Metal Pumpkin (Fall/ Winter Issue 2024)
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Look Who’s Stalking by Iain Moss
Look Who’s Stalking (Humor) Iain Moss (Malaysia) As Mike entered the small park, he could see Sally sitting on one end of a park bench reading a book with a small handbag by her side. He sidled up self-consciously and sat at the other end of the bench. “I was just wondering…” he said. “I…
South of Moosonee by Greg Lambert
South of Moosonee (Nonfiction / Essays) by Greg Lambert Mom’s in the Hospital. I went in to visit her. She told me they tried to take her teeth out before she went into the operating room. They thought she had false teeth because they are so straight. Smiling is her superpower. She said dad came…
The Lonely Flower by A.J. Hughes
The Lonely Flower A.J. Hughes (U.S.) In the darkness of night, on a soiled path, is a lonely flower. Every night, the flower waits for someone to recognize its beauty. But no one arrives. Unable to appear in the daylight, when the sun offers warmth to other flowers, the lonely flower emerges at night when…
Candy Lady by Dee Allen
THE CANDY LADY Dee Allen 1980: Age 12: She had anything The neighbourhood kids’ Sweet tooths craved: Snickers, Milky Ways, M & Ms, Twizzlers liquorice, jawbreakers, Bubble Yum, Kit-Kats, Reese’s peanut butter cups, a new candy bar called Twix, around Xmas shopping Season, peppermint sticks, Jolly Ranchers, Lemonheads— The very things That made young mouths…
The Bike by E. Hughes
The Bike by E. Hughes (U.S.) Genre: Literary Fiction, drama It was a ten-speed bike. I remember looking over my mother’s shoulder to get a glimpse at the doorway of my father rolling it into the house. It was my sister’s 12th birthday. I was excited by the prospect of owning a bike for the first…
Dirty Old Men by Varya Kartishai
Dirty Old Men (Horror) by Varya Kartishai (U.S.) Maisie came to live with us the year I started school. I had never seen such a pretty woman. Her wide mouth was bright red, the same as her high-heeled shoes, her long-lashed eyes were blue, hair the color of sunlight glinting off a brass doorknob hung…
The Vine by Jaron Howard
The Vine (Horror) Jaron Howard (U.S.) “Close your eyes and stay right there, I have a surprise for you,” Mark said. “A Surprise for me, you shouldn’t have!” Rachel replied. A glowing smile lit up her face, further illuminating her radiant beauty. She snapped her eyes shut and stood rooted to the spot eagerly awaiting…
The Croft Ruins somewhere between Aviemore and Kingussie by Keira Smith
The Croft Ruins somewhere between Aviemore and Kingussie Keira Smith (U.S.) My broken stone outlines stretch out into unkempt grass, (An imprint of what once was) Into the soft ground. I am weighed by time and measured by grief. I am nestled in the bosom of overgrown trees and ancient hills. Kept safe like a…
The Switch by Ralph Mannings
The Switch (Suspense) Ralph Mannings (United Kingdom) Summary: A young jeweler attempts to outsmart a con artist, with unexpected results. I imagine most girls visualise their engagement ring as something special and, as Jane and I were going to announce our ‘secret’ on Christmas day, finding that special ring was becoming a matter of…