Short Story
Early Bird
In a small, bustling village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests, there lived a young girl named Eliza. She was known throughout the village for her cheerful disposition and unyielding curiosity. Eliza had a unique habit—she loved waking up at the crack of dawn. The villagers affectionately called her "Early Bird."
By Kingsley Egeke2 years ago in Fiction
Beauty and the Beast
The girl looks dangerously thin. When they lift her to carry her off the stage, the gurney jerks upward. The mother climbs into the back of the ambulance. You can tell she's the mother. They look a lot alike, although she probably prefers people to mistake her for an older sister.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Fierce Tears. Content Warning.
I don't know how, but, mother, you are alive again. I have mourned you for two years. I have wept and cursed at what happened to you. I have raged at the callous systems and careless politicians who created a living hell and then imprisoned you there, where your body curled and withered, a prison within a prison, condemned to a suffocating descent towards a choking death, terrified and alone.
By Addison Alder2 years ago in Fiction
The Lost Child in Metro
### Lost in the Metro **It was a busy Saturday afternoon** when eight-year-old Sophie and her mother decided to take the metro to visit the city zoo. Sophie was excited as she loved animals and couldn’t wait to see the lions and elephants. The metro station was crowded with people rushing to their destinations, and the air was filled with the sounds of chatter and train announcements. Sophie held her mother’s hand tightly as they made their way to the platform. “Stay close, Sophie,” her mother said. “The metro can be very busy, and I don’t want us to get separated.” “I will, Mom,” Sophie replied, her eyes wide with excitement. **When the train arrived,** people pushed and hurried to get inside. Sophie and her mother squeezed in and found a spot to stand. The train was packed, and Sophie had to hold onto a pole to keep her balance. As the train started moving, she looked around at the other passengers, some reading, some talking, and others just staring out the window. A few stops later, the train jerked suddenly, causing Sophie to lose her grip on the pole. She stumbled and fell, and in the confusion, she let go of her mother’s hand. By the time she stood up, she couldn’t see her mother anywhere. Panic started to rise in her chest. “Mom? Mom, where are you?” she called out, but her voice was drowned by the noise of the train and the chatter of the passengers. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. **The train stopped at the next station**, and Sophie decided to get off. She thought maybe her mother had already left the train and was waiting for her on the platform. As she stepped off, the doors closed behind her, and she found herself in a sea of people. Sophie looked around frantically, but there was no sign of her mother. She felt scared and alone. She remembered what her mother had always told her to do if she ever got lost: find a police officer or a metro worker and ask for help. **She spotted a metro worker** in a bright orange vest standing near the ticket booth. Sophie wiped her tears and walked over to him. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ve lost my mom.” The metro worker, whose name was Mr. Jenkins, looked down at her kindly. “Don’t worry, little one,” he said gently. “We’ll find your mom. What’s your name?” “Sophie,” she replied, sniffling. “Okay, Sophie. Let’s go to the control room and make an announcement. Your mom might hear it and come find you,” Mr. Jenkins said. **They walked to the control room**, where Mr. Jenkins spoke into a microphone. “Attention passengers, we have a lost child named Sophie here at the station. If you are her parent or guardian, please come to the control room.” Sophie sat in a chair, swinging her legs nervously. She hoped her mother would hear the announcement and come soon. She looked around the control room, with its monitors and buttons, trying to distract herself from her worry. **Meanwhile, Sophie’s mother** was frantically searching the metro. She had realized Sophie was not with her as soon as the train doors closed. She got off at the next stop and took the train back, looking for Sophie at every station. When she heard the announcement about Sophie, she felt a wave of relief. She rushed to the control room as fast as she could. “Sophie!” her mother called out as she entered the room. Sophie jumped up and ran to her mother, tears streaming down her face. “Mom!” she cried, hugging her tightly. “I was so scared!” **Sophie’s mother knelt down** and hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Sophie. I was scared too. I’m so glad you’re safe.” Mr. Jenkins smiled at them. “I’m glad you found each other. Remember to always stay close in busy places like the metro.” “Thank you, Mr. Jenkins,” Sophie’s mother said gratefully. “We will.” **As they left the control room**, Sophie held her mother’s hand tightly, not wanting to let go. They decided to take a break from their zoo trip and went to a nearby café to relax and calm down. Over hot chocolate and cookies, Sophie’s mother explained the importance of staying together in crowded places and what to do if they ever got separated again. Sophie listened carefully, feeling much better now that she was safe with her mother. **The rest of the day**, they stayed close and enjoyed their time together. They did eventually make it to the zoo, and Sophie saw the lions and elephants she had been so excited about. But the best part of the day was knowing that, no matter what, her mother would always find her and keep her safe. **Tags:** - Lost Child - Metro Adventure - Parent-Child Bond - Safety - Reunion - Crowded Places - Kindness of Strangers - Panic and Relief - Family - Urban Exploration
By Karl Nicken 2 years ago in Fiction
The Morro Angler
Jay grew up in a foggy coastal town with a huge rock at the end of the harbor that he thought resembled an old flaky chocolate Hershey’s kiss. However, in elementary school, he learned that the great Spanish explorer, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo named it Morro Rock which means crown shaped mountain in Spanish. Later while in high school he recalled a local native American student in his class correcting the teacher about who truly founded it. She emphatically exclaimed to the class,
By Tony Martello2 years ago in Fiction
Unopened letter
The sky was always a brilliant blue. A letter—just sitting there, unopened, on the kitchen countertop. Armino’s collar jingled as he sniffed around the half-heartedly packed cartons, searching for any hint of his absent owners, but the house was quiet. The drooping ferns and wilted Calathea plants—she had forgotten they ever existed. His muddy shoes, caked with the grime of untrodden paths, rested by the door, with several illegally purchased 5-milligram Percocet pills crushed beneath them. The wind chimes hung motionless today. A shattered vase lay neglected on the floor. Their laughter had once inundated this cozy, dimly lit space. The faded sepia-toned Polaroid of their first vacation together was now crumpled and discarded in the trash.
By Sidra Anjum2 years ago in Fiction
