Psychological
a bad sign
The long, white, seemed to somehow get closer together as they carried his view forward. The building had once been full of screaming kids and struggling parents. The kids wanted the right toy, the food not a focus till the toy was checked. The tantrums seemed to move around the room as more young customers opened their boxes, dug through the food to see what moulded plastic laid at the bottom.
By ASHLEY SMITH6 months ago in Fiction
Cash Back
It began at the local variety store. Overnight, someone or some company installed a portable ATM on the front stoop of Michael’s Convenience Store. Old Man Michael, who only opened the store on weekdays, did not see what happened on the previous weekend. He did not remember placing a call to have it put there, and he knew that there was still a local bank that had their machines “well up and robbing us” (as he said to any of the familiar customers who asked about it). There was no phone or serial number on it (he looked around it twice), but he could see that it was connected to the main power grid – not taking power from his store and raising his bills, he thought – and he left it there, untouched and he was unimpressed. Let them charge whatever they want if people are that dumb. He opened his store and waited to see if he would have to explain what was going on outside.
By Kendall Defoe 6 months ago in Fiction
The Enchanted Cottage
Jan and Zack sat facing the ocean, huddled close, as the cool breeze blew on their back. The dog days of summer were ending. It had been everything that a summer could be. They had purchased their new home and moved in and still had another week to settle in before they would have to go back to work.
By Katherine D. Graham6 months ago in Fiction
A Calming Sleep Story: The Night Train to Transylvania
The Journey Begins It was a quiet night when the train station, tucked away in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, began to glow under the silver moonlight. The platform stood almost deserted, except for a few travelers holding their coats tighter against the gentle night breeze. The clock above the station slowly ticked toward midnight, and soon, the sound of steel wheels whispered through the valley.
By Umar Farooq6 months ago in Fiction
Herbert. Top Story - August 2025.
A hulking figure stood in the doorway. He smelled like whiskey and clenched a cigar between his teeth. It had a cherry scent adding a pleasant smell to an otherwise horrible one. Brad and Wendy turn and their faces twist in horror. Herbert revs his chain saw; then he lets out a terrifying squeal while chasing after the couple. Wendy bashes the clown over the head. Glass shatters and candy goes everywhere. Herbert shakes his head. Brad drives his shoulder into Herbert’s belly. The clown lets out a grunt as he staggers backwards and crashes through the coffee table. The terrified couple tries fleeing out the back door.
By DJ Robbins6 months ago in Fiction
Mystique 🧚
Mystique lived in a realm folded between the petals of twilight and dream - a beautifully vivid faerie sanctuary. The Grove of Lirael, is it's name, nestled between a secret reality not found on maps and a wonder which can only be glimpsed in the shimmer of dew on a spider’s web.
By Novel Allen6 months ago in Fiction
Frenemies. Content Warning.
She smiled, her teeth glinting in the light of the single incandescent bulb hanging from the center of the cell’s ceiling. She stood just on the edge of the light, her hands in the pockets of her long black trench coat, just staring at me.
By ThatOne_Girl6 months ago in Fiction
The Mind Of A Child
(A retelling of Alice In Wonderland which is now mine!) The Mind Of A Child Part I *Amanda* We need a good day. It’s not every day that this sweet little girl turns nine, you know. Today needs to be perfect. No bickering, yelling or carrying on allowed. My name is Amanda. I am out at the mall with my mom. She always makes sure every birthday is fun and full of adventure. Technically my birthday isn’t until tomorrow. We’re getting stuff together early. My dad is taking the day off to spend it with me. We just finished our fudge sundaes. Our seat overlooks the main floor of the mall atop a balcony where the food court is. I glance over at the cassette and VHS store next to us. I have my heart and hopes set so much on the new Thriller album. “We don’t have time today, Amanda.” My mother chimes in.
By Meredith McLarty6 months ago in Fiction
Echo of a Nightmare. Top Story - August 2025.
Gabrielle found herself in a dimly lit hallway, where the floorboards screeched underneath her feet and the people in the pictures that hung on the wall glared at her maliciously. She had a vague recollection of why she was here and how she got here, but her end goal was fuzzy to her. Gabrielle gulped as she kept on walking down the hallway, towards an end she could not see. The lights above her flickered dangerously as she hunched towards herself in an attempt to make herself smaller.
By Rebecca Patton6 months ago in Fiction
