Short Story
The Party Upstairs
When two young men showed up asking to book the upstairs dining room for a dinner party, Bartholemew hadn’t thought much of it. Thursdays tended to be quiet, so, at first he was grateful for the reservation. If he had known that they were part of a notorious influencer’s entourage he would have said no, but by the time the group was deep into their wine and arguing loudly, it was too late to do anything but regret the decision and hope he would at least get paid. The host was a carpenter who’d rebranded himself as a new-age guru, and despite his peace-and-love message, was currently being investigated for a very public table-flipping incident earlier in the week. Bart found himself lurking at the bottom of the stairwell praying that there wouldn’t be any violence or damages.
By J. Otis Haas2 years ago in Fiction
The Secret Door Under the Stairs
Twelve-year-old Ellie wasn’t the kind of girl who liked rules. While her classmates were playing video games or watching cartoons, Ellie spent her afternoons searching for lost things, reading dusty old books, and poking around her grandfather’s creaky house with a flashlight and a sense of determination. It was an old house, full of secrets. The kind of place with floorboards that whispered and wallpaper that peeled in swirls like ancient maps. And Ellie loved it. Ellie wandered into the narrow hallway beneath the grand staircase one rainy afternoon while the wind howled outside and thunder roared in the distance. It was a forgotten area of the house, always dark and a little bit colder than the others. She dragged her fingers along the wooden panels, humming to herself until something unusual happened. **Click. ** She froze. The movement of one of the panels was Curious, Ellie pressed on it. She was able to crawl through a tiny door that popped open. It didn't have a handle or a lock; instead, it had a brass keyhole and swirling carvings that shone in the hallway's dim light. She bent down and looked inside. It was pitch black. Ellie’s heart raced with excitement. She never even considered telling her grandfather. She didn’t grab a coat. She just grabbed her flashlight, took a deep breath, and crawled inside. --- At first, the tunnel was cramped and dusty, filled with cobwebs and the faint scent of lavender and woodsmoke. But as she moved forward, the space widened. The walls began to glow with a soft, bluish light, and the air felt warm, like summer twilight. The tunnel then abruptly came to an end. Ellie stepped out onto soft grass. She blinked. She was no longer in her grandfather’s house. Even though it felt like midday, a forest stretched out in front of her, with glimmering trees with leaves that looked like silver coins, swaying flowers, and a sky filled with stars. A golden-furred fox darted past her, pausing only to wink and look back at her. Ellie stood frozen, breath caught in her chest. She had found a secret world. --- As she wandered, Ellie met a strange and wonderful cast of characters. A talking squirrel with a waistcoat and a collection of magical acorns was Pip. There was Wisp, a wind spirit who guided travelers through the forest with glowing ribbons of light. And there was Luna, a girl no older than Ellie, who claimed to be the Guardian of the Door. With her arms crossed, Luna declared, "You’re not supposed to be here." Ellie blinked. "However... I found the door. It opened for me." Luna stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. “The door only opens for those who need to find it.” Ellie frowned. “What does that mean?” Luna blinked. "Maybe there is a reason you are here. Maybe this world has something to teach you.” --- Over the next few days, Ellie explored the magical realm. She rode on the back of a giant dragonfly, discovered floating islands that drifted like clouds, and learned how to speak to the stars (they were surprisingly chatty). But it wasn’t all fun and sparkle. There was danger everywhere. A creeping shadow had begun to spread—an eerie mist that turned trees to stone and stole voices from creatures who wandered too close. Luna thought it came from a forgotten section of the forest near the world's edge. Ellie was aware, in some way, that the shadow belonged to her. She had arrived at the same time that it began to appear. While Luna and Ellie were sitting by a firefly pond one evening, Ellie admitted, "I think I brought it." Luna did not appear shocked. “Maybe. However, perhaps you are also the one who can halt it." --- So, they made a plan. Ellie, Luna, and Pip journeyed to the heart of the forest. They crossed a bridge made of moonlight, passed through a canyon where the echoes told riddles, and finally arrived at the edge—a swirling wall of shadow. In the center stood a mirror. Ellie could see herself inside, even though it was old and cracked—only this version of her looked scared, unsure, and... sad. Suddenly, she understood. The shadow wasn’t a monster. It was *her fear*. Her fear of growing up, of losing her curiosity, of forgetting how to believe in impossible things. She reached out, placed her hand on the mirror, and whispered, “I’m not afraid anymore.” The mirror shattered into a thousand stardust pieces, and the shadow vanished like smoke. --- They were surrounded by a brighter and shinier world. Trees burst into blossom. The sky lit up with ribbons of light. The forest crooned. “You did it,” Luna said, smiling. “You remembered who you are.” “I think I was always meant to come here,” Ellie said. Luna nodded. “And now… it’s time to go home.” --- Ellie stepped back through the glowing doorway under the stairs. She crawled out into her grandfather’s hallway, just as the clock chimed midnight. She blinked. Everything looked the same… and yet, different. She smiled. She was aware that the door would likely vanish now. It always did, once someone had learned what they needed to. But Ellie didn’t mind. The magic was always with her. And from that day forward, she kept her heart open, her flashlight nearby, and her imagination even closer—because you never know when another secret door might appear.
By Little Dream Stories2 years ago in Fiction
Twisted Needs. Content Warning.
I remember the day she moved in. She looked like nothing special, a thin, mousy woman with a bob haircut and a drab blue-gray dress that cloaked her figure, if she had one at all. To my surprise, she stopped at the door of the vacant apartment right next to mine. I flashed a quick, polite smile, then slid inside my little sanctuary, hoping to avoid any involvement with a new neighbor. For the first few days, all was quiet next door, except for the occasional thud as she rearranged furniture. Soon, I’d practically forgotten she was there.
By Danny Bright Online2 years ago in Fiction
Princess Tilly and the Talking Moon
A young princess by the name of Tilly once lived in the tranquil kingdom of Liora. She was kind, curious, and full of questions. She enjoyed reading, imagining, and exploring, but her greatest passion was the moon. Tilly would sneak out onto her balcony in her fluffy robe every night after the castle had gone to sleep to gaze up at the sky. She felt like she had a friend watching over her because the moon was always bright. In the hope that it was listening, she shared her desires and whispered her secrets to them. Tilly wasn't aware that it was. One night, when the stars were especially bright and the wind whispered through the trees like a lullaby, something magical happened. Tilly murmured, "I wish I had someone to talk to," as she crossed her legs and hugged her knees on her balcony. Someone who understands.” The moon blinked suddenly. Not shimmered. Not twinkled. **It flashed. ** Tilly rubbed her eyes, thinking she was just sleepy. But then she heard a gentle, soft voice that sounded like wind chimes and she heard it. ** "Good morning, Princess Tilly." ** She let out a gasp and looked around. No one was there. **“Up here,”** the voice said again, warmer this time. Tilly noticed the moon smiling at her when she looked up. Yes, actually *smiling*. It spoke with a voice that made her heart feel like it was wrapped in a warm blanket and had kind eyes and a glowing round face. "Are you... talking to me?" She spoke softly. "Of course," the Moon replied. ** "I've been paying close attention to your wishes for a long time. I thought I would respond to one tonight. ** Tilly’s mouth fell open. “You *can* talk!” **“Only to those who truly believe,”** said the Moon. **"And you, dear Tilly, have a sincere belief in magic." ** Her smile warmed her cheeks. “Will you stay and talk with me?” **“For as long as you like.” ** And so began a beautiful friendship. --- Tilly would sit with the Moon each night after everyone in the castle fell asleep quickly. They talked about dreams and stars, how clouds tasted (the Moon said they tasted like marshmallows), and how it sometimes felt to be the only one awake while everyone else was sleeping. **“Do you ever feel alone?” ** Tilly inquired one evening. For a brief moment, the Moon was silent. **“Sometimes,”** it admitted. **“But then I think of all the little dreamers like you who watch me. That makes the sky feel a little less empty.” ** Tilly smiled. “Well, you’ll never be alone again. I'll call you each night." She also did. The Moon taught her how to spot constellations and told her the ancient stories behind them—like the brave bear who chased the northern winds, or the sleepy whale that carried wishes on its back. In turn, Tilly related tales from her kingdom to the Moon, such as about the knight who was afraid of frogs or the royal cook who sang to her soup. Every story, every whisper, made their bond grow brighter. But not everyone in the castle understood. One morning, at breakfast, the Queen noticed Tilly yawning. “My dear, you must sleep more,” she said gently. “A growing princess needs her rest.” Tilly grinned sleepily, "I was talking to the Moon." The Queen and King exchanged puzzled looks. “The… Moon?” her father asked kindly. Tilly said with pride, "Yes." He's a friend of mine. He listens when no one else does.” She could tell they didn't believe her when they smiled and patted her hand. That night, as she sat on the balcony with a blanket wrapped around her, Tilly sighed. “Moon? Why doesn’t anyone believe me?” **“Because grown-ups often forget how to listen with their hearts,”** the Moon replied gently. **“But you haven’t. Your magic is stronger because of that. ** Tilly nodded slowly. "I just wish I could demonstrate your realness." **“You don’t have to prove anything,”** said the Moon. ** "Our friendship shines bright enough for us both." ** But the Moon had a plan. --- The very next evening, the entire kingdom was invited to a grand stargazing celebration. The Queen thought it would help Tilly feel better. “We’ll watch the stars together,” she said. “Maybe you can show us your favorite.” Families gathered in the royal garden that evening. Blankets were spread, cocoa was served, and everyone looked up. The sky shimmered suddenly. The Moon rose higher than ever before, brighter than anyone had seen. But something was different. As the crowd gasped, golden letters began to glow across the sky like sparkling fireworks: "THANK YOU, PRINCESS TILLY—KEEP DREAMING," she exclaimed. The crowd stopped talking. Tilly’s parents looked at her in awe. "Did you... do this?" her mother whispered. Tilly smiled. “He did. My friend.” From that night on, no one questioned Tilly’s magic again. Every child in the kingdom looked up at the moon at night in the hope that they would also hear its whispers, the Moon becoming a symbol of hope and wonder throughout the kingdom. --- And as for Tilly, she never stopped talking to the Moon. She always made time to sit under the stars and share her dreams with her friend who had listened when no one else had. She did this even as she got taller and wiser, and eventually ruled the kingdom herself. Because some friendships last a lifetime.
By Little Dream Stories2 years ago in Fiction
The Echo in the Empty Jar . AI-Generated.
In the quiet village of Eldreign, nestled between the folds of two mist-wrapped hills, there stood a peculiar little shop known only as *Whittaker’s Curiosities*. Most folks walked past it without a second glance. Its crooked sign swayed in the breeze, the letters barely legible under the dust of years. But those who entered never forgot the feeling that something inside had seen more than time itself.
By "TaleAlchemy"2 years ago in Fiction
Little Red Riding Hood
Once upon a time, in a quiet village at the edge of a big forest, there lived a sweet girl named Lily. She was kind, cheerful, and helpful to everyone. But what made her most special was the red hooded cloak her grandmother had sewn for her. She wore it so often that people began to call her Little Red Riding Hood, and the name stuck.
By Jeno Treshan 2 years ago in Fiction
I Love You?
It was kind of a dull Saturday night until she walked in. He was on his second PBR in a cocktail glass by then. The bartenders at Le Domain were never this free and he could see how easily they switched glasses, bottles and cans from hand to hand, often between each other as a kind of test. Almost hypnotic to see as he leaned on his stool and let his finger play games with the too-large piece of lime in his glass. After his third hit, he’d head home and call it a dud of a night. The music was some sort of trap track he could not name (getting old, aren’t we?). The lights were darker than he remembered from his first time in that bar (wearing shades was not a good idea; “I wear my sunglasses at night…” That damn song). And the drink was truly awful (why were there so many tips on that counter?). It was a dud. It was a bad night.
By Kendall Defoe 2 years ago in Fiction
Ebb and Flow. Content Warning.
"Whatever you decide to do in this moment, Valdis, I understand and support you." Those words did not make this any easier, as I stood there frozen by indecision. My heart, soul and mind were locked in a impossible conflict. What would be the right choice in this moment? There had to be one right choice... but I could not determine what it was.
By Luna Verity2 years ago in Fiction
