Alexander Kozdra

“Grave Giver” by Alexander Kozdra

Submitted to Contest #108

The next day the grave pit was empty again. There’s a pile of dirt next to the whole. The sun hitting the farmhouse on the way up and down made it look yellow. A pile to the side with a shovel shoved in was the only evidence. Jim brought seed to cover the compressed dirt atop his wife’s plot. The fence didn’t keep vermin from harassing their family plot. The coffin was shiny and polished as if dirt hadn’t just surrounded it. Someone or something had pulled the dirt back out.  When he opened the lid, she was undisturbed. The eyes were s...

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“A Medium Medium” by Alexander Kozdra

“He’s sitting on a sofa, watching the Knicks I think.” “You think? Dammit I thought you could see?” He’d hire me to consult to track this guy. We were in a quiet white room. Lights off. It was one of the interrogation rooms leftover from the days when they were needed. “ A light blue wall. No defining features. A bachelor pad if I ever saw one. We ain’t even get up for commercials.” “That’s it? C’mon Charlie, give me something.” “It’s a bit fuzzy.” No doubt a transmitter error, I think. “I think it could be any apartment in Brooklyn. Hel...

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“A Medium Medium” by Alexander Kozdra

Submitted to Contest #105

“He’s sitting on a sofa, watching the Knicks I think.” “You think? Dammit I thought you could see?” He’d hire me to consult to track this guy. We were in a quiet white room. Lights off. It was one of the interrogation rooms leftover from the days when they were needed. “ A light blue wall. No defining features. A bachelor pad if I ever saw one. We ain’t even get up for commercials.” “That’s it? C’mon Charlie, give me something.” “It’s a bit fuzzy.” No doubt a transmitter error, I think. “I think it could be any apartment in Brooklyn. Hel...

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“A New Triad” by Alexander Kozdra

Submitted to Contest #105

The father looked like he’d suddenly started taking AA seriously. He had freshly combed hair with a face that screamed sadness. The son, sitting opposite him in the booth, had the fresh-faced weary look you’d expect from someone who’d never see his mommy again.  “You can get anything you want." “I’m not hungry.” “Ice cream and french fries. Or Eggs and steak. You gotta eat up, to be strong.” “I don’t want to eat.” I came around carrying decaf left, regular right. “Can I get y’all anything to drink to get started?” He motioned to t...

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“Tabs” by Alexander Kozdra

Submitted to Contest #103

I’ve always been lucky. Never a speeding ticket not reversed, finding money, I even stumbled into my job when I didn’t apply.  With the peering eyes over my shoulder, I withdrew the last 500$ from my bank account. Insufficient funds. Oh the fee. I type in $490. Withdraw. Had to be a multiple of 10.  “Why don’t you just steal the atm itself? It’s got all the money you need.” “Hah! That’d be like stealing from myself.” Perplexed I handed him the $490. He pointed at the branding. Property of Onako. “That’s me.” “So why do you need...

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