Short Story
The Passion. Winner in The Unhappy Ending Challenge.
Later, it was acknowledged that the heat that year had been unusually intense. Further, the weather had been dry, and at the back of the line of penitents scuffing the earth with their bare feet, Danilo must have breathed a lot of dust into his lungs on the walk up the hill. Domingo said that Danilo had complained of a pain in his heart even before the procession started, but Miguel knew that Domingo had been in his house with the blinds still closed before the procession started, and so if Danilo said that he had a pain in his heart, it had not been to Domingo. Besides, anyone would have a pain in their heart if they were preparing to be crucified.
By Hannah Moore5 months ago in Fiction
A Decision That Changed Everything
Mariam had not been expecting anything important at that hour. She had been sitting by her small apartment window, staring at the distant city lights, her thoughts tangled in the quiet chaos of her life. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of her laptop screen and the faint hum of passing cars below.
By Cozy Living Hub5 months ago in Fiction
The Note I Cannot Read. Winner in The Unhappy Ending Challenge. Top Story - April 2026.
April 11th, 2001 I remember when poetry was young, and my voice was... fresh. I think that's the word. Fresh. A gentle summer's breeze would captivate and hold my attention as I wrought its legacy on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. I recall with glee the sound of ducks at the pond quacking for scraps of breadcrumbs from the children who had harassed their parents to leave the gardening for a few hours.
By Paul Stewart5 months ago in Fiction
The Last Passenger on the Bus… Wasn’t Human. AI-Generated.
The bus was almost empty when I stepped inside. It was one of those late-night rides you only take when you have no other option. The streets were quiet, and the flickering streetlights made everything feel unreal. As I handed over the fare, the driver didn’t say a word. He just nodded slowly, like he had been expecting me.
By Dark Story Teller5 months ago in Fiction
Defying Freedom. Content Warning.
Rye had always been aware that her burden was much heavier than others'. That had been clear from the lifelong training she had endured under countless teachers, whom her parents had sent her to as soon as they could. These teachers taught her how to fight, how to pickpocket, how to blend in and be invisible. Yet, even though Rye despised the attention without the need to hide, she always managed to find herself at the center of attention, inducing drama. Whether it be her saving a girl from some old creep who had been following her, or battling a group of trouble-making fools choosing to cause a fuss in the market space. Rye knew she had been practically raised to be heartless and cold, but she couldn’t help but yearn to protect those who had no idea of the atrocities that hid just under their noses.
By Monica Carneiro5 months ago in Fiction
Say Her Name
Sweetheart, you look a little upset. I can fully understand why. There are certain things you expect to work the way they are supposed to, and you’re not getting that. I think that I would be upset too if I were in your shoes. I kind of knew that I would have some explaining to do when you woke up.
By David E. Perry5 months ago in Fiction
Fighting Fire with Fire
Methoataske, or Metho as she preferred to be called, fought to get her breathing under control as her hands trembled on the plane’s yoke. They...she knew that this mission wasn’t going to be easy. That the Death Bringers would definitely fight back with everything that they had. That this mission was likely to fail.
By Rebecca Patton5 months ago in Fiction
The Little Sting Cold Sores
The Little Sting Cold Sores It usually starts before you even see it. A small sting, almost like the skin is warning you, and if you’ve had one before, you already know what is coming. You might try to ignore it, carry on with your day, but by the time you pass a mirror and take a proper look, there it is forming, small, tight, and unwelcome.
By ♿ V+ Marie381Uk 5 months ago in Fiction
