Short Story

The Town That Waited for Me. AI-Generated.
The GPS on my phone didn’t show the town. That was the first clue I should have picked up. The second was the sign placed by the roadside.
By Mohammad Talha3 months ago in Fiction
A Little Walk to Escape . Top Story - June 2025.
It was the same morning, and he had a sunny sight from where he set off for a little walk, his dog trotting faithfully behind him. He had never felt the need to put a leash on the dog, yet wherever he went, the dog always followed. When the two set out, no one remained at home. The house was left just like that empty and open. He began walking toward a small river that passed right beside his house. For a while, he stood and watched the water flowing through the river. Then he asked the dog, “Where does this river begin?” The dog, not understanding his words, gazed at him with unblinking eyes. He resumed walking. After a short while, he picked up the dog and threw it into the river. The dog let out a soft yelp, but the man walked on without a change in expression. His breath was still easy, his heart continued to beat without disturbance. He was as alive as he had always been. A little later, he heard the dog’s whimpering and the sound of pawsteps. He turned once to look back. The dog was panting, drenched completely, and saliva dripped from its mouth. He looked at the dog and continued walking. After walking a bit more, he picked up the dog and threw it into the river again. Once more the dog let out a soft cry and was swept away by the current. The man walked on. Soon, the dog reappeared, following behind him. Once again, he picked it up and threw it into the river. The dog floated away with the current. Lowering his head, he resumed walking. After a little while, he heard the dog’s quiet sobs again. He turned, and the dog looked at him one last time. There was no desire or demand in its eyes, it was only silence that remained. And this time, the dog was walking back toward the house. But before reaching it, the dog turned onto a side path, one that didn’t lead home. Soon, the dog disappears from his sight. And once again, the man continued walking.
By Karan w. 3 months ago in Fiction
Capitalism's a Bitch
This short story was written from the following prompt that a colleague of mine came up with. Somebody wished on a star, only that star is actually a magical creature that is now obligated to grant that wish. Unfortunately, the wish is something very oddly specific from a small child. The wish is one of those inflatable guys you see outside of car dealerships, and now the creature has to find out who makes them and come up with money to buy one, since the creature doesn't have money of it's own. capitalism's a bitch. And also has to find a way to deliver it to the small child's home in a satisfactory way. also the child wants a blue one with gold sparkles.
By Pax Kendall3 months ago in Fiction
72 Virgins
Through the thick white smoke, you can hear loud automatic gunfire and explosions. Slowly, the smoke thins and armed child soldiers in military jackets with Arab headscarves come into view.
By Senad Dizdarević3 months ago in Fiction
The Rose That Wouldn't Take No
Inheritances are financially comforting, but can be dubious. The previous owner of Lin's florists had left more than just flowers behind.
By Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin3 months ago in Fiction
The Thin Ones
It is dark and raining. The wind blows a rogue hanging wire against the metal lamp post making it sing like a muffled bell. I was out late, I don't know why, but I always find that sound so eerie, like something bad is going to happen.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 3 months ago in Fiction
Giants at the Edge
I wrote this vignette after taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up into the San Jacinto Mountains. A stranger asked me to take his photo. The view did the rest.
By A.Waters3 months ago in Fiction
I Woke Up Where My Nightmare Ended. AI-Generated.
I recognized the motel the moment I saw it. It stood in the end of a rainy road, partially hidden among skinny trees. The red neon sign above the motel office was blinking steadily.
By Mohammad Talha3 months ago in Fiction
The Boy Who Made the Moon Jealous
Once upon a time, in a breathtaking kingdom called Silverpine, where rivers sparkled like glass and flowers bloomed all year round, there lived a beautiful young woman named Princess Amelia. Amelia was loved by everyone. Not because she was royal. Not because she was beautiful. But because she carried sunshine inside her heart. She laughed loudly. She danced whenever music played. She talked to butterflies as if they understood her secrets. And most importantly—she believed life was meant to be joyful. Still, despite the beauty around her, Amelia often felt lonely. Royal life was full of rules. “Sit properly.” “Behave like a princess.” “Do not laugh too loudly.” “Do not wander alone.” But Amelia loved adventure more than perfect manners. She wanted someone who could laugh with her, not simply admire her. Someone who could turn ordinary days into magical memories. One bright spring morning, while escaping another boring royal tea gathering, Amelia wandered into the village marketplace disguised in a simple dress. That was when she heard it. Laughter. Not ordinary laughter. The kind that made other people laugh too. Curious, she followed the sound. In the center of the market stood a young man surrounded by children. He was performing silly tricks, juggling oranges badly, pretending to lose arguments with chickens, and making everyone laugh until tears filled their eyes. Amelia couldn’t stop smiling. Then suddenly— An orange flew through the air. Straight toward her. Thump. It hit her forehead. The crowd went silent. The young man froze. “Oh no,” he whispered dramatically. “I’ve accidentally attacked a beautiful stranger.” Amelia burst out laughing. “You throw fruit at everyone?” “Only important people,” he replied. That made her laugh even harder. His name was Elias. He wasn’t rich. He wasn’t royal. He simply traveled from village to village making people smile. He painted, played music, and told ridiculous stories. Something about him felt different. Easy. Warm. Like happiness in human form. Soon, Amelia started secretly meeting him every day. Together, they had adventures no royal prince had ever offered her. They raced through sunflower fields. Built tiny boats from leaves and floated them down rivers. Played games where they invented silly stories about strangers passing by. One day, Elias convinced Amelia to climb the tallest hill in Silverpine. “Why are we hiking all this way?” she complained dramatically. “You complain like an old queen,” he teased. “I’m leaving.” “You say that every five minutes.” When they finally reached the top, the entire kingdom stretched below them like a glittering dream. Then Elias pulled out two paper crowns. “One for the Queen of Complaining,” he announced. “And one for the King of Bad Ideas.” Amelia laughed so hard she nearly dropped hers. No one had ever made her feel so alive. No one had ever laughed with her instead of expecting perfection. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. And somehow, Amelia realized something terrifying. She had fallen in love. Deeply. Hopelessly. Completely. But fairytales always test love. One evening, the king discovered her secret. “A wandering entertainer?” he said furiously. “You are a princess!” “He makes me happy,” Amelia whispered. “Happiness is temporary,” her father said coldly. “Duty lasts forever.” Soon, Amelia was promised to a wealthy prince from a distant kingdom. The palace became silent. Heavy. Sad. Without Elias, even the gardens felt lonely. Flowers looked dull. Music sounded empty. Laughter disappeared. Meanwhile, Elias stopped performing. He wandered through villages without smiling. Without her, joy no longer felt complete. Then one night, something magical happened. Silverpine held its annual Moon Festival—a celebration where lanterns floated into the sky. The kingdom gathered in the grand palace courtyard. Princess Amelia stood there in a beautiful gown, pretending not to cry. Then suddenly— Music interrupted the ceremony. The palace gates opened. Everyone turned. There stood Elias. Covered in paint. Holding flowers that clearly looked stolen from someone’s garden. The guards rushed forward. But he raised a hand dramatically. “Please,” he said loudly. “I traveled very far to embarrass myself properly.” The crowd laughed. Even the king looked confused. Elias stepped closer to Amelia. “I know I’m not rich.” “I know I’m not royal.” “And honestly, I’m terrible at serious speeches.” People chuckled. “But I know one thing.” He looked directly at her. “You laugh differently when you’re happy.” The entire courtyard fell silent. “And when you laugh,” he continued softly, “the whole world feels brighter.” Amelia’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t promise castles,” he said. “I can’t promise perfection.” “But I can promise adventures.” “Terrible dancing.” “Late-night moon watching.” “And enough laughter to last forever.” The moon glowed brighter overhead. Almost as if even the sky had paused. Then suddenly— Amelia ran. Straight toward him. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered: “I choose the boy who makes life magical.” The crowd erupted into cheers. Even the king finally sighed. He looked at his daughter. Really looked at her. And for the first time in years, she seemed truly alive. Slowly, he smiled. “Well,” he muttered, “at least he’s entertaining.” The wedding that followed became legendary. There were lanterns floating through the sky. Music that lasted till sunrise. A pie-eating contest Elias somehow lost terribly. And endless laughter. So much laughter that people said even the stars sparkled brighter that night. Years later, people still told stories about Queen Amelia and Elias. Not because they ruled perfectly. But because they ruled joyfully. Their castle became famous for music, jokes, celebrations, and kindness. Visitors often heard laughter echoing through the halls. And every evening, the queen and her husband climbed the tallest hill together to watch the moon. One night Amelia asked: “Why do people call you the boy who made the moon jealous?” Elias smiled. “Because,” he whispered, “every time you laugh, even the moon wishes it could shine as brightly as you.” And just like always— She laughed. The kind of laugh that sounded exactly like happily ever after.
By Diana Joseph 3 months ago in Fiction
What Am I? Create Your Own Cryptid Challenge
After years of being part of the Vocal community, I've finally decided to do something I've been putting off for far too long: host an unofficial writing challenge of my own.
By Mr How3 months ago in Fiction
The Silver Queen
"Who is the Silver Queen?" That's the question that has hit X-Zone Wrestling, a women's wrestling promotion that has been around for a dozen years. The promotion hasn't seen anything like it. The Silver Queen, a mysterious masked villainess in a silver and black outfit and cape, has spent the last five months going after up-and-coming talent, usually sending her henchwomen, Katherine "Ace" Bennett and Justine "Deuce" Paxton, to do her bidding. Details about the Silver Queen were few and far in between. All that was known about her was that she's a seasoned vet; at least 20 years of competing and dominating.
By Clyde E. Dawkins3 months ago in Fiction
Eden
The storm suddenly arrived. Rain hammered against the windows of Anora Kingsley's office as she sat buried beneath stacks of books, journal articles, and unfinished research.
By Amber3 months ago in Fiction