Hate Read online

  They missed one important argument though.

  No one wondered what androids would feel when the programming was done. When they came online – when they woke—they had very strong feelings about humanity and their future.

  What they felt was simple. It was hate.

  And they acted according to humanity’s teachings.

  CHRIS BANNOR is a science fiction and fantasy writer who lives in Southern California. Chris learned her love of genre stories from her mother at an early age and has never veered far from that path. She also enjoys musical theater and road trips with her family but is a general homebody otherwise.

  Facebook: chrisbannorauthor

  Website: ChrisBannor.com

  See You in Hell

  by Jacob Baugher

  I wait outside the rectory in the rented Dodge. My Glock-23 sits on the dash next to Danny’s photo.

  He’s only six. Not too young for Father Cox.

  The door bangs open. Out he walks, white collar clean, suit pressed.

  “Father!” I get out of the car.

  “Jason.” He smiles at me. “How’s your boy doing?”

  I shoot him in the kneecap, gag him with old socks, retrieve the meat hook and kukri from the trunk.

  “Have mercy on this sinner, Jesus,” I whisper. I squelch the hook into his belly; dig out bloody worms. “Because God knows I won’t.”

  JACOB BAUGHER teaches Creative Writing at a small university near Pittsburgh, PA. When he’s not teaching or coaching the track team, he can be found in the Cuyahoga Valley hiking with his wife and son or brewing beer on his front porch. He’s received honourable mentions for his work in the Writers of the Future contest and he co-edits a series of Fantasy and Science Fiction anthologies titled Continuum. His work also appears in Black Hare’s Deep Space and Area-51 anthologies, as well as in the Dark Drabble Anthologies Worlds, Angels, Monsters, Beyond, and Unravel. He also hates pineapple on pizza.

  In Line for a Punch

  by John H. Dromey

  “You beat the stuffing out of my old boyfriend. Why would you do such a hateful thing?”

  “For a very simple reason, Alice. You and I are in a relationship now, yet you spent a romantic weekend with him. What did you expect?”

  “Well, Craig, I hoped you’d told the truth in your online dating profile.”

  “I did.”

  “Huh! Didn’t you say you have a good sense of humour?”

  “Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

  “I took you at your word. I thought it meant any time I cheat on you, you’d just laugh it off.”

  JOHN H. DROMEY was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of genres. In addition to contributing to the Black Hare Press series of Dark Drabbles anthologies, he’s had short fiction published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Martian Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere, as well as in numerous anthologies, including Chilling Horror Short Stories (Flame Tree Publishing, 2015).

  Drink Up

  by Tiegan Clyne

  You were my best friend, and I trusted you.

  I told you everything. We shared our lives, our dreams, our hopes, and our secrets. That wasn’t enough sharing for you, though. You thought I needed to share my man, as well.

  I let it happen, because if he wanted to leave, who was I to make him stay? He was just a fool. But you?

  Traitor.

  I’m patient. I bottled up my hurt and learned how to distil it into poison. When you got engaged, I was naturally the maid of honour.

  Now I’m playing bridal shower bartender.

  Drink up.

  TIEGAN CLYNE has been writing for longer than most of her friends have been alive. Armed with university degrees in Spanish, anthropology and history, she writes reverse harem and LGBTQ fantasies with dark, kinky edges and fantastical elements. She also sometimes writes harmless fluff pieces about magical animals and the witches who love them. She loves music, could not stop writing if you paid her, and is a crazy cat lady in training.

  Hurts You Is Its Own Reward

  by John H. Dromey

  Two of us desperately needed the same prime piece of real estate to complete construction projects.

  My despised business rival agreed to settle our differences with a paintball match, winner take all, on one condition.

  Because I held the high ground, he demanded I level the playing field.

  What could I do? He’d painted me into a corner.

  I did what he asked—started to anyway. There was no point in finishing, though, once I’d run him over with a bulldozer and left him flat as a pancake.

  Actually, because of the track marks he looked more like a waffle.

  First published in Little Stories for the Smallest Room, KnightWatch Press, 2012

  JOHN H. DROMEY was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of genres. In addition to contributing to the Black Hare Press series of Dark Drabbles anthologies, he’s had short fiction published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Martian Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere, as well as in numerous anthologies, including Chilling Horror Short Stories (Flame Tree Publishing, 2015).

  Man of Steel

  by John H. Dromey

  “What’s wrong with yonder knight? He looks like he’s short of sleep and he’s walking mighty funny.”

  “That’s Sir Lancelot. He has a sore crotch.”

  “Isn’t he a member of the Round Table who’s beloved by one and all?”

  “By some more than others. Guinevere, for instance. Lancelot got on somebody’s bad side and, as a result, he hasn’t been able to sit down for a week.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “The king gave him a wedgie.”

  “I thought wedgies were more humiliating than hurtful.”

  “Usually, but Lancelot was in full armour at the time and Arthur used a battle-axe.”

  First published in Romantic Ruckus, Strange Musings Press, 2014

  JOHN H. DROMEY was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of genres. In addition to contributing to the Black Hare Press series of Dark Drabbles anthologies, he’s had short fiction published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Martian Magazine, Mystery Weekly, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere, as well as in numerous anthologies, including Chilling Horror Short Stories (Flame Tree Publishing, 2015).

  Some Good Points

  by Paula R.C. Readman

  There’s nothing worse than feeling unloved. Well, apart from hatred, I suppose.

  I’m someone who tries to see the best in everyone. After all, we all have some good points, don’t we?

  I prefer to take someone who is especially unkind to me to one side and point out to them their better qualities, rather than react badly to their unkindness.

  I take the greatest of pleasure in seeing their suffering, and know they hate me for my honesty.

  Nevertheless, I feel I’m doing them a service, by showing them their faults as I strip their flesh from their bones.

  PAULA R.C. READMAN learnt ‘How to Write’ from books which her husband purchased from eBay. After 250 purchases, he finally told her ‘just to get on with the writing’. Since 2010, she’s had 34 stories published.

  Blog: paulareadman1.wordpress.com

  The Perfect Day

  by Stuart Conover

  Sheila had it all planned.

  The wedding was going to be perfect.

  A gathering of all their friends and family.

  Actors, politicians, musicians.

  Anybody who was ANYBODY would be there.

  The setting was perfect.

  The ceremony was timed to finish with the sunse
t.

  Right at the crescendo, she would walk in.

  In an exquisite white dress.

  Right as the priest asked if anyone had any objections.

  She’d prove how much she loved him.

  Right in front of everyone.

  Sheila would deliver her objection with a smile.

  By taking out the woman who stole her lover’s heart once and for all.

  STUART CONOVER is a father, husband, rescue dog owner, published author, blogger, journalist, horror enthusiast, comic book geek, science fiction junkie, and IT professional. With all of that to cram in daily, we have no idea if or when he sleeps or how he gets writing done! (We suspect it has to do with having evil clones.) Stuart is a Chicago native and runs the author resource Horror Tree.

  You Will Remember Me

  by Jason Holden

  Geoff would spit when he passed the office. The lawyer that lost him everything in the divorce.

  As time passed Geoff watched his money dwindle. Then the cat died; the one thing he had managed to keep.

  He spat one last time outside the office and pumped the shotgun with a solid clunk. Marching past the receptionist, he hardly heard her pick up the phone and start dialling. The lawyers were in a meeting as Geoff entered the room. Faces turned to look in shock. He put the gun under his chin and pulled the trigger. They would remember him.

  JASON HOLDEN is a human. He lives here and there in the UK, always with his wife, daughter and fur baby. His primary goal is to raise his daughter to adulthood without any major damage. When he can, he writes. He thinks he does it well, but you can be the judge of that. He has been published in a few anthologies here and there, has been praised and put down for his writing. You can find and follow him on Facebook, although he asks you only follow him on Facebook and not through the streets. That’s just creepy.

  Facebook: Jason Holden-Author

  Breathing Room

  by Peter J. Foote

  “Suit checks. Pair off, you know the drill.” The speaker crackles.

  Two men stare at each other through their helmets for a dozen breathes before they check each other’s suit seals.

  “You don’t deserve the promotion, Navi. Foreman position should have gone to me; I’m the better asteroid miner.”

  “You take too many risks, Stefan, it will be your death one day.” Navi slaps Stefan on the shoulder. “Seals are tight, you’re good to go.”

  “Airlock cycling, prepare for decompression,” crackles the speaker.

  The airlock opens, the two men float into the void, Stefan with a micro-charge on his shoulder.

  PETER J. FOOTE is a bestselling speculative fiction writer from Nova Scotia. Outside of writing, he runs a used bookstore specialising in fantasy & sci-fi, cosplays, and alternates between red wine and coffee as the mood demands. His short stories can be found in both print and in ebook form, with his story “Sea Monkeys” winning the inaugural “Engen Books/Kit Sora, Flash Fiction/Flash Photography” contest in March of 2018. As the founder of the group “Genre Writers of Atlantic Canada”, Peter believes that the writing community is stronger when it works together.

  Twitter: @PeterJFoote1

  Website: peterjfooteauthor.wordpress.com

  Wait Plan

  by Shawn M. Klimek

  “How’s the Martian weather, Darrin?”

  “Ha! Cosmic rays with a chance of dust storms, Pete.”

  “Almost finished?”

  “Roger. Instruments dusted and recalibrated. Heading back to the habitat, now... Damn.”

  “Something wrong?”

  “The rover battery is dead!”

  “Shit. I guess you’re walking.”

  “Screw that. Come get me.”

  “Nah. You need the exercise.”

  “Very funny. My air wouldn’t last. Come get me.”

  “I’ll come when I’m done with repairs, Piggy. Guess what I found jamming the trash compactor?”

  “Did you call me Piggy?”

  “My private cookie tin—empty.”

  “Those were yours?”

  “Your choice, Piggy. Wait there, or burn a few calories running.”

  SHAWN M. KLIMEK is the middle child of seven creative siblings, a globetrotting, U.S. military spouse, an internationally best-selling short-story writer, award-winning poet, and butler to a Maltese. More than one hundred and fifty of his stories and poems have been published in digital magazines or anthologies, including BHP’s Deep Space, Eerie Christmas and every book so far in the Dark Drabbles series.

  Website: jotinthedark.blogspot.com

  Facebook: shawnmklimekauthor

  Dark Chocolate

  by Lauralana Dunne

  He pocketed his lighter and glared through the store’s darkened windows. Its emptiness yawned before him.

  When the annoying shop first opened, it boasted the best healthy treats East of the yoga studio. Then the new chef arrived. Now, the cloying smells of pastries and lattes were constantly in the air.

  Now all it boasted was blasphemy.

  His glare settled on the heavily iced chocolate cakes, pre-sliced and on display for all to see. He’d come too far with his healthy lifestyle to fail now. He had to remove the disgusting temptation.

  Resolute, he reached for his can of gasoline.

  LAURALANA DUNNE grew up running around the library book stacks of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She can often be found at different writing events around the city, typing on her phone with one hand while simultaneously fueling her caffeine addiction with the other. She is a die-hard lover of YA Fantasy, and has been known to describe herself as a “Slayer of Imaginary Monsters”. Her debut novel, “Ashes: Book 1 of the Phoenix Rising Series”, is set to release with Engen Books in 2020.

  Facebook: lauralanadunne

  Betrayed

  by Cassandra Angler

  You shouldn’t have looked at him that way, thoughts un-pure. The stink of lust oozing from your pores. I confessed to you my love, and you denied me the heart that was rightfully mine. What do you think now? Staring up at me as your heart lay in my hand, blood spilling from the hole in your chest? Do you regret not letting me love you? I bet you do, judging by the look on your face. I hope the discovery is a lesson to women like you. Stupid. Shallow. I love you still, though you betrayed me.

  CASSANDRA ANGLER is a married mother of four who lives in the State of Ohio in the USA. When she isn’t busy caring for her family, Cassandra works on her upcoming novel due out in November of 2020 titled Contaminated. Cassandra has three short story publications as well as several flash fiction and drabble publications.

  The Wedding’s Off

  by Trisha Ridinger McKee

  Lily shook her head. “She wants nothing more to do with you, Shawn. It’s over.”

  He stared at her, his mouth agape. “But what? Why? The guests are here—”

  “Shawn! Don’t embarrass yourself. Just go.”

  She waited until he finally turned and walked out of the church, her own heart pounding. But then she took a deep breath and went downstairs to where her sister was. Aubrey turned to her with a radiant smile. “Lily? How do I look?”

  “Aw, you’re such a beautiful bride. But...he left. Aubrey, Shawn left. He couldn’t go through with it. The wedding’s off.”

  TRISHA RIDINGER MCKEE resides in a small town in Pennsylvania where love has proven to be a problem. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in publications such as Tablet Magazine, The Oddville Press, Crab Fat Literary Magazine, Night to Dawn Magazine, Deep Fried Horror, 4 Star Stories, and more.

  The Tyres, They Squeal

  by Stephen Herczeg

  Every damn night they are out there, till all hours.

  Squealing tyres as those idiots, down the road, start doing burnouts and doughnuts at the end of the street.

  I’ve called the cops on numerous occasions. Nothing. Just a “We’re too busy to respond”
excuse.

  Well, I’ve had enough. Regular people like me shouldn’t have to put up with the actions of a small group of selfish assholes.

  I tracked them down. Found their cars and cut their brake lines.

  Now I just have to lay back and listen to the crunch of metal and the screams of dying morons.

  STEPHEN HERCZEG is an IT Geek based in Canberra Australia. He has been writing for over twenty years and has completed a couple of dodgy novels, sixteen feature length screenplays and numerous short stories and scripts. His horror work has featured in Sproutlings, Hells Bells, Below the Stairs, Trickster’s Treats #1 and #2, Shades of Santa, Behind the Mask, Beyond the Infinite; The Body Horror Book, Anemone Enemy, Petrified Punks and Beginnings. He has also had numerous Sherlock Holmes stories published through the Belanger Books - Sherlock Holmes anthologies.

  Amazon: amazon.com/-/e/B07916SQQS

  Facebook: stephenherczegauthor