Fantasy
The Earthlings
“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say.” She turned and faced the class, meeting each student’s eyes in turn. “My parents were among the last generation born on Earth. When they were preparing to leave the planet, people started talking about an old film – that is, something like a physical print of a hologram story that needs special equipment to be seen – that used that line to make people afraid of non-terrestrial life. What they never mentioned is that it wouldn’t matter, because a person in the vacuum of space wouldn’t be able to scream. If one were to leave the biosphere without a breathing suit for more than a few seconds, the lack of atmospheric pressure would cause the air in one’s lungs to escape, and the oxygen in the blood is then drawn into the lungs to try to balance the pressure. Without oxygen reaching the brain and other vital organs, the body cannot survive for more than a minute, or maybe two if the person is very lucky. On the other hand, if the person returns to the biosphere within those first few seconds, there is a very good chance for them to make a full recovery.”
By Randi O'Malley Smith4 years ago in Fiction
Shattering of Peace
Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say, but it seemed like all I could hear were the piercing shrieks of terror and agony rising out of the chaos below the palace. The acrid stench of burning flesh and combusted armaments filled the air, and the ground seemed to shake with each mighty impact. With their homes ablaze, people were running, scrambling to escape the death that surrounded them. Mothers and children were desperately making their way towards the palace as their sons, husbands, and fathers were heading towards the barracks that were stationed along the outer gates of the city. In the distance, trails of dust rose as those who were working in the fields sped towards sanctuary. The imperial fleet emerged from the darkness of the cosmic clouds, inching closer with each passing second. The time had finally come. We were under attack.
By Kurt Mason4 years ago in Fiction
Chapter 1: The Journey Through Frostgrave Forest
Surrounded by sloping hillsides and sharp ravines, a company of travelers trudge ever forward through the vast and mysterious Frostgrave Forest. The mountainous horizon slowly swallows the sun drenching the frozen valley in a sea of orange twilight. The last rays of sunlight drip through the waving tree branches of the forest, reflecting off of the snow-covered ground, and washing the mountain woodlands in a sea of liquid gold. Dense underbrush partially conceals the path along the base of the foothills. A long-faced man, with shoulder length brown hair, kneels down, staring intently at the ground, he traces his gloved index finger across the surface of the snow.
By Dylan Crice4 years ago in Fiction
The Snake Queen - Prologue
A young man crept through the forest. It was his home, and yet he did not completely trust it. The trees thinned ahead of her, and a clearing cache came into view. At its center, a moss-covered cottage of black wood stood, with golden light streaming through the windows, illuminating the dim woodland. He approached the door and heard an unearthly humming, coming from the little shack. He opened the door silently and stepped inside.
By Just Your Ordinary Bookworm4 years ago in Fiction
The Electric Star Shortage
Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. But last night, while sitting in a hanging chair outside, soaking up the last dregs of the cool autumn air, I heard, amidst the stillness, a microscopic screech which seemed to reverberate from the darkest corner of the night sky directly to me. In response to the sound similar to a lightbulb scraping the metal of the socket, I turned my eyes scouring the star flecked sky when a dot barely within sight succumbed to the blackness around it. I rubbed my eyes and squinted until my head hurt, but the white pinprick never returned.
By Carissa Sato4 years ago in Fiction
The Black Witch 14
The guard who had rushed to retrieve the choale returned as I wiped the budding tears from my eyes. She presented a large mug full of a deep brown liquid to me. Her gloved hands clenched the body of the mug as though she were delivering a state secret. I took the handle with a firm hand. The guard's expectant eyes bore holes through my face. I tried my utmost to down the whole drink, but the richness that was undercut by the alcohol stopped me halfway through. The guards chuckeld at my controted face. "It's good. I should've taken it a bit slower though." I told the childlike eyes resting on the body of a warrior. The guard beamed. "The chocolate flavor gives a nice level of sweetness and bitter to the fizzy beer. It's the best during the cold season in my opinion. Though if chilled adequetly it is refreshing on a summer's night." The tenative searching from when she asked me about the drink was nowhere to be heard. I took another big gulp of the drink "Ah, that does hit the spot." I affirmed before the slight buzz hit me. "Do you all want some? I feel bad drinking by myself." The guards gave me a light smile. One was about to speak up then "You can not have active guards drink, my dear expirement." Kuri's seductive voice sauntered in from behind me. "You make a good point. How about you dear researcher?" I called back while rolling my eyes to the chuckling guards. Kuri stopped just behind me and peaked her head around my shoulder. "Are you trying to get me drunk Elliot?" Her playful tone, mischevous smile, and the alcohol in my system brought goosebumps as she finished the question. "No, no. I'm trying to get you to drink a little with me. It's up to you if you want to get drunk." I shot back matching Kuri.
By Caleb Wagner4 years ago in Fiction
A Readers Dream: The Police Visit
A loud knock on the door caused Alyssa to bolt upright. It took a second to get her bearings, she wasn’t sure how long she had been sleeping. The knock came again and Alyssa remembered who was coming over. She went to the door, glancing around for Gene who was nowhere in sight
By Amber LeBlanc4 years ago in Fiction
The Alien & the Anarchists
…5… …4… …3… [Ocean blue pupils dilating rapidly…] A thunderous crash of steel against rock! Man against nature! The freighter tipped to its side knocking both of us back in opposite directions. The short balding man in a black bandana hung on to the deck like he soon would from the highest gallows if I could rescue him! Then it happened…
By Real Monsters 4 years ago in Fiction
Eternal Grind
She had never liked D.C. at this time of year. It was wet, overcast and always dirty. It was just like living in London or Seattle. Cities weren't her favorite places to be. She enjoyed the small rural towns but people noticed everything you did. Not very productive for someone who hasn't aged in the last few centuries. Madison pulled her scarf closer to her face, looking for the restaurant that Tom had told her he was at.
By Stevie Howard4 years ago in Fiction
A Woman With a Past.
She floats. The bathwater in their large brass tub ran an increasingly-brilliant crimson as she slid the straight razor over the meridian of her delicate wrists hardened by the frontier journey from the plains of Missouri to these cacti-covered hills of the Arizona territory. Their home was built and beautifully appointed, based purely on gambling and extortion, both as town marshal and at the poker tables and frontier billiard halls.
By Real Monsters 4 years ago in Fiction
