Young Adult
High Yellow, Blue-black
Pencils sketched the dimensions of the product bottles and squeeze tubes. Sounds of erasing and rubber dust being swept off of paper created a symphony of productiveness. Computer screens matched the analog activity. A distant hum of the machines in the factory drove the minds of the engineers and artists that knew exactly what to do. When the time came for a break, thirty-one-year-old Galina Hoffstra looked at the snack machine and selected probiotics infused with fruit flavored water and celery. Her selections didn’t bore her. They propelled her mind to think. Even more than the gentle droning of the machinery in the background.
By Skyler Saunders2 years ago in Fiction
Toxic
I stood there, too warm from the alcohol to feel the cold March air, a cigarette between my fingers. “You know what Ange, you’re being an asshole. I’m leaving,” Lia stared, waiting for me to stop her. It was 2009, the night of my twentieth birthday, and Lia had been in a mood long before we got to the bar. “Cool. You’ve been anti-social all night. I don’t know why you came if this is how you were going to be,” I waved the smoke as I spoke. I knew she hated when I smoked. “You didn’t wait for me to finish my Starbucks before we went in!” “I wasn’t going to let all our friends, who came here together with me, WITHOUT an unnecessary frappucino, go in without me when the room was booked in my name. You came in and sat at the opposite end of the table as me, with people you don’t even speak to, and just stared off into space all night. You could have stayed home.” I put my hand to my mouth, ready to take a long drag.
By Alex Boone2 years ago in Fiction
Shadows of Sorrow Between The AssHole
In the quiet town of Willow Creek, nestled amidst rolling hills and thick forests, there lived a family haunted by shadows of sorrow. The Jacobs family, once the epitome of happiness and harmony, now found themselves trapped in a web of tragedy and despair. At the heart of this tale of woe was Sarah Jacobs, a woman whose radiant smile once lit up the darkest of days. But now, her eyes were dull and haunted, reflecting the pain that gnawed at her soul. Ever since the accident that claimed the lives of her beloved husband and youngest daughter, Sarah had been consumed by grief. Her eldest son, Michael, bore the weight of his family's sorrow on his broad shoulders. Once a carefree youth with dreams of a bright future, Michael now toiled day and night to provide for his mother and siblings. But despite his efforts, the bills piled up, and the creditors grew increasingly ruthless in their demands. To make matters worse, the town of Willow Creek was plagued by mischievous monsters that prowled the streets after dark. These vile creatures, born of darkness and malice, struck fear into the hearts of the townsfolk with their wicked deeds. They vandalized homes, terrorized children, and spread chaos wherever they went. Sarah and Michael did their best to protect their family from these malevolent beings, but their efforts seemed futile against the relentless onslaught of evil. Night after night, they barricaded themselves inside their home, praying for the dawn to chase away the shadows that haunted their dreams. But the monsters were not the only threat that loomed over the Jacobs family. They also faced intimidation and harassment from a group of ruthless thugs who sought to exploit their vulnerability for their own gain. Led by the sinister figure known only as "The Boss," these criminals demanded tribute from the townsfolk, using fear and violence to maintain their stranglehold on the community. Sarah and Michael knew that they had to stand up to these bullies, but they also knew that doing so would put their family in grave danger. With heavy hearts and trembling hands, they resolved to fight back against the tyranny that threatened to consume them. But tragedy struck once again when Sarah fell gravely ill, her body weakened by grief and despair. As she lay on her deathbed, her family gathered around her, their tears mingling with hers as they bid her farewell.
By Chuks Gad Nwaigwe2 years ago in Fiction
Crossed
Long ago, before the sexes were born, two equally different humans existed. Then, they shared the V chromosome, until one day the V unfolded itself into an X. For one human the X doubled, but only one prevailed, barring the other. When the other's V unfolded Y slipped into place, perfectly aligning itself within X, determining a new pathway. Female and Male formed, along with their bodies' mindful voices.
By Thavien Yliaster2 years ago in Fiction
20 Sentence Story
(Goal: Write a complete story adding a word to each sentence until you reach 20 sentences. Start with a one-word sentence, then two words in the next sentence, three in the following sentence, and so on, progressing to a twenty-word sentence.)
By Layson Williams2 years ago in Fiction
A Pine in the Wind
The fire brought warmth, but the cold eyes of the council pierced him like the biting winter winds. Rayne did not want to be this far from the colony, but the privacy of the issue required it. He hunched his shoulders and lowered his ears in respect and humility, anxious over his secret now revealed. If anyone could help, the elders could, but their stares around the dancing flames shook his resolve.
By Layson Williams2 years ago in Fiction
Turning Pages of Life
Once upon a time in a bustling city, there was a little bookstore tucked away on a quiet street, run by a woman named Maggie. She was known for her warm smile and her ability to recommend the perfect book for anyone who walked through her door. Maggie often spoke about "Turning Pages of Life" as if it was a real book. She believed that each person's life was like a story waiting to be written, with every choice and experience turning the pages to reveal a new chapter. One day, a young man named Alex wandered into Maggie's bookstore, feeling lost and unsure about his future. He struck up a conversation with Maggie, and she listened intently to his worries about making the right decisions. In response, Maggie handed him a worn, leather-bound book titled "Turning Pages of Life." She explained that it was a collection of stories from people who had faced challenges, made tough choices, and ultimately found their own paths. As Alex flipped through the pages, he read about a woman who left her corporate job to travel the world, a man who overcame his fears to pursue his passion for painting, and a student who found the courage to stand up for what she believed in. Inspired by the stories, Alex realized that his life was just another chapter waiting to be written. With newfound determination, he thanked Maggie and left the bookstore with a sense of purpose. Months later, Alex returned to the bookstore with a bright smile on his face. He shared with Maggie how the stories in "Turning Pages of Life" had encouraged him to take a leap of faith and pursue his dream of starting a community outreach program. Maggie beamed with pride, knowing that the book had helped another person find their way. From that day on, "Turning Pages of Life" became a symbol of hope and inspiration for anyone seeking guidance in their own story. And so, the little bookstore continued to be a place where people could find not just books, but also the wisdom and encouragement to turn the pages of their own lives.
By Moh Amirullah2 years ago in Fiction
The Hour Long Minute
Once upon a time, in a quirky little town, there was a legend about "The Hour Long Minute." It was said that every year, on the stroke of midnight, time would freeze for exactly one minute, but to anyone experiencing it, it felt like a whole hour had passed. Now, most folks thought it was just a tall tale, but there were a few who claimed they'd lived through it. They'd talk about how the world around them turned eerily still, and for that "minute," they had a chance to do things they'd never dared before. One guy, let's call him Sam, said he used the hour-long minute to propose to his longtime crush, and she said yes. Another lady, Mary, claimed she used that time to finally tell off her boss and quit her job to pursue her dream of becoming a baker. As the years went by, more and more people had their own hour-long minute stories to tell. Some used it to right past wrongs, others to take a leap of faith, and a few just to savor the extra time with loved ones. The legend of "The Hour Long Minute" became a symbol of hope and second chances in the town. People would gather at the town square every New Year's Eve, waiting for that magical moment when time stood still. Whether it was real or just a trick of the mind, "The Hour Long Minute" had a way of making people believe in the power of a single moment. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, it's true. Maybe, somewhere out there, time does give us a little extra nudge when we need it most.
By Moh Amirullah2 years ago in Fiction
A bit of a tortured soul
Sure thing! Here's a story about a guy named Jake who's a bit of a tortured soul: So, there's this dude, Jake, who's always got this heavy vibe about him. You know, the kind of guy who's always carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's got this haunted look in his eyes, like he's seen things most people can't even imagine. See, Jake had a rough childhood. His parents split when he was young, and he ended up bouncing around foster homes. He never really felt like he belonged anywhere, and that left a mark on him. As he grew up, Jake struggled to find his place in the world. He drifted from job to job, never really finding something that lit a fire in him. He had this restlessness, like he was searching for something, but he didn't even know what it was. On the outside, Jake seemed like a regular guy, cracking jokes and hanging out with friends. But deep down, he was wrestling with all these demons from his past. It was like he was carrying this invisible burden that no one else could see. But then, one day, Jake stumbled into this art class. He'd never been into that kind of thing before, but there was something about the colors and the shapes that drew him in. He started painting, pouring all his emotions onto the canvas. And you know what? It was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Through his art, Jake found a way to express all the pain and turmoil he'd been holding inside. He started to find some peace, and people started to see a different side of him. Sure, he still had his moments of darkness, but there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes now. He realized that he didn't have to be defined by his past, that he could create something beautiful out of all the chaos inside him. So, Jake kept painting, and with each stroke of the brush, he chipped away at the walls he'd built around his heart. He was still a bit of a tortured soul, but now he had an outlet for all that pain. And in the end, that made all the difference for him. Hope that story hits the spot for you!
By Moh Amirullah2 years ago in Fiction
