Young Adult
The Dream Collector
Dr. Sarah Umbra adjusted the delicate sensors embedded within the memory foam, her fingers tracing the nearly invisible network of neural receptors that had taken her team three years to perfect. The pillow looked ordinary enough—soft gray fabric, standard size—but beneath its surface lay technology that could capture the electromagnetic echoes of sleeping thoughts.
By Parsley Rose 12 months ago in Chapters
The Forest of the Forgotten
Chapter One A gentle breeze brushes along the leaves of the neighboring trees. I'm lying in the grass, tall and overgrown as far as the eye can see, making it almost impossible for me to see. The sound the wind makes had always brought a smile to my face, especially here.
By Parsley Rose 12 months ago in Chapters
Voices in the Void
The coffee had gone cold hours ago, but Dr. Sybil Aisling couldn't bring herself to leave the radio telescope control room. The signal had been repeating for three days now—a complex mathematical sequence that defied any natural explanation. Prime numbers, Fibonacci spirals, and something else entirely woven between them like a cosmic signature.
By Parsley Rose about a year ago in Chapters
CH 3~ Building a New Life
Frannie woke on a couch in a parlor with Gerdie holding her hand; she didn’t recognize this new room but knew it must be the parlor in her new home. Where else could she be? It was comfortable, though not as large or richly appointed as her home here.
By K.B. Silver about a year ago in Chapters
Memoir | Becoming a Federal Government Civil Servant | The U.S. Department of Prominence | Part II of VI
Before starting my role as a federal government civil servant, I had to fill out an extensive Standard Form (SF86), known as the Questionnaire for National Security Positions, to obtain a security clearance.
By Mia Z. Edwardsabout a year ago in Chapters
Why TTP Attacks Are Rising in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Taliban’s Return, Political Discord, and Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Struggle
Earlier this month, following the viral footage of a militant attack on a military center in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—showing Major Adnan Aslam of the Pakistan Army risking his life to save a wounded comrade—tributes poured in for his bravery from both public and official quarters. At the same time, many also voiced concerns over the growing wave of militant activities in the province. Looking at the recent news from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it appears that banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been carrying out frequent attacks on Pakistan’s security forces, leaving soldiers, policemen, and law enforcement personnel dead. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Bannu last Saturday, where the Prime Minister urged the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to “choose between Pakistan or TTP.” Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that the banned TTP receives support from across the border in Afghanistan, though Afghan authorities deny these allegations. Counterterrorism experts note that ever since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, there has been a dramatic increase in TTP’s operations and influence in Pakistan—a fact reflected in official statistics. According to government data, more than 2,500 people were killed in TTP attacks in Pakistan in 2024. The number of attacks that year was 66% higher compared to 2023. Similarly, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department, in the first eight months of this year alone (2025), the province has witnessed 766 incidents of militancy, killing 366 security personnel and 92 policemen. The districts worst affected include Bannu, North Waziristan, Khyber, and Bajaur. However, the Inspector General of Police for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa believes that although TTP attacks have increased, the resultant casualties are fewer compared to last year—suggesting that law enforcement agencies are dealing more effectively with the militants. Most of these attacks have been claimed by TTP, which according to a 2024 United Nations report, is the largest terrorist organization operating in Afghanistan, enjoying support from the Taliban government to launch cross-border attacks into Pakistan. The report further states that the number of TTP fighters in Afghanistan ranges between 6,000 and 6,500. Why are TTP’s attacks and influence growing? Experts say the core reason is the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, which not only emboldened TTP but also provided it access to new resources. They argue that under the leadership of Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, TTP has become far more cohesive and focused than before. Former KP IG Akhtar Ali Shah explains that whether religious extremist groups or nationalist outfits, they all exploit the governance vacuum created by weak economic, social, and judicial structures. “Because of various factors, these groups even enjoy a degree of societal acceptance. Their recruitment continues, they keep receiving funds, they have propaganda machinery, and they maintain logistics… in a sense, just like other state institutions continue their functions, they too are carrying out their own parallel operations.” After former TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2018, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud was appointed as the new head of the organization. Experts say Noor Wali reshaped TTP’s strategy by reintegrating splinter militant groups that had broken away in the past. Security analyst Abdul Sayed notes, “From 2018, Pakistani Taliban began revising their policies to overcome the decline caused by past infighting and policies. After the 2020 Doha peace agreement between the Taliban and the U.S., these reforms became operational.” As a result, nearly 80 small and large militant groups—including major Taliban factions—rejoined TTP, fueling a surge in attacks. The group also adopted an Afghan Taliban-style centralized command system, better organizing its war against the state. For example, at the start of 2025, TTP announced a shadow structure of about 1,200 officials, establishing networks at the district and tehsil level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in parts of Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Over time, TTP’s ideology has also evolved—from a narrow focus on enforcing Sharia through jihad to a broader narrative that now also advocates for Pashtun and Baloch rights, to project a more “popular” image. Counterterrorism expert Khurram Iqbal says, “Had the U.S. and international forces withdrawn from Afghanistan more responsibly, perhaps we wouldn’t have seen this resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan. The withdrawal was extremely irresponsible—large quantities of weapons flooded the black market, and TTP acquired advanced weaponry through this, intensifying their attacks.” He adds that while Pakistan’s military operations since 2014 achieved significant tactical success, the state failed to follow through with serious post-conflict reconstruction. “The federal government promised 100 billion rupees for the ex-FATA region, but not even a fraction of that has been invested in its development.” This lack of seriousness, he argues, has undermined the military gains. Khurram Iqbal also highlights the political discord between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government in recent years as another factor undermining counterterrorism efforts. He points out that over the past four years, TTP’s capabilities have increased significantly: their weapons are more advanced, their attacks more organized—all evidence of their growing operational strength. So, does this mean Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy has failed? Khurram Iqbal says: “If you look at the data, there is little doubt. Pakistan is now the world’s second most terrorism-affected country, after Burkina Faso.” Abdul Sayed adds that Pakistan’s internal political turmoil since the 2022 change of government prevented both political and military leadership from making unified, decisive moves against TTP. “In 2022 and 2023, political instability forced the government to prioritize survival over counterterrorism. This gave TTP the space to consolidate both politically and militarily.” Where does TTP get its funding? Experts say TTP’s financial structure is systematic and hierarchical. A central finance committee supervises regional sub-committees. These regional bodies prepare daily financial reports, which are compiled into monthly audits and shared with the central committee—in other words, a complex financial operation. Journalist Iftikhar Firdous, who reports on militant groups, recalls that in 2018, TTP issued a document titled “Laiha Amal” (Plan of Action). “This document laid out a comprehensive financial model for TTP—still in use today. At its core is ‘taxation’: extorting money from areas under their control and from individuals engaged in cross-border trade. They refer to this extortion as tax.” He adds that TTP propaganda channels also share digital currency account numbers, enabling sympathizers to donate. Indeed, TTP has long collected donations via cryptocurrency. Militant groups widely use cryptocurrency for fundraising because it allows them to collect money quickly while remaining hidden from security forces—at least until a specific crypto wallet is flagged. Operation Experts note that TTP’s media wing, Umar Media, has expanded significantly in recent years to glorify militancy and spread anti-state sentiments. In January 2025, TTP revamped Umar Media, announcing a detailed organizational structure, involving nearly three dozen members. Umar Media now operates through a wide portfolio: video and audio series, regular statements, and magazines in Urdu and Pashto. It has five specialized departments for audio, video, magazines, FM radio, and social media, along with a central media commission. The group also uses platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp to disseminate content. Iftikhar Firdous notes that TTP propaganda is no longer limited to traditional platforms like CDs, which were once common among such groups. “Now they’re on almost every social media platform. Their content heavily focuses on discrediting security forces, targeting Pakistani youth. Their website servers are spread across different countries, allowing them to operate even if one server is taken down.” However, he clarifies that TTP’s actual operations are still far smaller than their propaganda presence. Over time, the group has mastered the art of propaganda. to the Past Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Inspector General of Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, says that while militant attacks on police and security forces have risen in the first eight months of this year, casualties are 20% lower compared to the same period last year. He credits increased vigilance and proactive countermeasures. He claims that most areas of the province are now safer, though some districts still face challenges. He expressed optimism that conditions will improve soon even in those troubled areas. According to him, the situation has “significantly improved” in the past eight months: “There are no major problems now. Highways are safe. While attacks on police were frequent at the start of the year, our operations have reduced them, and the situation is now much better.” He added that wherever a threat arises, additional forces are deployed, and targeted operations are launched—leading to the killing of key militant commanders in areas like Lakki Marwat. Would you like me to also summarize this translation into a short analytical article in English (around 800–1000 words) for publication, instead of the full-length detailed translation?
By Real contentabout a year ago in Chapters
How to Reclaim Your Life in the Age of Endless Notifications
In today’s world, almost everyone is living two lives at the same time: one in reality and one online. We wake up to the sound of alarms on our phones, scroll through social media before even brushing our teeth, and fall asleep while our screens are still glowing. This constant connection to the digital world has made life easier in many ways, but it has also trapped us in cycles of stress, distraction, and shallow connections. But here’s the big question: Are we living our lives, or are we letting our devices live them for us? --- The Rise of the Digital Lifestyle In the last decade, technology has taken over almost every part of our daily routine. We work online, we learn online, and we even socialize online. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have millions of daily users who spend hours scrolling. According to studies, the average person now spends more than 7 hours a day looking at screens. That’s almost half of our waking hours! While technology offers countless benefits—faster communication, global information access, and entertainment—it also creates invisible chains. Notifications, likes, and messages keep pulling our attention away from what truly matters: real conversations, family moments, and personal growth. --- The Illusion of Connection Social media was designed to connect us. And in some ways, it truly does. We can talk to relatives across the world, share our happiest memories instantly, and find communities that match our interests. However, this “connection” often comes with a hidden cost. Many people feel lonelier now than ever before. Why? Because online connections sometimes replace real ones. Instead of spending time with friends in person, we settle for likes on a photo. Instead of asking someone how they truly feel, we reply with emojis. This illusion of closeness tricks us into believing we are socially fulfilled—while, in reality, we are missing genuine human interaction. --- Mental Health and the Digital Overload Psychologists are now warning about the side effects of excessive digital consumption. Too much screen time can lead to: Anxiety and stress – constant notifications keep the brain in a state of alert. Sleep problems – blue light from screens tricks the brain into thinking it’s still daytime. Short attention span – scrolling from one short video to another trains our minds to seek instant gratification. Comparison and self-doubt – seeing “perfect lives” online makes many people feel unworthy. The sad truth is that many people are more worried about how their life looks online than how it feels in reality. --- Reclaiming Your Life: Practical Steps The good news? You don’t have to throw away your phone or delete all your social media accounts. The goal is not to escape technology but to use it wisely. Here are some steps to take back control: 1. Set Boundaries with Notifications Turn off unnecessary alerts. Do you really need to know when someone likes your photo? 2. Digital Detox Hours Decide on specific times in your day when you won’t use any screens. For example, no phone during meals or before bed. 3. Choose Quality over Quantity Instead of following hundreds of people online, focus on a smaller circle who bring real value to your life. 4. Reconnect with Nature Go outside, breathe fresh air, and spend time in real environments instead of virtual ones. 5. Face-to-Face Conversations Call a friend for coffee instead of sending endless text messages. --- Building a Healthier Relationship with Technology Balance is the keyword. Technology is not the enemy—it’s how we use it that matters. When we take control of our screen time, we start noticing little joys again: laughter with family, silence in nature, and focus in our work. These are the things that build meaningful lives, not just digital profiles. The future will only bring more technology, more devices, and more distractions. If we don’t set limits today, we may lose the ability to fully live tomorrow. --- Final Thoughts We live in a digital age, but we don’t have to be digital slaves. Every notification doesn’t deserve your attention. Every like doesn’t define your value. Your real life—the one filled with people you love, experiences you enjoy, and goals you achieve—is far more important than your online presence. So, the next time your phone buzzes, ask yourself: Do I want to react to this, or do I want to live this moment? Because in the end, life is not measured by how many followers you have, but by how deeply you live.
By Omar Khostai about a year ago in Chapters
Amnity and the Forgotten Grove
Amnity had always been different from the other witches in the Moonhaven Coven. While they brewed potions with precise measurements and cast spells by ancient formulas, Amnity worked by feeling—letting magic flow through her like water finding its course.
By Parsley Rose about a year ago in Chapters
