I push my head around the edge of the door. It’s eleven o’clock but he isn’t asleep. He’s lying on his bed, ramrod straight, staring up at the ceiling. His eyes are wide, shining circles in the half-light of his bedside lamp. He turns his head towards me and his body jolts, as though a … Continue reading NIGHT TERRORS by John Biglands (1st place, Jan21)

We had no choice but to ram in the front door of Flat 27.  Our procedure is that one person enters first in case of an ambush. I’m thankful it was my turn.  I saw a giant bubble, its silvery surface throwing colours around like a celestial disco ball.  At first, I thought it must … Continue reading THE RESPITE by Barbara Kuessner Hughes (2nd place, Jan21)

Moments before he slammed the door behind him, Charles could hear the sound of his wife’s loud laughter rolling in his head. She’d describe it as having her giggle-mug on, but she had a tendency towards vulgarity and many times he’d admonished her about this. She’d once infuriated him by retorting ‘I’ll use my sauce-box … Continue reading HIGH HOPES ON THE HIGHWAY by Caroline Drew (3rd place Jan21)