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Most recently published stories in Chapters.
Toni
Toni opened her walk-in closet to racks of designer clothes and shoes. That was half of her closet, the other half were long flowing garments that Q asked her to wear about a year ago. She was still getting used to it, not because it was hard to be modest, only because she needed to learn how these long dresses could still showcase her sense of fashion and expensive taste. Today she would rock her new bag Q bought her to match her pair of designer shoes she bought herself 6 months ago and still never wore. Toni walked in the kitchen to take out of the oven breakfast sausages and waffles, Q’s favorite, and plate the shrimp and grits that were still hot on the stove. Toni then walked over to Q’s favorite spot to sit, on the new vibrating recliner with 7 settings she bought him for Eid in front of their 72 inch flat screen. She knew he would walk n any second. He didn’t need to call. It was clock work. So she made sure to be walking away down the long corridor of a hallway so he could be sure to catch her backside as he opened the front door. Mission accomplished, she gave him a teasing wave and a lustful view of her picking up his Thobe from the night before, that she never had time to grab. Toni sat on the bed and smiled to herself as she cleared out Q’s pockets before throwing it in the dirty clothes hamper. She paused. She felt something oddly shaped. Anxiously, she reached in and pulled out a green velvet jewelry box. Her breathes became deeper and her dark skin turned red. She opened it.
By Saba Author of a Philly Love Storyabout 3 hours ago in Chapters
What were the different types of beggars in ancient China, and what was their living situation like?
In ancient China, during the Han Dynasty, beggars were referred to as "qi gai" (乞丐), but at that time, beggars were not merely those seeking basic necessities such as food. Some also relied on unique personal skills to obtain various resources. Before the Song Dynasty, beggars were commonly known by different terms such as "qi ren" (乞人), and "gai ren" (丐人). It was only after the Song Dynasty that the term "qi ge" began to refer specifically to individuals who sought only survival resources.
By cn_explorea day ago in Chapters
Well Butter Me On Both Sides” - What Do I Do Now?
Last Episode , Ben’s ‘Speak Up’ campaign was on fire. He had finally gotten one over on Penny Promo, and he almost felt sorry for her (almost). Trouble was, just as he was starting to get traction, he was now off on a ‘special assignment’ with Tina to China.
By Calvin Londona day ago in Chapters
The Graveyard Hotel
I was led by Hermes, who I assumed to be the butler, down a long hallway. A hallway that seemed to go on forever, but it was the kind of "forever" I really didn't mind. Each step on the luscious carpet was like luxury to my feet. Each picture hung, each light in the hallway, even down to the paint color, was like luxury to my eyes.
By Jasmine Aguilara day ago in Chapters
The Story of Jack Lance
On October 15 just after 1;00pm a cab pulls up on apartment P. “Here it is” the cab driver says plain and simple. Jack wearing his usual leather jacket glances over and replies “Lucky me.” The cab driver is a man in his mid-50s with a balding cap and a look of someone tired and just wanting his shift to end. Jack steps out of the car and starts heading in, adjusting the hat on his shoulder and the gun belt on his waist. Looking around the place and scanning around he gets a better look at the parking lot. It is modest size and a little run down. As soon as he enters the building his phone goes off. It’s a message from his landlord. “Rent is due on the 1st of November. 700 just like we discussed.” Jack puts it away. He currently has around 560 in his wallet and not enough time to worry about it. He will find work, he always does. He finally gets to his room and closes the door behind him. The room is a modest one bedroom. The kitchen and living room are right next to each other there’s a microwave, stove, and refrigerator clearly meant for one person. There is a small rack for dishes and a floating counter that essentially behaves as the Kitchen table. There are four chairs and in the living room there is a couch meant for maybe 2 people and a coffee table. Along with a TV. When Jack is down with the tour, he takes his jacket off revealing the colt python that rides comfortablely pn his right hip. His gin belt carries 24 rounds of extra .357 rounds and he always keeps the revolver loaded 6/6. This revolver is custom made. It has a pearl white grip with a skull engraving and the phrase “death comes for all” engraved just below the skull. He then walks over to the As Jack sits down, he starts thinking of what happened before coming to this place. Jack had previously run with a small gang operating in Chicago. He was forced to break off and head it alone when his gang became greedy and tried to betray him during a score. Now he goes it alone He eventually pushes the thoughts aside and starts to think. First, he needs to get settled in, then after today he needs to start looking for scores. He has no broker, and no real way to gain new information without getting it himself and besides that he needs to go get food and things for cooking. So, Jack starts planning a trip to the store. He goes through the stores in his google maps and finds several options. There is a place 0.5 miles from his apartment called Harley’s General Goods. On the internet it appears to be a mid-size grocery store, locally owned which appeals to Jack’s enjoyment of supporting local businesses. It likely has everything he needs plus plates and silverware. Then he checks the surrounding area. A covient store about 0.7 miles south, the opposite way of the general goods store also catches his eye. Jack has no vehicle but when he does get one it may be worth checking if it’s just a convenient store, or also a gas station. The choice is obviously the general goods store. It will waste less time and he needs the extra stuff that that Harley’s provides that the covient store just doesn’t have. He takes one more look and closes his phone. He then grabs his jacket and puts it over his black T-shirt and his revolver. He turns off all the lights and walks out making sure to lock the door behind him. While he’s walking down the hall a woman in her early 60’s steps out. She is short with a blue linen coat and mug of what looks to be hot chocolate. “You the new guy?” she says with watchful but not unkind expression. Jack stops, he turns around and gives a respectful nod. “That I am ma’am.” He says respectfully. The older woman gives Jack a measured look “the landlord has been lazy with repairs lately.” Jack responds with a shrug “appreciate the heads up.” “Where atre you headed” she asks getting a more comfortable “where are you headed.” Jack turns and faces her more fully and says dry and amused. “Friendly.” Under his breath. Then he answers more matter of fact “Headed to Harley’s general goods. I just got her like an hour ago and I have gotten to have anything for food or hygiene.” The old lady nods and says “Harel’s General goods are pretty fair. Jack turns to face her more fully “Are they now?” he replies drily. “I guess that means they don’t try to rob you at the produce isle.” The old lady’s mouth carves upwards, not quite a smirk, but the beginnings of one. Jack extends his hand “Name’s Jack. Jack Lance.” He says matter of fact. The older woman stares at the hand for a moment before taking it. Her grip is firm and not nearly as strong as Jack’s. Mrs. Humphry” she replies meeting his gaze. “I best head out while the sun is still in the sky.” Jack then heads towards the stairs. Outside the sun is noticeably further on the western horizon. When Jack briefly checks his phone, he sees it’s about 2:30pm. He starts heading towards Harley’s General goods at a normal walking pace, making sure to take in the area. A tall man in a dark brown coat stands just outside at the bus stop about 40 meters from Jack’s apartment building, he is with 2 others, a woman looking to be in her mid-20s with a red wool coat, and a lanky teenager in a black coat. Jack pays them no attention but also comes across a bakery about 60 meters from his apartment he looks up “Jess’s Sugar Bombs.” And sitting about 35 meters across the road also sits Lucky’s Diner. Jack files both down and keeps moving. When he finally gets to Harley’s General Goods store the store is moderately packed. Since it’s a Tuesday afternoon it’s not nearly as busy as it would be during the weekend. When he walks up to the door 2 workers a tall man with broad shoulders and cigarette in his mouth is talking back and forth with a shorter man in his mid-30s with a mustache. Both are wearing green uniforms and Jack, not having enough time or patience to make conversation gets a glance sees their name tags read “Larry and George” he then grabs a cart and starts shopping. He first walking’s over to the frozen foods and looks around. Nothing catches him so he goes to the refrigerator stuff. He gets a half gallon of milk for 3.50 then picks up eggs for 4.68, getting a dozen. He then realizes he doesn’t need the silverware, plates, or clothes. A moving truck is set to be at his apartment later in the day. He then heads over towards the cereal isle, a few people are also in the isle, noticeably a short woman who looks to be college age with blonde hair and a pink skirt, she wears a denim jacket and glances briefly at Jack. Jack pays her no attention and looks at the cereal. He decides on lucky charms for 3.75 and then leaves the isle. At the bakery, he picks up a loaf of white bread for 2.29. In the bakery he notices a couple of deals for muffins. A dozen of blueberry muffins normally 6.35 have been brought down to 4.75. He ignores it and heads to condiments. He picks up a jar of peanut butter for 3.09 and a jar of jelly for 2.75. He then heads over to the instant oatmeal over at the next isle and picks up a pack of creamy Varity pack for 3.75 during his shopping he starts thinking more about scores. He decides his best bet is to head to look around tommie. A conspiques job posting could be a dead giveaway. He had used leads like that before. There was a sore when he was with, he was with his former gang where he pretended to be a warehouse worker just to get access to what was valuable in the boxes. The problem then becomes finding a buyer. A score with vaubles is useless to Jack without a buyer. By the time he gets done with his shopping he has also bought 5 TV dinners, each 4.094 banna’s for .20 each. He heads to the checkout, where a woman in her early 20s is arguing with a man over soup prices “It was 1.75 yesterday.” He says angrily, The woman clamly replies “Sir I have nothing to do with the prices. Jack getting increasing irritated cuts in “will you shut the hell up partner?” the man in front of him narrows his eyes at jack, and shoots back “The fuck is you’re problem?” Jack fixes the man with a cold stare. “If I had a problem, I’d be considerably less kind about it then I am now.” The man stares at jack, jaw working, the women behind the counter fixes jack with a grateful look and then gives the man a flat look. “Either stop holing up the line or get out.” The man looks at both the women and Jack then he finally gets a glance at Jack’s gun belt and glimse of his python. He mutters “Cowboy looking ass.” He pays without further comment and Jack comes up. Jack can now clearly see her name tag, it reads Samatha. Without commenting much on the Jack’s interference. “Have a nice afternoon. On Jack’s way back to the apartment he notices a moving truck. He smiles.As he approaches a lean man who looks to be in his early 40s steps out he looks in Jack’s direction. “You waiting on some shit.” Yeo, I’m waiting on my shit. He grabs the boxes filled with his clothes and silverware as well as plates and cookig supplies. “Just sign on the line. Jack signs and takes his stuff up to apartment P. When he gets inside he locks the door and starts putting things away. First 3 forks, 3 spoons, and 3 butter knifves. Then he puts 2 short drinking glasses and 4 tall ones. For the plates he has 3 large dinner plates, and 2 small plates. He then puts away all his food. At this point it’s time for dinne so he puts one of the dinners into the microwave and clicks 5 minutes. He Then takes off his jaket and unholsters his revolver revealing the full extent of his custom colt python. It has a blue navy cylinder, that white grip, a stainless steel black barrel, and the barrel has a gold fire pattern engraved alongside the left side of the barrel. The Microwave dings while he looks it over. He then sets it down on the coffee table and turns on the Tv. The news turns on The news anchor a blonde women in a blue wool coat is outside “Tempitures are expected around the upper 20s getting around 29 at the low. Tommorrow expect another chilly day. We are expecting a high in the mid 30s with the high expected around 36. Jack takes out his food and grabs a spoon. He gets a cup fills it with water and eats in peace whole the news plays in the backround. When he’s done it’s around 7:00pm and he decides that it’s time to hit the hay. He turns off the TV and washes his dishes and then he goes and takes a shower. The warm water is refreshing after the freezing cold. He then slips into bed and goes to sleep for the night.
By Dylan Faughn2 days ago in Chapters
Firebug: Ch. 36 - The Bunker
Theo's head was still spinning when a heavy canvas sack was shoved over it. Being thrust into total darkness without warning was absolutely disorienting, not to mention it nearly made him cack himself. Roman's muffled swear and the sounds of a struggle echoed from the other side of the theater; a clear indication he was given the same treatment. Naturally, Theo made a valiant attempt to remove the smelly sack from his person. His efforts were rewarded seconds later by hands - strong as iron and big as Christmas hams - pinning his arms behind his back.
By Natalie Gray2 days ago in Chapters
Aiming for Euphoria: Trying Archery
Artemis, Amazon women warriors, and Robin Hood represent everything I knew about archery. Basically, I knew nothing about the tension of a bow or how to let an arrow fly by rolling the string off the three finger tips holding it in place. I knew nothing about how to take a stance and take aim at a moving target. After trying archery this week, I should probably know more about those things, and I am not going to brag about how well I did because I don’t want to offend archery purists. No, it was not “real” archery. It was virtual archery at BATL Grounds in Niagara Falls . We could also have done knife or ax throwing, but I’ve already tried those two.
By Kate Baggott2 days ago in Chapters
