Short Story
The Persistence of the Night Shift
NIGHT SHIFT The solar sits where the hospital used to be. No one calls it anything else. It doesn’t need a name anymore. Broken concrete. Wet bricks. Cables pulled from walls like something that was never meant to be visible. A piece of chewing gum stuck to a stone near the entrance path—pink at first, now grey, flattened by months of weather and nothing else. It stays because there is no request to remove it.
By Lorena Alonso5 months ago in Fiction
The Day I Came Home
On the worst day of my life, my dog wasn’t waiting for me. The night before, I sat at the dinner table alone after going out for a couple drinks after work. Even Charlie, my faithful Terrier, had disappeared after briefly greeting me at the door.
By Adam Kolozetti5 months ago in Fiction
Lucas/Mari. Runner-Up in The Unhappy Ending Challenge. Top Story - April 2026.
Lucas stumbled, grunting as his knee slammed into the hard dirt of the Durn Forest Hill path. He checked his pocket for the hundredth time, sighed in relief, then brushed at the dirt and grass staining his brown corduroys.
By Aaron Morrison5 months ago in Fiction
Blazing Thoughts
The fire lit the area as the darkness surrounded it. The night was dry, showing the end of summer. The trees were tall, barely visible in the surrounding darkness. Stars sparked overhead, too numerous to count. Andrew looked at the sky as the night continued, letting his thoughts wander among the many stars and the galaxies. He had a calmness he had not seen in months of working in a big city, a quiet comfort far from the deadlines and busyness back home. Looking up, he realized how small his stresses seemed under the endless sky in this small world. A longing grew inside him to hold onto this silence, this feeling of belonging to seeing something bigger than himself. The fire flickered, burning through its last logs and turning into ashes. This trip was the perfect outdoor escape. When the fire was nearly out, Andrew grabbed the bucket of water and doused it. Only Andrew's flashlight lit the way as he walked to his tent. The night was beautiful, but morning would soon arrive. He needed rest to enjoy his last day before returning to work. Before settling in, he took one final look at the stars, promising himself he would remember this trip and the calm it brought to him.
By Sarah Danaher5 months ago in Fiction
Rejected
Beads of sweat gathered on Albert’s forehead as the boss rattled off the testing procedures at breakneck speed. He stayed silent, too afraid to interrupt, knowing his work visa could be revoked for any reason, sending him back across the border. Still, he was determined to do a good job.
By Steve Lance5 months ago in Fiction
Sometimes the kindest souls carry the heaviest burdens in silence”
Written by (Matiullah) Subtitle: “Sometimes the kindest souls carry the heaviest burdens in silence” Once there was a young man named Bilal who lived in a small town. He was known by everyone as a kind and honest person. He always helped others, spoke politely, and never hurt anyone intentionally. If someone needed help, Bilal was always the first to stand beside them. Whether it was lending money, helping in work, or supporting someone emotionally, he never said no. People respected him, but slowly something strange started happening in his life. Despite being a good person, Bilal faced many problems. He lost money when people didn’t return what they borrowed. Some people took advantage of his kindness. Others ignored him when he needed help. One day, Bilal sat alone and thought, “Why does this always happen to me?” “I never hurt anyone… then why do I suffer more?” He became confused and hurt. One evening, Bilal helped a friend by giving him a large amount of money in his difficult time. That friend promised to return it soon. But days passed… weeks passed… and then months. The friend stopped answering his calls. Bilal felt deeply broken. It was not just about money—it was about trust. That night, he couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking, “Is being a good person a mistake?” The next day, Bilal went to a nearby park to clear his mind. He saw an old man sitting calmly under a tree. The old man noticed Bilal’s sad face and asked, “My son, what troubles your heart?” Bilal shared everything—his kindness, his struggles, and how people treated him badly. The old man listened quietly and then smiled. He said, “Good people don’t suffer because they are weak… they suffer because they have a soft heart in a hard world.” Bilal was surprised and asked, “Then should I stop being good?” The old man shook his head and replied, “No. Never stop being good. But learn to be wise.” Bilal asked, “What do you mean?” The old man explained, “Being good does not mean trusting everyone. Being kind does not mean allowing others to hurt you. A good person must also know when to say no.” These words touched Bilal deeply. The old man continued, “The world is not always fair. Some people will use your kindness for their benefit. But that does not mean kindness is wrong—it means you must protect it.” Bilal sat quietly, thinking about his past. He realized that he was kind, but he was not careful. He trusted everyone without understanding their intentions. From that day, Bilal decided to change—not his goodness, but his approach. He continued helping others, but now he used his mind along with his heart. He learned to set boundaries. He helped those who truly needed it and stayed away from those who misused his kindness. Slowly, his life started to improve. He felt more peaceful. He was still a good person, but now he was also strong. One day, the same friend who had taken his money came back. He asked for help again. Bilal looked at him calmly and said, “I forgive you, but I cannot trust you again.” For the first time, Bilal felt powerful—not because he refused help, but because he respected himself. Years later, Bilal became known not only as a kind man but also as a wise one. He understood that suffering made him stronger. It taught him lessons that no book could teach. In life, good people often suffer more because: They trust easily They give without expecting They feel deeply But their suffering is not useless. It shapes their character and teaches them the truth about the world. Being good is never a weakness. But being good without wisdom can lead to pain. So, never stop being a good person—but always protect your heart. Moral: “Being kind is a strength, but being wise protects that strength.”
By Matiullah k5 months ago in Fiction
He Ruled the Jungle—Until One Tiny Bird Changed Him Forever
Raghav ruled the jungle like a king—feared, respected, and never questioned. From the highest branches of the tallest trees, he watched over his kingdom with pride. Every movement in the forest seemed to follow his command, and every monkey bowed to his strength. In his mind, strength was the only truth that mattered.
By hamad khan5 months ago in Fiction
He Ruled the Jungle—Until One Tiny Bird Changed Him Forever
Raghav ruled the jungle like a king—feared, respected, and never questioned. From the highest branches of the tallest trees, he watched over his kingdom with pride. Every movement in the forest seemed to follow his command, and every monkey bowed to his strength. In his mind, strength was the only truth that mattered.
By hamad khan5 months ago in Fiction
