Mystery
The Girl in Car Seven. Top Story - September 2026.
It is a normal day, unfortunately. The platform is crowded with weary souls walking fast, hoping to find marginally less full cars farther down. The regional train is deep within the poorly maintained station. The yellow paint on the metal at the edge of the platform is patchy from so many tired souls walking over its surface. The train’s crew members stand in stiff blue shirts and black pants, each an echo of the next a few cars away.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFAabout a month ago in Fiction
Good Neighbours
The carollers come at midnight on June 25. Like every year, the whole town had gone silent, waiting for the familiar thud of heavy boots on pavement. They appeared where they always did, on the Fern Street hill. They marched through town in their signature formation: three rows of three, all clad in black cloaks and heavy hoods.
By Steph Marieabout a month ago in Fiction
Black Blizzard. Top Story - September 2026.
The old woman found her neighbor behind his barn, where he'd shoveled dirty snow off the two graves. ELIZA DILTS WHITAKER August 1910- December 1932 INFANT SON December 19 Resting in hope of a glorious resurrection
By Lightning Bolt ⚡about a month ago in Fiction
An Unexpected Eclipse. Content Warning.
OVERALL CONTENT WARNING: MATURE LANGUAGE, RELIGIOUS CULTS, MENTIONS OF MASS SUICIDE, ALLUDED DEATH...ETC. Night is close. You strain with the effort of lugging your gear and telescope up towards the plateau you've chosen, quasi-hopeful this one will offer you a prime, uncrowded platform. And, you hope, no jail time.
By Megan Baker (@thegothofsawpit)(@shadowsitheghoststrikebwr)about a month ago in Fiction
Hippity-Hoppity-Boom
I don’t know what I expected to happen this morning when I got out of bed, but it sure wasn’t what happened. Let me clarify that. It was Independence Day. I was prepared for the normal parades, fireworks, and celebrating. The way the day would unfold was a complete shock to me, though. Really, any day is a surprise for any of us.
By Mother Combsabout a month ago in Fiction
I'm sorry
Ashveil Hollow wasn't like a lot of the small towns in the Midwest. Sure, it had the lighthouse; some of the streets were still cobbled because repaving them would cost a fortune. The fog would always set in before the crack of dawn and then leave from three until the same time tomorrow.
By Chel Writesabout a month ago in Fiction
A Wee Bit o' Trouble. Top Story - September 2026.
Saturday, December 20, 2025 The first sign of disturbance was when Rudolph's nose was hacked off. There he was in our front yard, leading Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen - minus his bright, red sniffer. My husband grumbled, "Kids these days! They have no respect for anyone's property."
By Julie Lacksonenabout a month ago in Fiction
We Wish You a Merry Halloween. Top Story - September 2026.
I don’t usually come out until after dusk. I don’t want to. That’s all. And anyways, my daughter, Allie, and her husband work all day and in the evening they like to see me. So, if I don’t come up from my basement suite, they’ll come down and annoy me.
By Marlena Guzowskiabout a month ago in Fiction
"See You in the Fall!". Winner in Out of Season Challenge. Top Story - September 2026.
There once lived a mute swan on Lake Julia in Buhl Park of northwestern Pennsylvania. People called her Grace for her beauty and smooth gliding on the lake's surface, and were always happy and excited to see her. Grace moved around other lakes in the area, including Avalon Lake, but Lake Julia was her favorite because it was slightly bigger and had more food in its waters. Besides, some people brought her bread and grains even though there were clear signs on the lake warning against feeding the waterfowl.
By Lana V Lynxabout a month ago in Fiction
