeking under my door. My heart jumped a little when I saw it; I was worried I had made too much noise the night before or had otherwise irritated my new neighbors. I put off opening… Read more

  • Judge Marshall’s Definitive Decision

    Judge Marshall wiped his mouth, hand shaking, before lurching forward once more and vomiting into the pink porcelain bowl. When he finished, he gasped, then rose to a quivering stride to the sink. Here he cleaned his spattered face and dragged eye boogers from the corners of his eyes, flicking… Read more

  • Accident Prevention

    Mel felt his fingers begin to slip over the steering wheel. He tightened his grip and gave it a slight turn, allowing the car to slow a few miles per hour around a gentle curve. As he mouthed the words to a song, hiding his voice from his ears… Read more

  • A Time to Mend

    The sweet bathroom air had wicked away the moisture, leaving the toothbrush to rest dry along the edge of the cup. Its bristles nodded more directly toward the bathroom door than when she’d left, but it was an imperceptible difference. Above the toothbrush resided a mirror. The glass was as clear as to be… Read more

  • Don’t Wake Her Up

    “Generally, she won’t remember them. Those she does remember we will be sure to process thoroughly. Don’t wake her up. You will only disrupt her sleep. In the short and long term, that has far more severe consequences. You both—you all—need rest.” Read more