Fiction

Boxed In: Breaking Through. Top Story - February 2025.
We tumbled a short way into blackness before landing on a cold hard surface. Slowly the room grew lighter until we could see our surroundings clearly. As we looked around there was no longer any sign of the opening we'd come through. We were inside an eight foot cube and all the surfaces were mirrors. On all four walls, the ceiling, and the floor we saw our own reflections continuing on forever as the mirrors created an infinity loop. But slowly the trailing reflections began to change. They were still copies of the two of us, but now they were different scenes, memories of our lives together, and each wall seemed to have its own theme.
By A. J. Schoenfeld11 months ago in Chapters
Echoes of a War I Never Fought
A Journey Through Dreams and the Past The first time I had the dream, I dismissed it as just another nightmare. The scent of gunpowder clung to the air, the distant cries of men echoed through the trenches, and the earth trembled beneath the relentless shelling. I was there—kneeling in the dirt, rifle clutched in my trembling hands—but I knew, deep down, this wasn’t my war. I had never been to battle. I had never worn a uniform. And yet, the images were so vivid, so terrifyingly real, that I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart racing as if I had just escaped death.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
Secrets in the Smoke: The Town That Burns at Night
The town of Ashwood was once like any other—peaceful, quiet, and seemingly ordinary. Nestled in a valley surrounded by thick woods, it was the kind of place where everyone knew each other's names, and the biggest scandal involved who won the annual pie-baking contest. But beneath its picture-perfect surface, a dark mystery simmered.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli: A Gourmet Fusion of Flavor, Nutrition, and Culinary Precision
In the pursuit of culinary sophistication combined with nutritional rigor, the Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli emerges as a masterful integration of umami-rich teriyaki sauce, tender, lean chicken breast, nutrient-dense broccoli, and delicately textured rice. This dish is meticulously designed for professionals balancing hectic schedules, students seeking wholesome meals, and families striving for nourishing, flavorful food. Its versatility across dietary frameworks makes it an essential component of any meal-planning strategy.
By Kajal Devi11 months ago in Chapters
Businesswoman Chapter 58
Dust did not know Mayor Geoff Goff’s office. The immaculate decor and meticulously arranged photos with dignitaries, gifts from overseas pervaded the space. He stood and shook hands with Loreen and Lisa. Chief of police Marza Haven also shook their hands.
By Skyler Saunders11 months ago in Chapters
Vanishing Neighbors: The Community That Disappeared Overnight
A Quiet Neighborhood’s Darkest Mystery It started as any other morning in Oak Hollow, a picturesque suburban neighborhood where everyone knew their neighbors by name. The sun rose lazily over manicured lawns, birds chirped their usual melodies, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through open windows. But on this particular day, something was terribly wrong.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
Echoes of a War I Never Fought
A Journey Through Dreams and the Past The first time I had the dream, I dismissed it as just another nightmare. The scent of gunpowder clung to the air, the distant cries of men echoed through the trenches, and the earth trembled beneath the relentless shelling. I was there—kneeling in the dirt, rifle clutched in my trembling hands—but I knew, deep down, this wasn’t my war. I had never been to battle. I had never worn a uniform. And yet, the images were so vivid, so terrifyingly real, that I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart racing as if I had just escaped death.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
The Marriage That Wasn’t Mine
A Stranger's Name on My Marriage Certificate The morning started like any other. I stretched, yawned, and reached for my phone on the nightstand. As I scrolled through my notifications, my breath caught in my throat. An email from the county clerk's office read: Congratulations on your marriage! Your official marriage certificate has been processed and recorded.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
The Other Side of the Mirror: When Your Reflection Moves Differently
A Glimpse Beyond the Glass It started with a flicker—an imperceptible shift in my reflection. At first, I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me. After all, who hasn’t stared at their reflection for too long and imagined it blinked out of sync or smirked when their face remained still? But the more I watched, the clearer it became. My reflection wasn’t mirroring me; it was moving on its own.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
Secrets in the Smoke: The Town That Burns at Night
The town of Ashwood was once like any other—peaceful, quiet, and seemingly ordinary. Nestled in a valley surrounded by thick woods, it was the kind of place where everyone knew each other's names, and the biggest scandal involved who won the annual pie-baking contest. But beneath its picture-perfect surface, a dark mystery simmered.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
The Nanobot Experiment: When Science Crosses the Line
The hum of fluorescent lights flickered above as Dr. Evelyn Carter stared at the tiny vial in her hand. Inside, millions of microscopic nanobots floated in a clear, viscous liquid—her life’s work, her greatest achievement, and perhaps her biggest mistake. She had spent years developing them, designing these self-replicating machines to repair human tissue, fight diseases, and enhance biological functions. But tonight, she was about to cross the line from theory to practice.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters
The Last Phone Call: A Missing Man’s Final Words
The phone rang once. Then again. Then again. Lena sat frozen at the kitchen table, the dim glow of her phone screen illuminating the trembling fingers that hovered over the "Answer" button. It was Mark’s number, flashing on the screen, and yet something about it felt—off. It had been three days since anyone had heard from him, three agonizing days of unanswered calls, of police reports and sleepless nights filled with worry.
By Vincent Otiri11 months ago in Chapters