Vocal
Harbinger
“There isn’t much time,” he mumbles in a heavy Slavic accent, his gray fuzzed face sunken and hollow under the incandescent lights. Dark plum eyelids move back and forth with REM or with hallucinations from the infection’s grasp. His body trembles and rocks in the narrow hospital bed. “Death is here,” he begins before speaking another language that may or may not have been Russian. “Sova,” he rasps. And then again louder, almost shouting, he cries out “Sova!” with a great despair that frankly surprises her as he appears frighteningly frail.
Through The Night
I walked through the darkened halls, the candles that lined the massive walls would soon give way to the chilly air funneling through. The draft escaped through the grand tunnel that marked the way back to the more occupied area of my new home. What drew me this far, I could not tell, what feed my curiosity, I would not say; there were rumors of dark lore I dare not partake in, but they were only rumors, harmless to say the least. I wouldn't allow gossip to rule my life, nor creatures to send me running, so I kept walking.
Latoya DelbridgePublished about 14 hours ago in Fiction
Waking Up In Earth's 2020's
I dreamt of coho salmon and secrets. Of the tide going out and a world drained dry. The ghosts of mighty rivers, lakes, and oceans howled naked in great craters; existing now only to those left to remember. Bottoms of former bodies of water lay bare, while a few red coho could be seen shining like stars in the muck. I scrambled down the steep trough to scoop up and return the stranded fish to the water, if I could ever find it again. Fat, stunningly beautiful fish wriggled in my embrace. My arms became slippery, and adorned with dark red scales. Scales the colour of spent venous blood returning to a heart.
April BenczePublished a day ago in EarthThe Necromancer: magic or delusion?
Rodney Mackel sat on the sidewalk shielding his face from an evil wind. To shelter his mind from the news and the memories he counted the holes in his clothes.
Sam Desir-SpinelliPublished a day ago in Fiction
Bear Trap
It was springtime and the apple trees had shed their blossoms and the ground was pink with flowers and his mother was skipping through the grass, laughing as the petals clung to her pale legs like the scales of a beautiful snake. She held her skirt high, hose and shoes abandoned on the porch of their small house, her bare feet dancing. Hand in hand, he dragged her to the water's edge, to his spot where the river almost doubled back on itself, where a deep pool had been carved by the swirling current. There was a thin rope tied to the trunk of a young willow, and now and again the tree gave a small shiver as if telegraphing the movements of something much larger caught on the other end. He grabbed the stringer and she did the same and together they pulled, muscles straining, against some great resistance, until with a loud sucking sound, the head and body of a behemoth broke the surface. Rivulets of water coursed off its back like quicksilver, and droplets crowned its leathery brow with jewels. The two of them hauled with all their strength and though the rope cut into their hands, they wrestled the beast up onto the shore where it lay with gaping gill and glaring eye. It was a monster of a catfish, nearly as long as the span of his arms, half as heavy as himself. They fell to the ground then, he and his mother, cackling, smiling at each other. The sun beamed down at them and the light was everywhere and it was so, so bright and the river was almost too painful to look at. Suddenly, the great fish convulsed, thrashing its tail and lunging towards them. His mother shrieked like a schoolgirl and rolled away laughing, but he was not nearly as fast. The catfish opened wide its barbed maw and swallowed his calf whole, leaving its vicious jaws locked firmly to his leg.
Colin LammiePublished a day ago in Fiction
Announcing the Vocal+ Fiction Awards Finalists
Three months ago, Vocal launched its most epic Challenge to date: The Vocal+ Fiction Awards. As a recap, here's what our head Judge and Vocal's Lead Editorial Innovator, author and former Booker Prize judge Erica Wagner, had to say about this Challenge:
Vocal TeamPublished a day ago in Resources
Catch Me
Catch Me If you ever see me falling, catch me grab me by an ear, hold me without fear
Marie Soffy Saint FortPublished 2 days ago in Poets
Divisional Playoff Recap: The End of the Road?
I do enjoy the Divisional Playoff round for three reasons. One, it's the last taste of Saturday football in the NFL season. Two, the bye week teams began their playoff road, and three, it's the final step before the home stretch in this destination. The NFL's Elite Eight kicked off in Nashville, as the top-ranked Tennessee Titans hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, but it started of badly for the Titans, as Ryan Tannehill threw an interception seven seconds into the game! The Bengals ended up with a field goal off that turnover, and a second field goal made it 6-0, however, Derrick Henry (who was playing his first game since Halloween) ran it in to the end zone to tie the game, but his two-point attempt fell short. I swear, Mike Vrabel is the only coach who is more obsessed with two-pointers than John Harbaugh is.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 days ago in Unbalanced
I Lost My Friend Because of a Picture
I usually write about true crime, shows on Netflix, or interesting things in my life but today I need to write about something to get it off my chest. It’s probably mostly my fault, but I believe the situation worsened because of the other party thinking I did it out of an ill will.
S.A. OzbournePublished 2 days ago in Humans9 Signs That You Have Too Much Goodness In You
You are too good? Then that can affect your well-being. You often have to be like a strong hand to support others in difficult situations. But at the end of the day, you feel empty. You feel that people do not understand what you have to go through, so you can make their life easier.
Conner BowenPublished 2 days ago in Humans
Life Unleashed
Supported By: Halo CollarShare a story about a memory that you and your dog have made together.
$5,000 Grand Prize17 hours leftHometown Heroes
Supported By: Be a MentorWrite an open letter to your heroes.
$2,500 Grand Prize18 days leftWe Have a Dream
Supported By: I Have a DreamTell us the steps you’re going to take to foster kindness and inclusivity in 2022.
$5,000 Grand Prize18 days left
Creators We’re Loving
Meet the people in your communities creating extraordinary things.
Announcing the Vocal+ Fiction Awards Finalists
Three months ago, Vocal launched its most epic Challenge to date: The Vocal+ Fiction Awards. As a recap, here's what our head Judge and Vocal's Lead Editorial Innovator, author and former Booker Prize judge Erica Wagner, had to say about this Challenge:
Vocal TeamPublished a day ago in Resources
A New Look For Your Vocal Profile
Over the last few months, we've released numerous updates to the Vocal platform, including: Quick Editing Subscribe Stories You Liked
Justin MauryPublished 9 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: Dane BH
Dane BH is a published poet and author based out of Massachusetts. A spiritual thinker and homey writer, Dane invites her readers in with somehow-familiar phrasing and prose. Like some of the greats, her work expresses the observations we know we've made, but just couldn't convey.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 15 days ago in Resources
Creator Spotlight: 2021
Let's leave the obvious right where it is and talk about what 2021 wasn't. It wasn't a year shy of creativity; Suri Chan integrated her artwork into her poetry—creating a new layer of depth to her already-intriguing prose. No, it wasn't a year of missed opportunities; Call Me Les broadened resources and opportunities for engaged creators by founding The Vocal Social Society and the Vocal Creators Chronicle. 2021 wasn't a year when hidden gems remained unseen; the work of CJ Miller finally received the attention it deserved. It wasn't a year we took too seriously; Lindsay Rae Brown offered a lighter side to life with every story she shared. Though, it wasn't a year without legacy; Tom Bradbury left a legacy that will forever inspire creators in the Vocal community. It wasn't a year we took on alone; Culture Slate and People! Just say Something! exemplified the effectiveness of true collaborative efforts.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 29 days ago in Resources
'Denouement Among the Lilies' — Vocal 2021 Year in Review
Last year, I wrote a reflection that spotlighted my favorite stories from 2020. Out of 35,000 stories, I chronicled the ones that stood out; the ones I remembered, logged in a Note on my phone, re-read more than twice, and ultimately shared in my personal iteration of "This Year on Vocal" because they were just too good to keep to myself. That reflection was titled "Am I Here," named after a poem that I will never forget.
Joshua Luke JohnsonPublished about a month ago in Resources
Introducing Pledges
We’ve always relied on our creators’ feedback to determine what comes next for Vocal. Since this past summer, we’ve been hard at work along with you, collecting that feedback via surveys and personal 1:1 interviews to get your take on our roadmap for the future. And as promised, there are some huge things we’re working on—all thanks to your input. Now, the first of these huge updates is finally here.
Justin MauryPublished about a month ago in Resources
