Short Story

My Neighbor Is Haunting
The house next door had always been empty—or at least, that’s what everyone said. It was the kind of old place that looked like it was holding its breath: porch sagging, curtains drawn tight, windows like tired eyes. Every kid on the block had a story about it. Some said a woman once walked off its roof thinking it was a stairway to heaven. Others claimed the furniture moved itself when the moon was full. But I wasn’t afraid.
By Muhammad Ahmadabout a year ago in Fiction
Some Letters Should Not Be Found
Part I of this story was published last week: ****** Peter made his usual morning coffee and sat down at his desk. It was still early and quiet in the office. He took the letter out of his coat pocket, opened it, and read it:
By Calvin Londonabout a year ago in Fiction
The Waters Hunger. Content Warning.
My lungs heaved as they drew in breaths of air gravid with droplets of warm morning mist. The fading sun bled through the haze as though through a thick sheet of gauze, casting a bleary light on the moorland below. My toes curled around the spongy peat as my bare feet sunk into it with every step. My eyes were set ahead on the moorland before me. There was no turning back now.
By Ian Readabout a year ago in Fiction
I Sold My Memory to Pay Rent
1. — “The Memory Exchange” I didn’t think twice the first time I walked into the Memory Exchange. They say your first time should mean something. Maybe I should have cried, or clutched the edges of the memory like the edges of an old photograph, refusing to let it go. But I didn’t. I just sat there, numb, holding my hands in my lap like I was at a dentist’s office.
By Izazkhanabout a year ago in Fiction
Pre-Wedding Jitters
"...and the ceremony would take place here," Jill breezed past the ballroom at a fast clip, almost faster than Rosie could keep pace with. That wide, plasticky grin stayed on her Botox-filled face the entire time, her decoupaged clipboard tucked tight under her flabby arm. "Oh, and out here is the garden. Just look at all those flower buds! They should all be popped out by the big day. Can you imagine what a gorgeous backdrop that would make for pictures?!"
By Natalie Grayabout a year ago in Fiction
Milk of Human Kindness. Top Story - June 2025.
The baby in his sling was heavy against her. The smell of him hung in the air around and between them. Lingering and following like another companion. Thick with sleep, slightly sour with milk. It clung to her shawl, to her skin, just as much as the dust that rose with every step. It mixed with sweat, and body-smell, and campfire smoke.
By L.C. Schäferabout a year ago in Fiction
The Lurker. Content Warning.
It's 7:50 am, this is usually the time where she stands by the window and completely unaware. I draw the curtain just a little bit, enough for me to see you. You are taking off your shirt and reveal your smooth body. I watch as you slowly strap on your bra lifting your breasts, not that it is needed. You slide on your underwear and slip into your little black dress. How much I desire you, I want all of you. Oh and there’s your husband, he’s so ungrateful to you- cheating on you with his assistant. How dare he lay his lips on you? How could he betray such a gorgeous woman? I need to protect you from him, all I want is to protect you. You deserve better, you should be with me. After you leave for work he will invite his assistant over and they’ll get at it. We’ve never spoken all I know is that your name is Rebecca but you go by Becca. Photos and I can send them to you anonymously... Yes, then you’ll see what a pig he is. I will just have to sit and wait.
By Adrianna M. Braunabout a year ago in Fiction
The Secrets my Mother Kept
Alexander Anderson spent five years believing his mother's death was an accident. Just past midnight on his eleventh birthday, while dust motes danced in the beam of his flashlight, he discovered the truth in his grandparents' attic. He wasn't supposed to be up there - Gran had made that clear enough but the dream had led him here, as surely as if his mother herself had taken his hand, and on this night she might as well have.
By Parsley Rose about a year ago in Fiction
One Night. Top Story - June 2025. Content Warning.
**Inspired by a dream that I had last night** We were coming home late from a dinner with a group of friends on a Thursday night. It was just a regular day for us. We both had worked and decided that we wanted to go out afterwards. He was driving our old brown Explorer when we were hit by a drunk driver.
By Chloe Unfilteredabout a year ago in Fiction
The Sister Who Never Was. Top Story - June 2025.
Sitting in my room, I go through your belongings, which match many of mine from the early days, when everything was good and filled with hope.
By Amethyst Champagneabout a year ago in Fiction
TUS NUA - ch 6
TUS NUA – ch 6 New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight (*)(*)(*) As Annora approached Alistar, Finola warned her, “Annora, mo stor, remember you still have not yet totally eradicated the drugs from your system. Stay close to my cousin. He’ll protect you.”
By Margaret Brennanabout a year ago in Fiction
Looking For The Devil. Runner-Up in You Were Never Really Here Challenge. Top Story - June 2025.
Tom was woken by fire and brimstone spewing from behind yellowed teeth. He could taste his father’s spittle, watered-down Jim Beam. Still half asleep, ten-year-old Tom took off his shirt and got on his knees. Reasons fell out of the old man’s mouth like cracked marbles, but he was always more eloquent with his leather belt. Forgotten chores, an unfinished plate, imagined back talk. In between that made-up litany, one recurring refrain: you have the devil inside. Wincing at the belt’s biting commentary, Tom stroked his right arm, the one that felt the summer rains coming after the night he had finally talked back. The last time he talked back. The night he said his father had the devil in him, too.
By Sean A.about a year ago in Fiction