Fiction
A Song by the Fire
Chapter 1: The bond of the forest The sleepy town of Cedar Hollow was the kind of place most people only read about in books or saw in nostalgic postcards. Surrounded by dense forests that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon and cradled by the shimmering expanse of Lake Verity, it was a slice of unspoiled paradise. The air was always fragrant with pine and wildflowers in the summer, and the skies felt endlessly vast, as though the whole world had paused to admire their brilliance. In this idyllic setting, Ethan and Lila's lives began. Born mere weeks apart, their mothers had bonded at the town's annual summer festival, a lively affair of music, games, and firework displays. As toddlers, Ethan and Lila had stumbled over one another, clinging to sticky candy apples and giggling at the antics of the town’s mascot, a friendly black bear in a bow tie.
By We Making Salesabout a year ago in Chapters
THE SPACE BETWEEN US . AI-Generated.
Glory's eyes drifted toward the window, where the sky was a deep shade of indigo, like a bruise that refused to heal. She felt a pang in her chest, a familiar ache and a burning sensation that had become a constant companion. It was as if the space between her and the world outside had grown, stretching like an elastic band that threatened to snap, leaving her in a dilemma between persistence and giving up.
By Adebiyi Christianaabout a year ago in Chapters
Welcome to Modish Wear (Chapter 3)
Nick tried to slam the office door, but it had one of those slow door closers, so it could never shut quickly. Nick almost broke the door while throwing his anger into an inanimate object. He stormed out of the back room, his breathing heightened. Nick saw Hana in his peripheral vision as he strutted down the sales floor like a rushed runway model.
By Frank DiLuzioabout a year ago in Chapters
Travel
Travel for me has always been more than just an exercise; it has been a journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Places visited have profoundly influenced my worldview, an influence deeply changing how I perceive the world and my place in it. Each destination has left an indelible mark on my soul, where I learned lessons that are still carried with me to this day as I evolve from who I was into who I am today. It's not just a cross-border journey; it is a journey into myself.
By Usman Zafarabout a year ago in Chapters
Work In Progress. Top Story - November 2024.
Wisps of sunshine, lingering in anticipation of twilight, filtered softly through the cracked blinds in Chloë’s room. She shifted again in the bed. After what seemed a few days, her hips and back were complaining, loudly and long, about this forced incarceration. Had it been three days, or four? Or five? No matter the length, it had been far too long.
By Marie McGrathabout a year ago in Chapters
Harper's Hill, Chapter 12: Across The Diner
It was a sunny Wednesday on the day that Raymond's roommate, Marty, wanted to go out to get some food. As there were no restaurants on the East side, the closest option was Redwood Valley, even though it was 20 minutes away. Raymond always counted his lucky stars that his best friend had a vehicle, and him and Marty had been going to get lunch every other Wednesday in Redwood Valley for the past four months.
By Amanda Doyleabout a year ago in Chapters
Don't Speak . Content Warning.
“GM 😊.” I texted Ben, finishing the last of my toaster strudel. It had been two weeks since we’d spoken and I couldn’t figure out why. Today was our last final and we hadn’t had any of our usual study sessions. I hope he sticks around for summer so we can get over this awkwardness between us. Sure, we’ve only been dating for six months, but that’s a long time to dream, and I don’t want to give up on our dream. I head upstairs and finish getting ready for school. Geneva should be picking me up any second. Normally I would just ask her what’s up with Ben; they’ve known each other since second grade. I, however, just moved here last year. I didn’t meet Ben until my parents dragged me to a new church they’d been trying. I’d gotten saved just a year prior to that at the church we’d been attending since I was a baby. I’d always felt freedom there, and a sense of peace. I’d served in the children’s ministry, gone to teen nights, and had teen bible study, but ever since we’d moved to Austell, I never felt the same. Even though I never tried to hide my displeasure during service, my parents were always trying to get me to be more involved. I think they truly believed that after a while I would find one of the plethora of groups to my liking, or at least fake it, so they kept finding reasons for me to go.
By Rachelle Scottabout a year ago in Chapters
The Marked Door
The massive iron door loomed before me, its intricate carvings shimmering faintly in the glow of the path behind me. The forest was unnervingly silent now, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. My fingers trembled as I reached out, brushing against the cold, engraved surface.
By Chamuditha Appuhamyabout a year ago in Chapters
The Final Hour
The ticking of the pocket watch reverberated in my ears like a countdown to doom. The faint glow from its face lit my trembling hands as I stared up at the towering clocktower. The hands on the massive clock remained frozen at 3:00 AM, a haunting echo of the watch I clutched.
By Chamuditha Appuhamyabout a year ago in Chapters
