Young Adult
How A Marigold Flower Saved Me from a Mental Breakdown
After losing his dad at the age of 10 due to a brain aneurysm, Alfred did whatever he could financially to help his mom. She worked cleaning offices and waitressing jobs. Alfred began working at the age of 11, selling a weekly local newspaper to commuters catching trains on their way to work. After doing this job for two years, he moved up to working at a local fast-food restaurant as a cook, janitor, and cashier. As Alfred started high school, he also worked as a janitor for a community center while continuing his fast-food career.
By Anthony Chan4 years ago in Fiction
Just Get There
This is a continuation of the "Just Get There" series. Here you can find part 1 and part 2. Jessa was fighting back the panic she was feeling. Tears of fear and shock about what just happened rolled down her cheek. She felt like she had been waiting in the quickly fading dusk for an eternity before she heard him call out again.
By J. Delaney-Howe4 years ago in Fiction
Note to Self: Reposted!
This story was originally submitted to Short Fiction Break on the last day in July 2018 (under my previous pseudonym, Hannah M. Dillard). It's a little awkward for a short story, but who isn't a little awkward at times? I've also included some new, original illustrations for this post. Enjoy!
By Hannah Marie. 4 years ago in Fiction
The Shattered Pond
The pond is still, long frozen over for the winter. I am the one who is shattered. Momma is dead now. After all the evening frozen margaritas, which led to the morning bottles of wine, shots of whiskey, and then bottles of vodka instead of the cups of coffee, Momma is dead. Even though everyone saw it coming, even though I saw it coming, I am still shattered.
By Chloe Medeiros4 years ago in Fiction
Mercury Bluffs
Chapter 1 September 4th, 10:22 A.M. State Beach, Martha’s Vineyard Blood-curdling screams rode the crimson waves and crashed hard against the hot sand. Two of the three teenage lifeguards on duty began to pierce through the chaos with their Kiefer Pealess whistles, alerting any remaining swimmers that there was a shark in the water. Beach goers of all ages were suddenly thrusted into a panic as they rushed to gather their scattered friends and family members in desperate attempts to retreat to the safety of their vehicles. Beyond the red buoys which marked the limit for all swimmers, Bree scanned the water with her Marine Rescue binoculars and saw three gray dorsal fins breaching the roiling water indicating that these were now hunting grounds. They were tactically circling a lone sloop which didn’t appear to have any souls on board. Bree’s heart quickly sank to the depths of her stomach, fearing the worst.
By Kale Sinclair4 years ago in Fiction
Rent's Going to Be Late (Again)
He always imagined what it would be like to not have to worry all the time. Worried about next month’s medication costs, or if he can make the bag of rice stretch until pay day. He had support from his family, but they weren’t in any position to help right now, and he hated feeling like a burden. He was firm in his belief that these moments were only temporary. Money comes, and money goes. But recently he’d been getting really desperate. The end of the month was approaching. And although he was able to convince his roommate to hold off on paying rent until the end of the week, he was still nearly $600 short on what he owed that month. He sat himself down and brainstormed every idea that could possibly make him money between now and when rent was due, no matter how far fetched it was.
By Janine Walker4 years ago in Fiction
A Delightful Calm
Courtanae sipped her second energy drink of the morning and braced herself for her first call. So far her day had been about as eventful as the stale luke warm water in the nearby office water fountain. Courtanae didn't realize it yet but her day was about to get a whole lot thornier.
By Tiffany Gordon4 years ago in Fiction
Etched Stars
The universe is a cold, dark place. It goes on, forever, and ever, and if you’re not careful, it can suck you away, erase you from existence. There’s nothing that can change the fact that one day, the stars will go out, one by one, dying as they fade from the sky we so desperately love. We look up and see death, the slow death of the universe as stars explode, or get swallowed up by black holes, or get overrun by alien races we know nothing about. And yet, we wish upon these stars. We look up, and we see hope. We see life. We look up at the stars to escape the lives that are so desperately clouded in darkness.
By Jordan Dugdale4 years ago in Fiction
