Historical
The Phantom of Stage 16
Hollywood, Ca, 1936 Every year, thousands of hopeful girls from all over the country journey to Hollywood, hoping to be the next big star. Out of them, about one in every hundred thousand makes it. Out of all those hopeful girls, why should I, little Christine Davis from Columbus, Ohio, have been that one? I still don’t know the answer to that question. I suppose it was a combination of perseverance, being in the right place at the right time, Divine Providence, and some good, old-fashioned luck.
By Rebekah Brannan3 years ago in Fiction
Lost in Time
In the quiet corner of an antiquated library, Dr. Amelia Sinclair sat hunched over a pile of dusty books. Her fingers traced the intricate details of an ancient map spread before her, its parchment frail and yellowed with age. The map, a relic from an era long forgotten, depicted a mysterious portal that was said to be the key to unlocking the secrets of time itself.
By Emmanuel Kabba3 years ago in Fiction
Child of the City
Hi! I’m a 10 year old boy and today I have the day off from school. I have a doctors appointment for a routine check up scheduled for today Tuesday, September 11th 2001 at 12:00 p.m. Normally I don’t like my check ups because they’re so boring, but at least I get to miss school for a day and go with my mom to work for the morning. We live in Staten Island, New York, but my mom works in lower Manhattan just a few blocks away from the twin towers of the World Trade Center. My dad also works in lower Manhattan where my mom works, but he’s off work today because he’s sick, so he’s at home in the bed. I have an older brother and two older sisters, they were jealous because I was a lucky fool who didn’t have to go to school today because of my check up.
By Joe Patterson3 years ago in Fiction
A Mother's Prayer. Content Warning.
art wr**Title: A Mother's Prayer - The Unforgiving Border** Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the heart of Guatemala, lived Maria, a resilient woman with a heart of gold. Her life revolved around her family - her husband, Miguel, and their two children, Elena and Mateo. They were a happy family, filled with dreams and hopes for a brighter future. But life in their village was becoming unbearable. The land was dry, crops were failing, and the shadows of a dangerous gang loomed over them like a dark cloud. One day, Miguel made a heart-wrenching decision. He decided to leave in search of a better life in the United States. The thought of leaving his beloved family behind brought tears to his eyes, but he believed it was the only way to ensure their safety and future. He promised Maria that he would send for them as soon as he could. Months passed, and the letters Miguel sent became less frequent. Maria's heart ached with worry. Then one day, a letter arrived with news that shattered their world. Miguel had been detained at the border, and they were forcibly separated. He had no idea where Elena and Mateo were, and he didn't know if he would ever see them again. Maria's world crumbled. The small, peaceful village she had known all her life felt like a prison, trapping her in an endless cycle of fear and despair. Her days were filled with longing for her children and sleepless nights haunted by nightmares of their suffering. Her heart bled with grief, and she couldn't bear the thought of Elena and Mateo growing up without their father's love and guidance. But Maria was not one to give up easily. She knew she had to do whatever it took to reunite her family. With the little money she had saved, she embarked on a perilous journey to the United States, carrying only a small bag of belongings and the hopes of reuniting with her children. The journey was treacherous. She traveled by foot, relying on the kindness of strangers and sheer determination to keep moving forward. Along the way, she met others who shared similar stories of heartbreak and desperation. They formed a makeshift family of their own, offering each other support and strength as they navigated the dangers of the border. As Maria neared the border, her anxiety intensified. The fear of being separated from her children haunted her every step. She had heard stories of families torn apart, of children lost in a bureaucratic maze, and she couldn't bear to become another statistic. One fateful night, as they approached the border, Maria and her companions were discovered by border patrol agents. The moment of truth had arrived, and her heart pounded like a drum. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with the agents to let her stay with her children. She told them of the love she had for Elena and Mateo, of the pain of separation, and of the father they had lost. The agents, hardened by their daily duties, looked at Maria with a mixture of sympathy and duty. They knew that enforcing the law sometimes meant separating families, but Maria's story touched something deep within them. After what felt like an eternity, they made a compassionate decision. They would allow Maria to stay with her children while her asylum case was processed. Maria was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. She was reunited with Elena and Mateo, and they held each other tightly, tears of joy streaming down their faces. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they were a family again. But Maria's journey was far from over. They faced a long and uncertain future in the United States as they navigated the complex legal system, seeking asylum and hoping for a chance at a better life. They knew they were fortunate to be together, but the scars of their separation would never truly heal. As they settled into their new life, Maria became an advocate for immigrant families like hers, sharing their story with anyone who would listen. She knew that the impact of government policies on families separated at the border was a story that needed to be told. She spoke of the pain and suffering, but also of the resilience and strength that families like hers exhibited in the face of adversity. Over time, Maria's advocacy efforts began to gain traction. People from all walks of life, moved by her story, joined her cause. They rallied together to push for more compassionate immigration policies, for a system that prioritized keeping families together rather than tearing them apart. The emotional story of Maria and her family became a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of government policies that had caused so much pain. It served as a reminder that behind the headlines and statistics, there were real people with real dreams and real struggles. And it was a testament to the power of love and determination to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. In the end, Maria's family found their place in their new home, and their story became a beacon of hope for countless others who faced similar challenges. Their journey served as a powerful reminder that, in the face of adversity, the bonds of family and the strength of the human spirit could overcome even the harshest of government policies. And as they looked ahead to a brighter future, Maria whispered a prayer of gratitude for the love that had kept them together against all odds.iting...
By Opeyemi Rasheed Aremu 3 years ago in Fiction
THE ENIGMATIC DOG MAN:
tr hart the dense eerie woods lies a forgotten town called Shadowbrook. Legend has it that within the town's boundaries a creature known as the Dog Man roams fearlessly evading capture and defying all conventional logic. While the stories of the Dog Man have been circulating for generations the townsfolk dismissed them as mere folklore. However one misty evening a young journalist named Emily Sinclair arrived in Shadowbrook driven by an insatiable curiosity to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic Dog Man. Armed with her camera and a notebook she ventured into the dense forest casting aside the skepticism of the townspeople. As Emily delved deeper into the woods seemingly normal sounds mutated into strange whispers echoing through the underbrush. Every crackling twig made her heart skip a beat for she knew she was treading on the territory of the notorious legend. Hours stretched into days and the line between day and night blurred in the quest to uncover the truth. Emily's mind grew steeped in unease haunted by the fleeting shadows that seemed to stalk her every move. Yet her determination refused to waver. After weeks of tireless investigation she stumbled upon an abandoned cabin deep within the woods its timeworn windows staring blankly at the world. With a cautious step Emily entered her breath hitching as she noticed strange scratch marks etched across the walls. The air was heavy with an unsettling silence broken only by a distant howl of the wind. Rummaging through dusty shelves Emily discovered a series of journals their pages yellowed with age. The entries spoke of encounters with a creature so unimaginable that even the most hardened writers doubted its existence. Photographs faded and worn captured blurred visions of a canine-like figure with piercing glowing eyes. As the days stretched on a sense of foreboding gnawed at Emily's sanity. The Dog Man's presence loomed ominously in the periphery the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. A local resident whispered tales of missing pets and whispered warnings of an unspeakable curse that plagued the woods. Driven by her unyielding curiosity and quest for the truth Emily sought the aid of an elderly resident known as Old Tom. Over countless cups of tea and flickering candlelight he shared the haunting lore that had haunted Shadowbrook for centuries. Tom spoke of a pact made long ago where the Dog Man had been summoned through ancient rituals. The townspeople had denounced the existence of the creature for fear of retribution. Armed with this newfound knowledge Emily ventured deep into the heart of the woods drawn to an abandoned temple said to hold the key to the Dog Man's origins. She trudged through thick foliage until she stumbled upon an ancient moss-covered stone structure. Symbols etched into the cold weathered surface told stories of forgotten gods and forgotten promises. As Emily stepped inside the temple the air turned icy and an unseen force pushed against her chest. Shadows danced on the walls their elongated forms mirroring her movements. In a final act of bravery she uttered the words of an ancient incantation a prayer to break the curse that bound the Dog Man to Shadowbrook. As the final syllable left her lips an unnatural quiet engulfed the temple. The shadows retreated and a heavy silence descended upon the forest. Emily could feel eyes upon her piercing through the darkness. A deep mournful howl reverberated through the woods sending shivers down her spine. The Dog Man emerged from the shadows its fur blacker than the night sky. Its eyes once glowing with fury and fear now held a glimmer of gratitude. Emily understood that she had set the creature free granting it the chance to roam without the heavy burden of a cursed existence. The Dog Man padded silently towards her its head lowered as if bowing in reverence. Then with one final gaze it disappeared into the shadows leaving behind an imprint of mystery and wonder. As Emily returned to Shadowbrook she knew that the legend of the Dog Man would persist through generations a testament to the enduring power of curiosity and the cosmos of the unexplained. to region but its essence remains the same. It is whispered to be a creature of the night lurking in the shadows emerging from the depths of the wild. Legends of the dog man have been passed down through generations captivating the imaginations of those who believe in the extraordinary. Encounters with this enigmatic being have been described in hushed tones shared under the cover of darkness. Some claim to have seen its piercing eyes glowing in the moonlight while others speak of its haunting howls echoing through the night. The man who stumbled upon the mysterious photograph felt a mixture of fear and fascination. It stirred a deep curiosity within him compelling him to search for answers. He delved into countless books and online forums seeking hints and clues about the dog man's existence. As he navigated the realm of cryptozoology the man discovered that he was not alone in his quest. He connected with a network of individuals researchers and skeptics alike all captivated by the riddle of the dog man. Together they shared stories debated theories and analyzed supposed evidence. Eager to capture further proof of the creature's existence the man strategically placed additional trail cameras in the heart of the forest. Patiently he monitored the footage hoping to capture another glimpse of the elusive being. Weeks turned into months but the dog man remained elusive dancing just beyond the reach of the man's lens. Despite the absence of concrete evidence the legend of the dog man continued to weave its spell enchanting all those who crossed its path. Some dismissed it as mere fantasy a figment of overactive imaginations. Yet others clung to the belief that there was truth hidden within the ancient tales. The man caught between skepticism and an indomitable yearning refused to let the mystery slip away. He understood that the elusive nature of the dog man only added to its allure. It was a puzzle waiting to be solved a gateway to the realm of the extraordinary. In his heart the man knew that the true essence of the dog man could never be captured on camera or explained in scientific terms. It remained a symbol of the untamed wilderness embodying the deep connection between humanity and nature. And so his quest continued unyielding in the face of skepticism driven by an insatiable desire for truth. The forest awaited its secrets untold and the legend of the dog man whispered through the trees urging him forward deeper into the unknown.
By Omuirhiren Christopher3 years ago in Fiction
Islands Reappear. Runner-Up in Next Great [American] Novel Challenge. Top Story - December 2025.
Journal Entry #444: Lately I have been thinking about what doc said: so stupid but maybe I’ll try it. Reminder that he said maybe I should try writing my journal entries from an outside observer perspective, maybe so I can be more kind to myself? I don’t think it will work, especially since who can actually be objective about themselves?! That seems like an exercise in futility. Honestly though, I have had the most crazy week so maybe it would be beneficial to slow things down and be as objective as possible about everything that has happened (from an outside perspective). Exclusive, this just in: news with what perhaps reveals some other things that you all don’t know about me? Stay tuned and buckle in:
By Kate Kastelberg 3 years ago in Fiction
The Music In My Head
I listened to my unbearably torn Saddle shoes click on the sidewalk. Click. Click. Click. A crimson morning sky, bleeding with the promise of a new day, showered above my head. I hummed to myself, a spontaneous rhythm I didn’t necessarily know. And then as if someone had whispered gently into my ear, I heard the lyrics. Words and notes sewn together on music score in my mind. Abruptly, I stopped myself and dug through my old worn leather purse. Paper. I needed paper, and a pen. I always seemed to carry both somewhere on my person.
By Amelia Carter 3 years ago in Fiction
![Runner-Up in Next Great [American] Novel Challenge](https://res.cloudinary.com/jerrick/image/upload/c_fit,h_46,q_auto,w_46/64c550c7418f46001dda0f4b.png)
