Short Story
Black Flower
The flower walked and after brought rain, lightning blew through the sky. Everywhere she stepped, the grass withered, the trees bent. Whatever she touched, it was simply destroyed. Even when she breathed, she exhaled smoke. She opened her eyes in these nightmares and woke up worse than she had slept. The flower shook her head to remove the images, but nothing disappeared.
By Ina Zeneli3 years ago in Fiction
Willingly Lost
"Olly olly oxen free" is a catchphrase or truce term used in children's games such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and kick the can to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game or that the position of the sides in a game has changed[1] (as in which side is on the field or which side is at bat or "up" in baseball or kickball); alternatively, that the game is entirely over. The origin of the phrase is unknown. The Dictionary of American Regional English says the phrase may be derived from all ye, all ye outs in free, all the outs in free, or possibly ”calling all the outs in free”; in other words, all who are out may come in without penalty.[2] Others speculate the phrase may be a corruption of a hypothetical and ungrammatical German phrase alle, alle, auch sind frei (all, all, also are free).[1] A number of variations exist. "Ollyoxalls" is one such variant, said to be used in Portsmouth, England.[3] Another variant is "Ollie Ollie in come free.*
By Kelli Sheckler-Amsden3 years ago in Fiction
Law School Murders: Tie-dye
In a move that screamed Kim Jergensen neé Copley, she studied nights and Saturdays to earn her master’s degree in law. Every ounce of knowledge that she had racked up, all the experience in the field prepared her for this glorious moment as the professor at Delaware Institute of Technology (DIT).
By Skyler Saunders3 years ago in Fiction
The Frozen Lake. Content Warning.
This story has been written in response to L.C. Schäfer's proposal to spend 2024 losing my mind...sorry, I mean, choosing to write a microfiction story every day, making 366 stories for every day of this lovely leap year. You can check her original story out here:
By Rachel Deeming3 years ago in Fiction
The Joyful Journey of an Unlikely Entrepreneur
In the heart of the bustling city, where the hum of ambition echoed through towering structures, there lived a young engineering student named Joy. His dreams were as vast as the starlit sky, but the reality of his struggles cast a shadow over his aspirations. The Techno Institute, once a beacon of hope, had become a battleground for Joy's relentless fight against academic challenges, financial burdens, and the looming fear of failure.
By Mustafa Ali3 years ago in Fiction
Lost and Found: A Locket's Journey Through Time
In the bustling heart of the city, I, a solitary silver locket, found myself nestled within the bustling pocket of a hurried commuter. For years, I had adorned the neck of Sarah, a young artist who treasured the memories captured within my gleaming embrace. However, fate decided to part us during the morning rush, sending me on an unexpected odyssey. The first jolt came as the subway doors closed abruptly, severing my connection with Sarah's warmth. As the train surged forward, I clung to the fabric of the pocket, my polished surface reflecting the puzzled faces of strangers. The rhythmic clatter of the train became my new reality, and the scent of unfamiliar colognes replaced the comforting fragrance of Sarah's lavender perfume. Days turned into nights as the locket, now adrift in a sea of humanity, experienced the ebb and flow of the city's pulse. I became an unintentional witness to countless lives – snippets of conversations, laughter, and snippets of heartbreak. From the crowded avenues to the dimly lit alleys, I observed the city's heartbeat, a rhythmic dance of chaos and order. One day, a sudden gust of wind swept through the crowded streets, dislodging me from the pocket where I had found temporary refuge. I tumbled down a storm drain, my world plunged into darkness. Water trickled around me, and echoes of distant footsteps reverberated through the narrow tunnel. Alone and disoriented, I yearned for the familiarity of Sarah's touch. Emerging into the open air, I found myself in an expansive park, surrounded by vibrant foliage and the distant laughter of children. A curious squirrel approached, inspecting me with beady eyes before scampering away. I marveled at the beauty of nature, a stark contrast to the urban jungle I had traversed earlier. As I lay on a moss-covered rock, pondering my newfound surroundings, a pair of hands picked me up. A child's face, filled with wonder, greeted me as the locket dangled from delicate fingers. The child, named Lily, marveled at my intricate design, her innocent eyes reflecting the magic within my polished surface. Lily's laughter and boundless energy became my new companions. I witnessed her first day of school, the scribbles of her early drawings, and the tender moments with her family. Through Lily, I experienced the world anew – a world of endless possibilities, where innocence and joy triumphed over the complexities of adult life. But fate, relentless in its course, intervened once more. During a family outing to a bustling fair, Lily inadvertently dropped me on the Ferris wheel. As the wheel ascended, I caught glimpses of the sprawling fairgrounds, the twinkling lights, and the distant skyline. Panic set in as I realized the inevitable separation from Lily, my accidental guardian. My descent back to solid ground was swift, and I found myself amid the lively fairgoers. The locket became a tiny beacon of hope, passed from hand to hand in a desperate attempt to find its way back to Lily. The fairgrounds transformed into a labyrinth of chaos, each twist and turn a potential reunion or a heartbreaking farewell. In an unexpected twist, I found myself clasped in the hands of an elderly woman who bore a striking resemblance to Sarah. Her eyes widened in recognition as she traced her fingers over the familiar engravings on my surface. I had found my way back to a piece of the past, to a new chapter in the life of my forever owner. As Sarah embraced the locket once more, tears welled in her eyes. She had thought me lost forever, resigned to the whims of fate. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment, knowing that my journey had come full circle. Through the twists and turns of life, I had become a silent witness to the diverse tapestry of human experiences, a tiny sentinel carrying memories and emotions in my gleaming heart.
By Lúcio Ambrósio3 years ago in Fiction
Impossible Love
In the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria, Ada, a young and ambitious woman, found herself entangled in a clandestine love affair with Jake, an adventurous American expatriate. Their connection, initially born out of shared interests in art and literature, quickly evolved into a passionate romance that transcended cultural boundaries. Yet, the shadows of societal expectations loomed over their forbidden love. Ada, an aspiring artist with dreams as vast as the Nigerian savannah, met Jake at a local gallery where her paintings captivated his heart. Jake, an enigmatic young man working for a multinational corporation, was drawn to Ada's spirit and the vibrancy of Lagos. Their connection deepened with each stolen glance and whispered promise, creating a bond that felt both ethereal and dangerous. As their love blossomed, Ada and Jake found solace in the secret corners of Lagos. Abandoned warehouses turned into clandestine meeting places, where their whispered confessions and stolen kisses echoed through the empty spaces. However, the clandestine nature of their relationship fueled the suspense that surrounded them, a constant threat hanging over their hearts. Their love became a delicate dance, entwined with the thrill of the forbidden. Ada juggled her traditional Nigerian upbringing with the liberating passion she found in Jake's arms. Every clandestine encounter heightened the stakes, as societal expectations weighed heavily on Ada's conscience. The fear of discovery, the whispers in the community, and the potential consequences added an element of suspense to their every move. One fateful evening, as Ada and Jake strolled through a moonlit Lagos beach, the suspense reached its climax. They were confronted by Ada's conservative aunt, a pillar of the community. The revelation sent shockwaves through Ada's family, threatening to shatter the delicate balance between tradition and the modern world. The community's disapproval intensified, turning their once-secret love affair into a scandalous spectacle. The couple faced an ultimatum: conform to societal norms or risk losing everything. As the pressure mounted, Ada and Jake found themselves entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal. Friends became foes, and the once-thriving love affair spiraled into a heart-wrenching drama of shattered dreams. In a desperate attempt to escape the judgmental eyes of society, Ada and Jake devised a plan to leave Lagos and start anew. The suspense reached its peak as they plotted their departure, navigating a maze of challenges, including evading prying eyes and concealing their intentions. Their departure was fraught with tension and uncertainty. As they boarded a plane bound for America, the weight of their decision hung heavy in the air. The suspenseful journey mirrored the turbulent emotions within them—fear, excitement, and a longing for a love that defied societal boundaries. Arriving in America, Ada and Jake faced the harsh reality of their forbidden love. The cultural differences, coupled with the scrutiny of a new society, tested the strength of their bond. The suspense of whether their love could withstand the challenges became the central theme of their new chapter. In the end, Ada and Jake's love story unfolded as a poignant drama, a tale of sacrifice and resilience. Despite the odds, they stood together, a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of societal norms and expectations. Their story, a blend of passion, suspense, and heartbreak, served as a reminder that true love is worth fighting for, no matter the obstacles that stand in the way. As Ada and Jake embarked on their American adventure, the allure of the unknown added another layer to the suspense in their love story. The vast cultural differences became apparent as they navigated the complexities of a foreign society, highlighting the challenges they would face in preserving the authenticity of their connection. The bustling streets of an American city became the new backdrop for Ada and Jake's narrative, echoing with the uncertainty of whether their love could withstand the pressures of an unfamiliar environment. The juxtaposition of their once-secret affair against the backdrop of a society with different norms and expectations intensified the emotional stakes. Ada and Jake found themselves in a constant balancing act, trying to blend their individual identities with the demands of their new surroundings. The suspenseful narrative continued as they sought to reconcile their love with the contrasting cultural values they encountered in America. Their journey unfolded as an intricate dance between adaptation and resilience, with each cultural clash and societal nuance serving as a test for the strength of their bond. The suspense evolved into a narrative of personal growth and self-discovery as Ada and Jake grappled with the complexities of navigating a foreign culture while holding onto the core of their forbidden love. In the end, their love story morphed into a nuanced exploration of how love could persist even in the face of cultural divergence. Ada and Jake's determination to overcome societal expectations and carve their own path became a testament to the enduring power of love, transcending not only geographical and societal boundaries but also the cultural intricacies that often define relationships. As Ada and Jake built a life together in America, their story became a beacon of hope for those who dared to defy societal norms for the sake of love. Their narrative echoed through the cityscape, inspiring others to question the boundaries imposed by tradition and to embrace the richness that comes from embracing diversity. In the heart of America, Ada and Jake's love story continued to unfold, not as a mere tale of forbidden romance, but as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love that knows no borders.
By Lúcio Ambrósio3 years ago in Fiction
Blood for Blood. Top Story - January 2024. Content Warning.
Looking out onto the waters from his canoe, Taima sighed, waiting for his adversary to surface. "You'll need this," Nitis handed Taima a bow. "It's the only thing powerful enough to damage it. Conventional weaponry's futile."
By Thavien Yliaster3 years ago in Fiction
