Series
When Life Breaks You
She cried silently in her room, it's midnight already, but her bleeding heart won't let her sleep. She tried watching funny reels and scrolling through TikTok videos, but the shadow of sadness lingered. She even switched off her phone and shut her eyes as memories of what happened earlier clouded her head.
By Muhammad Waseem 2 years ago in Fiction
The Old River Road
The Old River Road: A Journey into Darkness Old River Road had always been a place of fear after nightfall. The rumors never stoppedâwhispers about kidnappings, strange disappearances, and something sinister lurking in the dark. The silence of the road was suffocating, like it swallowed up all sound. It was as if anyone braveâor foolishâenough to walk it would be at the mercy of something far worse than they could imagine. That evening, around 8 pm, Tommy and I were making our way home. Our friend Thomas had begged us to stay the night at his house, advising us to leave in the morning for our safety. "Itâs safer," he had warned, but Tommy was quick to dismiss his advice, insisting that weâd be fine. We had walked that road countless times before. Still, as we stepped into the darkness, a sense of unease gnawed at me, one I couldnât shake. The road stretched out in front of us, flanked by half-finished buildings and thick, looming bushes. I had walked this path many times, but tonight felt different. It wasnât just the deepening nightâit was the air. It felt too still, too heavy, as though the world itself was holding its breath. "Quiet, isnât it?" Tommyâs voice broke through the silence, but there was a sharpness in it I hadnât heard before. I nodded, though I didnât say anything. We kept walking, our footsteps echoing in the stillness. The further we went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, as if the road itself was alive, squeezing tighter with each step. Suddenly, from the bushes, a faint rustling sound broke through the silence. My heart skipped a beat. "Did you hear that?" I asked, glancing nervously at Tommy. He smirked, a strange and unsettling grin. "Relax," he said with a calmness that felt too forced. "Itâs just the wind." But I wasnât so sure. Something was off tonightâsomething more dangerous than the tales of the road could explain. My eyes flickered toward the dark windows of the unfinished buildings. They seemed to be watching, waiting. "Maybe Thomas was right," I muttered under my breath. Tommy chuckled lowly. "Heâs always overreacting," he said, his smile widening. But there was something colder about that smile, something unsettling. A chill ran down my spine. I quickened my pace, eager to get home, but the rustling returned, louder this time, closer, like someoneâor somethingâwas watching us. I froze. "Tommy, did you hear that?" He stopped, but instead of looking concerned, his face turned dark. His eyes glinted with an expression I couldnât quite place. "Itâs time you knew the truth," he said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "What do you mean?" My heart raced, dread creeping up my throat. Tommy turned fully to face me now, his earlier smirk replaced by something far colder, far more calculated. "This road isnât dangerous because of the rumors, or the kidnappings, or the disappearances," he said slowly. "Itâs dangerous because I made it that way." I stared at him, speechless. "What are you talking about?" "I control this road," he said, his voice chillingly calm. "The disappearances, the fear, the storiesâthey all started with me. This road is my domain. My playground." I stumbled backward, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. "Thatâs impossible." "Oh, but itâs not," Tommy said, taking a step closer. His eyes gleamed with something dark. "Youâve passed through here many times, but tonight is different. Tonight, youâre not just passing through." Panic surged within me. "What do you mean? Whyâ?" Before I could finish, the air around us seemed to change. It grew colder, darker. Shadows crawled out from the bushes, twisting unnaturally, as if they were responding to Tommyâs every word. My breath caught in my throat. "You see," Tommy continued, his voice smooth and steady, "the road answers to me. It takes whatever I want it to take and lets go of whatever I choose. Itâs been mine for years. Iâm the reason no one comes here after dark." I took another step back, my legs trembling beneath me. "Why are you telling me this?" Tommyâs smile was icy, and it sent a wave of terror through me. "Because tonight, Iâm done hiding. And, unfortunately for you, youâre not leaving." The shadows around us pulsed with his words, closing in like a living, breathing entity. I stumbled backward, but it was too late. The darkness closed in on me, and the last thing I saw was Tommyâs cold, victorious smile. He had been the real danger all along. The road had never just been a road. It was Tommyâs. And tonight, it had claimed me too.
By Muhammad Waseem 2 years ago in Fiction
Saturday's Child
Bright flames danced high, stars obscured by belching smoke. The man on the front lawn in his striped blue boxers looked shaky and dazed. Understandable in the circumstances, maybe. Short curls mussed, eyes red. He looked fit to topple over any moment. Should be treated for shock. Clinging to him, despite his obvious wobbliness, was a young woman in sturdy shoes and a thick cardigan. Something about the pair seemed... off. Whatever it was, it'd have to wait. Another fireman was speaking to them. The man seemed stressed, in a vague sort of way. "Where is she?" he said. "Baby," cooed the clinging woman, "Teddy, baby, I'm right here, it's okay." Teddy seemed to ignore her completely, getting more agitated. "Where is she?!" The fireman's voice sharpened, became urgent. "Is everyone out?" The man stared, his eyes wide, bright, and blank. The fireman turned to the woman. "Ma'am, is there anyone left in the building" There was a noticeable pause. "Vic-my sister," her croaky reply was barely audible above the crackling, the shouts of the firemen, and the rushing sound of the hose. The fireman signalled the team. They moved towards the building. Jj was grateful for the protective gear. This was it. The reason for doing this job. What a rush! She's alive, JJ kept thinking. We'll find her. We'll save her.
By L.C. SchÀfer2 years ago in Fiction
Aurora and the Lost Forest
The river ran backwards on the day the queen vanished. It didn't take long for the news to pass from ear to ear, sending the entire kingdom into disarray. Not only had the beloved Queen Madeline vanished, but the river began flowing backward. And soon would completely dry up, taking away the heartbeat of the kingdom.
By David Williams2 years ago in Fiction
