Microfiction

Beneath the Raven’s Wings
The Raven’s Kiss The first time I saw her, she was standing at the edge of the Wood, where the mist curled like phantom fingers around the ancient oaks. Her gown was the color of a moonless night, her lips darker than spilled wine. She did not speak—only smiled, and in that smile, I felt the weight of centuries.
By The Lost Books - "Libri Perditi"10 months ago in Fiction
Phinehas Shaw. Top Story - May 2025.
Here, before us, is Phinehas Shaw, Brother, Father, Son, Uncle, Cousin, and friend to so very, very many. As I look out into the crowd, I can truly see how well Phinehas was loved or at least known. I must say, I’ve never seen a crowd this large gathered together to see just one person. I’m impressed. I didn’t think that this many people could fit inside the building.
By David E. Perry10 months ago in Fiction
Lockers
Open me, close me what a life. A students' life for a year at a time. Some are slops and some are not. At times they write on me and fill me with books, coats and what-not. But, hey what the gossip I hear it seems to stay the same all the years.
By Mark Graham10 months ago in Fiction
The Tracks
Why don't trains travel on me anymore? I know there are weeds from time to time on my rails, but won't the wheels on the trains cut the weeds away? I swear I can hear many trains, but why don't they travel on me now? Too many questions and no answers for me.
By Mark Graham10 months ago in Fiction
Morning refrain
Striding through the early morning mist, I was soon high in the hills overlooking the village far below. Climbing ever higher, I once again heard the mournful melody of the pipes, as I did yesterday and every day these past weeks. Again, I strode on, anxious to pinpoint the source of the lament, to discover the lone piper whose daily dirge I had come to loath and yet love. I headed down into the valley, racing the Sun’s early rays. Alas, as always, too late. As the sunshine broke over the hills, the unseen player ceased, abruptly, his woeful refrain.
By Raymond G. Taylor10 months ago in Fiction
The Bench
There was a bench all covered with snow. In the woods deep inside a park. This bench sits wondering when will the people be back and sit and have conversations again while sitting on me. I so do love the sound of voices of all kinds. When will the voices return for me.
By Mark Graham10 months ago in Fiction
Exit 60 Was Never On the Map
We were headed to Los Angeles. A road trip—just the two of us. Me and my younger sister, Clara. No deadlines, no responsibilities, just two playlists, a cooler packed with sodas and sandwiches, and the kind of warm, aimless freedom that only comes with summer highways.
By NoExitStories 10 months ago in Fiction
The Green Room
I never really thought about planning for my future. I never really thought about my future at all. I never thought about it until my life had become so far from where I wanted it to be that I couldn't help but think about it.
By Anna Boisvert10 months ago in Fiction
Two Peas In a Dumpster Fire
Dan and Marnie were conceived for one another. A mismatch made in hell. Like two peas in a dumpster fire, their love was blind, deaf, and driving without a license. He was obnoxious and took her to a motel for an hour of anticlimactic, earth grazing sex. She'd complain, but he was rich.
By Paul Stewart10 months ago in Fiction
The Power and Purpose of Fiction
Fiction has always held a special place in the realm of literature. Unlike nonfiction, which deals with facts, events, and real-life experiences, fiction transports readers into worlds born of imagination, creativity, and narrative craft. It is a genre that allows both writers and readers to escape reality while simultaneously reflecting on it. Through its many forms—novels, short stories, novellas, and even flash fiction—fiction has remained a fundamental part of human storytelling for centuries. At its core, fiction is the art of inventing stories. These stories may be entirely fantastical or subtly realistic, but what binds them together is their creation from the mind rather than from real-world documentation. Yet, this does not mean fiction is untrue in the emotional or philosophical sense. On the contrary, the best fiction often speaks the deepest truths about the human condition. Through fictional characters, settings, and plots, writers explore complex ideas, ethical dilemmas, and emotional truths that readers might struggle to confront in nonfictional formats. One of the greatest strengths of fiction is its ability to foster empathy. When we read a novel set in a war-torn country, told through the eyes of a young child, we experience the horrors of conflict on a personal level. When we follow a character’s journey through heartbreak, addiction, or triumph, we step into their shoes, even if only for a few chapters. Fiction creates a bridge between lives, cultures, and experiences, helping readers see the world from different perspectives. This empathy-building power is one reason why fiction is so essential in a diverse and often divided world. Moreover, fiction provides a safe space for experimentation. Writers use it to pose “what if” scenarios—what if society was run by artificial intelligence? What if time travel were possible? What if a single decision could alter the fate of humanity? Science fiction, dystopian literature, and speculative fiction are particularly adept at tackling these questions. Through imaginative storytelling, these genres comment on present-day issues such as climate change, technology, totalitarianism, and ethics, encouraging readers to think critically about real-world problems. Fiction also has immense educational value. Children’s stories often teach moral lessons or build vocabulary and comprehension skills. Historical fiction can bring the past to life in a way textbooks cannot, allowing readers to experience historical events through the eyes of fictionalized participants. Literature classes around the world use novels, plays, and stories to teach literary devices, critical thinking, and thematic analysis. In this way, fiction becomes not only entertainment but also a tool for learning. Another fascinating aspect of fiction is its versatility. It can be light-hearted or dark, complex or simple, poetic or direct. It can take the form of a sweeping epic that spans centuries or a single-page micro-story that leaves a lasting impact. Writers like Jane Austen, Gabriel García Márquez, Haruki Murakami, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have all used fiction to explore vastly different themes and cultures, proving that the boundaries of fiction are limited only by imagination. In the modern digital age, fiction is evolving rapidly. Online platforms, e-books, podcasts, and social media have given rise to new forms of storytelling. Fan fiction communities allow readers to reimagine beloved characters and worlds, while interactive fiction combines text with gameplay to offer immersive experiences. Despite concerns that reading is declining, these innovations show that storytelling is very much alive—just taking new forms. Critics sometimes argue that fiction is escapist or frivolous, but such claims ignore its deeper purpose. Escaping into a story can be therapeutic, providing relief from the pressures of real life. At the same time, fiction often addresses the very issues we face in reality, offering insights and catharsis. Whether it’s George Orwell’s critique of authoritarianism in 1984, Toni Morrison’s exploration of race and identity in Beloved, or Kazuo Ishiguro’s quiet contemplation of memory and loss in The Remains of the Day, fiction consistently challenges, enlightens, and moves us. In conclusion, fiction is far more than just made-up stories. It is a powerful form of expression that enriches our understanding of ourselves and others. It entertains, educates, and empowers. Through the voices of imagined characters and the arcs of invented plots, fiction speaks truths that resonate across time and culture. As long as there are stories to tell and people willing to read them, fiction will remain a vital and cherished part of the human experience.
By Sabrina 10 months ago in Fiction
Science Fiction: A Gateway to the Future and a Challenge to Reality . AI-Generated.
Introduction For as long as we can remember, science fiction has served as a bridge between the known and the unknown, the possible and the impossible. Through its speculative nature, this genre has allowed us to imagine worlds beyond our own, where technology, human nature, and the laws of the universe are explored in ways that challenge our understanding. It pushes the boundaries of creativity and often raises profound questions about the future of humanity. As we continue to innovate and discover new technologies, science fiction serves as both a warning and an inspiration, offering a lens through which we can critically examine where we are headed as a species.
By Omar Mohammed 10 months ago in Fiction
The Library of Forgotten Lives
In the heart of the abandoned forest on the card stands a library that no one remembers. There are no ways. There were no signs. But on a night when the moon was full and it was unusual for how thick mist was pushed over the world, a lost soul stumbled upon the entrance to her vineyard, pulled by the soft golden light of an old lantern above the door. Erila was such a soul. 17, immersed in an unexpected storm, tore her backpack, her phone had been dead for a long time. It was too far from the road. She didn't escape the weather - she ran from the weight of silence at home, from the last words she said to her father, and no longer recognized by her own version. The sparkle of the lantern felt like an invitation. She entered. Doors rarely heard like a whisper. The air inside was warm, with aged paper scent that made me feel a bit nostalgic, like forgotten babysitters and the sides of old diaries. The building looked small from the outside, but the interior was endlessly stretched. The bookshelves were grabbed in the shade and the room was pulsating in a quiet sum. Each shelf was not marked according to genre, but was marked by emotion. "Fear." "Hope." "Betrayal." "Love." "reute." 's fingers tremble as he grabbed the book under "Regret." There was no title or author. Only worn leather covers. You opened it. On the first page, the words were in the delicate manuscript: "Elila Ainsley, 7 years - The day she did not open the door for a crying girl." She was frozen. Pages began to write themselves, and ink flowed like thoughts. "You asked yourself that you were afraid. But some of you didn't want to share your toys. The next day, the girl left. You never saw her again. " She let go of the book. It quietly landed on her feet. They'll see him hesitate before he goes out. You might have stopped him. " I sob about my neck. She ran and turned the corner in a maze of memories and heartbeat. She whispered, chasing the voice from the forgotten chapter. , and voice - how old and strange lovely stuffed the room. "Welcome, Elira" They stopped. "Where am I?" she asked barely in a whisper. "You are the forgotten life of the library. A place where you wait for the lost stories to be remembered. Most of them arrive by mistake. Only a few are the same." She looked around. Books... They were stories. They were true. choice. Unrecorded pass. My memories were suppressed. "Why am I?" she asked. "The future aspects are still empty as your story isn't over." The shelves began to move, and eventually shared a long walk with the bass. On top of it was a book, shining quietly, her name was engraved in gold on the cover. You opened it. Sky. Then the letter slowly appeared: "Today she decided to listen. Today she decided not to run." The next page was still empty. hang on. Tears are now free. "Can I choose what happens next?" she asked. "You've always done it." It went from the library to the forest that was no longer scary. The storm passed, and the moonlight danced on the wet leaves. Her phone was bustling in her pocket - somehow again. Message illuminated on the screen:"
By Jannatul Mariyam 10 months ago in Fiction