Allium

Episode Twenty-one: “She held him there for a moment before dropping him abruptly and walking into the house, letting the door teeter on its hinges.” On a winter day, David returns home and tries to recover his place in his family after his absence.

Isabella is a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago's cinematography and creative writing programs based in Chicago. She is drawn to many crafts that involve image-making for the purpose of telling a story, including filmmaking, photography, poetry, and fiction writing. 

“As quickly as the words appeared on their message chain, Emily’s icon turned pure black, and her status shifted offline.” While battling food sickness, Pip consoles his best friend, Emily, as she attempts to move on from her lover.

Ender Barnlund is an artist and writer currently working towards their BA in Traditional Animation. Through their work, they aim to tell stories both in words and visuals alike.

My Cherished Liability – Bo Kerr

Episode Description: “As much as it hurt me to do that, it needed to be said and done. Walter’s getting completely out of control.” Two brothers sit down after the younger’s late night recklessness and have a transformative discussion.

Author Bio: Bo Kerr is a fiction writer that likes to write complex familial dynamics, creating suspense solely through power struggle.

Episode Twenty-One, Maison Syder, “Born of Blood and Holy Water”

Episode Description: “‘Devil child, abandoned, useless, unwanted, Antichrist.’ Maybe they’re right, but he needs to know for sure.” Nico has been having visions of hell, and when he confesses to them, he’s left feeling more guilty than ever before.

Author Bio: Maison Syder is a Columbia College Chicago graduate and is currently working on the manuscript of their first novel. They are an aspiring author whose writing centers around queer stories and often explores the intersection between queer theory and horror.

Episode Twenty, Adam – Finn D’Alessio

Episode Description: “The next thirty days are going to be hell. And then, Adam meets his roommate and promptly decides that he’s in love with him.” Adam, a recent high-school graduate, finds irrefutable love in a deafening place.

Author Bio: Finn Myles is a Butch writer and theatre-maker originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He has previously had poetry published in Fruitbatz magazine and Bloodlust Magazine.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE? by Maxwell Bushey,

“Finally, they snapped, and their fantasies became blueprints. So they packed up their rucksacks and walked down to the station at 5:00.” Twin brothers plot an escape on a train, leading them on a journey and the possibility of unknown danger.

Maxwell Bushey is an undergraduate studying creative writing at Columbia College Chicago.

“I am dancing through the shadows of the shimmering depths/ Where silver scales whisper and darkness wept.” Marty Pavlik’s poems explore the collision of our natural and inner states.

Marty is a poet and musician studying creative writing at Columbia College.  Their poems blend the intimate rhythms of daily life with dreamlike longing, turning ordinary moments into feelings of freedom.

Written by Marty Pavlik and Narrated by Vivienne Casaletto

“Juno,” the people would cry. “Our crops have withered and died, please help us.” And Juno would bring the crops back to life, more robust than ever before. “Juno, my house has caught flame, please save it.” Juno, a young magic-user, forms a complicated relationship with a witch.

David Gonzalez is a lifelong Chicagoan and the youngest of six children. For as long as he can remember, he's been drawn to stories and storytelling and has always loved experiencing them through books, movies, and video games.

Read by Sydney Richardson

“He was lying. Kaori may have been a regular, but she was still a customer like everyone else.” Ashe, a host at a host bar, is forced to negotiate a demanding customer and his other responsibilities.

Written by Marshall Harmon, a sophomore Creative Writing student at Columbia College Chicago. He has a love for all things fiction. When he isn't working on world building for his characters, he is drawing or playing RPGs instead.

Narrated by Dallas Michaelis

“She laughed under her breath but there wasn’t any humor in it.” When Lucky is offered a job in New York, he and Cleo must confront the end of their relationship.

Sia Tsiranidis is a junior B.A. student studying Communications and Design Management at Columbia College Chicago. Her work focuses on intimate storytelling that explores love, change, and the emotional in-between moments of growing, letting go, and moving forward. This piece invites readers into reflective spaces shaped by distance, ambition, and becoming.

Photo by Kevin Escate on Unsplash