Short Story

Proof of Pain. Honorable Mention in The Shape of the Thing Challenge. Content Warning.
Kirk kneeled on the concrete floor and roared WHERE IS IT loud enough to travel up the stream of blood, past the cracked eardrum and shake the young man’s brain awake. Receiving no response other than a pained grunt, Kirk kicked the exposed flesh below the ribs. Waxing half moons congealed into a purple nebula.
By Sean A.about a year ago in Fiction
Dollar
In the bustling heart of New York City, where skyscrapers touch the clouds and neon lights make the night glitter brighter than the stars, there existed a young man named Adam. He was not born into riches, nor did he inherit a legacy of wealth. Instead, Adam grew up in a small apartment, raised by a single mother who worked day and night to provide for him. The only thing that fascinated him more than the tall buildings was a green piece of paper—the dollar bill.
By Asmatullahabout a year ago in Fiction
Pooh meets Paddington
Pooh and Paddington went back down the path. Roo was so excited to have his ball back. They ran into the others for they said they couldn't find it, and this was when Roo showed his ball to them. He said another little squirrel found it and was playing with it. "Guess what Mama. I have another little friend now." "That's great, Roo." They all played a short game of catch before they all went their separate ways. Kanga and Roo had to go home for it was time for Roo's nap; the others continued on their mission for Paddington.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Fiction
Pooh meets Paddington
Pooh and Paddington made a new friend that day in search of Roo's ball for they slowly and quietly walked up to the little squirrel, and they told him "That little ball belongs to a friend of ours where did you get it?" "It was just lying there and no one was around so I picked it up." Well, my little friend chased another squirrel to see if he wanted to play, but ran away. He came back and his ball was gone. "Oh, I'm sorry here you can have it back." Pooh and Paddington went back. "We found it."
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Fiction
By the Stream 🌳 She Returned
The message 💬 came unexpectedly. After so many years of silence, his phone lit up with a name he thought he’d never see again: her.
By Zidaneabout a year ago in Fiction
AI for the Mind
The Rise of Digital Therapy Tools In recent years, mental health has become a central topic across Europe, with rising awareness about depression, anxiety, and burnout. Traditionally, access to therapy has been limited by long waiting times, high costs, and stigma. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) has stepped in, offering new ways to make mental health support more accessible.
By Muhammad Ibrahimabout a year ago in Fiction
Pooh meets Paddington
On they went in search of Roo's ball. They split up Pooh, Roo and Paddington went one way and Piglet, Eeyore and Kanga went the other. They scoured the area. "You know Pooh that ball could not have traveled too far, but maybe a little animal picked it up. I see a little squirrel over there for Kanga did say Roo went after one little squirrel. Maybe that was so that little squirrel could take the ball." Pooh thought and said, "Let's see." They sneaked up on this little squirrel and they saw that he did have a little ball.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Fiction
Pooh meets Paddington
As the small gang was walking through the Hundred Acre Wood Paddington was the first to spot two characters up ahead on the path. Paddington asked Pooh who these two were. Pooh looked up and seen that it was Kanga and Roo, and they both seemed to in a tizzy. Pooh asked Kanga what's the matter? Roo can't seem to find his ball. It rolled somewhere when Roo chased a squirrel. We will help you look for Roo's ball for it couldn't have rolled fall for this ground is slightly flat. Maybe it went this or that way. Let's go!
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Fiction
I Looked Into Whether I Was Part of the AT&T Data Breach — And Found Out
The 2024 AT&T data breaches sent shockwaves through millions of households, exposing sensitive information and raising fears of identity theft and scams. If you’re searching for answers to questions like “How do I find out if I was affected by the AT&T data breach?” or “How to find out if you were part of the AT&T data breach,” you’re in the right place. These incidents compromised the personal data of over 73 million people and call records for nearly 110 million, making them some of the largest telecom breaches in recent history. Now, AT&T is offering a $177 million settlement to compensate affected customers, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming. This article will guide you through how to check if your data was exposed, protect yourself from scams, and detect if your personal details are being misused. Plus, we’ll share the emotional story of Elara Whitmore, a Texas saleswoman who discovered scammers exploiting her identity—and how she fought back. Finally, we’ll cover the compensation process in detail at the end.
By Elara Whitmoreabout a year ago in Fiction
one time the toaster told me to forgive my mother so now i only eat cold bread. Content Warning.
I sent the essay at 2:43 a.m., the hour that makes everything sound like a vow. The air pressed against my skin with that humid, indifferent weight that makes you feel examined. The apartment held its darkness except for the screen’s light and the toaster’s small orange eye. It had started to buzz at odd intervals these last few nights. Each time it did, I stilled and fixed my gaze on the screen, as though ignoring the sound might erase it.
By Fatal Serendipityabout a year ago in Fiction
Whether My Gmail Was Part of the Salesforce Data Breach — My Personal Investigation
In the fast-paced world of digital security, data breaches have become an unfortunate reality. The 2025 Salesforce data breach, linked to integrations with tools like Salesloft Drift, sent shockwaves through the tech community, raising concerns about email security—especially for Gmail users. Rumors swirled about billions of Gmail accounts being compromised, but is there truth to the hype? In this article, we'll break down what really happened, how to check if your Gmail was affected, steps to secure your account, and even how to spot if scammers are misusing your personal data on social media. Plus, I'll share a heartfelt personal story from Elara Whitmore, a saleswoman from the USA, who turned a scary situation into a lesson in vigilance.
By Elara Whitmoreabout a year ago in Fiction
The Vanishing Village
Every corner of the world hides secrets that defy logic. Some stories are passed down through generations, their origins long forgotten. Others appear suddenly—so strange and chilling that they’re impossible to ignore. This is one such story: a remote mountain village that exists on every map, yet no one who tries to find it ever succeeds. I first stumbled across this mystery on an old travel blog. The writer described passing by a weathered signpost pointing toward a place called Dharava. He’d driven by countless times, but one day his curiosity got the better of him. He followed the road, expecting a quiet mountain settlement, only to find nothing but dense forest. He assumed it was a GPS error. That single detail hooked me. Dharava appeared on maps, historical records, and old census documents, but online, there was no trace of it—no photos, no recent mentions, no travelers’ reviews. It was as if the village had been scrubbed from existence. As a journalist drawn to unsolved mysteries, I couldn’t resist. I decided I had to go there myself. --- The morning I set out, the weather was already unsettling. Heavy clouds hung low over the mountains, and mist curled over the winding roads. I eventually found the sign for Dharava, pointing toward a narrow road that looked barely used. The moment I turned onto that road, a heavy silence fell. No other vehicles, no people, not even the distant hum of life. The trees seemed to close in, their branches weaving together so tightly that sunlight barely touched the ground. The further I drove, the older and rougher the path became. It felt like no one had traveled this way in decades. On either side of the road stood towering banyan and peepal trees, their roots twisting like skeletal fingers over broken stones. My GPS insisted I was close, yet I saw no signs of life. A crumbling stone wall appeared at the edge of the road. Beyond it stood a small, half-ruined temple. The carvings on its worn walls were ancient, faded almost to nothing. Inside, I found an extinguished oil lamp and shriveled flowers, as though an offering had been made there long ago. As I turned to leave, I felt it—a prickling sensation on my neck, like I was being watched. I spun around, but the road behind me was empty, silent except for the whisper of the wind. --- I pressed on, curiosity overruling my growing unease. Deeper into the forest, I found a dilapidated house, half-collapsed beneath creeping vines. Inside, a wooden cupboard stood against a cracked wall. Against my better judgment, I opened it and discovered a small leather-bound diary. The pages were brittle, the ink faded, but one entry was still legible: > “The voices grow louder at night. The villagers say this place is cursed. No one who walks this road after dark returns.” A chill ran through me. I tucked the diary into my bag and stepped outside, determined to turn back. That’s when I heard it—a faint giggle, high and childlike, drifting through the mist. I froze, heart pounding, scanning the trees. The laughter faded as quickly as it had come. The forest felt alive, watching me. I snapped photos of everything—the temple, the house, the carvings—hoping to capture proof of this place. But as I retraced my steps, I realized nothing looked the same. The path had shifted. The trees, the rocks, even the landmarks I’d passed moments ago were gone. --- Panic set in. My GPS had lost its signal, and the sun was sinking fast. Darkness crept between the trees, and the mist thickened until it felt like I was walking through a dream. Desperation gnawed at me. I picked a direction and pushed forward, my breath quickening. Then, a light flickered in the distance—a soft, golden glow. I followed it, stumbling through tangled roots and low-hanging branches until I reached the temple again. This time, someone stood outside. A woman, dressed in a white sari, her face blurred by the mist. “Please,” I called out, my voice trembling. “I’m lost. Can you help me?” She didn’t speak. Slowly, she raised a hand and pointed down a narrow path I hadn’t seen before. I hesitated, but fear of being trapped there overnight overpowered my caution. I thanked her softly and followed the path. After a few minutes, I heard a sound I’d been desperate for: the faint blare of a car horn. My car. Breaking into a run, I burst out of the trees and onto the main road. I turned back, expecting to see the temple, or the woman—but there was nothing. Just dense, dark forest. --- Back at my hotel, I pulled out the diary and examined it again. On the last page, written in shaky handwriting, were these words: > “Those who leave this place alive are never called back.” I returned home the next day and never spoke of Dharava to anyone—not until now. The village is still marked on maps, a tiny dot in the mountains. But no one has ever uploaded a single photo of it, and no traveler has confirmed its existence. Some places aren’t meant for us. Some places will always remain hidden.
By AngelFaceabout a year ago in Fiction