Fantasy
A Perfect Day
The alarm blares at 7:30am like it did every morning. Cole reaches over slowly and turns off his phone alarm. He stares at the ceiling fan and tracks it with his eyes. Round and round all the time. Normally he would be up and about already. This morning, he is tired and takes a moment to contemplate. Sitting up at the edge of the bed, he gazes over at the velvet box sitting on his dresser. With a sigh, he stands up and crosses the room to the bathroom. For cosmetic purposes he swishes his mouthwash and brushes his teeth. He even flossed this time. He turns on the shower and waits until it's warm. Stepping into the shower, he lets it run lightly down his chest. The water pressure isn’t that great, he can’t help but feel slightly annoyed he never did anything about it. Cole's mind begins to wander, he cries a little in the shower but no one can see or hear him. Quickly centering himself, he takes a deep breath and steps out of the shower. He draws some warm water from the sink and pulls out a new razor. He begins to slowly lather his face with shaving cream. As he shaves, he is extra careful not to knick himself. Afterward, he splashes his face with cold water. He finishes up in the bathroom and heads over to his closet. He puts on his favorite pair of jeans and red polo. He sits down at the end of his bed and slips on his brown leather dress shoes. Tying them firmly so they won’t come undone. Turning his attention back to the thin velvet box in front of him. He slips it into his back pocket for the last time.
By John Galpin5 years ago in Fiction
The Goddess of Cats
I can only tell you what I know, what I experienced. People come through here and tell all sorts of stories and I don’t necessarily believe them. They say the government flew off to Mars with all the rich people and they’re up there now fighting over territory. They say the motorcycle gangs went after the Doomsday Preppers and stole all their food and daughters. They say there are no amber waves of grain because there’s no gas to run the big machines and there’s no seed to plant since Monsanto relocated to the red planet. In other places, they say, strong men tried to snatch kids for soldiers but the kids’ parents rose up and beat the shit out of the scoundrels.
By Gaylon Emerzian5 years ago in Fiction
OVERSEER: The Duel
Meron settled into the deep shadow of a dusty stairwell overhang. A faint scent of urine dominated the place, and she wrinkled her nose at the unpleasant odor. The dim moon shone overheard, providing enough light to notice the shadowy form creeping along the opposite edge of the dark alleyway. Meron settled further into the shadow, steeling herself for the unavoidable battle. She could say he was invisible, but it was not. At least not to Meron.
By Mark Jefferson5 years ago in Fiction
Treasures
It was rare these days to find something of real value. Team leader Six stood confidently in the center of the village’s common area, her experienced senses taking in the information around her. Villages like this were scattered all along the river, filled with communities of survivors eking out an existence in what was left of the world. Survival for her clan meant controlling the world around them, and controlling the few resources that were left. Scouting, planning, and ruthless execution always overcame seclusion and anonymity. This fight was over.
By Michael Troutt5 years ago in Fiction
Blueback Flight
1 -Blueback Vaughn Skagg distracted himself with imagining all the things he could buy with his dragon hunt earnings. A blade with an ice enchantment. No, a fire-enchanted dagger. Perhaps a cloak of gliding. Why, he could even hire a journeyman mage as a business associate and traveling companion. But if he was realistic he needed a steed of his own.
By Dean Floyd5 years ago in Fiction
The Death Within
All stories can either be happy or sad...My life is just in between, however, if you're reading this that means something changed. My mother once told me, that the greatest killer is not a man, that of disease or Hunger but the death within. I would like to tell you more about how it all began, where I come from, and who I am, but for now. I will just give you my name. My name is Sarah, and this heart of a locket you could call it is the heart of my mother. Every day things seem to increase from bad to worse, to the point I begin to miss when only Covid was a thing that was the worst. I remember at least in those times maybe a temporary relief. Today's date is 2028 for the month and the day I have no idea. It's been over a year that the world has just stopped caring what day or month that it is, as we continue to hope that maybe next year will be something better. Currently, I like many others I am dying. Most of us now don't live past our 30s there are still some of us that survived however it's just a matter of time. So if you're wondering what it is I'm speaking of, things must've gotten better. Please take care of yourself because the things I'm speaking of, or of things to come and to continue to come now but even in the future when things may seem to be better. --- Ever since I was a little girl I've seen a lot of great sadness. I was there when the Spanish flu, World War II, swine disease, Covid, and A call for peace was made worldwide. If you're wondering, yes I am old. I'm 110 years of age sometime this year. How? Remember that locket, the heart of my mother? Sometime in 2023 or 2024 something Happened that no one saw coming. Something my mother has spoken of as long ago. See it wasn't a pandemic that you cannot see. Many other events unfolded, the markets closed and digital currencies begin to sweep the nation ending in a crash that only had a domino effect on the world. The world at that time depended on it for its banking and all other finances. Which is no more, now there's neither rich nor poor. We are all poor to some degree, many others are worse off than me. But still, this is not what's killing us. We are all suffering from the death within, and it's not the pandemic that broke out yesterday. I'm sure there is still more to come, and Hunger seems to be more and more widespread. I know that I said my story is neither sad nor happy. I want to share a secret, that my mother told me."Daughter, I want to share something with you that you can choose to keep or to tell others but know that if you share
By Thomous Goddard5 years ago in Fiction
A Revolution
I take a step forward. I look at my feet, covered in dirt, and bruises I can’t feel anymore. It’s been a long time since I could feel anything thanks to the serum I was given, however many months ago. The concept of time is gone, but so is pain. I clutch the bottom of the long white shirt I wear, my fingers unable to appreciate the soft fabric I’m holding. The air is warm, judging by the sweat dripping down my face into my eyes, but I can’t feel heat, nor the wetness of perspiration. I know it didn’t used to be normal, not feeling anything, but things aren’t normal anymore. Maybe some pain wouldn’t be so bad right now, if it meant feeling anything.
By Aaron King5 years ago in Fiction
Journey (Working Title)
Chapter 1 The sound of rustling leaves as he pushed them out of his path, the sound of the wind brushing past him while he ran. There was nothing more that he loved as he ran through the woods. Even though he was being chased, he couldn’t help but love these sounds around him. The adoration almost masked the fear that he felt as he ran from them. They were chasing him for a reason unknown to him. All he knew was that he needed to get away. He could feel the pounding of their feet trailing behind his. Scared of getting caught he turned left into the thicket, hoping to hide from his pursuers but as he ran through the thick bushes he heard a faint creak under his feet just before the ground below him snapped and he fell.
By Damian Pires5 years ago in Fiction
