Magical Realism
Firebug: Chapter 8 - Ripples. Top Story - November 2025.
Rain, gentle and soothing, pitter-pattered on the window beside Theo. The steady percussion roused him from slumber slowly, teasing him awake like an oyster being pried out of its shell. It was only then he realized that his bedroom didn't have a window before. And that the door was on the wrong side of the room. The bed itself was all wrong, too, made up in soft, dark blue sheets that certainly weren't his.
By Natalie Gray2 months ago in Chapters
The Universe Written on a Single Leaf
A philosopher discovered a leaf with veins forming patterns identical to star maps. He spent years studying it, realizing the design wasn’t coincidence but a reminder: the universe is not out there—it is in everything, even the smallest sliver of matter. When the leaf eventually decayed, the philosopher smiled instead of mourning. “Infinity,” he said, “doesn’t disappear. It only changes form.”
By GoldenSpeech2 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 7 - Splitting Hairs. Content Warning.
Roman hated parties. Did he mention that? Rubbing elbows with the entire student population of Hill Academy while having his brain liquefied by Nicki Minaj's latest hit cranked up past eleven was not his idea of a good time. On top of that, this was a Chris Fletcher party. If that delinquent was involved, this party was guaranteed to the the wildest shindig west of State U's Delta Gamma Frat House.
By Natalie Gray2 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 6 - The Party
To say Theo was anxious about going to Chris' party was a laughable understatement. He was utterly bricking it on the ride over, calculating the odds of surviving a leap from a moving car. Part of him was actually considering it; the numbers were in his favor, and his maths were never wrong. All that changed when he heard a deep sigh from his left.
By Natalie Gray2 months ago in Chapters
The Cloud That Refused to Rain
A single dark cloud hovered over a drought-stricken village, trembling but refusing to break. People cursed it until they learned the truth: if it rained then, the cracked earth would shatter. So they softened the soil, and only then did the cloud let go. Sometimes restraint is the purest form of care.
By GoldenSpeech2 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 5 - Jack of All Trades
"...and... done. Finally." Roman leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh, pushing back from his editor's desk. He rolled his neck gingerly, rubbing the back of it with a wince to massage the ache from it. He'd ridden that deadline right down to the wire, but the next edition of the school paper was ready for print. Better late than never, right?
By Natalie Gray2 months ago in Chapters
The Night the Stars Fell Silent. AI-Generated.
Mira had always believed that the universe spoke in light — in pulses, in echoes, in subtle vibrations that only telescopes and sensitive minds could understand. From childhood, she had felt connected to the night sky in a way that no one around her ever understood. While others saw stars, she saw patterns. While others saw darkness, she felt presence.
By shakir hamid2 months ago in Chapters
The Mask Slips
All things considered, the lecture Theo received from his father could've been worse. At the very least, it was short and to the point. He didn't even mention the fresh bruise on Theo's nose. If he even bothered to notice it at all, that is. Thaddeus had already left for work when Theo got up the next morning, leaving the seventeen-year-old to fend for himself for breakfast. As usual. Although he headed off to school without so much as a "good morning" note from his father, Thaddeus Quill's words from the night before still rang clearly in Theo's ears.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
Goeiemorgend, Luister Naar De Draaien
Introduction I found this beautiful image on Debbie's Magical Brew below. I thought Goeiemorgend was the artist and "Luister naar de kraaien" was the name of the painting, but Goeiemorgend means "Good Morning" and "Luister naar de kraaien" means Listen To The Crows.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 3 months ago in Chapters
At Arm's Length
Theo knew from the brochure that Hill Academy was quite large. The brochure, however, did not give the school an ounce of justice. The sprawling campus had more acreage than students. Among its many buildings set aside for core classes, Hill Academy sported a baseball, football, and American football field, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a running track. For those less athletically inclined, there were computer labs and music rooms galore, as well as a massive library and an auditorium to rival the Apollo.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
