Short Story

Happy to Have You. Top Story - June 2026.
Sheryl shifted in the hard plastic chair. The pleasantries were over and the business of report cards and progress reports concluded without any great surprise. A glance to her watch told her there were two minutes left until she had to vacate the chair for the next parent. Okay, Mom, she thought to herself. Time for the hard part. She took in a long breath, then asked the question.
By Rebekah Conard4 months ago in Fiction
Baby. Content Warning.
"You sure you don't want to come?" I did not turn my head to look at Charlie when he asked me this. The clouds above looked just like the ones on the cottage tapestry in my bedroom. Bright pink, reflected in the lake water, surrounded by evergreens. Grant had bought it so I could cover up my picturesque view of the neighbouring condo building.
By Simone Rocca4 months ago in Fiction
Superposition
When we were in middle school, my twin brother Theo discovered a series of books called, "Whiz Kid Science". They were short books, full of complex concepts broken down to a child's level through colorful illustrations and word bubbles. For months, he parroted random facts about planetary orbits and microorganisms with very little understanding about their real world application. My parents largely ignored him. They were devout evangelicals, contentedly raised on creationist theory with very little interest into digging deeper into God's mysteries. That left me as the primary target for Theo's peacocking. For three months straight, I unwillingly learned about every scientific topic under the sun. Like most interests at that age, his science phase finally came to an end, and he finished out the summer dedicating himself to a future in the NBA instead. His brief interest in science was a memory I had long forgotten, one that only resurfaced in the aftermath of the accident.
By Moody4 months ago in Fiction
Through a Hidden Cave by the River. Honorable Mention in They Shouldn’t Have Come Here Challenge.
Dylan could hear the barking of dogs. They were not small, that the boy well knew, but he did not want to stay still long enough to find out. He instead ran as quick as his teenage legs could carry him. His coat tore on branches and nettles stung his ankles, but he could not stop. His regret was near instant.
By Ian Read4 months ago in Fiction
Good Luck
“Good luck.” Lance’s bass tone came through the line with a weird lack of inflection. “What?” I picked up with my left hand while I was fumbling with my gym bag. Right when he called, it had gotten stuck in the trunk of the cab somehow and I was trying to wrench it out.
By Alicia Anspaugh4 months ago in Fiction
Chosen Ones
Tod and I pulled in front of the Matchbox Inn weary from traveling; aware it would be a few more days before our home was ready to move into, needing a few touch-ups as owner called it. Yet, so excited for a new chapter in a quaint little town. The Inn is at best a two-star motel, yet it's the only thing offered in the town as far as lodging accommodations. All of our things are in storage ready for transport when home becomes available.
By Kami R. Taylons4 months ago in Fiction
The Biscuit Tin Was Not on the Intake Form
The Biscuit Tin Was Not on the Intake Form By the time Celia Bright arrived to audit the therapy room, the house had already hidden the good biscuits, warned the chickens, and moved the elephant slightly behind the curtain so as not to appear confrontational.
By Teena Quinn 4 months ago in Fiction
My Restroom Your Restroom
The day was overcast, not so rainy as it was cloudy and cool. I pulled my car into the rest stop off Interstate 40, on the way to Nashville, Tennessee. I needed to get out and stretch my legs as much as I needed to use the facilities.
By Michael Root4 months ago in Fiction
Turning Cartwheels
“Sorry, did I do something wrong?” The woman, Helen, did not look as if she was sorry. She did not look as if she thought she had done something wrong. Elena looked at her, hips jutting, shoulders wide, toilet brush held like a baton at the ready, and measured her answer carefully.
By Hannah Moore4 months ago in Fiction
”Friend”
She knew she shouldn’t have come. She’d been dreading this day from the moment she saw the little envelope taped to the wall above Winston’s backpack hook. “Friend” it read. She knew what it was. She hadn’t seen one in a while, ever, maybe.
By jl wood4 months ago in Fiction
Crushing Gravity. Runner-Up in They Shouldn’t Have Come Here Challenge.
I stood beneath the rusted awning of the train platform, shivering at the brisk air of midnight. Most commuters had gone to bed by now, and by dark the station belong to vermin, steam vents, and the desperate. The last inbound train was supposed to arrive any time now.
By Annie4 months ago in Fiction
The Other Side of the Beach. Honorable Mention in They Shouldn’t Have Come Here Challenge. Top Story - June 2026.
"It goes so far down," Dean mused, standing at the edge of his towel and shading his eyes against a nonexistent sun. It was not a good day for the beach, and the limited others scattered about on the sand attested to this. The air was cold as a witch's tit as it scoured the ever-expanding bald patch on the crest of his head- but not as cold as the brief look Pam gave him before adjusting her own towel and unfolding her chair.
By Raistlin Allen4 months ago in Fiction