Issue 44 - First Lines

'Animals and Men' by James Machin

Parsons was sat back in the rickety chair—astonishing it could carry his weight—feet up, Marlboro reds on the table in front of him.

'Steam' by Sam Dawson 

The steam room is warm, womblike, pulsing with clouds of comforting vapour that alternately hide and then reveal the little lights discreetly set into the ceiling, whose auroras illuminate the mists of tiny hot droplets that ease her muscles, soothe her skin and, with each heated intake of breath, help cleanse her lungs.

'Dr Hopkins’ Tale' or 'Mr Nicholas' by Victoria Day 

November had come to our small town of Plumston with its customary lack of mercy.

'Endless Halloween' by Michael Kelly 

Everything was dark.

'Ghost Stories' by Mark Patrick Lynch

I travel a lot.

'Low Tides' by Mathew F. Riley 

“Pass the cider, Steve, mate, there’s a good boy.”

'Report on the Death of a US Citizen' by Steve Duffy

FOR ATTENTION OF: US Ambassador ONLY