Holiday
New Beginnings
Adler sits on the general store's weathered bench and peers out at the barren terrain. Not long ago the land was lush and vibrant, the soil was soft and rich. Now the sun has the town in a choke hold. Its brazenly baked it to dust, which Adler watches blow across the street with a clump of dried up brush. He raises his sweating Coke bottle to his lips in an attempt to push the troubles away. That crisp sip is cool, and fresh. It is, even for just a moment, a reminder of things that once were. Adler breathes in that moment and breathes out into reality. Knowing once again, the truth of things.
By Meagan Dion2 years ago in Fiction
Midnight Sun. Runner-up in Summer Solstice Challenge.
My dog trots happily behind my boyfriend, occasionally looking back to make sure I haven’t been separated from the pack. Midnight is only minutes away, and as usual, we’re running late. For the first time in over fifty years, the entire town is gathering by the river to honor and celebrate the summer solstice. That may sound impressive, but the reality is that there are barely 2,000 residents in the small town of Girdwood, which makes for a close-knit (granted, sometimes too close) community. People are bound to gossip if we are late, but I don’t care. The sky is too beautiful. People wonder how Alaskans can tolerate such long, harsh winters— for them, not even a summer of endless daylight can justify nine months of darkness. But these people have never witnessed snow-capped mountains kissing white clouds in a cool blue sky in the middle of the night. I breathe in deeply. The air smells like the rainforest—crisp, green, and invigorating. And the sounds: river rushing, birds chirping, twigs snapping beneath my feet. Everything is alive. My dog stops in the middle of the path again, looking back impatiently. I catch up with her and my boyfriend, who is used to my trailing behind; understanding my need for walking in the woods to be a moving meditation.
By Marti Maley2 years ago in Fiction
Me and the Misses
You don’t judge us and we won’t judge you, son. You are just passing through and probably want to know more about this place… As I said, my wife and I have lived here all our lives and this place has its ways that some folks might find downright strange and weird, but…we ain’t changing for anyone.
By Kendall Defoe 2 years ago in Fiction
I have a photoshoot tomorrow. Can you recommend me some colors and outfit options that will look good on camera?
Colors: Solid Colors: Opt for solid colors instead of busy patterns. They help keep the focus on you. Bold, Vibrant Colors: Colors like royal blue, emerald green, and rich reds photograph well.
By ODS ACADEMY2 years ago in Fiction
The Solstice Awakening
On the longest day of the year, the town of Salisbury revived an ancient solstice ritual, one that had not been performed in living memory. Nestled between dense woods and a quiet river, Salisbury had always been a place of mystery and old traditions. Yet, as the years passed, many of these customs had faded into the background of life until curiosity and an old book brought them back to life.
By Izzibella Beau2 years ago in Fiction
Bonfires and Herbs. Top Story - July 2024.
There was a betrayer in our midst. We had no way of knowing, for they kept their evil deeds cloaked in deception. Our little village of Hampshire was taken entirely by surprise when they committed their traitorous acts. We had no thoughts to predict that at the time of our celebrating the Sun's ascension to the highest point in the Northern Sky, they would strike with a most diabolical blow. A blow that has undoubtedly left a mark burned deep into the pure white light of our hearts.
By The Invisible Writer2 years ago in Fiction
186 Independence Day
Around midnight, September 20, 1777, 1200 British soldiers crashed fences and launched a surprise bayonet attack on sleeping American revolutionary troops encamped near Malvern, Pennsylvania. This Battle of Paoli was one of the Revolutionary War's bloodiest.
By Gerard DiLeo2 years ago in Fiction
When the Tears Fall Silent: The Solitary Suffering of the Lonely Heart.
The darkness of the night enveloped the world, shrouding the sky in a veil of blackness. In the silence of the stillness, the sound of a lone heart broken echoed through the emptiness. Tears cascaded down her face like crystalline rivers of sorrow, reflecting the light of a lone candle that flickered dimly in the room. She sat, alone and abandoned, her soul aching with the weight of her pain.
By Afikile Yolwa 2 years ago in Fiction
"Letters to the Future"
In the small, sun-dappled town of Maplewood, lived two inseparable friends, Clara and Emily. Their bond was forged in the early days of kindergarten, where they first met over a shared box of crayons. Clara, with her wild curls and vivid imagination, was the dreamer. Emily, with her straight-laced hair and penchant for details, was the planner. Together, they were a perfect blend of spontaneity and structure, creating a friendship that seemed unbreakable.
By Dharanidharan T 2 years ago in Fiction
