Short Story
Before the Morning
Leah stepped into the house with a tired sigh, the kind that came from too many hours smiling at people she didn't like. The takeout bag in her hand swung gently as she shut the door behind her. The lights were off, though the porch lamp had been glowing when she parked. That was strange. James always turned them on for her when she worked late.
By Shai Andersonabout a year ago in Fiction
Missing Indore Couple's Family Demands CBI Probe: Mysterious Death in Shillong Turns Tragic Honeymoon into a Chilling Mystery
What began as a joyful celebration of a new chapter in life has turned into a nightmare for the families of Raja and Sonam Raghuwanshi, a young couple from Indore who went missing during their honeymoon in Shillong, Meghalaya. While Raja’s body was later discovered under suspicious circumstances, Sonam remains untraceable. The deeply distressed family is now demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, suspecting foul play in what was initially considered a tragic accident. A Honeymoon That Turned Into Horror Raja and Sonam, both in their twenties, had recently tied the knot and planned a honeymoon trip to the scenic hills of Shillong. Known for its serene beauty and romantic charm, the northeastern city has long been a popular destination for newlyweds. The couple left Indore full of hope and excitement, unaware that this journey would take a dark and irreversible turn. According to the timeline shared by family and police, Raja and Sonam went missing shortly after reaching Shillong. Their last known contact was a brief phone call made by Raja to his family, assuring them that all was well. After that, both phones went unreachable, and panic set in as attempts to reach them failed repeatedly. The Shocking Discovery After days of no contact, search efforts were launched by local authorities. Raja’s lifeless body was eventually found at the bottom of a deep gorge in a remote area near Shillong. The discovery sent shockwaves through his family and community back in Indore. What has made the situation even more alarming is the mystery surrounding the death. Initial reports hinted at an accidental fall, but several inconsistencies have led the family to believe there may be more to the story. The postmortem report, although not officially released, allegedly raised questions about whether the fall was accidental or staged. No conclusive details have been shared by the authorities, further fueling speculation and concern. Adding to the family's agony is the fact that Sonam is still missing. No trace of her has been found, and her whereabouts remain unknown despite a Special Investigation Team (SIT) being formed to handle the case. The couple had no known enemies, and there was no apparent motive for foul play, making the case all the more perplexing. A Cry for Justice In an emotional and symbolic move, Raja’s family has put up a large poster outside their residence in Indore, drawing public attention to the case. The poster features a picture of the couple and carries a chilling message written as though coming from the deceased: “The soul of Raja appeals to the Central and State Governments – I didn’t die, I was killed. Let the CBI investigate.” The words have resonated with many who are now joining the family in demanding a CBI investigation into the case. “We have lost our son, and now our daughter-in-law is missing. We deserve the truth,” said a family member during a local media interview. “This is not just a tragedy; it feels like a crime that is being hidden.” Public support has grown, with neighbors, friends, and local activists rallying behind the family. Some have started online petitions, while others have appealed to political leaders and higher authorities to step in and ensure a transparent investigation. The Role of the Authorities Currently, the case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by local police in Shillong. However, the family has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and direction of the probe. They allege that critical evidence might be overlooked and fear a possible cover-up. With Sonam still missing and no arrests or leads reported, their frustration has only grown. So far, law enforcement agencies have remained tight-lipped about the details. “We are looking into all angles and working diligently,” an official was quoted as saying. But for the family, silence is not enough—they want answers, and they want them from the highest level of investigation. A Grieving Family, An Unsolved Mystery The tragedy has left the Raghuwanshi family shattered. What was meant to be the happiest time in their children’s lives has become a story of loss, uncertainty, and suspicion. While the body of Raja has returned home, the questions surrounding his death—and the eerie silence about Sonam—continue to haunt everyone involved. Until the mystery is resolved and justice is served, Raja’s haunting message on that poster will serve as a grim reminder that what may look like an accident can sometimes be something far more sinister.
By Israr khanabout a year ago in Fiction
He Left Without a Word — So I Wrote the Ending Myself
I never saw it coming. The day he walked out without a word, without a glance back, became the day my world quieted — but not in the way I expected. It wasn’t peace. It was a hollow silence, a gaping hole where his voice used to be. The unanswered questions echoed louder than anything he'd ever said. We weren’t perfect, but we had history. Years of whispered dreams, shared fears, late-night talks, and plans for a future that suddenly felt like a cruel joke. When he left, he didn’t say why. No “I’m sorry,” no “I can’t do this anymore.” Nothing but silence. At first, I waited. Days turned to weeks, and weeks to months. I sat by the phone, replayed every conversation in my mind, searching for a sign, a clue, any reason for the sudden void. But his silence was a wall—thick, unyielding, and cold. Friends told me to move on. “Forget him,” they said. But how do you forget someone who became your whole world? How do you erase the person you loved so deeply when their absence shouts louder than their presence ever did? So I did what felt impossible. I picked up a pen. The letter I wrote wasn’t for him — it was for me. I poured out everything I’d been holding inside: the pain, the confusion, the anger. The nights I cried alone, wondering if I was enough or if I had missed the signs. The dreams that crumbled like ash in my hands. The hope that maybe, someday, he’d explain. But most importantly, I wrote the ending I deserved. I wrote a story where I was no longer waiting for his return or his apology. A story where I was whole on my own, where my happiness wasn’t tied to someone who chose to disappear. I wrote about forgiveness—not just of him, but of myself, for holding on so tightly to something that wasn’t mine to keep. The first words felt like a release: “I forgive you for leaving, and I forgive myself for loving you too much.” Writing became my salvation. Each page was a step away from the silence he left behind. I gave myself permission to grieve, to heal, to rebuild. Months later, I sealed that letter — the one I never meant to send — and tucked it away in a drawer. It wasn’t about closure from him. It was closure from the past. For the first time, I felt light. Not because he returned or apologized, but because I stopped waiting for what would never come. I started to live for me. I took up painting, something I’d always dreamed of but never had the courage to try. I reconnected with friends I’d lost touch with, and I traveled to places I once only imagined. I learned that sometimes, the silence left by others is a space where your own voice can finally be heard. One quiet evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I found myself smiling at the thought: He may have left without a word, but I wrote the ending myself — and it’s beautiful. Thank you so much for reading 🥰! If you like my story please leave a comment. Thanks ❤️.
By Azmat Roman ✨about a year ago in Fiction
MISSING: A World War II Story of Love, Friendship, Courage, and Survival
On the ninth day of the brutal Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, 2nd Lt. Donald N. Evans, a young American fighter pilot, flew his P-47 Thunderbolt over the icy forests of Belgium. The mission was routine—until enemy fire ripped through his aircraft. With only seconds to spare, Don bailed out of his burning plane, parachuting into the bitter cold and snow-covered chaos below. He landed behind enemy lines, wounded and alone, with a shattered leg and no clear direction to safety. In the unforgiving wilderness of the Ardennes Forest, Don crawled and limped through snowdrifts, driven only by willpower and the hope of surviving. On Christmas Eve, he found shelter beneath a pine tree. He was starving, freezing, and completely isolated. All around him, artillery echoed through the hills, and enemy patrols searched the woods. He lay silent, consumed by pain and fear, unsure whether he’d ever see his family or homeland again. But Don’s journey was just beginning. Soon after, he was discovered and captured by German SS troops—the most feared paramilitary arm of the Nazi regime. Alongside hundreds of other American prisoners, Don was forced to endure a brutal 200-mile march through enemy territory in the depths of winter. Weak from injury and hunger, he was pushed to his physical and emotional limits. The prisoners endured freezing temperatures, constant abuse from guards, and total uncertainty about their fate. Many didn’t survive. Those who did, like Don, were later imprisoned in German POW camps, where survival became a daily battle of endurance and inner strength. That Don Evans survived is nothing short of a miracle. But his story isn’t only one of suffering—it’s also one of profound love, loyalty, and human connection. Born into poverty in a small American town, Don was the classic all-American boy. He was a natural leader, student body president, a gifted athlete, and deeply optimistic about the future. At eighteen, he enrolled in college and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Laura Jeanne. They were young, hopeful, and full of dreams for the life they planned to build together. Then came December 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor pulled America into the war, and Don, like so many others, answered the call to serve. Before shipping out to Europe, he and Laura Jeanne married, clinging to the belief that love would survive—even through the fires of war. Don became part of the 368th Fighter Group of the Ninth Air Force. There, he formed an unbreakable bond with four other young pilots, calling themselves simply “The Five.” Together, they flew dangerous missions over Nazi-occupied territory, supporting ground troops and risking their lives daily. Their brotherhood—built in the skies over Europe—provided strength, courage, and a deep emotional connection in the face of constant danger. One of the most intimate and moving elements of Don’s story is the series of letters he and Laura Jeanne exchanged during the war. These deeply personal letters reveal their unwavering love, their fears, their dreams, and the emotional lifeline that kept them going. Through their words, readers gain a rare, firsthand glimpse into the emotional toll of war—not only for the soldiers on the front lines, but also for those waiting anxiously back home. The story of MISSING is crafted through a rich blend of firsthand letters, journal entries, mission reports, and interviews. It offers not just historical facts but a deeply human portrait of a young couple swept up in world-changing events. It explores themes of love, friendship, sacrifice, and survival in one of history’s darkest chapters. By war’s end, Don returned home forever changed—scarred in body and spirit, but alive. His reunion with Laura Jeanne was the fulfillment of a promise whispered across oceans and battlefields, a testament to the endurance of hope and love. The young man who had once huddled alone beneath a pine tree in a frozen forest had come home—not unchanged, but unbroken. MISSING is more than a war story. It is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love to sustain us, and the friendships that give us strength when everything else is stripped away. In a time of global darkness, Don Evans’ story shines as a beacon of courage and humanity
By Israr khanabout a year ago in Fiction
The Mirror I Couldn’t Face
The Mirror I Couldn’t Face How a Drag Show in a Small Town Helped Me Embrace Who I Am In the fall of 2025, I stood backstage at a dive bar in my small town, clutching a secondhand sequined jacket and wondering what the hell I was doing. At 27, I’d spent years dodging mirrors—not just the physical ones, but the ones that forced me to confront who I was. I’d known I was queer since I was a teenager, but growing up in a place where “different” was whispered like a dirty word, I’d buried that truth deep. That night, at the town’s first-ever drag show, I was about to step into the spotlight as Ruby Star, my drag persona, and I was terrified.
By Shohel Ranaabout a year ago in Fiction
The Song That Found Me
The Song That Found Me How a Broken Guitar and a Stranger’s Melody Gave Me Back My Voice In the spring of 2025, I found a guitar in a dumpster behind my apartment building. It was a battered thing—cracked body, missing a string, the kind of instrument nobody would look at twice. I hadn’t played music in years, not since I was a teenager dreaming of coffeehouse gigs and a life as a singer-songwriter. Life had other plans: a string of dead-end jobs, a breakup that gutted me, and a creeping fear that my creative spark was gone for good. But something about that broken guitar called to me, so I fished it out, dusted it off, and brought it home.
By Shohel Ranaabout a year ago in Fiction
The Library of Strangers
The Library of Strangers How a Tiny Notebook in a Public Library Connected a Divided Town In the summer of 2025, I found a notebook that changed how I saw my town. It was tucked on a shelf in our local library, a small brick building that had somehow survived budget cuts and digital everything. The notebook wasn’t part of the collection—no barcode, no Dewey Decimal number. Just a plain, spiral-bound thing with a faded blue cover and a handwritten title on the first page: The Library of Strangers. Below it, in neat cursive, were the words: “Write something true. Leave it for someone else.”
By Shohel Ranaabout a year ago in Fiction
Finding Light in the Fog
The fog was thick that morning, the kind that swallows the world whole. It clung to the grass, wrapped around the trees, and blurred the edges of everything, including me. I stood at the edge of the park, my breath shallow, my chest tight with the familiar weight of anxiety. It wasn’t a new feeling—more like an old, uninvited guest who’d overstayed their welcome. But that morning, something shifted. That morning, I took my first step into the fog, and it changed everything.
By Shohel Ranaabout a year ago in Fiction
