“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. This is the final chapter; read from the beginning, starting here. Mouths XII: Fleeing I don’t hear the bullet pass by me. It doesn’t hit Sheila. He must have aimed at my back. The mouths must have gotten it. I smile. This is good to know. But […]
Mouths
Mouths 11: Fighting

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter on Mondays throughout the summer. (We’re almost at the end, now — but the fear started creeping in back in June.) Mouths XI: Fighting I have no real animosity toward the woman. Like me, like Sheila, she was pushed into an unimaginably […]
Mouths 10: Leaving

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter on Mondays throughout the summer. (Perhaps you would like to start at the beginning?) Mouths X: Leaving The world feels different as I walk up the stairs. My muscles are more obedient to my will, more responsive. It feels, ironically, as if […]
Mouths 9: Accusing

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter on Mondays throughout the summer. (Perhaps you would like to start at the beginning?) Mouths IX: Accusing I am not wearing a shirt, but this is the least of my worries. At least he won’t look at my face. The mouths remain […]
Mouths 8: Explaining

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter on Mondays throughout the summer. (The journey started here.) Mouths VIII: Explaining She passes out three times as I talk. It’s okay. We have time. None of us need to leave anytime soon. My mouths are sated for now. They open and […]
Mouths 7: Stalling

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter Monday mornings throughout the summer. “Shut the fuck up, Sheila!” I scream at the door. I realize that I shouldn’t draw attention to myself. I breathe. “I’m sorry.” My voice is softer. “Just give me a second. Everything will make sense soon.” […]
Mouths 6: Stilling

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. Mouths VI: Stilling The alarm clock flashes a steady stream of banal red numbers at me. Something urgent will happen. The air is thick with tension. Sweat. Vodka. Fear. It is oppressive. Almost insufferable. Something stale […]
Mouths 5: Fighting

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. Mouths V: Fighting I sit on the dirty carpet and examine what the mouths have left of my life. Vodka bottles. Glass shards. Wood splinters. Old woman. Her eyes scream fear. Her mouth remains gagged. I […]
Mouths 4: Returning

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. Mouths IV: Returning I return to my building, using the carport. It’s rented by 2B, but I don’t care anymore. I don’t want the old woman to roast. It’s close to 4 p.m. now. My mouths […]
Mouths 3: Feeding

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. Mouths III: Feeding They say that you get used to any noise if you live with it for long enough: jackhammers, sirens, alarms. Clocks ticking. Water dripping. I doubt if I will ever become comfortable with […]
Mouths 2: Hiding

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. Mouths II: Hiding I wake from dark dreams to the nightmarish sound of the mouths moving in an alien uniformity. The teeth scraping together with regular precision sound like gears. Their moans are not human. I […]
Mouths 1: Awakening

“Mouths” is a fiction story presented in installments. Look for a new chapter each Monday morning throughout the summer. I: Awakening I feel a sudden jolt and groggily realize that I no longer am in the green meadow with the greedy little pig. It was a dream. I stare into the silent darkness, which is […]