The River of Blood, my most recent short story, was recently awarded with an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest. I will not be uploading it here to retain the publishing rights, but if someone is interested in reading it for consideration for publication, please do email me at dereksikkema@comcast.net.

In a dystopian future, a nameless high school boy must buy his safety for the next year by joining a gang. What is the price for joining the gang? Swimming in a river so polluted that it has turned blood red.