family
Adoring the Darkness
The bioluminescent moss lining the alley walls pulsed with a soft green glow, casting playful shadows that danced across Halina's face. She weaved through Lala's labyrinthine passageways with an ease born of countless childhood explorations. These forgotten corners, tucked away from the main arteries of the city, were her own private domain, a world of secrets whispered by the wind and stories etched into the ancient stones. But tonight, a new purpose fueled her steps. The usual spark of curiosity in her eyes was tinged with a desperate urgency. Months of whispered suspicions and stolen glances at the luminous insignia adorning the city elders' cloaks had coalesced into a burning certainty. Those cryptic symbols, radiating an otherworldly light unlike anything found in Lala's perpetual twilight, held a secret. A secret about the forbidden sun, a celestial entity shrouded in myth and shrouded from sight by the towering obsidian wall that encircled their entire city.
By broken heart2 years ago in Fiction
Twisted Tale: Hansel & Gretel. Top Story - April 2024. Content Warning.
“Go! Go into the woods and never come back! The Queen would have you killed by someone else, even if I don’t do it!” The Huntsman’s words kept ringing in Snow White’s ears as she ran haphazardly through the woods. Where would she go? Where would she hide? How would she survive? All those thoughts ceased when she spotted a cottage. Relief washed over her. There was something very peculiar about this cottage, though. It was very colourful. As she got closer, she gasped. The cottage was made out of cakes and chocolates! She wanted to break off a piece of the window pane to see if the chocolate was real but decided against it. Instead, she knocked on the door. “Hello, is anyone home? I was wondering, are these real? Would it be okay for me to eat some?” The door slowly swung open to reveal a girl around the age of twelve. “Would you like to eat with us?” “Oh, that sounds absolutely delightful! I hope I’m not imposing. My name is Snow White. What’s yours?” “I’m Gretel and –”, she opened the door wider to reveal a boy, “– that’s my brother, Hansel. Only both of us live here.” “Oh my, you poor little things! Would it be okay if I stayed here and took care of you both? I can clean, I can cook –” Hansel interrupted her, “You don’t have to cook.” He pointed at the kitchen door. “You can go anywhere in this cottage except the kitchen. If you agree to that, you can stay with us.” Snow White found that weird but agreed as she was grateful to have a place to stay. ~~~~~ That night, Snow White heard noises from the kitchen. She thought there were intruders, so she went to check. She tried to open the kitchen door but it was locked. So she peeped through the keyhole and what she saw scarred her for life. Hansel pushed Gretel head first into the oven and lifted up her skirt. He then proceeded to pound her hard from the back. Snow White was horrified but still watched until both Hansel and Gretel reached a Happy Ending. The End. __________________________________________ Author's Notes: This story (366 words) was written for L.C. Schäfer's Fucked Up Fairytales Challenge. It takes place after Gretel pushed the witch into the oven and killed her but instead of returning to their cottage after that, Hansel and Gretel stayed in the witch's cottage. Snow White found this cottage instead of the Seven Dwarf's cottage.
By Dharrsheena Raja Segarran2 years ago in Fiction
The Reluctant Reporter. Top Story - April 2024. Content Warning.
"You can't send me!" "There is no-one else. It's you or no-one, and that is not an option." Ameera looked at the fat paunch and florid face of her boss, a man who lived for the story and the kudos it brought him but who rarely gave consideration to the people behind the drama. When had he become so hard? She reckoned that by the end of the year, he'd be dead, collapsed from a heart attack and she struggled to conjure any sympathy in that moment and instantly felt ashamed at displaying the same lack of compassion that he had.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
The Enchantment of Fantasy Worlds
Fantasy has long captivated the human imagination, offering a tantalizing escape from the constraints of reality. The allure of stepping into another world, where magic is real and anything is possible, holds an irresistible appeal for many. From ancient myths and legends to modern-day novels and films, the concept of fantasy continues to enthrall audiences of all ages.
By quizat karim2 years ago in Fiction
What if Alice didn’t leave the wonderland?
If Alice had chosen to stay in Wonderland, the story might have unfolded quite differently. Without the urgency to return home, Alice could have delved deeper into the peculiar world, uncovering more of its mysteries and perhaps even taking on a role within its hierarchy. She might have become a champion for the peculiar inhabitants against the whims of the Queen of Hearts, or even found a way to bridge the gap between her world and Wonderland.
By Allwyn Roman Waghela2 years ago in Fiction
Finding Contentment. Top Story - April 2024.
Peace. The view from their coastal villa brought them peace. From their first visit, that sleepy seaside town had become important to them. It was intertwined into their lives and served as a tranquil bookmark, a serene highlighter for the many difficulties they have experienced throughout their life together.
By Paul Stewart2 years ago in Fiction
Cherry blossoms
The sun is easy on his skin as he rolls over in bed. It creeps in through the blinds and touches his lashes, plays with his hair. The girl in his arms opens her eyes; she looks at him, carefully unraveling herself from his arms, trying not to wake him. She gets out of bed and goes to the window, and when she looks at the sky she knows that this is their last day together. She opens the window and breathes in the chilly morning air fresh from the scent of cherry blossoms. A dove sits on the tree under the window, but it is alone, looking around the big world. The girl turns around and goes to the bathroom, gets ready. She puts on concealer, mascara and lipstick. Her makeup is rushed, cakey but she doesn’t care. There is no time to waste. When she returns to the room the boy is sitting up and when she looks into his eyes she can see that the glow from them is gone. She looks around; the flowers from the table, the books by the bed disappeared as well. The room seems rather empty now.
By sagar dhital2 years ago in Fiction
