family
That One Soul
In the heart of a city that seemed to have forgotten them, two souls wandered, carrying the weight of shattered dreams and the scars of betrayals. Rachel, with her tired eyes that had seen too much, bore the burden of a family that had abandoned her when she needed them most. David, a man with a haunted past, carried the weight of his own mistakes, haunted by the echoes of friendships turned sour.
By Edara Otuk3 years ago in Fiction
Reading fiction
Do you have a special place where you like to read? Is it somewhere that feels strange to be empty handed? The ties between what we read and where are sometimes so strong that it is difficult to change. Did you ever try to read say a business book where youd normally sit to read a novel? Did you struggle to get through more than a few pages? Our minds associate certain activities with certain positions and sometimes this can be difficult to break. Instead of trying to fight it, it may be better to find a location to suit the type of reading youd like to do. In this article, Im going to cover a few common venues and recommend reading material to suit. 1. At work. Reading a novel while sitting at my desk in front of my computer feels downright weird to me. To be honest, reading anything other than business material can be difficult. Of course, because of my job as editor of Espresso Fiction Im often reading short stories while sitting at my desk and that feels OK. In fact, when I find a story that I really get into, its a complete break as I have no awareness of other noises or distractions. And when Ive finished I have no sense of time. It usually takes a minute or two and then Im back in the present but for that 15 minutes or so I am somewhere completely different. And thats one of the things I love about fiction; it transports you wherever the author wants to take you. 2. Outside. Lounging by the pool on a sunbed or sitting on the grass is a great spot for reading a gripping novel. That way you can effortlessly block out the surrounding noise. Of course, if you are supposed to be watching children then a novel is not the best choice. You would be wiser to choose something that you can drop in and out of without constantly losing the flow of your reading. 3. Hammock. My husband recently put up ours after I pointedly showed him exactly where it could go and we discussed at length how it could be fixed into place. Boy, did I miss having it. Lying stretched out and staring at the sky and the trees and listening to the birds is a really lovely experience. The only problem with reading in a hammock is staying awake! So choose your material wisely something funny or lively is your best bet if you dont want to drop off to sleep within a few short minutes. 4. In bed. Reading in bed seems to be a very common reading position as its a great way to turn off from the stresses of the day and ease into sleep. Ive found its best not to pick anything too stimulating because my mind starts racing (the very opposite of what I want) or complicated because then I give up without reading more than a page or so (this makes for a very long read and usually ends with me putting the book aside in favor of something else). 5. Sofa. Another great reading venue because your body gets to rest too. This can be a great spot for reading a novel or if time is limited a short story. 6. Coffee Shop. This is the perfect place to read your favorite magazine or short story, something that holds your attention but can tolerate the inevitable interruptions. Both are something you can sink into and pop out of at the other end feeling refreshed. 7. Aeroplane. A long novel that grabs you from the very beginning and doesnt let you go makes time go really fast. If youve ever been on a long flight with a great book and not wanted the flight to end until you finish the book then you will know what I mean. 8. Public transport. Again you need to choose your reading material carefully. A novel which is too engaging may have you missing your stop and hankering to get back to your book as soon as possible. It is better to find material that suits the length of your journey articles or short stories for short trips and magazines and more complex or thought provoking novels for longer journeys. Public transport is a perfect place to daydream so something which requires reflection and thought can be perfect if time allows. What is your favorite reading venue and position? Do you vary your reading material to suit your location?
By Benjamin george3 years ago in Fiction
My Little Monster . Top Story - October 2023.
The pills have stopped working. I could feel myself growing stronger. I only took the pills to appease my uptight husband anyway. He had a problem with me looking the way I normally did on a regular basis. Yes, the pills kept me pretty, at least in his eyes, but they had side effects. They made me weaker, smaller, and reduced my senses like smell, sight and hearing. And I hated the way I looked on these pills, it’s not natural.
By Alex H Mittelman 3 years ago in Fiction
Hank's Devotion
Wrists resting on cold metal armrests, his derriere sticking to the gray vinyl seat, Hank snoozes. An air purifier on the bed stand whirs quietly, creating a welcome white noise. Two bouquets of cut flowers, one with only red and pink roses, the other one with freesia in the same hues, exude a light scent. The overhead lights off, Hank has fallen asleep reading his iPad by lamplight.
By Andrea Corwin 3 years ago in Fiction
The Darkness Within
TRIGGER WARNING: INCLUDES HARSH GRIEF AND SUICIDE ATTEMPT I open my eyes slowly. I can’t remember how I ended up in this darkness. The last thing I remember… it was Papa. I was laughing and laughing and then the floor shook and he grabbed my hand and said I can’t let go but then something took me from him. We didn’t even let go, I was taken from the air. I realize I’m sweating and start to calm down. I see something in the grass below me and pick it up. A candle. I quickly snatch a match out of my pocket and light the candle. I look around and only see eyes. Bright yellow eyes. I gasp softly and they start approaching. I hold my breath and look back. More yellow eyes, I see a lake in the distance. I think about how Papa isn’t here and how Momma left and these yellow eyes trying to kill me, and I jump. I run and jump. The notice the yellow eyes disappear. I feel drowsy and some much pain and I stay down trying to die, trying to disappear. I feel myself collapsing underwater and then I feel someone pull me out. Dragging me slowly across the grass. I feel a slight bit of warmth before I fall asleep and lose consciousnes. I wake up expected all of it to have been a dream. Wanting to have Papa holding me in his arms, wanting Momma to come back home, wanting to see my home again, wanting to hurt however it was that took me from my home. Revenge is a sweet thing, sweeter than sugar. I snapped up and didn’t recognize the place I was in. What was happening to me? I noticed a picture on the wall. An old one for sure. It was of an old man, a very old man who was smiling. It was framed, but you could tell it was still really old. I feel a surge of sadness wash over me before I look over and see a boy across the room. He’s still asleep so I leave the room slowly not to wake him.
By Writers Weekly3 years ago in Fiction
"Unleashing Pandora's Curiosity: A Tale of Hope and Despair"
In the rich tapestry of Greek mythology, the character of Pandora shines as a compelling symbol of curiosity—a trait that is both a blessing and a curse. She was not an ordinary mortal but a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, brought into existence through the collaborative efforts of Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, Athena, and Zeus himself. Each god contributed a unique gift to Pandora, bestowing upon her profound emotions, linguistic mastery, a talent for fine craftsmanship, and, appropriately, a name given to her by Hermes.
By Alisa İnnokate3 years ago in Fiction
Hallow-Freens (Halloween Friends)
The date is Friday, October 31st. Jarred is sitting in his third grade classroom with his friends quietly working on his Halloween class work assignment. As he smiles having a good time with his friends he look to the left and sees a boy in his class name Gus sitting at a table all by his lonesome. It is as if Jarred is the only person who can see him. Gus is also working on the Halloween assignment for class with a slight smile on his face as if something is missing. Jarred is not friends with Gus but he is very familiar with him. Jarred knows that Gus is fairly new to their school and does not many friends, but he has never approached Gus because he is unsure of what Gus would make of the encounter.
By Joe Patterson3 years ago in Fiction
Unspoken Bonds
It was a well lit private ward at st Louis hospital, shadows danced on the wall painting an intimate atmosphere around the two souls occupying the room. Silence engulfed them like a tangible presence heavy with unspoken words and lingering emotions. In this sterile hospital room, Asher lay on his sick bed, his once robust frame now frailed by the cruel grip of a terminal disease. His lover Elaysia sat by his bed side, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and sorrow. They communicated not through words but with the unspoken language of touch and unwavering glances. Elaysia's fingers gently intertwined with Ashers, it held a reassurance that surpassed the limitations of speech. In the quiet moments, their unspoken conversations echoed the depth of their connection. As she held his hand, and looked into his eyes, he found solace in it, which spoke volumes without uttering a single syllable and her touch conveyed a promise, a promise to stand by him, to fight with him, and to embrace every moment they had left together. With each glance, Elaysia spoke volumes. Her eyes, pools of endless understanding, reflected his fears but also mirrored unwavering faith. In the silence, she whispered hope, reminding him of the love that surrounded him, giving him the strength to face the battle ahead. In those quiet moments, Elaysia found herself lost in memories of Asher's past battles. She remembered the strength he exhibited, the unwavering determination that had carried him through storms before. As she gently caressed his hand, lost in thought, Richard's eyes, weakened but still filled with a quiet intensity that met hers. It was as if he could read her mind, understanding the silent tributes she paid to his courage. In that shared gaze, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of the battles they had faced together, a recognition of the countless hurdles they had overcome as a team. Elaysia marveled at the way he seemed to grasp her innermost thoughts without a word spoken. It was a testament to the depth of their connection, a bond that went beyond the physical realm. In those moments, she found strength in his silent understanding, a reassurance that their love was a force that could conquer even the most formidable challenges. And in the stillness of the night, when the world outside the hospital room faded into darkness, Elaysia held Asher close. Without uttering a word, she conveyed her belief in his resilience, her confidence that their love could defy even the harshest of fates. Her presence became his sanctuary, a beacon of light in his darkest hours. As the days passed, they found solace in the unspoken. In the brush of her lips against his forehead, he felt her love anchoring him to life. She found the determination to be his pillar of strength, and him too found determination to fight this battle in the way she held his hands. In the face of the inevitable, they embraced the power of their silent conversations. Their love, unspoken yet profoundly felt, became the driving force that allowed Asher to endure the pain, fight the illness, and cherish the moments they had together. And in those quiet moments, amidst the beeping machines and sterile walls, they found a love that was louder than any words could ever express, a love that whispered promises of eternity, even in the face of mortality. Their love, tested and proven in the crucible of hardship, blossomed even brighter. Asher's health gradually improved, and he was able to leave the hospital, embracing life with a newfound appreciation for each moment. In the years that followed, they celebrated not only Asher's recovery but also the profound bond that had carried them through the darkest of times. Together, they cherished life's simple pleasures, basked in the warmth of love, and faced the future with unshakeable optimism. Their story became an inspiration to others, a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unspoken connections that could conquer even the most formidable challenges. As they stood hand in hand, looking toward the horizon, they knew that their love story was not just a tale of overcoming adversity but also a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.
By Blessing Morka3 years ago in Fiction
