Short Story

The Family - Page by Page
As I sat beside my father's hospital bed, holding his frail hand, I couldn't help but think about the countless mornings we spent together, poring over the daily newspaper. Those moments, once taken for granted, now seemed precious. His eyes, once bright with curiosity, had grown weary, but his spirit remained unbroken. I realized that the traditions he instilled in me were not just habits, but a legacy.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
The Forgotten One
Jamie had never been one for nostalgia. Memories were just that - moments to be remembered and moved on from, not dug up. So when they found an old, dusty box labeled "Home Videos" in the attic of their childhood home, they almost ignored it. Almost.
By Supreeth Nagella2 years ago in Fiction
The Forgotten Date
In this world, you are born knowing the day you die. Marcus knew that he would die on October 14th, 2024. It was the day etched in his mind, and he knew it as deeply as he knew his name. It was as if there was an invisible string attached in his mind pulling him to this date. The certainty of it had shaped his life.
By Supreeth Nagella2 years ago in Fiction
SPACEBORN TO EARTH
Dizzying spirals of light glowed blue and silver through the cruiser’s side windows, dappling the wrinkled faces of its passengers. In the soft glow, they all looked eager, waiting with bated breath to catch a glimpse of Planet Earth, their home.
By Gabriella 2 years ago in Fiction
So LA
Two besties, Meghan and Sarah, meet for Sunday brunch at Meghan’s house. After graduating college together and moving out of the Midwest, Meghan is so happy to still have a friend in Sarah. Los Angeles is certainly an adjustment and if anyone gets it, it’s Sarah.
By Shelby W2 years ago in Fiction
The Summer She Died
The Summer She Died D. A. Ratliff Mindy Thomas died the summer we were eighteen. We planned a fun week at the shore after high school before we went our separate ways. That week was not supposed to end with one of us dying.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
The World of Letters
I never liked soup as a child. One afternoon, after lunch, my mother brought home alphabet soup, saying it would help me learn my letters. I wasn't convinced, but those letters stayed with me, becoming the foundation of my imagination. They built fortresses in my mind, spawning images that sent my imagination soaring to boundless, dizzying heights.
By Lynx👑2 years ago in Fiction
House Of Horror
The town of Elmswood held a mystery, and at its center stood an old mansion known as the "House of Horror." No one could remember when it had been built, or who the original owners were. All they knew was that anyone who dared to enter never returned the same—or at all. It was late October, and the air had a bitter chill that seemed to deepen around the mansion. Locals warned that it was cursed, haunted by restless spirits who had never found peace. But three friends—Ethan, Laura, and Max—had heard the stories their whole lives and couldn’t resist the pull of a thrilling Halloween dare. Their curiosity overcame any warnings as they set out to explore the place that had haunted their childhood nightmares. The mansion loomed as they approached, its dark windows staring back like hollow eyes, and the crumbling bricks whispered of years of abandonment. Vines coiled around the walls like tentacles, as though the house itself were alive. A single, broken lantern flickered at the entrance, casting strange shadows on the cobblestone path. Ethan, the bravest of the three, led them inside, armed with only a flashlight and his phone. The door groaned as it opened, releasing a stale, earthy smell that filled their lungs and made their skin crawl. Inside, the mansion seemed even darker. The walls were lined with faded portraits, each face frozen in an expression of terror or grief. Dust coated every surface, and their footsteps echoed in the emptiness. Max trailed behind, his nerves clearly getting the best of him. “This place feels wrong,” he whispered, as if the house itself were listening. Laura shrugged it off, hiding her own fear behind a laugh. “It’s just an old house. Don’t be such a baby, Max.” They ventured deeper into the mansion, passing through a grand hallway adorned with cracked mirrors and tapestries that had long since lost their color. Their voices seemed swallowed by the silence, and each step felt heavier, as if the house were resisting their presence. Then, they heard it—a faint whisper, barely audible, drifting down the hall. “Did you hear that?” Ethan asked, his voice shaking slightly. They paused, holding their breath, listening. The whisper grew louder, sounding like a woman sobbing. It echoed through the empty halls, weaving around them, making the hairs on their arms stand on end. Laura tried to stay calm, brushing it off. “Probably just the wind,” she muttered, though she knew it was far too real to be ignored. She clutched Ethan’s arm, her fingers digging in harder than she intended. As they moved further, they reached a staircase winding up to the second floor. Shadows seemed to cling to each step, moving unnaturally as their flashlight passed over them. When they finally reached the top, they found a door slightly ajar, revealing a faint, flickering light within. With a mixture of dread and excitement, they pushed it open. Inside was a bedroom frozen in time, as if waiting for someone to return. A child’s toys lay scattered across the floor, covered in dust, and an ornate crib stood against the wall. The walls were painted with cheerful scenes, contrasting sharply with the eerie silence that hung heavy in the room. Ethan picked up one of the toys, a small wooden horse, and as he did, a sudden chill enveloped the room. The air thickened, and they felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow. Max backed up, his face pale. “We need to leave. Now.” But the door slammed shut, trapping them inside. The light flickered out, plunging them into darkness, and the sobbing voice returned, louder this time, filling the room with its agonizing despair. They tried the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Panic set in as they beat against it, their screams swallowed by the house. Just as they felt all hope slipping away, Laura noticed something—an old, tattered journal on a dusty shelf. She grabbed it and flipped it open, scanning the pages. The journal told the story of a young mother who had once lived in the mansion, whose child had died mysteriously. Wracked with grief, she’d lost her mind and was said to haunt the house, searching for her lost baby. Laura clutched the journal to her chest, and a calm fell over her. She spoke into the darkness, telling the spirit she was sorry for her loss, that her child was at peace. The sobbing stopped, and the cold faded. The door creaked open. They fled the mansion, their hearts racing. Outside, they felt the warmth of the autumn air again. Behind them, the House of Horror stood silent, as if satisfied that its story had finally been heard. And as they left, they felt the weight of something dark lift, knowing they had helped a tortured soul find rest.
By zulfi bux2 years ago in Fiction
The Fine Line…
Henry Jenkinson, Corporate Attorney on the cusp of being made a Partner, was wavering between heartbreak and worry. Three days with not a word, Henry being on the verge of calling a wellness check... then out of the blue - BAM! Heartbreak was currently winning, what with the break-up text from his fiance - former fiance? Did it count if he hadn't texted back yet? - staring up at him from his phone screen.
By Natasja Rose2 years ago in Fiction
Blood is Thicker When Summer Falls
The night before summer ended, we were appalled because a murder took place in town. The killer escaped, but we thought he was just roaming around and looking for another victim. The police didn’t arrive at the crime scene until the brother of the victim took him to the town hospital, a facility with limited medical supplies and equipment. The victim didn’t make it. We thronged outside the hospital. Through the stained window glass, we stared at the corpse lying on a stretcher, blood with little sweat streaming out from the right chest and stomach where the double-blade knife had cut through. Some kids, who were usually home at that time of the night, had sneaked out to witness a real corpse. It looked like a butchered hog, the one we usually see during fiestas. But the adults didn’t let them see. They frightened the kids by telling them that the killer was still free.
By M.G. Maderazo2 years ago in Fiction
23 hours of flights later......
Eating Thai Pad the night before was a total mistake. "Ma'am, here’s a moist towelette," the flight attendant said, leaning over me with concern. I had warned my roommate, Heather, that trying new foods right before a marathon of flights wasn’t the best idea. Normally, I’d heed my own advice, but this time I didn’t. So, as I ended up throwing up all over my shirt, the airline blanket, and pretty much everywhere except the bag that was supposed to catch it, I really regretted that decision.
By ᔕᗩᗰ ᕼᗩᖇTY2 years ago in Fiction
The Beast within the Walls
Pulling up to the house aroused more terror than awe. Set back off the road, the tall, three-story home sat awkwardly alone. The closest neighbors were a little over half an acre away, no matter the direction.
By Panda of Pandemonium2 years ago in Fiction