family
Shunned
“Peter! Get ready or you’ll be late for school!” Shouted Peter’s mom from the kitchen downstairs. The teenaged boy got dressed quickly, for fear of inciting his mother’s wraith and exited his room, casting a slight glance at the room down the hall. He always wondered what could be inside. It had been locked ever since he was a child, and no one every went in or out. Shrugging off his curiosity, he dashed downstairs where breakfast was just being served. Peter’s dad was reading the local newspaper, as usual, while Mom prepared a breakfast fit for a king.
By Jesse Leung10 months ago in Fiction
Dust and Static. Top Story - December 2025.
Just one more box. Frank thought to himself as he turned back into his childhood home. The loss of his parents was, on paper, a tragedy, a car crash that couldn't have been avoided, but in reality it was no real loss to him. It had been years since he'd spoken to them, and even longer since he'd seen them.
By Liam Storm10 months ago in Fiction
After the Walls Went Quiet
After the Walls Went Quiet By Adrianna Gass The last time anyone stepped into the room, the house still breathed. It had been years since soft slippers brushed across the floorboards, years since lavender perfume clung to the drapes, years since a gentle voice hummed through the wallpaper like a song only the walls understood. But the room kept everything. It held its silence like a fragile treasure. It waited. It never learned she was gone.
By Adrianna D Gass10 months ago in Fiction
Measurement. Runner-Up in The Forgotten Room Challenge.
Each New Year's Day Mom would line up up against the pantry doorjamb and mark our height. She'd start with whichever child was youngest that year; as the oldest child it was my job to suspend fiddly babies upright (little toes jussst touching the tiles) so that Mom could make a deeply-etched pen mark into the painted wood signifying the top of their baby-scented fontanelle.
By Judey Kalchik 10 months ago in Fiction
The Room That Moved On
I hadn't opened the door in six years. It wasn't because I couldn't. The handle still turned. The hinges still worked. I knew this because I checked sometimes — late at night, when the house went quiet and my hand drifted to the brass knob the way a tongue finds the socket where a tooth used to be. I'd feel it give, feel the door ready to swing open, and then I'd walk away.
By Edward Romain10 months ago in Fiction
The Silent Doorway
The first time Mira heard the sound, she thought it was the wind. A soft tap-tap-tap coming from the end of the hallway, near the old wooden door no one ever touched. Her grandmother had always told her, “Stay away from that door. Some rooms are better left alone.” But curiosity is louder than warnings, especially when the house feels too quiet.
By Kashif Wazir10 months ago in Fiction
The Room at the End of the Hall
(A son returns home after five years to open the room his father left behind. The door was closed out of grief, but what he discovers inside changes the way he sees love, loss, and family. This emotional story explores how memories can stay frozen in time, waiting for the courage to be unlocked again.)
By Salman Writes10 months ago in Fiction
The Journey of Discovery: A Travel Story
Traveling is more than just reaching a destination; it’s about the experiences, people, and memories that shape our journey. Whether you're heading to a faraway land or taking a short trip within your own country, travel opens doors to new perspectives. It’s an adventure that starts the moment you step out of your door and continues until you return, with new stories to share. One of the first moments that set the tone for your trip is the ride from the airport. A taxi from the airport is not just a mode of transport; it’s the first impression of your destination, a small glimpse into the culture, and often, a conversation with a local who can provide invaluable travel tips.
By Saad Imtiaz10 months ago in Fiction
Our Family Home
Noell sat by the gaslit fireplace, picking at the missed dough under her fingernails. Laughter and voices throughout the house reached her ears but didn't penetrate her thoughts. A Christmas carol was playing in the background, adding to the buzz. The timer's bell went off but was ignored. Suddenly someone opened the front door, letting in a burst of cold, wafting the scent of fresh-baked cookies—finally waking her from memories.
By Nikki Torino Wagner10 months ago in Fiction
A man that once was
It’s been years since I’ve seen him. A man that once was and still ingrains his presence in my heart. I long too see him. But, he is no where near me anymore. At least that’s what it feels like. As I stand in his garage its full of dust and particle flying through the air and all that was his. His sanctionary was empty.
By Cerina Galvan10 months ago in Fiction
