Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Theoracism: It Starts. Top Story - June 2021.
The young man rejoiced. He had passed the test. Though the material he had spent long hours studying differed significantly from the material on the test, he’d still managed to earn an A+ with extra credit points beside. A thick green 110% had appeared on his tablet screen, and he’d had to curb his excitement to keep from leaping out of his seat and cheering like a sports fan in an arena.
By Skyler Saunders3 years ago in Fiction
Husk. Top Story - June 2021.
Husk The birds don’t come here anymore—not since the burned-out husk appeared in the woods. No one knows how it came to be here. The grass in the clearing is green, the surrounding trees unmarred. Yet the car’s innards are scattered about like this was a crime scene someone tried to obliterate.
By Svetlana Sterlin3 years ago in Fiction
By an Illusion's Fickle Thread. Top Story - June 2021.
I sift through the panels of prospective partners and wonder just what the hell my mother was thinking with this charade. The pictures don't matter—women showing off their teeth in white arrays, hairstyles that defy the imagination (and gravity), too little or too much make-up from the Generation Markets—but I find myself searching for something. That something, well, perhaps I don't exactly know what it is yet.
By Jillian Spiridon3 years ago in Fiction
The Winning Game. Top Story - June 2021.
The décor of the Summit Centre was just as pretentious as the awards show itself. Everything had been meticulously chosen in the same shade of cream; the lighting, the tablecloths, the dishware, the flowers. Ruby sat at her assigned table staring at her nameplate in front of her place setting. She wished that Joel had come with her, at least it would have been someone to talk to. Instead, his nameplate and empty seat beside hers would be a reminder of how alone she really was. She was surprised he hadn’t at least called or sent a text. After 10 years of marriage, one would think he’d have wanted to say good luck, for the moment put the divorce aside, especially since it was so new. Ruby awkwardly scrolled through her phone even though she had been told not to do that at events like these. She hated these things.
By Christina Hunter3 years ago in Fiction
A Twisted Deception
"Marisol Fuentes, will you marry me?" Those six words coming from Isabel Cruz, Marisol's girlfriend, were what Marisol had dreamed of hearing ever since she was a little girl. Marisol and Isabel had been dating for nearly a year, having met during their freshman year in college and hitting it off instantly. They never really discussed marriage during their time as a couple, so Marisol was stunned by Isabel's proposal, though she was very elated over the thought of spending the rest of her life with someone she loved dearly.
By Clyde E. Dawkins3 years ago in Fiction
Melody
Melody Jenkins wasn’t normally a big consumer of newspapers, but as she made her way through the market, she dropped a fresh copy of the afternoon paper into her basket. She made her way to the front of the store with the few items she needed, and quickly paid the cashier. Luckily, the rain had stopped, and it was a short walk home.
By L. Lane Bailey3 years ago in Fiction
Unknown Caller excerpt
Jack was doing something he loved doing, but seldom had the opportunity to do anymore. He was driving by himself, slapping down the highway miles on a solo road trip. Partially solo, anyway. He was driving from Virginia to Florida. He was going to pick up Amy in Jacksonville, then they were driving together the rest of the way to Key West.
By L. Lane Bailey3 years ago in Fiction
Ape See, Ape Do
The heavy rain was deafening on the truck’s loose roof paneling but it wasn’t enough to drown out the noise of the old diesel engine screaming in protest as Wyatt forced it into the next stiff gear. Wyatt bounced jarringly in his seat as he slid around a corner followed by the stress-inducing sound of cargo tumbling in the back of the truck. Either the contents fell or the truck's panels had finally given out. He hoped it wasn’t the cargo; he couldn’t afford more truck repairs but losing the product would mean he wouldn't be paid either. His phone glowed on the dashboard as his destination came into view: a large theatre, painted red, trimmed with gold and illuminated by glowing signs of upcoming acts. Wyatt picked up his phone.
By Eloise Robertson 3 years ago in Fiction
Deference Due
The great ornate hall was filled with men beyond their prime, their finest thick suits hanging from their broad shoulders along with their ties choking them in the humid space. The quiet rumble of words was silenced by the sound of confident footsteps stalking through the door from the side of the stage, echoing through the hall. As the auctioneer crossed the stage the potential buyers comfortably resumed their murmurings, disregarding the presentation platform until the proceedings were scheduled to begin.
By Eloise Robertson 3 years ago in Fiction
Secrets and Deceptions
For CEO Gwendolyn "Gwen" Dawson-Finley, the last few days had been quite busy--mainly centering on a search for a new assistant. Her last one, Bethany Baxter, disappeared without a trace, and unfortunately for Gwen, this was not isolated, as she was the second to come up missing in the last five months. Gwen's search ended when she found the perfect choice in Darcy Royce, who made a fantastic first impression on her new boss.
By Clyde E. Dawkins3 years ago in Fiction
The Red Butterfly
For John // The house was yellow, as it had always been in dreams, blurred as if behind thick glass, and in stories both written and never written, half-remembered, caught in glimpses on sleeping neighborhood streets, through floats of pale fog that wafted above the street lamps like ghosts.
By Jaye Nasir3 years ago in Fiction