Zippo by Susan Snyder
Kristen plays with an old Zippo lighter. It's a tic, a bad habit, something she can't really stop herself from doing when she's anxious.
And she is anxious; her former family, the homeless of the city, are being rounded up. Rumors of diabolic cults ran rampant, and everyone is hungry and scared. She can only hope her new family, with its connections to city politics, can set things right in time.
From the two-time Splatterpunk Award-nominated author of Param and the Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica comes a new short story.
United StatesKiller ending!
The city of Zenith is dealing with homeless camps popping up all over. Mayor Hooper has a plan to help the issue. His assistant Kristen (who used to be a part of the camp herself) is concerned they won’t meet the deadline for this plan. Little does she know the mayor’s cleanup process isn’t what she thinks. Great short with a VERY unexpected ending.
United StatesHOT DAMN!
This was a fucking doozy! Great build to an epic ending. I loved it. *As a Kirstin myself, having my name spelled wrong all day, I laughed my ass off when I realized it happened here. In the description (Kristen) vs the book (Kristin, and one time Kristen) such authenticity! don't change it. It's perfect. Every Kristi(e)n will love this. Recommend to all.
United StatesAn effective piece of storytelling!
I found as I made my way though this story that I was trying to guess what was going to happen, and when what finally does happen happens, I was still surprised. Susan creates a fantastic atmosphere of dread throughout the piece, and leaves out just enough for the reader's imagination to fill things in and go wild. All the while, she is also tapping into social concerns which have made the front pages of news in recent months. A great accomplishment for Susan, and highly recommended!!
United StatesShort, But Not Sweet
Homelessness is a problem for the city of Zenith, and Mayor Bob Hooper has a solution. Working for the Mayor, Kristin is only recently removed from a life of destitution herself. Disheartened by the conditions her former friends are living with, she's proud to know an end is in sight With her trusty Zippo lighter constantly fidgeted in her hand, Kristin has high hopes that this solution will resolve the issue in a compassionate and humane way. Susan Snyder shares a bleak tale of class warfare and gentrification, no less heartbreaking for how short it is.