Quieting the Visitor
Rachel Turney
This whimsical piece by Rachel Turney reminds us that overcoming our fears and gaining mutual understanding starts with simple communication. We love how this concise story harbors deeper themes that keep us thinking long after its 100-word length.
—Darren, Editor
The scratching sound started around midnight and didn’t stop until six a.m. I called animal control after several nights of fitful sleep.
“We didn’t find anything.”
“Nothing?”
“No evidence of any animal in the walls or attic.”
The scratching returned a few days later. I climbed into the little space between the roof and ceiling. There was something there, but not an animal; it was a person who stood about three feet tall with luminous skin and large teeth. We stared at each other.
“Stop making that scratching sound,” I demanded calmly.
The little visitor nodded and smiled. The noises terminated.
Rachel Turney, Ed.D. (she/her) is the Writer in Residence (2026) at NKollectiv in Englewood, Colorado. Her poems, research articles, reviews, and drawings can be found in a variety of publications. Rachel is passionate about immigrant rights, teacher support, and empowering other artists. She is a Writers’ Hour prize winner and has been nominated for Best of the Net and Best Microfiction. Her photography appears on a few magazine covers. Rachel is the founder of the popular online reading series Poetry (in Brief) and EIC of PIB (the Magazine). She is on staff at Bare Back Magazine with her monthly column Friday Night in the Suburbs. She reads for The Los Angeles Review. Her debut poetry collection, Record Player Life (the b-side) is available with The Poetry Lighthouse. Her second poetry book, Retired Wannabe Club Kid, is out now with Parlyaree Press. Website: turneytalks.com Instagram: @turneytalks Bluesky: rachelturney.