short stories – Jacob Marsh

Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again

Daisy It was a good day for the Pizza Stack. Lots of orders spread out almost evenly over the afternoon. Pleasant customers that arrived on time, many of which even tipped, Daisy was her the zone. She felt like she did in her forties, maybe even her thirties. As a bonus, the convenience store hadn’tContinue reading “Part 27 – It Will Never Be Clean Again”

Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game

Tom Tom rested both his hands against the oddly sticky counter and leaned forward into a deep lunge. It was going to be a long night; he’d woken up stiff and tired, and no amount of stretching was limbering up those tense muscles. Something about the turning seasons always did this to him. Spring amblingContinue reading “Part 25 – A Zero-Sum Game”

Part 24 – The Hitchhiker

Jon The long nights weren’t the worst of it. Work had never been an issue for Jon. He was raised hard and hearty by parents who meant well but pushed him. It wasn’t the poor pay or the disrespect either. Neither of those means much to a man nearing the end of his rope. No,Continue reading “Part 24 – The Hitchhiker”

Part 20 – Singing to the Moon

Peter After leaving the convenience store, Peter made his way to the car. The new attendant seemed like a good kid. She clearly didn’t know anything about music, but she had humored him. Most people didn’t humor him. They usually tried their best to get him to shut up. Get him to stay on track.Continue reading “Part 20 – Singing to the Moon”

Part 19 – All the Time in the World

Kat And then she was alone. Kat stood behind the counter of an empty store, staring out the window and into what felt like the depths of space. She could see the well-lit gas pumps, but beyond them, a void stretched out into eternity. She was adrift. Kat pulled her phone out to check theContinue reading “Part 19 – All the Time in the World”

Part 18 – All Red

Kat Tomato sauce splashed as a ladleful fell onto a pale crust. She spread it, suddenly reminded of her own face, and how red it must have been. Kat tried to focus on the task at hand. She had an order of four medium pizzas to get into the large industrial oven, so she didn’tContinue reading “Part 18 – All Red”

Advent of Evil – Day 23

Yule Log They say it has to burn all day. Otherwise, it’s bad luck. I say, why leave it to chance? Instead of a log, burn the whole damn tree! If it doesn’t last through the night, at least the gods will see your failure brightly. Then the luck you deserve will come on swiftContinue reading “Advent of Evil – Day 23”

Advent of Evil – Day 22

Count your Blessings Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, make sure to count your presents. If you find extras in the morning, stamp out the ones that are breathing; otherwise, they’ll keep multiplying. Want more? Sign up for the ARC Directive to get early access to chapters, unlock exclusive horrors, and step deeper into the darkContinue reading “Advent of Evil – Day 22”

Advent of Evil – Day 21

3 AM Thoughts He’s silent, the final spirit, clad in darkness like the night. There is no need to speak when the truth is clear now. A long life lies before me. Stretch out in loneliness, mangled by guilt. Grim as he is, even the ghost isn’t smiling. Truly, the worst is yet to come.Continue reading “Advent of Evil – Day 21”

Advent of Evil – Day 20

The Winter Witch From Nordic lands of ice and snow, an ogress here to slay. Unlike the lads she cruelly bore, she is not here to play. Unless your soul is righteous, she’ll cook you in a vat, take you as a sacrifice, or feed you to her cat! Want more? Sign up for the ARCContinue reading “Advent of Evil – Day 20”