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And the whole issue is very much worth checking out here: smallwondersmag.com/issue/28/

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It's a dangerous world that he doesn't acknowledge is dangerous, and it takes the narrator waking up to be able to get their freedom. From the dream, just as they did from the marriage itself. It's a powerful read.

The poetry in the issue is also quite good, including S.M. Hallow's "You're Dead & I'm Safe & Still I Dream Of You," in which the narrator dreams they are back with their ex, in a world of his making—one where only he has a voice, and everything else is forced out.

When justice seems to strike your former terrible boss, it's time to celebrate, but when he shares the misery out by firing your best friend, it unleashes a tragedy that grows. It's a story of grief, guilt, and rage, all captured nicely in these reviews.

Rachel Gutin's "Ink Reviews" is grim as well but has a subtleness as the story is revealed by a series of reviews of special inks that help the second person You face your past, present, and future. A past working for a terrible boss only to find a different job though your best friend stayed behind

And of course if you appreciate and want to help support my work as a writer, critic, and more, feel free to check out my Patreon and become a patron!

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You can check out both originals plus reprints in the October issue of The Dark: www.thedarkmagazine.com/issues/octob...

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It's chilling and subtle, pulling readers along by the seemingly deep and spiritual yearnings of this man that hides the true extent of his crimes past, present, and future. It's a great read!

The story explores guilt and grief and the messy edges of ethics and morality. The man can feel like he is good as long as there aren't other people around, but as one of the refugees points out, good is what you do for other people. And in that, he has a long way to go

"The Island at the End of the World" by S.L. Harris finds a man living alone on an island, striving to be good, while the world outside goes to hell (that he might have had a hand in making). That is, until three refugees arrive on the island needing help, and he thinks it's a test

Also if you just want to witness my reading and interpretive process, this is basically it. I think I'm over 2700 words of analysis on a 3900 word story it really is magical to just be able to sink into a such an amazing story like this.

(and to tease even further ahead, I think the January story might be a certain October Nightmare story featuring ghosts and drag queens)

I also announce the story we'll be discussing next month, which is “To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter” by V.M. Ayala (from Lightspeed #183), which you can check out in advance here: www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/to-a...

And of course if you appreciate and want to help support my work as a writer, critic, and more, feel free to check out my Patreon and become a patron!

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You can read the whole issue here: www.nightmare-magazine.com/issues/oct-2...

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Aimee Ogden's flash story is also quite nice, and Shantell Powell's poem "Stillborn" is sharp and focuses on the cycles of damage and effort from those trying to stop the damage to the planet, to Earth. It's a staggering and oftentimes losing battle, but it still needs fighting. Wonderful!

"Body? Glass" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu is deeply uncomfortable as the narrator deconstructs himself, tearing himself apart for what he thinks the world wants. It's tragic but leaves room for something different, as he might yet find a way to put himself back together and defy the world's cruelty

I love the frame, which allows this slow meta-textual experience and message to leak out from the fiction into the world. Whether it's effective remains mostly on readers, who can choose to ignore the lessons of the dead or seek to take than pain and anger to do better. I love it!