CORONER

What else can you tell me, John?

JOHN DOE

I’m trying to tell you. Everything. All of it. Look at my arms. Look at my throat. Cut my heart out. You’ll see.

CORONER

Wound on the left elbow. Discoloration and placement make me think it’s not the cause of death. Anything to say for yourself John?

JOHN DOE

Sometimes things hurt. What else is there to say?

​

Published in Libraerie Magazine

OLIVE

Not really. We have our ideas. It was built in the last ten years, doesn’t have any blood it’s built on. My father says the year it was built, the construction workers in the area had their wages cut. Thinks they pounded their anger into the house and it has no where else to put it. My mother thinks it just gives back what we give. Thinks if we’d loved this house, like my brother loves it, it would’ve been kind to us. That would have been nice.

MR. NOEL

And you? What do you think?

OLIVE

I think we just stumbled into something the same way you wind up on a bad blind date. Sometimes there isn’t an answer. No ghosts or ghouls or gods. Sometimes we just have to accept that we won’t get an explanation.

(OLIVE waves as her brother comes walking up the street.)

​

Published in Canyon Voices

MOLLY

Dear Gods, let me just say I believe in you. Still. Always. But, can I ask you for a favor? Could you clear these clouds, just for today? It's been cloudy for the last two months, three almost. We're aren’t flowers, but we whither, all of us. For even just an hour, even just ten minutes.

(Without turning around, CALLIE speaks. MOLLY doesn't move as she does.)

CALLIE

Dear Molly, let me just say I believe in you. Still. Always. You humans always do amaze me. All those winding roads, all those buildings touching the sky. You care, you know? All of you have something to care about. Molly, I can't help you. I doubt anyone who can is even listening.

MOLLY (with hope)

​I knew you'd come.

​

Published in Canyon Voices