Oceans

by D Kershaw

  Debris gathered by her feet. The dancer remained unperturbed, even when a cold, dead hand brushed against her bare leg.

  Tears ran down her bloodstained face, leaving white tracks along her cheeks.

  The sea was an unforgiving mistress, and it tore apart the cruise liner with ease. Ripping it asunder, as though it were paper not steel.

  Mid-performance, she was thrown overboard, alongside her audience, into unforgiving waters.

  Still, she danced amongst the waves for the dead.

  LYNDSEY ELLIS-HOLLOWAY is a writer from Knaresborough, UK. She writes fantasy, sci-fi, horror and dystopian stories, focussing on compelling characters and layering in myth and legend at every opportunity. Her mind is somewhat dark and twisted, and she lives in perpetual hope of owning her own Dragon someday, but for now she writes about them to fill the void... and to stop her from murdering people who annoy her. When she’s not writing she spends time with her husband, her dogs and her friends enjoying activities such as walking, movies, conventions and of course writing for fun as well!

  Website: theprose.com/LyndseyEH

  The Dark Dive

  by Rickey Rivers Jr.

  Daniel came up from the dive and coughed.

  “Tough time?” asked Andy, holding a handcrafted weapon.

  “Yeah.”

  “Sorry, had to be night. See the chest?”

  “Nah.”

  Andy scanned the ocean, looking for any semblance. “She’s resting.”

  Daniel coughed again. A straight blackness hit the sand.

  “You sick?” said Andy.

  The blackness became solid and flopped around.

  Andy pulled Daniel to his feet. “That’s a bad sign.”

  The ocean began to vibrate and emit a low hum. Then she rose. Her tail illuminated by moonlight.

  Daniel fell.

  “Hey! What wrong? What happened down there?”

  But Daniel couldn’t breathe on land anymore.

  RICKEY RIVERS JR. was born and raised in Alabama. He is a writer and cancer survivor. He has been previously published with Fabula Argentea, Cabinet of Heed, Back Patio Press, (among other publications).

  Website: storiesyoumightlike.wordpress.com.

  Twitter: @storiesyoumight

  When Oceanus Comes Calling

  by Susanne Thomas

  Tradition and promises could be stretched too far, Dana thought. The boat rocked violently, and she could hear the pots and pans clattering from their cabinets. The crashes and rumbles of them were just a part of the world around her. The salt of the sea assailed her nose and was cut by a stronger, rancid odour.

  Dana knew what waited for her out on the deck of the boat. An unbreakable compact sealed her fate. She shuddered and wiped the tears from her cheeks before opening the upper hatch. It was time to become the bride of a Titan.

  SUSANNE THOMAS reads, writes, parents, and teaches from the windy west in Wyoming. She’s an MFA graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello Creative Writing Program and she loves fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, poetry, children’s books, science, coffee, and puns.

  Website: www.themightierpenn.com

  Sinking Ship

  by Liz Feldman

  The giant squid had been having a normal Tuesday up to this point. Swimming along, it now watched as a colossal cruise ship sank into the ocean depths. The squid caught up to a porthole and peered inside. A woman struggled, wrestling to open her cabin door against the rising water. With a final desperate heave, she pulled it open—and stared aghast at a single, roving tentacle as water gushed through a neighbouring porthole. The woman screamed and flailed, clawing her way backwards, thrashing about for some kind of protection. The tentacle followed and gently stroked her face.

  Dinner.

  LIZ FELDMAN is a writer and speaker in the Virginia Beach, VA area. She won her first writing award in elementary school and has loved dreaming up characters ever since. She enjoys writing short stories and speculative fiction of all kinds, as well as academic nonfiction. When not writing, she works as a Kids Director and enjoys hiking with her husband, young son, and dog.

  The Dare

  by Jim Bates

  “I dare you,” Ronny said. “Bet you’re afraid.”

  Ben rolled out of the two-man kayak and started swimming for shore. “Piece of cake,” he said over his shoulder. “No sweat.”

  Only a quarter of a mile and the ocean was calm. Easy.

  But he’d forgotten about the seaweed. Long tendrils grabbed his legs like slimy, grasping fingers, twisting around his calves, tightening the more he struggled until they began to pull him under. He panicked, taking in water.

  “Here, I’ve got you,” Ronny called, reaching for him.

  Ben pushed his friend’s tentacle like hands away. “No,” he yelled, terrified. “Get away!”

  JIM BATES lives in a small town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories have appeared online in CafeLit, The Writers’ Cafe Magazine, Cabinet of Heed, Paragraph Planet, Nailpolish Stories, Ariel Chart, Potato Soup Journal, Literary Yard, Spillwords (Dec, 2019, Author of the Month), The Drabble, The Academy of the Heart and Mind and World of Myth Magazine. In print publications: A Million Ways, Mused Literary Journal, Gleam Flash Fiction Anthology #2, the Portal Anthology and the Glamour Anthology by Clarendon House Publishing, The Best of CafeLit 8 by Chapeltown Publishing, the Nativity Anthology by Bridge House Publishing and Gold Dust Magazine.

  Website: www.theviewfromlonglake.wordpress.com

  Float

  by Beth W. Patterson

  “Why are they called floats if they stay at the bottom of the ocean?” The boy was inquisitive on the submarine tour of the underwater city once known as New Orleans.

  The tour guide smiled. “They were once used for parades, not for the bottom of the sea. Only a few survived...” She trailed off as the passengers saw a gargantuan jester head detach itself and float upward toward the submarine. The grinning mouth split open, revealing a maw large enough to engulf the craft.

  The craft gave a violent lurch, and water poured into the hull.

  BETH W. PATTERSON was a full-time musician for over two decades before diving into the world of writing, a process she describes as “fleeing the circus to join the zoo”. She is the author of the books Mongrels and Misfits, and The Wild Harmonic, and a contributing writer to twenty anthologies. Patterson has performed in eighteen countries, expanding her perspective as she goes. Her playing appears on over a hundred and sixty albums, soundtracks, videos, commercials, and voice-overs (including seven solo albums of her own). She lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband Josh Paxton, jazz pianist extraordinaire.

  Website: www.bethpattersonmusic.com

  Facebook: bethodist

  Rising Tide

  by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Cordelia stood at the research vessel’s bow, waiting for the test to complete. The North Wind skirled around her, biting her face and tearing her clothes, but she remained steadfast.

  Mankind’s disregard for nature steadily undid Marduk’s crime.

  The human scientists knew the Arctic ice melted, shrinking by the day. They worried about the fresh water mixing with the salt and changing the currents.

  Her machine dinged and Cordelia turned. As she read the results, the ancient priestess let a smile crawl across her face.

  The mortals finally had something to worry about: the blood of Tiamat was finally free.

  RAVEN CORINN CARLUK writes dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and anything else that catches her interest. She’s authored five novels, where she explores themes of love and acceptance. Her shorter pieces, usually from her darker side, can be found in Black Hare Press anthologies, at Detritus Online, and through Alban Lake Publishers.

  Twitter: @ravencorinn

  Website: www.ravencorinncarluk.com

  An Ocean of Despair

  by Sabetha Danes

  Unbeknownst to the surface dwell
ers, leagues beneath the ocean, a blood curdling scream escapes a lone survivor. No one hears it, and the isolation is deafening. The current rips the scream from its owner’s lips, dragging it deeper into the ocean. A single soul has awoken to nothingness in a once jubilant place. Crumpled on the floor, a hollow void overtakes naïve eyes. Pain from the sudden abandonment rampages through every thought, depositing seeds of despair. They take root and blossom into irate emotions, turns to revenge. In time happiness will be fought for, but in this single moment—disillusionment.

  SABETHA DANES is an eccentric introvert located in Central Texas, in a Stars Hollow-esque small town. Her default language is sarcasm, and is fueled by coffee. As a lifelong bibliophile, she reads and edits all genres but specializes in fantasy and cozy mysteries. Her degree in interpersonal communication helps her over-analyze characters that are only found in stories. She spends her days with her daughter and dude walking trails and drinking coffee. Did we mention she enjoys a great cup of coffee?

  Website: aconitecafe.com

  Nightfall

  by J. Scott Hill

  There hadn’t been a ship in decades, but I took the job watching the lighthouse. The old caretaker turned with a warning, “Night falls you hit that light. You hear? Only thing ‘tween them and the ones you love is that there light.”

  I nodded nervously, looking out over the beach. I didn’t believe the old man and his stories, but night was falling.

  I waited, then switched on the light. The beach illuminated in a bright flash, and there I saw and heard the crawling horrors screaming. Sunken things before the dawn of humankind, slinking back to the deep.

  J. SCOTT HILL is a sometimes writer, avid gamer and IT professional in his spare time. He lives with his wife and two furry kids in Columbia, MO. He once received a Silver Honorable Mention for a short story, The Black Grave, entered in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest.

  Jelly Head

  by Nicola Currie

  When I jumped off the cliffs and hit the water below, I didn’t expect to be here, beneath the surface, weeks later, trapped in an eddy, twirling, smashing from rock to rock. At least it doesn’t hurt. Pain stopped with my heart, my breath.

  It’s annoying though, boring even, to feel my body break slowly apart as it is washing-machined with each ebb and surge.

  I sigh with relief as the final crack to my head opens my skull like an oyster. The gel-like remains of my brain ooze away as I am released, death welcomed like a cool swim.

  NICOLA CURRIE is from Cambridge, UK where she works in educational publishing. She has published poetry in literary magazines, including Mslexia and Sarasvati, and short stories in various anthologies. She has also completed her first novel, which was longlisted for the Bath Children’s Novel Award.

  Website: writeitandweep.home.blog

  Slipping Away

  by Thomas Baker

  Eli’s hands were wet, and he was losing his grip on the side of his small boat. The waves rocked the tiny vessel violently as dark circles swarmed the water below. He cried out as he tried with all of his might to pull himself back into the boat. He could feel his strength depleting with every attempted lunge. An intense tug, followed by sharp pain, caused his chest to tighten in panic as blood began to fill the water around him. Eli trembled as he fought back tears just before another powerful tug pulled him beneath the ocean’s surface.

  THOMAS BAKER is a lover of all things horror with a heavy emphasis on zombies, paranormal and things of the slasher variety! He aims to keep his writing fast paced and fun. Thomas has several stories featured in different anthologies but he is best known for his co-written “Outbreak Series” with his good friend and writing partner Robert Wagner. The series has reached trilogy status! You can follow him on his 6K Press page on both Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the latest shenanigans that are afoot! Be warned, some parental advisory required!

  Lost Beneath the Waves

  by Stuart Conover

  Liam had been diving for years.

  However, his childhood joy had become an obsession.

  It was said Captain Dermuta’s ship had sunk nearby.

  Below its decks, the greatest treasure to ever be lost.

  Liam knew that finding it was as realistic as the curse on all that gold.

  Yet here he was.

  Thirty-nine and chasing down shipwrecks.

  Sinking beneath the waves, he knew it was worth it.

  Before him lay Dermuta’s ship.

  On its deck, the remains of a solitary figure.

  The captain himself.

  Liam swam to greet the pirate lord.

  Only, he hadn’t expected Dermuta to greet him back.

  STUART CONOVER is a father, husband, rescue dog owner, published author, blogger, journalist, horror enthusiast, comic book geek, science fiction junkie, and IT professional. With all of that to cram in daily, we have no idea if or when he sleeps or how he gets writing done! (We suspect it has to do with having evil clones.) Stuart is a Chicago native and runs the author resource Horror Tree.

  Group(er) Think

  by Sara L. Uckelman

  Tib stood on the edge of the sea, watching the boats unloading their fish. The fisher grinned a gap-toothed grin as the grouper slid and tumbled over each other in shining, shimmering piles, watching Tib watching her. “Strange fish, they are,” she said. “Did you know that they are born women and become men when they grow up?”

  The hunger Tib felt for the fish had nothing to do with her stomach. She pushed her way through the boats, dived into the water, and swam and swam her way into the depths of the sea, until the groupers surrounded him.

  SARA L. UCKELMAN is an assistant professor of logic and philosophy of language at Durham University by day and a writer of speculative fiction by night. Her short stories are published or forthcoming in Manawaker Studio Flash Fiction Podcast, Pilcrow & Dagger, Story Seed Vault, and The Martian Wave, and anthologies published by Exterus, Flame Tree Publishing, Hic Dragones, Jayhenge Publications, QueerSciFi, and WolfSinger Publications. She is also the co-founder of the reviews site SFFReviews.com.

  Slime of the Ancient Mariner

  by Beth W. Patterson

  The currents had swept us closer to hell, and “a sea of bodies” was no metaphor. From the crow’s nest, I watched in numb disbelief as the churning ocean curdled, revealing the millions of bodies of which it was composed.

  Maelstroms of viscous reanimated, spinning and smashing into one another, thrashed in a grisly ecstasy, if corpses could feel frenzied joy.

  Rising from the water was the gargantuan lord of undead whirlpools, drawing our ship nearer to our final, eternal fate. His skinless face, taut with muscles, drew back his lips into a hungry rictus. Hallowed be his name: Eddy.

  BETH W. PATTERSON was a full-time musician for over two decades before diving into the world of writing, a process she describes as “fleeing the circus to join the zoo”. She is the author of the books Mongrels and Misfits, and The Wild Harmonic, and a contributing writer to twenty anthologies. Patterson has performed in eighteen countries, expanding her perspective as she goes. Her playing appears on over a hundred and sixty albums, soundtracks, videos, commercials, and voice-overs (including seven solo albums of her own). She lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband Josh Paxton, jazz pianist extraordinaire.

  Website: www.bethpattersonmusic.com

  Facebook: bethodist

  Mother of Pearl

  by Kelly Matsuura

  Kaoru tucked her hair under her hood and adjusted the heavy package on her back.

  Taking a deep breath, she dropped into the cold ocean.

  She found ‘Mother’ quickly. No time to waste, she unwrapped her offering.

  It was always a male torso—no head or limbs, but genitals intact. Kaoru didn’t ask where they came from, but every month, she delivered Mother her favourite meal.

  The monstrous oyster opened wide and swallowed the torso in one mout
hful.

  Duty done, Kaoru returned home. She’d be back with her Ama sisters to collect the rarest, most valuable pearls found in Japan.

  KELLY MATSUURA writes diverse YA, fantasy, and literary fiction.

  She is the Creator of The Insignia Series’ anthologies (Asian fantasy themed) and has had stories published with Ink & Locket Press, A Murder of Storytellers, Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly, and many more. Kelly lives in Nagoya, Japan with her geeky husband. She loves traveling, knitting, cooking, and of course, reading.

  Website: www.blackwingsandwhitepaper.com

  Lady of the Deep

  by Holley Cornetto

  Waves surged and spilled over the deck. The old wood creaked and moaned, begging mercy from the storm. The gale had blown in from nowhere. The ship rocked perilously over the unforgiving deep. Legend was true; she was cursed.