Microfiction
SpongeBob and the Adventures of FinCoon: Part 1
The underwater city of Bikini Bottom bustled with excitement. News had spread like wildfire about a groundbreaking mission to the mysterious planet of FinCoon. Eight brave citizens were selected to represent Bikini Bottom in an intergalactic exploration that promised adventure, discovery, and fame. The streets were adorned with banners, the air buzzing with anticipation. The mission was the talk of the town, and even SpongeBob SquarePants, ever the optimist, couldn't help but dream about the possibilities.
By Kelly Munala Brookes2 years ago in Fiction
Horse Tracks
Christmastime enveloped Newark, Delaware. It was 1967. Gift giving started a week ahead of the actual holiday. Horace “Horse” Summervale focused on not slipping on the ice. He just knew that he had a new pair of winter boots that would warm his feet and keep him upright. Though the presents had been delivered, they would not be opened until December 25.
By Skyler Saunders2 years ago in Fiction
Ice Fishing. Top Story - December 2024.
Anders was hungry with a craving for fish. Not dried but fresh. Not smoked but pink and plump. Saliva welled in his mouth as he thought of it. Spurred on by the prospect of his potential dinner, he threw some more logs onto the fire, not too high and not too many; just enough to smoulder. He moved the chair he'd crafted a little further away. Wood burnt well and fire didn't care in what form it found wood.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
Heaven On Earth
Global warming, exacerbated by the output of greenhouse gasses and the destruction of the rainforests. They took their planes around the world to to have meetings in expensive hotels to come up with plans to rectify the situation and told people to use less power, less resources, and tighten their belts. Then they flew back and took their expensive petrol-driven limousine home, where they lived in opulent comfort with their heated swimming pools and stables funded by the taxpayer.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Fiction
The bucket that can't be thrown away. Top Story - December 2024.
There was a station master named Chang Hong, During the Spring Festival travel rush, that's when he was the busiest. This year, the Spring Festival came around again, and on this day, Chang Hong was on the platform as usual to receive the train. As a train bound for Guangdong arrived, the flood of people almost knocked him off his feet. Among the crowd, one family stood out: a couple with two children. The man, looking foolish, was holding an empty bucket and pushing forward, oblivious to his wife and children. The woman, holding one child and carrying another on her back, was swaying and staggering from the pressure of the crowd, but the man paid no attention to them, clutching the bucket as if it were a precious treasure. Chang Hong took a closer look and realized it was a common paint bucket from construction sites, which could be used to hold water and as a stool when the paint was used up. There were plenty of such empty buckets on construction sites. Chang Hong was puzzled: Why was he treating this worthless thing like a treasure, ignoring his wife and children? Isn't he a man? Chang Hong couldn't stand it anymore, stepped forward, and shouted at the man, "It's already a good thing to get on the train. Throw away that bucket and take your wife and children on board!"
By John Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
‘Yellowstone’ Gets Busy
Grade: B- In the penultimate episode of Season 5 of Yellowstone, there is sorrow and pain, levity and surprise, and a satisfying if not discombobulating ending. One of the best scenes comes of course from Mrs. Beth (Kelly Reilly) Wheeler neé Dutton. She explains to her husband the way of business on the ranch. With her breakdown of the leasing issue and tax concerns, she explains the system. Rip (Cole Hauser) retorts with what Beth calls a “pipe dream.”
By Skyler Saunders2 years ago in Fiction
You Do Believe Me, Right?
"I know how it sounds. I know it sounds crazy. But you have to understand..." Sandy paused, floundering, staring at the sterile-looking wall. How to express to these sensible people with their dull, kind faces, in the light of day... Just how frightening it had been? The sense of being watched, being pursued, never knowing what might happen next, or how gruesome it might be... Wondering what the next prank would be. The fear that next time, it would actually hurt the children... How logical it had seemed, at the time, to destroy the elf. "Elf?" Sandy explained how it had been sent anonymously from a fan. "The things you're describing sound threatening. Did you call the police?" "No, I... Wait! Karl did. After it cut off... after Malcolm got hurt. Our cat." "Hmm. There are no records of this, though. Are you sure he called them?" "Yes! I heard him... I mean, I heard the start of the call, but he was in the next room. He closed the door." Their faces were so neutral it was sickening. "We hadn't told the children. It was too upsetting. He didn't want them to hear the details..."
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Around Christmas
Lacrimal fluid is the medical term for tears. I’m nineteen and just stepped into womanhood. I’ve experienced lacrimal fluid recently while in college. My grandmother passed away during midterms. While everyone else in my school sought parties for winter break, I busied myself by planning Grandma's funeral.
By Skyler Saunders2 years ago in Fiction
Arrested
Luke I read Bethan's text and my heart sank. I'd be lying if I didn't feel relief as well but that didn't last. I was so geared up. Ever since we agreed to meet, I've been rehearsing in my head what I'd say, how I'd explain what happened. I thought about what to tell her, what not to tell her. It's dominated everything. I know, it's always been there, casting its shadow but in this build up, it's like I've been buried under snow, unable to breathe, it's been so there, in my face, crowding my mind, image after image, word after word, just there, not leaving me be!
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in Fiction
Chat person
At the end of 2022, several websites in China posted the same content, telling a story: The chairman of a multi-billion-yuan conglomerate, surnamed Wang, was severely injured in a car accident while traveling for business negotiations. Despite the doctors' best efforts and meticulous treatment, he was left paralyzed and bedridden. The chairman's brain was unharmed, and his thinking was clear, but he was idle all day, and his temperament changed drastically. He either sighed deeply, cried, or complained about fate and scolded others. His relatives and friends were very worried about him. To improve the chairman's mood, they posted online to hire a "chat companion" at a high salary.
By John Bruce2 years ago in Fiction
