Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Fiction.

Daughter of the Pines
It started with a whispered name two weeks ago. Then more whispers. When I was getting some replacement school supplies for Cary, a book flew out of the shelf in front of me.
By Alicia Anspaugh13 minutes ago in Fiction
The Ice Slick: An Apology
Dear Montréal, Well, this has been a fun two days. Ha, ha. Sorry, I am not well-known for my sense of humour. Often I have been told that I should mind my own business and know my place. Offensive, yes, but I can understand the sentiment. But I needed to vent a little before the season was over. I often feel that you do not appreciate what I give you every summer, and that winter is the price you gotta pay.
By Kendall Defoe 39 minutes ago in Fiction
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicle Pt 8.
In early March, New York City confirmed its first case of COVID-19: a middle-aged partner at a Midtown Manhattan law firm. Within days, family members, friends, and colleagues who had been in close contact with him also tested positive. Some had mild symptoms. Others became critically ill. The attorney himself deteriorated so quickly that he was placed on a ventilator and admitted to intensive care.
By Peterabout an hour ago in Fiction
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicle Pt 7.
During the stay-at-home order, the subway never stopped running. It roared through tunnels with tireless persistence, as if driven by a quiet sense of duty—to keep the city alive while an invisible enemy stalked its people. In its motion, there was something almost sacrificial. The trains carried not only passengers, but also the fragile belief that New York would endure.
By Peterabout an hour ago in Fiction
The One's Who Come Back
The Therapist’s Room: The Ones Who Come Back Everyone knew the old story. When someone dies badly, they linger. That was the version passed around in whispers and television specials and badly printed paperbacks sold beside incense and dreamcatchers. A spirit with unfinished business. A presence in the hallway. Cold spots, flickering lights, footsteps overhead. The dead, apparently, became poets the moment their heart stopped. They floated about in old houses wearing sorrow and purpose, waiting to deliver messages in riddles to whichever woman in a linen blouse happened to be spiritually available.
By Teena Quinn about an hour ago in Fiction
Siren of the deep
The mermaid sits perched on a moss-covered ancient stone. The magnificent view overlooks a hidden waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear lagoon. Lush flora surrounds the scene, casting a soft, tranquil glow. There is a feeling of peace blending hyper-realistic fantasy concept art with macrophotography, emphasizing the textures of the moss, water, and scales.
By Antoni De'Leonabout 2 hours ago in Fiction
Before Anyone Says So...
The Therapist’s Room: Before Anyone Says So The first sign of it was not dramatic. That is important. People always think beginnings arrive with cymbals. A speech. A slammed door. A woman standing in the rain with mascara on her chin and a suitcase she packed with furious clarity, as if life had waited politely for her to become cinematic.
By Teena Quinn about 2 hours ago in Fiction
Talking Through the Grapevine
Theseus sighed as he picked up a stone and threw it into the ocean. Usually, he would be able to make it skip for at least ten times, even if he was having a bad day. But whether it was because he was sitting on the sand or he just didn’t care, the stone sank with a single plop a half mile away.
By Rebecca Pattonabout 3 hours ago in Fiction
Cheap Talk
"You're breathing like a bear," Koff said coolly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she bowed over her book. Vella leaned over the counter, taking the pressure off her lower back. She'd worked a shift and a half already and no one had come in for the last hour, meaning this torture wasn't going to end until dawn. At least it was empty. Mostly empty. It was just she and Koff. One on either side of the register like it mattered. Employee and customer. Ha ha.
By Silver Dauxabout 4 hours ago in Fiction
The Haunted House
After our financial situation worsened, my father and I were forced to leave the small house we had lived in for years. It was not much, but it had always felt warm and safe. Moving away from it felt like losing a part of our lives. With little money left and few options available, we found another place to stay—an old two-story building on the edge of a quiet neighborhood. The rent was cheap, and that was all we could afford.
By storiesabout 4 hours ago in Fiction
The Boy and the Alien Friend
A Sci-Fi Tale: Samer and the Alien Creature Samer was a diligent student, obedient to his parents, and loved by his friends and neighbors. Yet, he faced a significant challenge: his vision was extremely weak. Even with glasses, he struggled to see clearly, missing many school days and finding it hard to live normally. He always prayed to God for his eyesight to improve, dreaming of becoming a doctor one day—a dream that now seemed almost impossible. Every week, Samer visited his grandfather’s farm, enjoying the greenery, fresh air, and the calm of the countryside. One evening, as he sat under his favorite tree, the sun disappeared behind the horizon. He began walking back to the farmhouse when he noticed a sharp light moving behind one of the trees. Curious, he ran toward it. He discovered a small creature, no bigger than a newborn kitten, with soft, glowing skin. Its eyes emitted a bright light, and it made faint, pained sounds. As Samer picked up the strange being, a voice echoed clearly in his mind: “Stay away from me. Don’t hurt me.” Samer was shocked. The creature had not spoken aloud, and no one else was around. Another voice followed, also in his mind: “I am speaking to you, Earthling.” Bewildered, Samer asked aloud, “Who are you? How can you speak to me like this?” The creature replied through mental communication: “I am in your hands because you carry me. I communicate via telepathy since you cannot understand my language, and I cannot understand yours, Earthling.” Samer paused, unsure what to say. “Who are you, and why call me an Earthling?” “I am Kamo from the planet Cicada. We came to Earth to collect samples for study, but my ship malfunctioned and crashed here. I need time to recover and for my team to rescue me.” Though overwhelmed, Samer answered, “I don’t fully understand, but I mean no harm. I want to help if I can.” Kamo explained, “You can help me by bringing a power source to recharge my communication device so I can contact my team.” Samer thought quickly. “We have batteries, electricity, even coal. Which works for you?” “All of them,” Kamo replied. “Our technology adapts to any power source.” Samer carefully carried Kamo to his grandfather’s house. Using a small wall socket, Kamo plugged in his tiny device resembling a pen, and it began charging. As they communicated, Samer learned about Kamo, Cicada, and the creature’s intelligence. Despite his small size, Kamo was wise and kind. Hours later, Kamo contacted his team. Ready to return to Cicada, he handed Samer a small gift, a palm-sized bag, warning him not to open it until he left. With a tearful goodbye, Samer watched his new friend depart. After Kamo left, Samer opened the gift. Inside, he found Kamo’s communication device and a small bottle of “Lightflower Drops.” He pressed the device’s button, and Kamo’s voice spoke clearly: “Hello, my Earthling friend. This device will keep us connected. And the drops will help your eyes—you’ll see clearly soon.” Samer applied the drops and went to sleep with hope in his heart. The next morning, he awoke to a transformed world. His vision was perfect. Every leaf, every blade of grass, and the vibrant colors of the farm were crystal clear. Filled with gratitude, Samer exclaimed, “Thank God! Now I can return to school and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor!” He often thought of Kamo, cherishing their bond. The alien’s gift had not only restored his sight but also opened his mind to the wonders of the universe. Samer learned that kindness, curiosity, and courage could bridge even the greatest distances between worlds. Through this adventure, Samer realized the importance of compassion and bravery, understanding that sometimes, the universe sends unexpected friends to guide us and change our lives forever.
By storiesabout 4 hours ago in Fiction
Take My Hand
Fenrir waited outside the door for his Master. As a man he called no one Master. But as a wolf, such bonds were born of blood. Master was as good a word as any.
By Adam Kolozettiabout 4 hours ago in Fiction