Welcome to another unique bi-monthly compilation of the inspired visions and universes from four Midwest Journal Press authors:  C. C. BrowerJ. R. KruzeS. H. MarpelR. L. Saunders From their prolific output, we've assembled 16 short stories, grouping them by author and publication date.  While every major genre is represented, you'll also see that in most cases, these books cross genres and plot structures to give you the best possible reader experience and entertainment. While each of these authors are still improving their craft, you will find their short stories to be just springboards to exploring the wider universes that inspired them. In this compilation, you'll see more where these authors have co-written and produced marvelous takes - and entirely new characters or aspects of existing ones - which flesh out these universes into greater reality and detail. Please enjoy - and do look up their other works... This Anthology Contains: Ham & Chaz by C. C. Brower & J. R. KruseThe Lazurai Returns by C. C. Brower & J. R. KruzeThe Lazurai Emergence by C. C. Brower & S. H. MarpelThe Case of the Forever Cure by J. R. KruzeOne Thought, Then Gone by J. R. KruzeTo Laugh At Death by J. R. KruzeVoices by J. R. KruzeThe Lori Saga: Escape by J. R. Kruze & S. H. MarpelThe Case of the Walkaway Blues by J. R. Kruze & S. H. MarpelThe Case of a Cruising Phantom by S. H. MarpelThe Training: Beth by S. H. MarpelThe 95% Solution by S. H. MarpelHarpy's Desires by S. H. MarpelFalling by S. H. MarpelThe Spirit Mountain Mystery by S. H. Marpel & C. C. BrowerOur Second Civil War by R. L. Saunders & C. C. Brower Excerpt  (From "The Spirit Mountain Mystery" by S. H. Marpel & C. C. Brower): “SEEMS QUIET NOW.” STANDING on the empty plains under a red-sky morning that rolled out away from a torn and fractured Nevada desert mountain, it seemed pretty obvious. Quiet. Of course, I soon wished I hadn’t said anything. Something like Finagle’s law. Not just that things will go wrong if they can, but also at the worst possible moment. And in the worst possible way. A dust cloud soon swallowed us. Sal and Jude together had to put up and hold a force shield around us. And that’s pretty much all they could do, as that dust came with the force of a terrible wind. Something like a hurricane’s - and it came up within seconds of my speaking. But then a pain seared through my stomach and quickly spread to my veins. A massive headache started in the next moment. All I could do was to clutch my stomach and roll into a ball on the ground. Sal and Jude saw me and were frantic with alarm, but could do nothing without lowering the shield and watching us all blow away. The last thing I remember seeing was someone walking through that hurricane right toward us - as if it was a calm day in those Midwest pastures I’d left a thousand miles away. She came right up and walked through Sal and Jude’s force shield like it wasn’t there. Just waltzed in and crouched over to have a look at me. Not a single red hair surrounding her pretty face was even moving. Big, dark green eyes looking into my soul. Did I mention her pretty face? Thought so. As she put her hand on my forehead, everything went black. At least the pain stopped... Scroll Up and Get Your Copy Now.

An unintended result of a terrorist bombing a children's hospital, the Lazurai could kill a person without touching them.  The government made it worse by their experiments. All the children wanted was to feel love like any child. When they grew older, their powers increased. And they found they couldn't be stopped. Chuck hears a rumor of one coming his way, to his remote way station on the highway. But he can't leave his wife, who's dying. So he waits. And sees the hooded Lazurai walking the long miles on a hot desert day toward him.  All he can do is wait. What he doesn't know is that this one is different from all the rumors. And his life is going to change forever... Extract:  Late morning that day, he saw someone walking. Miles off yet. Coming toward him, along the edge of the road and staying off the pavement.  Chuck could tell because the highway was laser straight for miles in both directions. You could hear anything coming when there was traffic. And then hear it going. Walkers made no noise, and took a long time to get there. A long time to get gone. "Well Mr. Lazurai, take your time. I'm in no hurry." Chuck said out loud to no one in particular. He figured that this had to be a Lazurai as he was walking. People told stories about them: they wouldn't always kill you right off. If they liked you, then you had a few days. The people that lived were cursed anyway, as anyone they knew would leave them alone after that. As what the Lazurai gave a person could also affect the other people around them. Big or small community, it didn't matter. Viruses spread. Chuck didn't care. He would not leave Charlene and she would not leave her baby. So if this was the end, he was as ready as he would be. By the time the walker was nearly in earshot, Chuck had finished off the rest of his lemonade and was ready for a refill.  But he stayed on that bench in the shade and waited to meet this person. His only real hope is that the end would be swift and painless. For everyone concerned. - - - -  Scroll Up and Get Your Copy Now