Historical
A Footnote to a Courtroom Drama. Top Story - July 2024.
Dear Reader, I’m going to suggest that if you are planning on reading this aloud, spend the previous evening shouting until hoarse. According to the fanzines of the time, that’s how Lauren Bacall found her depth, her gravel – and she would make the perfect voice-over for my story.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Fiction
The Heart of Eldoria
In the mystical land of Eldoria, where magic flowed as freely as rivers and mythical creatures roamed the enchanted forests, there existed two rival kingdoms: Solaria and Lunaria. For centuries, these two realms were divided by an ancient feud, each blaming the other for long-forgotten wrongs. The Solarians, blessed with the power of the sun, flourished in their golden fields and radiant cities, while the Lunarians, gifted with the magic of the moon, thrived under the cool glow of night in their silver forests and luminescent lakes.
By AKANJI ABDULAFEEZ2 years ago in Fiction
A Second Chance Encounter
art writing...As I left the clearing, my head still reeling from the experience with the forest guardian, my breath came in short, broken gasps. The trail ahead was steep and narrow, seemingly leading further into the center of the forest. The murmuring voices had subsided to a distant murmur, leaving an unsettling silence that made me feel even more uneasy. The old trees formed a thick canopy overhead that kept out the moonlight, and with every step, the darkness appeared to close in.I held fast to the crystal orb, its soft glimmer was the only light in the suffocating darkness. I started to feel an increased feeling of urgency to keep going even while fear was eating away my insides. I noticed a flickering light in the distance, approaching a bend in the path. Hope was revived in my heart. Perhaps there was another person here who could assist. I increased speed, my footfall scarcely audible on the soft forest floor. As I got closer, the light got brighter and soon noticed the mark off of a small campground. There was a crackling fire in the middle, and the surrounding trees had swirling shadows. At the edge of the clearing,I stopped and looked around, searching for any movement. A figure was sitting by the fire, it's back facing me. A wave of carefulness mingled with relief rushed me, then cautiously I stepped forward. I uttered, like I was whispering, "Hello?" As the body slowly turned, I found herself gasping for air. Sebastian was the one. The glow of the fire lit up his face, revealing a look of both relief and surprise. "Evelyn?" he asked, getting to his feet and advancing in my direction. "What are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing," I said, her voice quivering slightly from relief mixed with fear. "I found myself here after searching for answers. How about you? Sebastian looked around the clearing, his eyes growing dark. "I came here searching for the same thing. Something strong is present in this forest. I believe there could be a connection to the book I found." With a nod, I tightened my hold on the crystal ball, lifted a bag and said, "I found this," for him to see. It's a key of sorts. I believe it could assist us in discovering the book's mysteries." Sebastian stretched out to grasp the orb, his eyes widening. "Where did you find this?" Pointing backwards I responded, "In the clearing back there. "There was a person, a guardian. It claimed, "I held the key to unlocking the secrets of the forest." Sebastian's expression became straight. "Evelyn, we must be careful. It's risky here. We don't completely understand the forces that dwells here." Before I could reply, we heard a sudden stirring from underground. The hushed murmurs had come back, stronger now, more demanding. "Can you hear that?" I asked, gazing into the shadows. Sebastian's face was tight as he nodded. With a protective stride, he urged, "Stay close." The rustling became more audible, and out of the darkness stepped a man. I realized it was the same man who had approached me at my apartment and the altar, my breath seized in my throat. As he stepped into the firelight, his eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and hatred. "You again," Sebastian murmured in a menacingly low voice. "What do you want?" With a relaxed, predatory smirk, the man smiled. "I desire what is rightfully mine," he murmured, staring intently at the crystal orb I held. "There is a price that comes with the book you found, it holds secrets to unimaginable power. Would you be able to afford it?" Feeling my heartbeat speed, I stepped back. "What do you mean?" The man smirked more broadly. "The book contains strong magic and age-old secrets. It is, however, cursed. Those who wish to learn about it must be ready to pay the price." With intense hatred in his eyes, Sebastian took a step forward. "Stay away from her," he said in a menacingly low voice. The man gave a mocking, cold laugh. "You can't protect her from what's coming," he replied. "She has already been marked by the forest. "Will she make it through the journey?" This should be your sole concern. Though I was still clueless, the realization that I should press on with the Adventure was firm. Backing down now that I have come so far, and the answers seemed so close was not an option. When courage came, I pressed forward, and uttered, "I'll find the truth," in a firm voice despite the terror that filled my chest. "And I'll do whatever it takes to break the curse." The man's smile vanished and was replaced by a stern expression. "Excellent," he remarked. "Remember, Evelyn, that every decision you make has its consequence. There is danger on your path, and not everyone who pursues the truth makes it out alive." He then disappeared into the darkness, leaving me and Sebastian alone in the clearing. The atmosphere was filled with anxiety and the whispering voices had become louder and more forceful. Sebastian said, "We need to keep moving," in an urgent tone. "This place is dangerous, and we can't stay here for long." I nodded in concurrence. The whispering whispers became more audible as we made our way farther into the forest. The trees closed in on us like a heavy, black veil, making the way increasingly narrow and dangerous. As I tried to keep up with Sebastian's speed, my thoughts were consumed by one burning question: what was hidden in the Whispering Forest? Suddenly, A tremendous crack sounded through the trees, and I felt the ground give way under her feet. As I fell, her hands were searching blindly for support on the slippery ground, letting out a startled cry. Swiftly, Sebastian grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to safety. With anxiety and worry in his voice, he screamed, "Evelyn!" "Are you okay?" Giving a nod, breathing in short, irregular gasps. I responded, "I'm fine," in a quivering voice. "But what was that?" Sebastian's face was tight as his eyes flickered around the shadows. "I'm not sure," he remarked. "But we must really be careful. There are many dangers and traps in this place. We cannot afford to get careless." Then I nodded in agreement. The air was hot with tension as we journeyed further, the voices became more evident and violent.The fact that eyes were on us all the time, was one feeling I could not get rid of. Out of the blue, someone appeared creating an obstruction to the path. Seeing the terrified, desperate-looking young woman in the mirror, my heart skipped a beat. The woman shook her head and pleaded, "Help me." "Please, you have to help me." Despite all that had happened, I felt a need to assist the woman. With a racing heart, I took a step forward, and asked, despite the horror that was taking hold of me. "What do you need?" With fear, the woman looked about, her gaze darting to the shadows. "They're coming," she stated in a terrified voice. "We have to leave, now." Stretching out her hand. A deep, rumbling rumble sounded through the trees before I could reply, and the whispers intensified to an extremely loud tone. With uncertainty, I took the woman's hand and began to run, the whispering voices getting louder as we went. The answers we were looking for appeared excitingly close yet just out of reach, like a whisper on the wind, as we descended down into the darkness.
By Claire_Madu2 years ago in Fiction
Beneath the Surface: The Ocean's Secret
Dr. Naomi Carter had always felt more at home beneath the waves than on dry land. Her career as a marine biologist had taken her to the farthest reaches of the ocean, but the waters around the Pacific Coral Reef were her favorite. The reef was renowned for its vibrant marine life and breathtaking underwater landscapes, but it also held a secret that had eluded scientists for decades.
By jyothsna vivekaa2 years ago in Fiction
The Ghost Writer: Words from Beyond
The old typewriter sat in the corner of Jacob’s dimly lit attic, a relic from a bygone era. It had belonged to his grandfather, a renowned writer whose mysterious disappearance years ago had left a void in the literary world. The typewriter was now an antique curiosity, gathering dust alongside forgotten manuscripts and faded photographs.
By jyothsna vivekaa2 years ago in Fiction
How I locked eyes with Al Capone “Scarface”
In the 1900s, Chicago was becoming a hotspot for the criminal organisation. One of the criminal organisations is The Chicago Outfit. Run by Godfather named “Alphonse Gabriel Capone” also known as Al Capone “Scarface”’. Al Capone was born in January 17, 1899, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. He was an American Prohibition-era gangster, who dominated organised crime in Chicago from 1925 to 1931 and became perhaps the most famous gangster in the United States. Under Capone's leadership, the Chicago Outfit became the most powerful criminal organisation in the country, with an estimated annual income of over $100 million.
By The Story Writer2 years ago in Fiction
Valoria
Plains Deer Tribe Appearance: Neutral earth tones with patterns that blend into the grasslands. They have antlers with unique functions (like the female with larger antlers for drying herbs and the male with shorter, flatter antlers for digging).
By Digi Dragon 05 (Or Digi or Revely)2 years ago in Fiction
Whispering House
In the heart of the mist-shrouded hills of Rajasthan, nestled in a forgotten village, stood a house that was both a haven of love and a bastion of horror. This ancient structure, known locally as Haveli Virsa, was a sprawling estate that had once belonged to a noble family. Now, its grandeur had faded, replaced by an aura of mystery and dread.
By Dzer Tershina2 years ago in Fiction
The Connection Between Donald Trump and the Illuminati: Fact or Fiction?
The Origins of the Illuminati To understand the alleged connection, it is essential to grasp the origins of the Illuminati. The Illuminati was founded in Bavaria in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law. The original aim of this secret society was to promote Enlightenment ideals, oppose religious and political oppression, and foster a secular world of rationality and scientific inquiry. However, due to its clandestine nature and opposition to the established order, it was banned by the Bavarian government in the late 1780s. Despite its short-lived existence, the legend of the Illuminati grew, fueled by conspiracy theories that suggest it continued to operate in the shadows, influencing global events.
By Eyal Zohar2 years ago in Fiction
Love has no price: the incredible journey of the woman who chose the heart instead of the wallet
Love has no price Alice always knew that money couldn’t buy true love. So when she came across a marriage proposal from a rich man named William, she made a bold decision: chose the heart instead of the wallet.
By Jaime come2 years ago in Fiction
