Short Story

The Boy, The Duck, and The Goose. Runner-Up in Unspoken Challenge. Top Story - September 2023.
He looks up like a reader interrupted mid-paragraph. The little duckling he had been shelling corn to runs off to its mother. A woman sits down next to him. Her face looks just as long as his, the void of loss in her life as palpable as his.
By Noah Glenn3 years ago in Fiction
Through Unseen Eyes
Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a woman named Eliza. She was known throughout the village for her ethereal beauty, her grace, and her vibrant spirit. However, Eliza had a secret that no one knew but her. She was blind. Eliza had lost her sight as a young child due to a mysterious illness. Her family, afraid of the stigma associated with blindness, had kept her hidden away from the world. But as she grew older, Eliza yearned to experience life beyond the confines of her home. And so, one fateful day, she decided to venture into the village, guided only by the whispers of the wind and the warmth of the sun. As she navigated the cobblestone streets with a graceful determination, she bumped into a stranger. His name was Daniel, a talented musician known for his soulful melodies that touched the hearts of everyone who heard them. At first, their encounter was awkward, but it soon blossomed into a unique connection. Daniel was drawn to Eliza's enchanting presence and her ability to perceive the world in ways he could never imagine. He began visiting her, playing his hauntingly beautiful tunes on a battered old guitar, filling her world with melodies that danced in her imagination like vivid colors. Their friendship deepened into a love that transcended the physical world. Eliza, with her keen sense of touch and acute hearing, could "see" the world in ways that Daniel couldn't. She described the beauty of nature, the vibrancy of the changing seasons, and the emotions of people around them. In return, Daniel painted her a world with words, crafting stories of enchantment and wonder. But their love faced a challenge. The villagers were baffled by their bond. They couldn't understand how a blind woman and a musician could share such an intense connection. Gossip and rumors spread like wildfire, and soon, Eliza and Daniel found themselves isolated, misunderstood, and torn apart. In the depths of their despair, they hatched a plan. Eliza, using her uncanny ability to hear the subtlest of sounds, would play the guitar alongside Daniel, her fingers finding the notes by touch alone. They would perform together at the village's annual festival, hoping to convey the depth of their love through their music. The day of the festival arrived, and a hushed excitement rippled through the crowd. As Eliza and Daniel took the stage, the world held its breath. With each note, they wove a tapestry of emotions that spoke of love, longing, and the beauty of their unique connection. The crowd was spellbound, tears glistening in their eyes as they finally understood the depths of their love. Their performance ended with thunderous applause, and the villagers' perception of love changed forever. Eliza and Daniel's love story became a legend, a testament to the power of love that transcended the physical world. In the end, Eliza and Daniel taught their village that love is not bound by appearances but by the depth of connection and understanding between two souls. They continued to share their music, their stories, and their love, proving that in the darkness of blindness, they had found a light that shone brighter than any eyes could see.
By Brian Njogu3 years ago in Fiction
Thank You Dumbledore. Top Story - September 2023.
Standing at Platform nine and three quarters. Harry James Potter along with his wife Ginny Weasley Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermoine Jean Granger-Weasley all stand together as proud parents watching their children board the Hogwarts Express as they begin their new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry himself could not be more proud to watch his children start their new journey of life the same way he began his 26 years ago.
By Joe Patterson3 years ago in Fiction
Murder at Yasmur's Inn
Kato had always been drawn to the mysterious and the macabre. His insatiable curiosity had led him to explore abandoned buildings, investigate local legends, and even dabble in occult rituals. So when he heard about Yasmur's Inn, an old, dilapidated establishment nestled deep within the woods, he couldn't resist the temptation to visit.
By Ryan Hidayat3 years ago in Fiction
Mares
Off in the distance, a monster roars. The bunker shakes, gravel falling from the ceiling. Screams echo off of every wall, children curled up in balls on their makeshift cots, the elderly hunched up in corners. And then… silence. A moment of peace. The children raise their heads, their parents still holding them tight. A claw pierces the ceiling, tearing through feet of concrete and raining rubble from the sky. Pincers, large as full on metro buses, terrifying, covered in a shriveled shell reminiscent of a boiled crawfish, snap at air. A brave soul senselessly shoots at it with a shotgun, the crack of the chamber sounding off, shells bouncing off its impenetrable armor. He’s met with a whoosh of air, a splatter of blood, the shotgun thrown from his hands. The claw retreats, taking its human morsel with it.
By William Choi-Kim3 years ago in Fiction
Sign Language Is Not Uttering One Word Right?
It was a beautiful day and I was out to get some fresh air. I heard some interesting noise coming from down the alley. It was a sound I hadn't heard before. I might turn around and go the other way. Then I saw a neighbor come from that direction.
By Denise E Lindquist3 years ago in Fiction
Amelia's Quest: Unraveling Mysteries Around the World
In a picturesque town nestled among rolling hills, there lived a girl named Amelia who was known for her affinity for the mysterious and the unexplained. She had an old soul and an insatiable curiosity that often led her down winding paths and into the depths of the unknown. Amelia was easily recognizable by her signature white hat and dress, which she wore with an air of elegance that belied her youthful years.
By StoryholicFinds3 years ago in Fiction
The Pink Cowgirl's Legacy: Quest for Unity and Mystery Unveiled
In the vast and rugged expanse of the Wild West, where legends were born beneath the endless sky, there existed a tale that had been whispered around campfires for generations. It was the legend of the Pink Cowgirl, a heroine whose exploits were as bold and vibrant as her trademark pink attire. She rode a spirited steed named Rose, and her six-shooter glimmered with rose-colored embellishments. Her real name was lost to history, for she was known only as the Pink Cowgirl, a name earned through her fearless deeds.
By StoryholicFinds3 years ago in Fiction
Canine Convos
Today, the female alpha was praising me for my ability to alert her to the sound of another dog barking so far away, that her feeble human ears could not hear. After I relayed the message to her of the passing stray dogs 3 clicks to the south, she patted my head and said:
By Hope Martin3 years ago in Fiction
Cage Warrior: A Fighter's Redemption
In the gritty underbelly of a sprawling city, where the neon lights cast eerie shadows and desperation filled the air, there lived a young woman named Ava. Her life was a brutal ballet, a symphony of punches and grapples, as she navigated the ruthless world of underground MMA fighting.
By StoryholicFinds3 years ago in Fiction
Bazzi's Canvas: A Street Artist's Silent Revolution
In the heart of a bustling metropolis, where the concrete jungle stretched as far as the eye could see, there lived a young woman named Bazzi. Her life was a vibrant tapestry of colors, shapes, and urban rhythms. Bazzi was not your ordinary city dweller; she was a street graffiti artist and performer, whose artistry painted the city's walls with stories untold.
By StoryholicFinds3 years ago in Fiction
Adventures at Home: Mia and Whiskers' Comedy Chronicles
Once upon a time in a cozy little house at the end of a quiet street, there lived a girl named Mia. She had long, chestnut hair that seemed to have a mind of its own, and a pair of sparkling eyes that were always on the lookout for adventure. However, on this particular day, Mia found herself in an unusual predicament. She was bored, and not just any kind of bored - the "I've-counted-the-ceiling-tiles-twice" kind of bored.
By StoryholicFinds3 years ago in Fiction