Size / / /

They left you dangling on the edge of the counter, bristles still damp,
left you as they packed up cans and boxes, flashlights and clubs,
left you just where you could hear the shrieks echoing off tiled walls
but not quite where you could catch a glimpse of beasts in the mirror.

And the boys invaded in ski masks, combed through every inch,
took sweaters and silverware and red Solo cups,
bulldozers determined to leave no stain of human existence
when they tore through the bathroom, they stole all your friends.

"Wait!" you wanted to shout.  "Take me!  I have Crest Whitening, 
and I'm guaranteed to exterminate plaque!  Don't you know 
I'm recommended by five out of six dentists?"

Where are the dentists now?




Hi, I’m Betsy Ladyzhets, high school senior and probable future creative writing major.  I’m aggressively fond of cute hats, terrible special effects, and pit orchestras, and my optimism is probably going to get me killed someday.
Current Issue
18 Nov 2024

Your distress signals are understood
Somehow we’re now Harold Lloyd/Jackie Chan, letting go of the minute hand
It was always a beautiful day on April 22, 1952.
By: Susannah Rand
Podcast read by: Claire McNerney
In this episode of the Strange Horizons Fiction podcast, Michael Ireland presents Little Lila by Susannah Rand, read by Claire McNerney. Subscribe to the Strange Horizons podcast: Spotify
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