Short Story

The Throne Room
The smoke hung heavy in the air, overtaking the sweet and savory smells that permeated the festival. The wooden poles that held the steel grates over the roaring flames were overturned, and the meats were ravaged by the beasts that hunted with the red-eyed shifter.
By KA Stefana 7 minutes ago in Fiction
TCoE: Climb
A scoff erupted from above. "You'll never make it," a man's ragged voice sneered. A twelve-year-old boy with messy dark hair and tan skin pulled his brown eyes from the parchment in his shaking hands. The sharp, resentful words cut his heart, leaving it frozen and gradually draining. The skinny lad was a bit taken aback by the stranger's harshness, but he mentally fought hard to brush it off. After a few moments, the bitter man who taunted the boy removed the hood of his cloak to reveal a scarred face. The man had wrinkly, tanned skin and long, dark hair.
By Mel E. Furnish40 minutes ago in Fiction
Calamity "Callie" Shortfuse. Content Warning.
So, Miss Shortfuse... Neat name. Very nice to meet you. May I call you Calamity? Callie, if it's all the same to ya. You only call me "Calamity," when you're beggin' for your life. So Callie is just fine.
By Madison "Maddy" Newtonabout an hour ago in Fiction
The City, defined
Axiom 1 (Boundaries). City k occupies a finite grid of streets numbered north-south and named eat-west. No street curves. Any appearance of curvature is an error of observation.
By Chxseabout 4 hours ago in Fiction
Paradise Acres
Thank you for participating in our tour. To help you settle in, we are offering an instructional class that will help guide you through the final stages of the application process. Contracts must be signed and turned in before entering. We look forward to meeting you. And remember: Paradise is only an acre away.
By April Singletaryabout 4 hours ago in Fiction
From the Desk of the Literary Coroner
From the Desk of Literary Coroner: Today’s Intake On my desk arrived an intriguing manuscript titled The Five Stages of Damnation — Quinque Gradūs Damnatiōnis.
By Paul Stewartabout 6 hours ago in Fiction
The Lovely Lute
I am the lovely Lute. I have pale, silver eyes with golden hair. I am young, about 25 years old, but wise beyond my years. All over my body are trace amounts of feathers—in my hair, on my shoulders and on my back.
By Madison "Maddy" Newtonabout 7 hours ago in Fiction
Syndra of the Silver Void
My parents were Sinaht and Rubarae, proud astral elves whom many looked up to. My mother, Rubarae, was a gifted healer while my father, Sinaht, was a studied philosopher, his gaze always fixated on the stars. Always.
By Madison "Maddy" Newtonabout 8 hours ago in Fiction
The Name is Sable Trevino
Sable Trevino is a slyborne katari rogue and active council member for the City of Eprieta. Clever and cunning as they come, Sable carries out her duties to the people as "Arbiter of the Veil," or the master of spies. Just think of her as a shadier version of Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet.
By Madison "Maddy" Newtonabout 8 hours ago in Fiction
Pastel Nightmare
The Johnsons were the quintessential suburban family. Laura, her husband Mark, and their two kids, Ellie and Ben, loved going all out for the holidays. Easter was no exception. Pastel-colored eggs, garlands, and bunny decorations adorned their home every year, but this time, Laura wanted to make it extra special.
By V-Ink Storiesabout 8 hours ago in Fiction
The Burrow
The Thompsons had planned their Easter weekend months in advance. A family camping trip seemed like the perfect escape from the monotony of suburbia, a chance to bond over s’mores and nature hikes. The secluded Maplewood Campground, nestled deep in the woods, promised tranquility and picturesque views. They had no idea what awaited them beneath the ground.
By V-Ink Storiesabout 8 hours ago in Fiction
The Cult
There is a group of people who no longer know what civilization was like. They had chosen to venture out into the woods, to follow that voice that called to them, asking for an army to build. They gave in, each of them possessing an unknown darkness that hid within them. They were afraid to touch this part of themselves, but the voice claimed that they would be welcomed with open arms, into a fold where they would no longer feel alone.
By Emy Quinnabout 10 hours ago in Fiction