Excerpt
Beginning-Endings Unofficial Challenge WINNERS
Well, this is embarrassing. I promised to announce the winners for this unofficial challenge nearly two full weeks ago - and here we are, winners unnanounced, zero updates from me, and a near total absence from the writing, reading, challenge-submitting, and commenting scenes on Vocal. OUCH.
By Gabriel Huizengaabout a year ago in Fiction
Pocahontas
She was running as fast as she could through the forest, the wind and branches catching the edges of her hair. The pulling didn’t bother her when a piece got snagged, she was used to that. It motivated her to run harder and faster. She ran until she broke through the tree line out into the field. In front of her by a few yards the river roared towards home. She was almost there now, could almost smell the smoke from cooked fish and squash. She ran toward the river and turned at the last second to follow the flow south. Up ahead there was a cliff, the river jumped over the edge in great gulps of waves, splashing into the water below. It was getting closer and she sped up, feeling her heartbeat quicken. Right before she reached the edge she leapt into the air, inspired by the deer she’d watched jumping over fallen trees or off of rocks as someone hunted them. She felt the wind hit her even harder as she floated for a moment, she was flying. Down she went, riding air just in front of the waterfall until she landed feet first into the water at the bottom. Going down several feet she felt her extended foot hit the sand for a split second and she pushed hard to bounce herself back up. It was around twenty feet or more to the surface and the bounce cut the effort she would need to break through the water in half. She could see a figure on the bank of the river as she reached the surface. She broke through and gasped hard, taking in as much air as she could as she brushed the hair and water off her face. She’d been turned around, so she spun the water to see her visitor.
By Raine Fielderabout a year ago in Fiction
Death or Love. Content Warning.
Under the burning twilight of a kingdom falling into chaos, a lone warrior named Ean strode through a scarred battlefield. His eyes, filled with fierce resolve, mirrored the raw intensity of his spirit—a spirit that had chosen the honorable death of fighting for a dream over the lingering pain of love.
By Edge Alexanderabout a year ago in Fiction
The Firefly That Never Dies
Every summer, the people of Durgapur spoke of the never-dying firefly. Even in the heaviest downpours, it danced just above the paddy fields and glowed brighter than the moon. It was thought to be the spirit of a long-dead saint who looked after the land, blessed the crops, and punished those who broke the rules.
By Ahmed Rayhanabout a year ago in Fiction
Samsung galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: A Smartphone That Actually Feels Like the Future Samsung has been a dominant player in the smartphone world for years, and just when you think they’ve peaked, they drop something like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This isn’t just another flagship phone with a spec bump—it genuinely feels like a major leap forward. Whether you care about camera quality, performance, design, or just want a phone that keeps up with your lifestyle, the S25 Ultra checks almost every box. Sleek New Look with Premium Materials Right out of the box, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels different. Samsung ditched the old aluminum frame and went with a new titanium build that feels both lighter and more premium. The phone’s edges are subtly curved now—just enough to feel comfortable without being slippery. And the camera bump? Much smaller this time, which helps it sit flat on a table without wobbling. Display That Outshines Everything Else Samsung’s displays have always been industry leaders, and the S25 Ultra is no exception. The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is simply stunning. With brightness that peaks at 3,000 nits and a super-smooth refresh rate of up to 144Hz, everything from watching videos to gaming looks amazing. Plus, the adaptive refresh rate (ranging from 1Hz to 144Hz) means better battery life too. And yes, it’s protected by Corning’s latest Gorilla Armor 2, so it’s tough without being bulky. Scratches and drops are less of a worry now. Next-Level Cameras—Especially in Low Light If you’re into photography or just want your vacation pics to look phenomenal, the S25 Ultra won’t disappoint. It’s rocking a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 50MP periscope lens with 10x optical zoom, and a 10MP depth sensor. The pictures are sharp, rich in detail, and the colors feel true-to-life. Samsung’s “Nightography 2.0” has taken night shots to a new level. Even in dim lighting, photos come out clear with less grain and better contrast. And the selfie cam? A whopping 40MP that shoots 4K video. It’s ideal for creators or anyone who lives on video calls. Performance Backed by Smart AI Under the hood, the S25 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (or Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 in some markets). Both are built on a 3nm process, which basically means more power and better battery efficiency. But what’s really interesting is Samsung’s Galaxy AI. It’s built into nearly everything—photos, messaging, productivity tools. One cool feature is Smart Reply 2.0, which not only predicts text responses but also drafts longer messages, emails, or social posts in your style. It feels less like a gimmick and more like a real productivity booster. Battery That Lasts (And Charges Fast) With a massive 5,500mAh battery, the S25 Ultra can easily get through a full day and then some. Thanks to smarter power management through AI, it adjusts based on how you use your phone. If you’re just texting and scrolling, it sips power. If you’re gaming or using the camera a lot, it adapts accordingly. It also supports 65W fast charging, which means you can get more than half a charge in just 20 minutes. Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also faster and more stable than before. Clean Software with Long-Term Support The S25 Ultra ships with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7.1, which feels smoother and more refined than ever. Samsung’s really stepping up their software game too—seven years of updates have been promised, which is huge. That puts it right up there with Apple when it comes to long-term support. Multitasking is easier now too, with new features like better split-screen options and a much-improved DeX mode that turns your phone into a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor. Security You Can Trust Security’s a big focus with the S25 Ultra. It includes Samsung Knox, which protects your data at both hardware and software levels. New features like Knox Matrix allow for safer cross-device connections, and the improved under-display fingerprint scanner is quicker and more reliable. You also get a privacy dashboard where you can monitor what apps are doing in the background. Loads of Storage and Next-Gen Connectivity Starting at 256GB and going all the way up to 1TB, there’s plenty of space for everything—from high-res videos to your app library. With up to 16GB of RAM and super-fast UFS 4.1 storage, performance is snappy and multitasking is a breeze. As for connectivity, it’s ready for the future. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and full support for the latest 5G bands mean you’ll be getting fast, stable connections for years to come. Eco-Friendly Touches Samsung’s also making a stronger push for sustainability. The S25 Ultra is made using recycled materials, including plastics recovered from the ocean and recycled aluminum. Even the packaging is 100% recyclable. It’s a step in the right direction, and it shows that big tech brands can also be responsible. Final Thoughts: Who Is This Phone For? The Galaxy S25 Ultra is ideal for people who want the best of everything. It’s powerful enough for gamers, smart enough for business users, and creative enough for photographers and content creators. It’s also a great choice for anyone who wants a phone that will last for years, both in terms of software and hardware. Conclusion The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t just play it safe—it pushes boundaries. With top-of-the-line specs, meaningful AI features, and a design that feels genuinely premium, it sets a new standard for what a smartphone in 2025 should be. If you're looking for a phone that does it all, the S25 Ultra deserves a spot at the top of your list.
By Itachi Jhonabout a year ago in Fiction
Lemonade Skies
The first thing Ava noticed when she stepped off the bus was the smell of lemons. Not strong, not artificial — just faint enough to feel real. The kind of scent that danced through the summer breeze and reminded her of freedom, even if she hadn’t felt it in a long time.
By Esther Sunabout a year ago in Fiction
Punishment
Get this published book here. An Excerpt from the Book by Joey Raines Rain was coming down like the world was ending, each drop smashing against the windshield like tiny bombs. The wipers couldn't keep up, squealing and scraping as they fought back and forth in time with Luke's pounding heart. He was gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles had gone white, hands slippery with sweat even though the October cold was seeping through his car's broken heater.
By Joey Rainesabout a year ago in Fiction
🔍 The Last Message: Part 2 – The Truth in the Shadows . AI-Generated.
Rain tapped against the hospital window like a warning she couldn’t ignore. Detective Lena Moore sat upright in her bed, bruised and stitched, holding the burnt remnants of the recorder that nearly ended her life. The explosion was no accident — it was staged. A message. A test.
By Mehedi hasanabout a year ago in Fiction
