Romance
At Arm's Length
Theo knew from the brochure that Hill Academy was quite large. The brochure, however, did not give the school an ounce of justice. The sprawling campus had more acreage than students. Among its many buildings set aside for core classes, Hill Academy sported a baseball, football, and American football field, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a running track. For those less athletically inclined, there were computer labs and music rooms galore, as well as a massive library and an auditorium to rival the Apollo.
By Natalie Gray11 months ago in Chapters
The Prison Ship - Part 2
Continued from Part 1 Part 2 Maria and Stefan were the kind of people everyone loved to hate — young, beautiful, in love, and, worst of all, unbearably free. Of those who walk barefoot along the beach, with sea-salted lips and eyes free of fear, free of compromise, free of limits.
By Tanya Zheleva11 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 18
I awoke the next morning, my body still aching from the brawl with Greg. Rolling over, I saw my phone lying on the charger on the bedside table. I must’ve drifted into a deep sleep as I awaited Jane’s text letting me know she was home safely. When I checked for the message, I didn’t see any texts or missed calls. I figured she must’ve gone to bed and fallen asleep when she got home, it was an emotionally exhausting day. Hunched over, my head pounding with a headache, similar to that of a hangover. I pressed my fingers into my temples in an effort to ease the thunderous roaring in my head, as I made haste into the bathroom, the hot water soothing my body as I relaxed under the showerhead. Once out and dressed, I checked the time on my phone, and grew concerned as it was nearly nine’o’clock in the morning. I shook the uneasiness away, the last time I grew concerned so quickly, she was just fine. I reassured myself that she would call or text soon, and I distracted myself by traveling to the jeweler in town. Can’t propose without a ring!
By Sibley Shamra11 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 17
Sunday rolled around in due time, and for the past few days, the grief began to subside, peace rose, and routine never felt so blissful. While I got ready for church, I slipped into Pa’s room, glancing around the naturally lit room. It smelled of fresh linen, and the citrus scent wafting from a plug in Jane put in. Although Pa was gone, it didn’t feel as empty as it did recently, it was as if it breathed new life. “Well Pa, I think I’m going to have a lot of planning to do after today. Guide me to a legacy you’ll be proud of. I think there’s going to be some change coming.” With a distant gaze and a small smirk, I spun on my heels and left my father’s room, ready to pick up Jane. The entire ride over to her home, I was consumed by thoughts of what I wanted, what I believed in, and why. The ride over was my weekly reminder of keeping my priorities in line. Jane was already on her porch swing, a sweet tea in her hand. I swiftly lifted her into my arms and spun her as we shared in the laughter of childlike love. “Okay cowboy, I see you still have some swing to you!” “You’re the fire to my forge, love. You only make me stronger!” I carried Jane as she giggled and clutched my neck to my truck, planting a gentle kiss as I opened her passenger door. “Strong in arms, but soft in heart.” Jane’s words are like a tease. I adored her, and I wanted to be better for her. She was a woman I was proud to have on my arm, and proud to call mine. We made for the church in swift time, Jane and I walked hand in hand, and sat in the sanctuary as we always do. Pastor Dave’s sermon spoke of love through adversity and it was an overwhelming truth in Jane’s and I’s relationship.
By Sibley Shamra11 months ago in Chapters
Knotted Roots - Part 16
I couldn’t believe that Greg had twisted into such a repulsive, abusive, demon of a man! And I, caught up in his charm, and the materialistic gifts! I was devastated, how did I go from a fearless rodeo queen to a shameful, undeserving pile of slop! I was better than this, I was stronger than this, yet still, I was alone. I was broken, abused. I never stopped loving Jasper, but he was gone. At least for now. I only have myself to blame for the situation I am in. I dressed into my oversized pajamas and slept in a puddle of my tears, clutching the quilt that hugged me back. I wanted to tell Jasper, he’d surely protect me from Greg, but after everything he’s been through, would he even care about me still? Did I care about me? I didn’t know the best thing was staring me right in my face, after all this time, I still loved Jasper hopelessly and recklessly. My heart ached, and at some point through my sobbing I had drifted to sleep, emotionally and physically exhausted. I awoke in a panic, hyperventilating as I dreamt of the trauma by Greg’s violent behavior, the all too real memory of his assault. I gasped for air, brushing my hair back as my chest heaved violently. I needed to get outside! I quickly changed into some jeans and a loose shirt, grabbing my gambler hat, and I made my way to the barn. The morning light pierced through the foggy breath of a new day. I didn’t bother to grab my phone, I just needed to ride! I jumped on Spot’s back and with a stiff kick, we hurried off towards the mountain range. The wind brought the oxygen I was deprived of. My battered and abused heart felt heavy, sinking to the depths of my chest. I was drowning in a spiraling depression, and my soul was bruised, burning with conviction.
By Sibley Shamra11 months ago in Chapters
The Crime Loop: 23:56
“Hey sis, good morning,” Mia, a sixteen-year-old girl, greeted as she stretched her arms and twisted her body lazily as she walked out of the room into the sitting room. “Good morning, little brat,” Luna replied, smiling, sitting on the sofa and watching a show on the TV while sipping juice. “I have told you a thousand and one times to stop calling me a brat. When will you ever stop calling me this annoying name?” Mia retorted, seemingly aggrieved as she went to join her sister on the sofa. “I'll keep calling you that until I decide not to,” Luna said with a sinister smile carved on her lips. “This is wickedness at its very peak. Anyways, aren't you on duty? Why aren't you dressed for work?” Mia asked as she stole a few sips of her sister's juice. “You've even forgotten the days I'm on duty. What type of a sister are you?” Luna asked, rolling her eyes at Mia as she snatched the cup of juice from her. “Well, you can't blame me for that. Your job as a police officer is just too irregular. I don't have that luxury of time,” Mia said. Luna looked at her sister speechlessly as she continued focusing on her TV show. Not long after, Luna's phone rang, and she picked up the call and started talking with all seriousness. She received some orders, after which the call ended. Luna sighed heavily and muttered, “Not again. I thought I would have today all to myself.” “What’s up, sis? Were you called back to duty?” Mia asked. “Yeah, an urgent case came up and I need to be there,” Luna said lazily. “Oh, I think you need to get going ASAP,” Mia said as she took another sip from the juice on the table. “Ouch, so mean. You're so quick to chase me away,” Luna said, clutching her chest, pretending to be hurt. Mia chuckled. “I’m not interested in your drama.” Luna quickly went into her room to change and headed straight to the office to meet her captain. The sudden disappearance of a teenager in a form that seemed to be like that of a kidnapping case had sent worries into the hearts of the residents of the city. Luna's captain had a worried and troubled look on his face as he explained the details of the case to Luna. “Luna, I'm making you in charge of this case because I know you are the only one capable enough to handle it. This case is a bit different from the usual; in fact, it might be even more complex than we all think. The life of a teenager is at risk, and I want you to do your best in saving the child's life and bringing the criminal to justice. I'll ensure I give you my full support and assistance,” the captain said. “Yes, sir, I will try my best, sir,” Luna stated as she turned and left the office. On getting to her office, she took up the case file and examined it thoroughly. “This case is indeed complex. With the location and time of the incident, it was near impossible for anyone to have successfully committed such a crime without anyone noticing it. What exactly is the answer to this riddle? Besides, I sense something amiss concerning this case. What could it be?” Luna stood up, walked out of her office, boarded a cab, and went to the location where the incident took place. When she got to the location, she took a very good look at her surroundings and confirmed her earlier guess: it was impossible to directly kidnap anyone there as the place is constantly crowded. Luna stood there for more than ten minutes, observing her environment inquisitively, trying to catch any tiny detail that she thought she could have missed. After standing for more than fifteen minutes and still no clue, she started walking back in the direction of her office in deep thought, pondering seriously over each and every detail of the case. Unknowing to her, she had walked more than half the distance to her office. When she realized this, she quickly called for a cab and went back to her office, though she didn't stop ruminating over the case as she thought something felt really amiss and strange. She just couldn't lay her finger on it. On getting to her office, she called for an urgent meeting among her and her direct subordinates handling the case. “This is an extremely tricky case,” Sam sighed and said after Luna made a detailed summary of the case. “The place where that kidnapping took place doesn't seem like a place where such a crime could be carried out successfully,” Sam continued. “This shows one thing: we could be dealing with extremely dangerous and intelligent criminals,” Lyra stated. “Asher, I want you to retrieve the CCTV footage of that day and go through each and every second of it,” Luna said, pointing at Asher. “Alright,” Asher answered, as calm as always. “Sophia, invite the child's parents for interrogation. We'll interrogate them together,” Luna instructed. “Yes, but we have interrogated them before,” Sophia said. “I know, but I want to do it again. There might be something you guys missed during your interrogation,” Luna said while going through the pile of files in front of her. “Sam and Lyra, I want the both of you to go to the place where the crime happened, analyze the place again to see if you can get any useful clue,” Luna said as she continued staring at the pile of papers before her without blinking. They all stood up after receiving the instructions to get it done. Luna was left alone staring at the pile of papers in front of her. Suddenly, something on one of those papers caught her attention as she picked it up and stared at it with furrowed eyebrows and a stern look on her face.
By Krystalwrites11 months ago in Chapters
The Sparta Chronicles. AI-Generated.
The air itself crackled, not with the bite of wind, but with the raw, untamed essence of the divine. Perseus, a tempest in his own right, dragged Pandora upward, his grip a fierce promise against the treacherous, obsidian shards of the path. Each labored breath clawed at their lungs, yet the very thinness of the atmosphere vibrated with an intoxicating, alien power. Then, it loomed – Olympus. Not merely a mountain, but a celestial forge, where gold dripped like molten sun and clouds, woven from pure, luminous ivory, swirled in an eternal, blinding ballet.
By Carolyn Patton11 months ago in Chapters
The Sparta Chronicles. AI-Generated.
The sun, a malevolent eye in a bleached sky, scorched the jagged maw of the cliffs that clawed at Mount Olympus. The air, heavy and suffocating, pulsed with the sharp tang of wild thyme, a deceptive sweetness masking a primal stench of pure danger. Sparta, a colossus of scarred muscle and unwavering resolve, Jackson, a whirlwind of coiled power and restless anticipation, and Pandora, her very essence a beacon of fierce, unyielding loyalty, stood at the mountain’s unforgiving base. Their gaze, a desperate plea, was locked on its impossibly vast, shadow-draped heights. Beside them, Perseus, their beloved comrade, lay a broken thing, his skin stretched taut over bone, a pallor of death clinging to him. Each breath, a ragged, agonizing gasp, threatened to be his last.
By Carolyn Patton11 months ago in Chapters
