Short Story

Broken Girl
The Broken Girl Emily sat by the window, watching the rain slide down the glass. She traced the drops with her finger, feeling as heavy as the gloomy weather outside. Her room, once full of color and happiness, now felt cold and empty. Emily didn’t know when it started, but over time, she had become a broken girl.
By Kelly James2 years ago in Fiction
Open Letter to Quentin Tarantino
Dear Mr. Tarantino, After driving a thousand miles to my gold claim in Western Arizona I found my business partner totally indoctrinated by your podcast. At this moment he’s cranked out on NoDoz en route to Hollywood to cash in on this “once in a lifetime opportunity” that’s been stuck in his skull since hearing your Feb 6th episode. That’s where he got the crazy idea that used VCR machine sales are about to skyrocket. “No more digging up this goddamned desert,” he told me on the phone. “I’ll knock the dust off some old Sony Super VHS HiFi Stereo Units and make a killing off geeks like Tarantino and that Avary character he hangs out with.”
By Miguel Lasala2 years ago in Fiction
The Death of Steven Henley
It was a slow death. Steven Henley didn’t see it coming. His friends sure did. The event took place at the Rosewood Pub in downtown Brooklyn. A small group of friends had gathered to pay their last respects to a man they used to know.
By Scott A. Gese2 years ago in Fiction
2050
The year 2050 is a time of old-fashioned ways. This highway once where cars traveled is now a road for horse and buggy or buckboards galore. Gas is no longer viable due to global warming getting worse. Power grids are failing, and we are now going back to kerosene lamps and fireplaces for heating and light. If one is lucky one can still find batteries to use if one still has various kinds of lanterns for light. I find myself doing most of my work during the day and usually going to sleep with the chickens.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Fiction
I Wish I Was An Alien
In the small, sleepy town of Elmswood, 17-year-old Iris Thorn lived a life of monotony. The gray skies mirrored her soul, and her heart yearned for something more. She often sat atop the hill behind her home, staring into the vast universe, whispering her secret wish to the stars: *"I wish I was an alien."* Unlike her peers, who thrived on socializing and TikTok trends, Iris felt like an outsider. Her sharp intellect, fascination with extraterrestrial life, and vivid dreams of strange worlds set her apart. She wore her difference like armor, but deep down, she longed for a connection she had never found among humans. One cold January night, Iris's world turned upside down. Wrapped in a woolen blanket, she sat on her hill with her telescope. The skies were unusually clear, the stars twinkling like diamonds. But one star outshone the rest—a blazing orb that seemed to move closer. As the light grew, her pulse quickened. It wasn't a star. It was a ship. The craft landed soundlessly in the meadow below. It shimmered like liquid silver, its surface rippling as though alive. Iris stood frozen, heart pounding, as a hatch opened. From the glowing interior emerged a being unlike anything she had imagined. Tall and slender, with luminescent skin that shifted colors like a living nebula, the alien radiated an aura of calm. Its large, obsidian eyes studied her with a mixture of curiosity and recognition. "Iris Thorn," the being said in a voice that resonated directly in her mind, bypassing language. "You have called us many times. Tonight, we answer." Stunned, Iris stammered, "You... you heard me?" "We hear all who seek the stars. Few are worthy of an answer. But you, child of Earth, are not what you seem." Confusion gripped her. "What do you mean? I'm just... me." The alien extended a hand, a soft glow emanating from its palm. "Come. Your questions will find answers aboard the Celestara." Against all logic, Iris felt an undeniable pull toward the being. She stepped forward, her hand trembling as it met the alien's. In an instant, they were aboard the ship. The interior was breathtaking—a kaleidoscope of light and energy, with walls that shifted to display vast galaxies. Iris felt weightless, yet anchored by a comforting presence. "Where are we?" she whispered. "Everywhere and nowhere," the alien replied. "This ship exists beyond the confines of your reality. Now, let me show you who you are." The alien placed a hand on her forehead, and a surge of warmth flooded her mind. Memories that weren't her own surfaced—glimpses of a world bathed in eternal twilight, creatures soaring on iridescent wings, and a race of beings identical to the alien before her. "You are one of us, Iris," the being revealed. "You were sent to Earth as an infant, a seed of our people, hidden among humans to preserve our legacy. The time has come for you to return." Disbelief coursed through her. "No. That can't be true. I'm human. I have a family, a life..." "Your human life was a gift—a chance to learn their ways, to see their beauty and flaws. But your essence is ours. That is why you never felt at home." Tears welled in Iris's eyes. It explained so much—her unshakable feeling of being different, her dreams of otherworldly landscapes, and her insatiable curiosity about the cosmos. Yet, the revelation tore at her heart. "Do I have to leave Earth?" she asked. "Not entirely," the alien said. "You are a bridge between worlds. You can choose to stay, to guide humanity toward a brighter future, or to join us among the stars. The choice is yours." Iris stared out at the infinite expanse displayed on the ship's walls. She thought of her family, her lonely existence, and the chance to finally belong. The weight of the decision pressed on her chest. "I don't know what to do," she admitted. The alien placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen to your heart, Iris. It will guide you." After what felt like hours, she made her decision. "If I'm a bridge, I have to stay. I want to help humanity. But I also want to know my people, my origins." The alien nodded, its eyes shimmering with approval. "A wise choice. We will remain connected. Whenever you need us, look to the stars." With a wave of its hand, Iris found herself back on the hill, the ship a glowing speck rising into the heavens. She clutched a small, pulsating crystal left in her palm—a token of her heritage. From that night on, Iris's life transformed. She became a voice of hope and unity in her community, her knowledge and empathy inspiring those around her. And though she remained on Earth, she knew she was never truly alone. The stars were her home, and someday, she would return.
By zulfi bux2 years ago in Fiction
Caged Blossom
"Sir, you need to wake up." Alex jolted in his seat, his eyelids heavy and his mind still hazy from yet another futile attempt at getting some much-needed sleep. The low tremble of the ticket holder's voice thrummed like a bass drum, cutting through Alex's restless haze. "Sorry, Jake. The nights feel longer these days. I can't seem to get any sleep." Alex said as he picked up his lunch cooler; the fibers were worn out, and what once was a bright blue had been smudged black with the grime of countless shifts at the Klein assembly line in Berlin. There is not much to look at, but it did the job. "No problem, sir, and good luck." Jake's dark brown eyes lingered on Alex, heavy with sympathy he didn't voice. "Thanks, Jake, for all your kindness these past few days. I guess it's hard to hide your troubles when they are closing down a company as big as the Klein assembly line."
By Wilfred Heath 2 years ago in Fiction
The Courage to Walk Away: A Woman’s First Step to Freedom (A Short Story)
'The moment I discovered my husband’s betrayal, I thought my world had ended—but it was only the beginning of a new one.' Lisa stood in the dimly lit kitchen, the sun kissing her pale skin, her hands trembling as she carefully wrapped the positive pregnancy test in tissue paper and slipped it into a small gift box. Tonight, she would tell Ethan. Her heart swelled with hope and joy; this was the news they’d dreamed of, the beginning of a new chapter. But the universe had other plans.
By Luna Moon2 years ago in Fiction
In the Shadow of Skyforest
The Skyforests were alive in ways only Aria could truly understand. As she walked through the bioluminescent grove, her boots sank into the soft moss, releasing a faint earthy scent that mingled with the sweet aroma of blooming nightflowers.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
The Screams of Silence. AI-Generated.
They sat across from each other in a small room. The air was thick, as if each particle was stretched tight by an invisible tension. The wall clock ticked away, each second carving a sharp, haunting rhythm into the silence.
By Thanh Tee2 years ago in Fiction
The Echo in the Cave
Located atop the snow-capped Eryndel Mountains was a secret cavern called the "Cave of Echoes." According to the villagers, it was charmed and anyone who went in and cried out their problems would hear an echo that had the knowledge they were looking for. Because the voyage was perilous and the cave itself seemed to pick those it aided, few dared to test the claim.
By widom chinaza2 years ago in Fiction
The Chameleon
Len pauses outside the door, still hearing laughter he created echoing within the home. Visions of people holding their sides or spraying liquid alcoholic drinks from compressed lips, in fear of choking upon it, still clear in his mind. Comic relief, which is what he has become, a comedian offering respite from more serious events of life. He gives joy to those in pain or living dull tedious day to day existences. He would rather see people happy then sad. Len knew all too well about feeling worthless. Therefore, he chose to be the life of the party, so others know happiness.
By JBaz2 years ago in Fiction
The Twice Given Ring
Same woman same ring different circumstances Gladys Duncan was 75. She had been a widow for longer than she had been married. Although she loved her husband, after he passed she decided the experience was one she didn't want to repeat. She kept her memories close to her heart and spent her days out in the garden with her beloved flowers. One day as she was using a hoe to work the soil around one of her beloved rose bushes, a bright glimmer of light caught her eye and she was drawn to it.
By Scott A. Gese2 years ago in Fiction