Mystery
The Disappeared Pianist. AI-Generated.
Detective Sarah Chen stared at the empty concert hall, her neural implant throbbing with phantom pain. The Vienna Philharmonic had performed here last night—she remembered the reviews, the social media buzz, the standing ovation. But when she pulled up the footage, the stage showed only an orchestra minus one crucial element: no pianist.
By Alpha Cortex14 days ago in Fiction
The Twin in the Closet
Ever since the accident, life has been a little strange. Mom barely leaves her room, and Dad barely ever comes home from work. I guess it's normal for everyone to handle their grief in different ways. The problem is, I can't tell them that no one needs to grieve. Six months ago, it was my twin's and my 17th birthday, and we were on our way home from a party, and our car crashed into a tree.
By Brooke Moran14 days ago in Fiction
Far From Home. Honorable Mention in Something Is Beginning, I Think Challenge.
Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again. As it had so many times, the narrow drive threaded before me, tracing its way through white-armed beeches and squat oaks. Monstrous hydrangeas had towered about me, this time in bloom, their blue eyes widened in amazement at my presence, taunting me, finding me wanting. And why would they not? The last time that they had gazed at me, I had been a broken child, frightened at the memory of a dead woman, desperately seeking warmth, even love from the man who had killed her.
By Kimberly J Egan15 days ago in Fiction
Through And Beyond Smoke
If it’s one thing Jyllmon hates, is driving through the road in extreme darkness. To him, it felt like a horror movie where he had no idea what’s to come. It could be a random deer dashing through the streets, or a helpless woman being chased through the woods, or just simply a broken down car.
By Devond Devoe15 days ago in Fiction
The Tragic Tale of Jedfrey Mulligan. Content Warning.
Jedfrey Mulligan stood 6’8’’ in his stocking feet and weighed a good 280 pounds on a good day. Once he won a race at the county fair, running a quarter mile - it was a horse race. The county fair discontinued the eating contests, as did each of the towns all around, because he could outeat anyone within 250 miles. He could lay a man out flat with one swing from his mighty left fist and perform a hundred-fifty pull-ups with his right arm. He could lift a wagon and change the wheel and axle without aid, and once lifted his neighbor's ox and carried it home, over two miles away.
By Mother Combs15 days ago in Fiction
The Soul of My Boots
One moment, I’m laughing uncontrollably as my best friend pushes me in a tire swing. The sky pours into my vision as I lean back, a kaleidoscope of sky and clouds peaking through the leaves and branches. I close my eyes, relishing the moment.
By Caitlin Humphreys15 days ago in Fiction
Support Group
After 40 years of marriage, you think that I would be ready to say goodbye. You think that there would be some understanding that not everything could remain the same forever, but still. Waking up in a bed that for 40 years held both of us alone is not something that I ever knew how to get used to.
By Brooke Moran16 days ago in Fiction
The Truth Is Out There
My future is as uncertain as my past. I’ve pondered it for my entire life and still have few answers. The truth is out there - like the quote from the television show, The X-Files. They say to look within, but what can I find in an empty shell?
By Andrea Corwin 16 days ago in Fiction
