The bluish-black mountains, backlit by an explosion of burnt-orange, mauve and blood red, were reflected in the ice and water that flowed slowly toward the ocean.

Labeled a monster by the media and spit on by his neighbors when he passed by, Alton craved the anonymity of the city but needed one last score for bus fare out.

Lying in the dirty bed, milky light slanting in through the broken shade, I realize that I have no idea what day it is or how long I've been asleep.

Katherine lay on the dirty floor refusing the hand of the man with the runny nose trying to help her after she careened through the subway car due to her unwillingness to touch anything in the germ-filled space.

Ralph was a hugger, but far worse, in Terry's opinion, was the odd murmuring sound he made while clinging to his chosen victim coupled with the seemingly endless time it took to accomplish his goal.

Every morning he walked outside and scanned the horizon in hopes that he would see her coming down the road towards home.

She kept the sweat stained towel on the mantle next to the special collector's bourbon bottle in the shape of Elvis and counted that night in Vegas as the highlight of her life.