Kenneth Bykerk

Thuggish Itch Kenneth Bykerk

Just before the tunnel is a gate. A gate that is locked up tight with several thick chains and even thicker padlocks. Signs line the chainlink fence scream 'Keep out' and 'Close the gate'. Not that unusual I hear you say; a chained up gate, there must be thousands of these all over the place. But this gate leads to nowhere. There is no building, no industrial property or driveway that leads to a house in the distance. Just a patch of yellowing grass and not much else. Each time I drive passed, I wonder what the point of the gates are, and why it was so important that they remain closed. Thuggish Itch's sixth collection, Close the Gate, features eighteen short stories from a group of authors from all over the world. There are some great stories here, all of which involved gates, doors and rooms that should remain closed (but are invariably opened).