Adventure
The Spirit Box
Chapter One: Spirit Boxing I’m Detective Fred Byrne, Jr., and this is my story. I’m a detective by trade, but boxing is my true passion. I was one of the better amateur boxers at the bar down the street from the station. I boxed during fight night at The Blue Mercury bar and grill. They hosted a ‘fight night,’ every night during the week, but ‘fight week’ doesn’t sound right for marketing.
Alex H MittelmanPublished about 11 hours ago in FictionThe Spirit Box (2)
Chapter 2: Twin Robbers I got to work and took a deep breath. I discreetly took out the spirit box and inhaled John so I could convince the chief I felt great. I walked to chief’s office and asked the chief what the assignment was for today.
Alex H MittelmanPublished about 11 hours ago in FictionWhispers of Moonlight
In the heart of a forgotten town, where the cobblestone streets whispered tales of bygone days and the stars painted the sky with their ethereal glow, there lived a vampire boy named Ji-Hoon Moonshadow. His existence was a solitary one, haunted by the shadows of his past and the insatiable hunger that gnawed at his very essence. But amidst the darkness that surrounded him, there flickered a glimmer of hope—a yearning for something more, something he scarcely dared to believe in.
Malady Mahi
First published in New English Review, June 2020 I used to wonder why I wouldn't get seasick on my surfboard but every time I took a boat ride outside the bay, I would turn whiter than any midwestern tourist on his first day of vacation in Hawaii. I would desperately attempt to focus on the horizon with that salty sailor confidence that Ralph had but would eventually hurl over the side, feeding the South Pacific fish the wrong kind of food. Ralph didn't need badges-his nautical smile and the wrinkles on his skin spoke of many journeys out to sea. His stories, however, were out of this world. Whenever my mom would announce that she would be cooking chicken enchiladas with both Verde and red sauce, Ralph was there, and he would bring along an exciting adventure each time he came for dinner.
Tony MartelloPublished about 13 hours ago in FictionFyra and Sword
Author's note: This follows Heart of Steel Lor'kan thrust his blade forward with such speed and precision Naythan barely whipped his blade to the side to dash it to one side. Lor'kan used the momentum to bring his sword around his head in a slash right and left, right, left, right left battering Naythan as he blocked frantically backing up as he did so. He was losing too much ground too fast. Trying to regain the initiative, Naythan caught Lor'kan's last cut, lifted his elbow to angle the point of his blade towards Lor'kan's face and thrust forward, keeping his blade clashed with Lor'kan to protect himself even as he attacked. It worked, Lor'kan's assault pattern was broken and he backed up a step to avoid Naythan's point and gain distance from him, giving Naythan crucial seconds to regain his composure and go on the offensive.
Tomos JacksonPublished about 16 hours ago in FictionBattle For The Moon
Introduction: Our planet is on the brink of another devastating World War. While it's terrifying to imagine the realities this conflict could bring to people all over the world, this time it could play out on a battlefield unlike any other: space. Which nations would be the main cosmic combatants? What kinds of never-before-seen weaponry would be used? And would it ever end? This is "What If," and here's what would happen if World War III was fought in space.
Christera ChinyeakaPublished about 17 hours ago in FictionThe Forgotten Forest
In the heart of an ancient, forgotten forest, where time itself seemed to pause, whispers of olden tales and enchantments rustled through the leaves. These murmurs spoke of forgotten heroes and ancient civilizations lost to memory.
Arshad MecciPublished about 18 hours ago in FictionStunt Dog Demo
I was there alongside Lewis when he decided to stage his unforgettable and rather impromptu performance. It was the tail end of summer, the stifling heat of the desert waning, replaced by more pleasant conditions. The day dawned bright and clear in California, promising adventure.
Arshad MecciPublished about 18 hours ago in FictionThe Sunset Picture
I woke up with the first light of dawn, driven by the desire to capture the perfect photograph. Swiftly, I dressed in a pair of worn, brown trousers, a loose-fitting shirt, and sturdy hiking boots. Pulling my coffee-brown hair back into a messy ponytail and adjusting my glasses, I grabbed my bag and felt the rush of excitement course through me.
Arshad MecciPublished about 18 hours ago in FictionHome
In the dimly lit city streets, Owen’s heart pounded in his chest as he navigated the maze of alleys and side streets. The oppressive heat of the night was intensified by the residual warmth from the ever-present sun, now grown into a menacing gas giant in the sky. Without his protective UV suit, Owen's skin would have been instantly seared by the deadly radiation.
Arshad MecciPublished about 18 hours ago in FictionWhispers of the Forbidden Forest
In the ancient city of Ujjain, ruled by the wise and just King Vikramaditya. One day, a mystic sorcerer approached the king with a request that seemed simple yet bizarre: to fetch a corpse hanging from a tree in a desolate forest—the body that Betal, a wily spirit, inhabited.Motivated by the promise that fulfilling this request would bring prosperity to his kingdom, Vikramaditya agreed. As night fell, he ventured into the eerie forest, guided only by the flickering light of his torch. Upon reaching the tree, he found the corpse, seemingly ordinary yet imbued with an unsettling aura.As soon as Vikramaditya slung the corpse over his shoulder, the body came to life—it was Betal, ready to test the king's resolve and wisdom. Betal struck a deal: he would tell Vikramaditya a story during their journey back to the city, ending with a riddle. If the king knew the answer but chose to remain silent, his head would shatter into a thousand pieces. However, every time Vikramaditya answered correctly, Betal would return to the tree, forcing the king to begin his quest anew.The first story Betal narrated was about a noble king who had three queens. Unfortunately, none were able to bear him a child. In his quest for an heir, the king met a sage who gave him a magical fruit, promising that it would bless him with progeny. The king, however, faced a dilemma over which queen deserved the fruit, leading to a cascade of events fueled by jealousy and deceit.As the tale ended, Betal posed his question: "Which queen deserves the magical fruit, and why?" The moral and ethical layers of the question were profound. King Vikramaditya, with his sharp intellect and keen sense of justice, decoded the motives of the queens and solved the riddle, explaining his reasoning in meticulous detail.True to his word, as soon as Vikramaditya spoke, Betal vanished back to the tree, leaving the king in the middle of the dark, whispering forest. Undeterred, Vikramaditya returned to fetch Betal, his resolve unbroken.This cyclical challenge of storytelling and riddle-solving continued, with each story more intriguing and complex than the last, testing the king's wisdom, ethics, and perseverance.
Dalwant Bahadur SinghPublished about 18 hours ago in FictionProject Genesis
Josh's heart pounded as he held the photograph—a picture of himself dressed in an astronaut jumpsuit, standing beside his Aunt at NASA. His mind reeled. He hadn’t set foot in NASA since his Aunt's passing years ago. How was this even possible? His thoughts swirled with confusion and a torrent of questions.
Arshad MecciPublished about 18 hours ago in Fiction