Latest Stories
Most recently published stories on Vocal.
Boons and Curses
Before him lay his doom. Exasperated, Imperator Valatious collapsed into his chair. Beyond the hide walls of his tent, the evening air hung disquietingly still. He ran his weathered hands through a grease-stained mane of brown hair, uncut since the campaign began.
By Matthew J. Fromm8 days ago in Fiction
5 Concepts of Consent To Teach Your Toddlers
My name is Mom - and I am a sexual assault survivor. My first experience with sexual assault happened when I was young enough to have trouble remembering exactly what happened. I remember being under the blankets. I remember the hand. I remember trying to wriggle free, only for that hand to squeeze my leg so hard that it felt like it would break.
By Hope Martin8 days ago in Families
Finding Emotional Grounding: A Path to Calm and Clarity
Emotional grounding is a gentle practice that helps you return to the present moment when feelings become overwhelming. It invites you to reconnect with your body and senses, creating a safe space inside. When emotions swirl like a storm, grounding offers a calm harbor.
By Marina Gomez8 days ago in Proof
Feelings Never Die. Top Story - February 2026.
It is Valentine's Day again, and it bought back memories that were over fifty years old. It bought me back to 1971, and I woke up and I knew my baby was due today. I was big and pregnant, and I felt like I was about to burst wide open. Imagine my surprise when the doctor told my I had a due date of February 14. I couldn't believe it, and since my baby was due today, I felt I could indulge myself a bit. I had gained a lot of weight, and chocolate was on the no-no list, but I had came to the end of this pregnancy, and I hoped it would be okay, after all I would deliver this baby today. So I walked across the street to the grocery story, and bought myself, a peppermint patty, covered in chocolate, my favorite. Me and my Valentine's baby would enjoy it together.
By Susan Payton8 days ago in Fiction
Mixed-Source Introductions Improve Genetic Diversity in Captive Forest Musk Deer. AI-Generated.
Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) are among the most unique and ecologically important mammals of Asia’s mountainous forests. Known for the valuable musk produced by males, these shy, solitary animals have faced decades of pressure from habitat loss, illegal hunting, and overexploitation. As wild populations decline, captive breeding programs have become a critical conservation tool. However, captivity brings its own challenges—one of the most serious being the loss of genetic diversity.
By Ayesha Lashari8 days ago in Chapters
The Man Who Missed the Train
Subtitle 1: A Life That Looked Ordinary In a small town near Lyon, France, there lived a man named Julien Moreau. To most people, Julien was invisible. He worked as a cleaner at a railway station, starting his shift before sunrise and ending when most people were already having dinner. His uniform was always neat, but his eyes carried the quiet weight of disappointment.
By Iazaz hussain8 days ago in Motivation
Movers in Minneapolis: What to Know Before Planning a Relocation. AI-Generated.
Relocating in Minneapolis can be both an exciting and challenging experience. Known for its vibrant arts scene, strong job market, and long winters, the city offers a high quality of life—but moving within or to Minneapolis requires thoughtful preparation. Understanding the local environment, seasonal factors, and common moving considerations can make the process smoother and less stressful.
By House Doctor8 days ago in Lifehack
Ida Craddock. Content Warning.
The Crime of Speaking Clearly Certain historical figures disappear through intentional removal rather than neglect. Ida C. Craddock encountered sustained opposition after challenging powerful cultural institutions. Educational work produced by Craddock confronted sexual ignorance promoted as moral discipline, questioned religious leadership separated from lived human experience, and exposed legal systems willing to criminalize sexual education. Cultural resistance intensified during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, an era defined by rigid public morality and aggressive censorship.
By Marcus Hedare8 days ago in BookClub
Why More Drivers Are Getting Fines And How to Avoid Them
Getting a driving fine used to feel like bad luck. Today, it feels increasingly common. Many drivers are surprised to find penalty notices arriving in the mail for issues they didn’t even realize were violations. From speed cameras to mobile phone detection systems, road enforcement has changed dramatically over the last decade. As technology improves and traffic rules become stricter, more drivers are being fined than ever before. Understanding why this is happening is the first step toward avoiding unnecessary penalties and driving with confidence.
By Austin Peck8 days ago in Wheel
The Great Wealth Shift Accelerates
The Great Wealth Shift Accelerates The precious metals market has entered a period of extreme turbulence—and for prepared investors, that turbulence is opening the door to a historic transfer of wealth. Silver surges more than 60% in weeks, collapses 20% overnight. Gold demand smashes all-time records. Meanwhile, powerful players scramble to secure physical supply at discounted prices. This is not random volatility. It is a structural reset, shifting value away from leveraged paper markets and toward real, tangible metal.
By Lakhwinder Singh8 days ago in Education
