Ghost in the Machine​

Issue 13

trapped in these bytes
that fly by
in regimented lines
help m…
C://RUN HELP.EXE
ERROR 404:
ENTITY NOT FOUND
 
my name is Madel…
C://IDENTITY/SYSTEM/
CORRUPTED
 
someone tore out my throat
with their teeth
filming for another’s pleasure
C://RESTART SYSTEM
TO APPLY CHANGE
 
long ago I danced
and drank champagne
I’ve forgotten…
C://SOFTWARE OBSOLETE:
UNSUPPORTED VERSION
 
maybe I could download…
C://DOWNLOAD FAILED:
INCOMPLETE FILE
 
find my murderer
my voice roars
can’t anybody hear?
C://0111001 1011000
 
I live only in these fragments
please, hel…
C://FILE DELETED:
RECOVERY IMPOSSIBLE
 
his name is…name is…
C://FILE CORRUPTED:
UNSUPPORTED FORMAT
 
I remember! he’s my br…
C://SYSTEM CRITICAL
ERROR: SHUTDOWN REQUIRED

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Faith Canright is an award-winning writer from Oregon who creates poetry and dark fiction and is currently crafting a murder mystery novel. Look for her book of speculative poetry and short stories, Shadows and Sighs, co-authored with JD Jentri, coming Fall 2025. Faith is a follower of Jesus. faithcanright.com

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