Latest Stories
Most recently published stories on Vocal.
Hunny
Hunny Chambers-My Mother’s Daughter ________________________________________ Preface: Born to Blaze Arkansas, 1930. The world was gray when Hunny was born—dust storms in the distance, soup lines on the horizon, and silence in homes where dreams had been rationed out like sugar.
By Lizz Chambers16 days ago in Chapters
I Was a Single Mother With $12 Left — Then One Phone Call Changed Everything
I was counting coins on my kitchen table, trying to decide whether to buy milk or save the last $12 for rent. My son was asleep in the next room, unaware that eviction notices don’t care if you’re a single mother. That’s when my phone rang — and everything I believed about survival changed. Before that moment, my life felt like a constant emergency. I was twenty-nine, divorced, and raising a four-year-old on my own in a small apartment on the edge of town. The walls were thin, the heater barely worked, and the landlord had already taped a warning notice to my door twice. I worked two jobs — mornings at a diner and evenings cleaning offices — but no matter how hard I tried, the math never worked. Childcare ate half my income. Gas prices kept climbing. Every unexpected expense felt like a personal attack. That night, I skipped dinner so my son could eat. I told him I wasn’t hungry, even though my stomach burned. When he finally fell asleep clutching his toy truck, I sat alone at the table, staring at those coins, feeling like a failure. The phone buzzed again. I almost didn’t answer. Most calls were bill collectors or spam. But something told me to pick it up. “Hi, this is Amanda from the housing office,” the voice said. I froze. She explained that I had applied months earlier for a rental assistance program for single mothers — a form I barely remembered filling out during one of my lowest days. “I wanted to let you know,” she continued, “you’ve been approved.” Approved. The word didn’t feel real. I asked her to repeat it. She told me they would cover three months of rent and help me apply for a longer-term support plan. After I hung up, I sat there in silence. Then I cried. Not quiet tears — the kind that shake your chest when you’ve been holding everything in for too long. But that phone call didn’t magically fix my life. It gave me breathing room — and sometimes, breathing room is everything. With the pressure eased, I started thinking differently. I realized how much energy I had spent just surviving. I wanted more than that for my son. I wanted stability. Dignity. A future. I began waking up an hour earlier every day. Not to work — but to learn. I watched free videos online about budgeting, basic computer skills, and remote work. I borrowed books from the library because buying them wasn’t an option. Some nights I was exhausted beyond words. Other nights, fear whispered that none of this would matter. But every morning, my son’s smile reminded me why I couldn’t quit. A few months later, I landed a small remote customer support job. The pay wasn’t amazing, but it was steady — and it meant I could be home more. I could make dinner instead of reheating leftovers at midnight. I could help with bedtime instead of rushing out the door. Life didn’t suddenly become easy. There were still bills. Still stress. Still moments of doubt. But there was also hope — something I hadn’t felt in a long time. One evening, as I tucked my son into bed, he looked at me and said, “Mommy, you’re not sad anymore.” I didn’t realize how much my struggle had shown on my face until that moment. I’m still a single mother. I still worry. But I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t weakness. Filling out that application didn’t make me less capable — it made me brave. If you’re reading this while counting coins, skipping meals, or wondering how you’ll make it through another month, please know this: your story isn’t over. Sometimes, one phone call doesn’t change everything — but it can change enough to keep you going. If you’re a single parent struggling in silence, this story is for you.
By Umar Farooq16 days ago in Humans
Trump Administration Announces Next Phase of Gaza Peace Plan. AI-Generated.
The Trump administration has announced the next phase of its Gaza peace plan, marking a new step in efforts to bring stability to a region that has faced months of conflict, destruction, and humanitarian suffering. This second phase, often called “Phase Two,” focuses on post-war governance, security, and rebuilding Gaza after intense fighting between Israel and Hamas.
By sehzeen fatima16 days ago in Journal
Bird's gift
Dino the Potter and the Golden Wheat In a small village lived a potter named Dino. Dino was a master of his craft. He could make beautiful and durable pots from clay. One day, the village’s generous landlord was so impressed by one of Dino’s pots that he gifted him a small piece of farmland.
By Sudais Zakwan16 days ago in Humans
“Friendship or Kindness”
The Court of Satan They were all five standing with their heads bowed. Satan’s disciples had captured them and brought them before the court of Satan. All five were confused, wondering what crime had led them to this dark place. The courtroom was silent, except for the occasional sinister laugh echoing from behind a black curtain.
By Sudais Zakwan16 days ago in Pride
Anne Frank, Can We Talk?
Dear Ann Frank, I never thought I would write to you, but I am certain you would understand all that I will pen to you today. Today’s society probably looks a lot like the days you witnessed. Being a Native American, I am a minority and repressed more than many cultural communities. Even though the Hispanics and illegal immigrants are the target right now, Native Americans are now being detained too. I know you had seen the same social disorder happening around you as I am seeing in my world today.
By Sheila L. Chingwa16 days ago in Humans
Desparate Attempts. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
The Failed Writer Aro was born into poverty. His father died young, leaving behind debts and a cracked house where rain leaked through the ceiling. His mother—frail, aging, and slowly losing herself to dementia—was all he had left.
By REalLLy22516 days ago in Fiction
Diary of Anony Elle
If you read the last post, forgive me… I was rambling. See, I have a plan! I have learned that perfection is not needed to start that plan. So, I just started it. I am committed and I will not allow my circumstances to deter me like I have many times before. Not this time. This time I am focused, dedicated, and willing to do everything that I need to do to achieve the outcome my babies and I deserve. I now know who I am, who they are, and what I am up against. I do not plan on being nice anymore, now that I know how stupid nice is. I do not wonder if they love me (“they” will be revealed soon) and I know who my enemies are; so I no longer have limits.
By Anony Elle16 days ago in Journal
The Dead Princess's Mercy. AI-Generated.
General Wei stared at the pool of black water beneath his feet. In its reflection, he didn’t see his own battle scared face, but the faces of the three thousand men he had burned alive at the Siege of Yan. Their skin was translucent and their mouths were stitched shut with what looked like rusted wire.
By Carolyn Patton16 days ago in Fiction
