Short Story

Interview for a Vampire’s Assistant
Sasha pressed generic discount lotion into a paper napkin from the buffet. She swiped it over her face, carefully removing most of her thick stage makeup. A blonde dancer, new to Vegas and winding down from the same shift, shared the mirror.
By Deanna Grey3 years ago in Fiction
The Desert Sings
The crowd cheers while I keep up my moves. I sing to the beat and give it my all. I put all I could into the music. I then end my number and realize, I am just moving to my Zumba.
By Seashell Harpspring 3 years ago in Fiction
The Last Flight
In the remote heart of the desert, where the endless expanse of dunes stretched out like an ocean of sand, a small commercial plane fought against the turbulence of a sudden sandstorm. The passengers aboard the aircraft exchanged anxious glances, their whispers filled with fear. Among them was Captain James Ashford, a seasoned pilot who had faced many challenges in his career, but this was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
By Haris Hadzic3 years ago in Fiction
Reduced Speed
Author's preface: I was home visiting my parents recently and had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with a friend who was the protagonist of a story I wrote many years ago titled "Reduced Speed". Seeing her reminded me of that story and so, out of curiosity, I went back and read it again. Turns out I still really like it. It is disturbing, sad, and glum, but with a wistful tone that somehow feels almost a little (very little) hopeful. It is also powerful and emotionally impactful. Maybe those feelings are amplified for me since I am a part of the story and 'Shannon' (not her real name) from the story remains my friend to this day. Moreover it was written not long after the sudden and tragic death of my wife of only two years, Victoria. Anything I wrote at that time effects me greatly today no matter what the topic. I am republishing it with only a few minor changed from the original.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Fiction
Battling Guilt Part 2: Petra's Cousin Disappears
"Got your 'ID' ready?" Petra said, eyeing Thor as he nervously fumbled in his pocket to grab his wallet. "No. I'm not in a people mood tonight but I'm only going because of you. So if we get caught I'm going to resent you."
By dre.amerwithapen3 years ago in Fiction
Donnie Mellons
"Whenever you are buying a used car from a person, there are two things you need to pay the most attention to. The headliner and the trunk. People that take care of their cars, that really love their cars and care about them, always keep the headliner and trunk clean, and in good condition, those who don't, don't. If I see a beat up, dirty headliner or trunk, I walk away." Donnie paused for a moment, furrowed his brow, obviously deep in concentration then continued. "And, oh yeah, don't forget pet hair. If you see any pet hair, it's not necessarily an instant walk away, but you better believe I am knocking the price down by 5-10% off of whatever I was already thinking about offering." Thomas thought about what he had just heard, and it seemed to make a lot of sense. Then again, anytime Donnie said anything it seemed to make a lot of sense. He spoke with an air of authority about any topic, and for both Thomas, and just about everyone else, it made it very hard to question the correctness of anything Donnie ever said about anything. The fact that Donnie had two Ph.D.'s in the biological sciences added a ton of credibility. It was a classic case of authority bias, one of Donnie's favorite cognitive biases, and, one, he never failed to use to his advantage.
By Everyday Junglist3 years ago in Fiction
Love in a Foreign Land
Two strangers were attracted into a love tale that went beyond limits and crossed the divide between their disparate worlds in the center of a busy city, where the sights, sounds, and smells of a lively street market filled the air.
By Tinyiko Shitlhangu3 years ago in Fiction
The Adventurer
To wake. To live, to breath. To search. The world is an ancient treasure chest, a sentient beast full of well kept secrets of creatures past. For as long as humans have wandered sandy shores, stalked thick jungles, slept on the moors of this great skin, the land has kept us. We have been fattened and thinned, bred and pruned. Humans are the livestock of something greater, bending over backwards at nature's whim.
By Darby S. Fisher3 years ago in Fiction
A shift of the wind. Top Story - November 2023.
"She is getting married" Ann said. "Where did she meet him?" I asked. "Some dating site." The same repeated question with the same repeated answer.
By Antoinette L Brey3 years ago in Fiction
Love Beyond the Stars
Lira gazed out of the observation deck, her gaze riveted on the nebulae whirling and dancing in space's cosmic ballet. She was an experienced astrobiologist from the highly developed planet Veridia, and she had always been fascinated by the secrets of the cosmos. The mission she was on was no different.
By Tinyiko Shitlhangu3 years ago in Fiction
The Last Storm
James Duggan sat at his computer station working on a remodeling of the forecast for the peak of Solar Cycle 25. It was after midnight, and he was running on coffee and cigarettes. The Irish immigrant from Belfast worked for N.A.S.A. and was on the Space Weather team.
By Jason Morton3 years ago in Fiction
Whispers from the past
It was a gloomy day, Simon was strolling around the Manhattan's streets, his attention was drawn to an old bookstore as he passed he could smell the old book smell drifting into the street.
By KISOK3 years ago in Fiction