Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Heavely Seas Chapter 17
There had to be a way for the curse to end. Elodie’s worst fears had been realised. The secrets that had devoured her for years were about to be exposed. The golden vacation was a nightmare beyond imagination. Her chest ached. Her muscles clenched.
By Chloe Gilholya day ago in Fiction
St Fandom Academy Chapter 24
Dear students, all staff, parents and guardians, Today we will be getting a surprise visit from his Majesty, THE KING! This will be a special day for the school and I hope that you will all assist me in welcoming His Majesty to our humble school.
By Chloe Gilholya day ago in Fiction
What Nobody Warns You About Growing Up
Nobody warns you that growing up doesn’t happen all at once. There’s no clear moment when childhood ends and adulthood begins. It sneaks up on you quietly, disguised as routine, responsibility, and small decisions that suddenly feel heavy. When we’re young, we imagine growing up as freedom. We think it means staying up late, earning money, making our own choices, and living life on our terms. Adults look powerful from the outside—confident, certain, and in control. What nobody tells you is that most adults are still figuring things out, just like you were, only with higher stakes. One of the first shocks of growing up is realizing that no one is coming to save you. As a child, there is always someone to fix things—parents, teachers, elders. A bad grade can be explained. A mistake can be forgiven easily. But as you grow older, the safety net thins. Mistakes start costing time, money, relationships, and sometimes self-respect. You learn that accountability isn’t just a word; it’s a weight you carry every day. Nobody warns you about how lonely growing up can feel. Even when surrounded by people, there’s a quiet distance that forms. Friends you once spoke to every day slowly drift away. Not because of anger or betrayal, but because life pulls everyone in different directions. Jobs, families, priorities—all rearrange your circle without asking for permission. You stop expecting people to stay forever and start appreciating those who do. Another thing no one talks about is how often you’ll doubt yourself. As a child, you dream without limits. You want to be everything at once—successful, admired, fearless. Growing up introduces comparison. You see others moving faster, earning more, achieving milestones you haven’t reached yet. Social media makes it worse, turning life into a scoreboard you never agreed to play on. You learn that confidence isn’t permanent; it’s something you rebuild again and again. Growing up also teaches you that hard work doesn’t always pay off immediately. You can do everything right and still feel stuck. Effort doesn’t guarantee results, and patience becomes one of the hardest lessons. Nobody warns you how exhausting it is to keep going when motivation fades and only discipline remains. Yet this is where growth actually happens—in the moments when quitting feels easier than continuing. Then there’s the emotional part no one prepares you for. You start seeing your parents as human beings, not just authority figures. You notice their fears, regrets, and limitations. Sometimes you understand them more; sometimes it hurts to realize they didn’t have all the answers either. Growing up often means forgiving people—not because they apologized, but because holding on to resentment is too heavy. You’re also not warned about how your definition of success changes. It stops being about applause and starts becoming about peace. A quiet mind. A stable income. A few people who genuinely care about you. You learn that happiness isn’t loud or dramatic; it’s often found in ordinary moments—coming home tired but safe, laughing at something small, sleeping without anxiety. One of the hardest truths of growing up is learning to let go. Let go of versions of yourself that no longer fit. Let go of people who can’t grow with you. Let go of timelines you once believed were fixed. This letting go feels like loss, even when it’s necessary. Nobody warns you that growth and grief often walk together. Yet, despite all this, growing up gives you something valuable—clarity. You begin to understand your boundaries. You learn when to say no without explaining yourself. You start choosing what matters instead of chasing everything. Strength stops looking like loud confidence and starts looking like quiet resilience. What nobody warns you about growing up is that it will break you in small ways—and rebuild you stronger in others. You’ll lose some innocence but gain wisdom. You’ll trade certainty for understanding. And even on days when you miss the simplicity of who you once were, you’ll realize you’re proud of who you’re becoming. Growing up isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about learning how to keep going, even when you don’t. And maybe that’s the lesson no one warns you about—adulthood isn’t a destination. It’s a continuous act of becoming.
By Hanif Ullah a day ago in Fiction
The devolution of the genteel ideal into a glorification of drunkenness🥂
In Primshire, the inhabitants prided themselves on their genteel manners and dignified demeanor. Tea parties, poetry recitations, and ballroom dances were the lifeblood of social gatherings. The Primshire gentry held their heads high, for they were the epitome of refinement and decorum.
By Antoni De'Leona day ago in Fiction
Small Heat
The fire was tiny enough to disbelieve. Two slender pieces of wood sat under the kettle, slanted just so, their edges already burned. The flame between them didn’t rise or roar. It remained low, almost bashful, like it wasn’t sure it deserved to be there. Snow encircled everything—on the ground, on the lip of the fire pit, packed tight and quiet. The cold seemed older than me, older than my thoughts, like it had always been waiting.
By abualyaanarta day ago in Fiction
The Devil Gets What He Wanted
“Hello Old Scratch. My name is Glabon. I assume you know why I am here?” “Of course, Glabon, as you no doubt know, I know many things, most in fact.” “Well, despite that I am required by my superiors to inform you of my intentions in any case.” “And, you always do what you are told don’t you my friend Glabon?” “Of course, and I am not your friend, nor are you anyone’s friend, but that matters not for purposes of this discussion.” “No need to hurl insults, it was only a figure of speech. I would suggest you lighten up, but I assume your superiors would find that objectionable, and my guess is you are not capable of it. Do you ever even smile Glabon? Or laugh? No, I presume not.” “Mr. Scratch I am not here for banter or games, I am here for your interview. As you know a select group has been commissioned to write your biography for the historical record.”
By Everyday Junglista day ago in Fiction
The Library
Nihil River flowed through Neocity, curving under a wooden bridge near the Library. Mathilde had been walking along the river for the past few days. Not having her own transportation put her in a category of people needing special attention. However, special attention required money, which she didn't have to spare. She had been saving all the money from Mr. Burry's generous pocket, carefully putting it aside for this adventure. An adventure and an escape. It was the first journey she had embarked on since turning twenty. Children were no longer children at this age and could now choose for themselves. Mathilde had slipped from her parents' orbit, especially her mother's.
By Moon Deserta day ago in Fiction
Guardian Angels 1 Sneak Peek
Silence, except for the hooting of an owl somewhere in the dark woods to the left. Kalin took in a deep breath of cool night air, holding it for a few seconds before slowly letting it out as she opened her eyes. The path stretched out in front of her, lit at intervals by the campus lights. Almost there, she told herself. Just two more years of hard studying, and she’d have her degree. She could take care of her sister and parents. She tilted her head back, looking up at the stars. Even with the campus lighting, she could see more stars here in the mountains than at home in the city. She tugged her hoodie closer around her, swallowing her nerves. It wasn’t like they weren’t supposed to be out at night, but something about the quiet made her feel out of place.
By Phoenixica24a day ago in Fiction
