THERE USED TO BE PEOPLE

Wenton, Mississippi. 1978. Samuel Barkley, Wenton Police Department's only Black detective, is assigned the murder of a 42-year-old mailman - a white man - in a segregated southern town, found gutted in the bathroom of a gay bar.

Samuel is a prickly, ambitious detective who prefers to work alone. Managing busy work and hiding behind an unreadable, blank slate would be enough if it weren't for the conceited stares of his coworkers. Hardened by nature, longing for change, and deeply misunderstood, Samuel yearns for both human connection and complete invisibility in a country where color determines status. When Samuel is forced to work with Harvey Wilkins - a childish, crude, outspoken man - he fully expects to despise Harvey's company.

Somehow, he doesn't.

When the two decide to take Wenton's fate into their hands, it isn't long before Samuel and Harvey's own crimes lead to the unexpected truth. As Samuel struggles with prejudice and self-worth in the '70s South, Harvey's role as a temporary partner grows into something much closer. Together, they unveil an otherworldly force - lunar and somehow, horrifically human.

Kennedy Cole is a queer, Black writer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington pursuing a BFA in creative writing and a Certificate in Publishing. She works as the Managing Editor of Atlantis: A Creative Magazine, and has writing published in Second Story Journal, Oakland Arts Review, and Carolina Muse. Outside of her work, Kennedy often bangs her head to heavy metal, critiques horror films from the comfort of her couch, or mashes buttons with friends on her Nintendo Switch.