Early Signs
Timmy ran through the bunched up bulk of faded fall leaves. He cornered the edge of the playground, the swings still flowing back and forth
Greg Thomas February 12, 2022 No Comments
Contemporary fiction
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10-word story
Left at the Altar
A Ten-Word Story I take off my wedding veil. He is not coming. ——— The 10-word story above is written as part of a Medium
TzeLin Sam July 13, 2022 19 Comments
Fiction
The Cutting
This short story is a part of the MagicLand Chronicles. It is set during a time long before that of the events in my debut
Charles Bastille September 14, 2023 No Comments
Abuse
Put Her Down
The first time Jörgen and Malena used the threat was when Katja was ten. Qetesh must have been one year old; Katja had been nine
Christina Nordlander January 13, 2024 No Comments
baking
Bourbon-Flavored Baptist
Everyone at Connor Street Baptist loved Billy. He was a short, round man with a forgettable, round face framed by large round glasses. His sparse
Andy Spears January 23, 2022 16 Comments
Books
The Final Page: Part 4 of 5— Porle Joen, 2014
A journey through the history (and future?) of books The Final Page is an exploration of writing through history and the future. Join me on
Kai Parker November 30, 2021 No Comments
Crime
The Battersea Park Bank Job
I miss my modelling days. They were good days, I felt like I was going somewhere in life. In the end, I realised, I wasn’t.
Sean Patrick Durham April 4, 2022 4 Comments
birds
Birds of Pray
10 AM Saturday morning. Supper Club day. Wanda would be hosting the group of eight that evening. She always relished hosting days. The chance to
Andy Spears January 30, 2022 69 Comments
Fiction
Hidden Secrets — Part One: Best Friends Forever
Courtney White was pissed off. A pipe was leaking in her basement, requiring a call to the plumber. His estimate was higher than she’d expected
Robin Honigsberg October 21, 2022 No Comments
Anything is possible
Things Aren’t Always What They Seem A short story
Ame stepped back and surveyed her work with a critical eye. She had built the makeshift hut as sturdily as possible years ago, using mathematical
Robin Honigsberg August 12, 2022 No Comments
conversation
The Lost Art of Conversation
A Conversation Between Two Young Women – Talking Over Each Other. Amelia: Hey, how’s it going? Britney: Good. And you? Hey did I tell you
TzeLin Sam March 21, 2022 27 Comments
Freddy’s New Life
Freddy sees something big. Now he has to go into witness protection. He needs the next available vehicle ASAP. Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash
Pam Reeder January 21, 2022 1 Comment
Don't read while hungry!
“Dad’s Donut Shop”
Everyone said the business was a crazy thing to invest in, but dad loved donuts. We knew how much of a morning person he was,
Vanessa Lewis September 3, 2023 No Comments
flash fiction
The Missing Doormat
“This is absurd!” My husband, Christopher’s voice had gone up a notch higher as he exclaimed. The receptionist kept repeating herself, “Sir, I’m sorry but
TzeLin Sam May 11, 2022 14 Comments
Halloween Story 2023
iSpy
Who is inside Chelle’s phone? Chelle couldn’t figure out what was going on with her phone. She kept insisting to
Andy Spears March 20, 2022 4 Comments
boarding school
The Sacred Heart Academy Haunting
March 12 Maggie Thorne sat at her desk by the window in her dorm room, watching the other students getting picked up by their parents
Robin Honigsberg October 17, 2023 No Comments
The Iinglish Of Dynya: Part 1
Mr. Bunch woke up at exactly seven-thirty on Tuesday morning. He had woken up at seven-thirty on Tuesday morning ever since the hotel had introduced
Conor Matthews September 16, 2024 No Comments
authors
Meet Moi
I’ve borrowed some money from people with no intention of paying it back. Fuck ’em, the whole thing would resolve by itself eventually or at
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
fable
Storm People
Not all storms are merely named after people. Some storms - often the most destructive sorts - can be people, as well. If you’ve ever wondered why it seems
Shannon Hilson February 21, 2022 1 Comment
horror
The Hand in the Snow
When dog walking goes wrong Photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels I watched as Chauncey sniffed at a mound of snow covered leaves and began
Pam Reeder February 5, 2022 5 Comments
Santa’s Resignation Letter
I have debated whether or not to begin with my trademarked “Ho Ho Ho”, but I wish to convey the gravity of the matter. Let
Conor Matthews December 11, 2023 No Comments
The Tree Swallow People: Part 19
It’s easy to think there’s only one outcome to events. Often the printing press is said to have brought about a new era in information,
Conor Matthews March 28, 2023 No Comments
affirmation
Starbright
Should you ever gaze at the silent stars above and they begin to blink off one by one by wondrous one, do not be alarmed.
Donald J. Bingle December 8, 2021 No Comments
The Price of Hilda
Heikki sat at the end of the Christmas dinner table, the place Hilda called “the seat of honour”: a ridiculous idea of what it meant
Christina Nordlander April 2, 2024 No Comments
#Graduation
Wildfire (a short story)
Getting to Maylee’s going-away party at all was a thing. My cousin Jaxson and I took a state highway into the country and turned onto
David Rodeback May 10, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
Rugarou in the Bayou
You better be good or the Rugarou gonna come for you Photo by Marloes Hilckmann on Unsplash Mama always told us if the Rugarou come
Pam Reeder January 16, 2022 No Comments
antique silver box series
The Antique Silver Box — Part Three: The Truth
The contractors fixing Casey’s basement and attic had found an antique silver box under a loose floorboard in the attic containing forged American birth certificates
Robin Honigsberg November 10, 2022 No Comments
Dystopian
Thirty Minutes
Can one phone alert change the world? Trigger warnings: Language, parental loss and talk of suicide I’m in freefall. Moses, who runs the canteen, says
Charles Bastille June 23, 2024 No Comments
alcohol
Precious is the Flow: A Macon County Supper Club Story
Martha was the only member of the supper club not to have been born and raised in the faith. In fact, until she married Ronald,
Andy Spears June 8, 2022 No Comments
Matchmakers | Chapter 7 | Catfights and Accidents
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels Power walking to Java ’n’ Jokes, Maisie’s heels dig into the concrete. Leah is a dead woman, ripping open
Crystal Walker March 3, 2022 No Comments
Entanglement
Story Choices: Quantum Storytelling
This entire story already exists, but you are only experiencing it one word at a time as you move forward through it. You could, if
Donald J. Bingle May 13, 2023 No Comments
Matchmakers | Chapter 8 | The Cat-Loving Ted Bundy Doppelganger
Photo by KoolShooters from Pexels After a peaceful day at work yesterday, Maisie peels her eyes open and extends out a shaky stretch feeling ready
Crystal Walker March 9, 2022 No Comments
AI
Blinking Noon and Midnight
Len put down the book. He’d been kidding himself for an hour at least; the sweater wasn’t enough. The place was just too darn cold.
Tim McDaniel February 18, 2022 No Comments
Crime
Laid Back
The light from the lamp shade was turning everything under its grip into a shadow silhouette on the wall of this room with the curtains
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
BJ Thomas
Did I Help Make Ooga-Chuka a Top 40 Hit?
Now, I’m not Forrest Gump, but I have had a few minor brushes with history in my life and, oddly enough, one of them involves
Donald J. Bingle November 22, 2021 1 Comment
#Ukraine
Unknown Soldier
Polina leaned over the soldier’s body and turned her cheek so that it almost touched his nose. She felt a slight quiver of air. “I
Donald J. Bingle July 24, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part IV of Book II)
Introduction: After suffering unimaginable hardships that nearly claimed their lives and tore their marriage apart, Seanix and Jade Flannery found Jade’s brother, Billy, and were
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm February 11, 2022 No Comments
The Many Lives of Mita (Part VIII)
Introduction Mita Lopez survived domestic abuse, stalking, and an assault that left her a prisoner in her own body, hearing everyone and everything around her
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm October 27, 2022 No Comments
Short Fiction
Prayer Warrior: A Macon County Supper Club Story
Sandra got out of the passenger side of the mid-size luxury SUV parked in the back lot of the high school. She squirted germ-x on
Andy Spears June 26, 2022 No Comments
final
Finally Got It Down or Jerry Stahl and his story Kicking the Horse
Oh, hello there, blank page! It is being typed with Times New Roman font.Why not: Themes Old Catholic, Days Old Gregorian, Best Somehow Baltic, Zuzhelitsa
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
birth
At Once with the Beginning of a Heartbeat
A creasing lightning bolt then a thunder in mid-roar woke me up, shaking the gluey walls of my home. Before the explosion of light and
Livia Cret November 28, 2023 No Comments
Lie to Me
“Lie to me.” Three words. Three innocent little words. Well, they seemed innocent enough on their own. Still, what was she to do? She’d already
Alina Lee July 31, 2022 No Comments
God and a Human
One lazy summer afternoon God met with an ordinary human being in a cafe. Now, God meets with humans all the time for a myriad
Annie Ucci July 5, 2024 No Comments
Storm Of Grief
The affliction suffered has decayed the body Taking within, killing the inside slowly Once a warrior, now unable to stand Tightly holding on to dignity
Ellysa Greenhalgh February 5, 2022 1 Comment
Books
The Final Page – Part 5 Series Overview
A journey through the history (and future?) of books The Final Page is an exploration of writing through history and the future. Join me on a
Kai Parker November 30, 2021 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 14 | The French-Italian Fallout
Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels Standing at Leah’s front door, Maisie pushes the doorbell and sees her face pop up on the screen. “It’s
Crystal Walker May 9, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 13 | Photo-shoots and Confessions
Photo by Alexander Dummer from Pexels The next day Maisie meets up with Arnold at the studio for the Gallery Night photo-shoot. Hearing Arnold’s manicured
Crystal Walker April 20, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part VI of Book II)
Introduction: When Seanix Flannery’s ex-wife shows up and poses a threat to the safety of his family, he discovers just how much more dangerous the
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm April 19, 2022 No Comments
Evil
The Inheritance: A Short Story
Melissa said goodbye to the last of the mourners, closing the door with a sigh of relief. “It was so hard pretending I was devastated
Robin Honigsberg October 24, 2022 No Comments
church
The Next Morning
Beth stared at the books in the study of her faith leader, Pastor Sean. She always enjoyed seeing what people had on their shelves, end
Mollie Lyon July 26, 2023 No Comments
contemporary
Holmes Institute: Prequel: Following in His Footsteps
[Content Notes: Adopted family, swearing, cliquey school dynamics | Jasper reference] Summary: Before Jasper was enrolled in Holmes Institute, she was a problem child in a
Quillful Writer September 1, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Episode 3 | The Gaysian
Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels Getting off the trolley in downtown Ybor City, Maisie takes a gulp of her water bottle filled with chilled
Crystal Walker February 6, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose:The Jade Rose and the Blood Peacock (Part II of Book III)
Introduction: After a zombie apocalypse gripped the world, proving that horror movies were more prophecy than entertainment, Sean and Jade Flannery faced one horrific loss
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm August 2, 2022 No Comments
harmony
The Match Maker
This is the adventure of the Match Maker. In the village of Wonderland the people existed in harmony with each other and nature around them.
John Wimsatt January 19, 2023 1 Comment
Alternate History
Cause Ways
“What if?” is the essence of genre fiction. What if monsters were real? What if mankind had faster-than-light travel? What if there was a world
Donald J. Bingle January 31, 2022 7 Comments
Crime
The Night Stalker
The street seemed eerie and deserted as I made my way towards my apartment, which was situated on the other end of town. I had
willow hewett September 29, 2021 9 Comments
flash fiction
Whelp
. Leave a Reviewfeature0 Pros (optional) Type new or select existing pros Cons (optional) Type new or select existing cons Save my name, email, and
Nick Gaudio August 23, 2021 2 Comments
death
He Is Sure They Can’t Hear’Em
I’m wounded, bleeding. Lying at the bottom of the pile of corpses. Who piled them up on top of me I wonder and when exactly?
Andrey Lukyanov August 16, 2022 No Comments
action
Train of Thought
“Wake up, dude.” “Huh? Where are we? What’s going on?” “Jesus, Cam, you’re a hard sleeper. Or maybe you had too many of those magic
Donald J. Bingle August 17, 2022 1 Comment
The Girl and the Night
They offered to walk with her. It was a rule they had. No one was left to walk to their car alone at the end
Rebecca Johnson May 2, 2022 1 Comment
LDS fiction
There Might Be Another Way (a short story)
Pia had slept as late as she dared on a Sunday. She slipped into a pew halfway up the right side of the chapel just
David Rodeback September 25, 2022 2 Comments
Absurd
Number One
As told by number two Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash A man stands on a corner of a busy crosswalk in a busy neighborhood
Matthew Portman April 10, 2021 No Comments
Because I Love You
Winters were always Niko’s favorite. He loved the snow, and the cold, and the dark, vast nights. He loved being able to wear nice sweaters
Annie Ucci April 15, 2024 No Comments
Crime
The Culinary Killer Part I: A short story
Christopher Jones walked into his kitchen to find his very pregnant wife, dressed in a soft, red terrycloth bathrobe sitting in a chair and attempting
Robin Honigsberg July 22, 2022 No Comments
Coronavirus
Seeking Amy
Later that afternoon I asked my wife what my daughter’s name was. She said, “Amy, silly”, and my only thought was to challenge her. “Are
Charles Bastille January 23, 2022 2 Comments
Compassion
Fathers Words To His Son
In a moment of father and son time together. The son asked his father what must I do to become a better person. His father
John Wimsatt September 19, 2022 No Comments
Club
Rapture
She was starting a few minutes late, but it was close enough for jazz. She scanned the crowd. Not huge, but decent. Almost all white
Gene Glotzer December 3, 2021 3 Comments
Bitter Forever and Ever and Ever
There’s this one coffee machine at work that always makes the coffee bitter. The flavor of coffee’s been changed. The brand of coffee’s been changed.
Osprey White February 2, 2022 No Comments
work
Escalator Down for Repair
He walked up the metal steps past the sign every single day. Escalator Down for Repair. It had been permanently affixed to the shiny metal
Andy Spears January 9, 2022 5 Comments
The Fire in Jeremy Finn
I’ve known Jeremy Finn for eight years. We met on the first day of a new school year, when we were both eleven. The weather
Declan Hopper February 17, 2023 No Comments
Things We Don’t Talk About
I only heard from Lizzy once after she left home. More than ten years had passed by the time she called. Evan was asleep upstairs,
Rebecca Johnson June 7, 2022 1 Comment
time travel
A Second Chance
They say we should not mess with time travel but I bet that they would change their minds if they had seen their disabled twin
TzeLin Sam June 29, 2022 17 Comments
Funny
World Cup 2014: A Story of the Curse of the Voodoo Bears
A true story created by yours truly – Satire Joachim looked at me as I considered his request. “So you and your boys want to
TzeLin Sam December 12, 2022 1 Comment
big bang
Story Choices
This entire story already exists, but you are only experiencing it one word at a time as you move forward through it. You could, if
Donald J. Bingle January 7, 2022 4 Comments
LEAVE EVERYTHING WHERE IT IS(after Lu Hsun)
Let me tell you about something that happened while I was in N____ton some while ago on business. N____ton is a bit of a dump
Andrew Larter February 26, 2022 3 Comments
construction
Facing Lightning
Holding the stop/slow sign with little power on an unknown road, 20-year old Jim felt tired but relieved his construction shift was almost over. It
Gerald Washington February 24, 2022 4 Comments
diaster
Rescue
The sky outside the window grayed up. The sirens continued. “Why didn’t I get one of those emergency radios? I mean we have bad storms
Mollie Lyon March 28, 2023 No Comments
Cellarella
There once was a young girl whose mother was gravely ill and whose father was an arrogant asshole. He did not care about the woman
Amanda Luallen September 26, 2022 No Comments
Contemporary Fiction Contest
Finding Refuge – Seeking Safety and Security After Relationship Failure
Abrial was away from her home in the stuffy inland town of Relway, California, visiting her sister Peg in Las Flores on the coast. She
Michael Burg August 23, 2021 No Comments
cats
Black Smoke
Part Three, Fact or Fiction? She fell to the floor. Black clouds rolled outside the window. From down the hill? What do I do now,
Mollie Lyon February 27, 2023 1 Comment
Blues
A Night Out
“Do you know Shemekia Copeland?” Jim asked. “No.” “You would like her. She’s halfway between Etta James and Koko Taylor.” “I’ll have to check her
Gene Glotzer November 26, 2021 3 Comments
autistic author
1. I Live in the House where my Brother Died
I live in the house where my brother died. He lives here too. Not in the traditional sense, of course. I cook meals for two
Katie Tomasko January 17, 2022 No Comments
#interview
A Long Morning
Jim hated mid-morning appointments. He could sleep in a little bit. He could, but he couldn’t. It was too big. He’d been unemployed for too
Gene Glotzer December 24, 2021 3 Comments
drama
The Unexpected Dinner Guest
This is it. I thought to myself as I walked out of the arrival hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It had been many years
TzeLin Sam April 13, 2022 29 Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part V of Book II)
Introduction: In the midst of a zombie apocalypse and a war with enemy factions, Seanix Flannery and his wife, Jade, faced unimaginable loss. All of
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm March 14, 2022 No Comments
carousel
Olympius Hunting
The Girl She ducked down behind the sleigh; the light couldn’t reach her there. The man whistled along to the tune and walked between the
Kai Parker November 29, 2021 2 Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 9 | A Date with a Demigod
Photo by Steve Barker on Unsplash Heading into Java n’ Jokes, Maisie rubs her zombied eyes. After the ending of the last night’s episode, she
Crystal Walker March 17, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose:The Jade Rose and The Blood Peacock (Part I of Book III)
Beware of allies who turn out to be enemies. For, they know your weaknesses better than anyone else. *** Memories of the Lost and Forgotten
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm June 30, 2022 No Comments
Families
Arithmetic
After we have ordered and before our food has arrived, my sister’s boyfriend gets up to use the bathroom. The way is down a long
Kirsten Aguilar December 29, 2021 No Comments
friends to lovers
May I Have This Dance?
I give mirror-me finger guns as I come to an unfortunate conclusion at the most inopportune moment: I hate every article of clothing that I
Kelsey Bjork September 13, 2022 No Comments
coming of age
My First Time Trying Pozole
The pristine light of the summer sun smacked me across the face. The massive jackhammer in my head told me we had danced in the
A.K. Noctua June 27, 2022 2 Comments
Crime
Sonoma Lake Merlot: First Dates
Melinda checked her watch for the umpteenth time since she arrived at the restaurant. Taking a compact from her purse, she discreetly touched up her
Robin Honigsberg July 1, 2022 4 Comments
#Halloween
Halloween Betrothal
It hit the floor with a thud. She watched in horror as the pumpkin basket bounced merrily off the floor of the patio scattering her
Charlotte Rodricks November 1, 2021 7 Comments
stalker
All Consuming Joy
My heart soared with pure joy as I caught sight of my true love. I didn’t think I could love her any more, but I
Yvonne Lang March 20, 2022 1 Comment
computer
Clear My Browser History
nail salons near me BEST nail salons near me difference between acrylics and gel
Anna Flynn June 15, 2022 1 Comment
The Second Boris Zaleski
He didn’t dream, but neither was he fully unaware. Every now and then he woke up in the darkness when something changed. When light started
Christina Nordlander April 9, 2022 No Comments
Fight
Poetry Slam
I thought that I would never see A fight regarding poetry. Life can venture nothing worse, Than fisticuffs o’er flowing verse. * If poems be
Donald J. Bingle August 29, 2022 1 Comment
Abuse
“Burnt Chicken”
It was an accident, I told myself. And I keep telling myself that, as if saying it over and over would make it true. But
Vanessa Lewis March 25, 2024 No Comments
#Ukraine
We’ll Never Be Like Those People (a short story)
When Daniel, his parents, and Mr. Lutz met with the principal in her office, they all knew what it was about. Only Daniel knew it
David Rodeback July 14, 2024 No Comments
Fiction
The Trees Swallow People: Part 9
It had been days since we were trapped. What little light was managing to penetrate the forest of people outside my windows came in stages
Conor Matthews August 14, 2022 No Comments