Latest Stories

Most recently published stories on Vocal.

Hand to the Fire
I keep touching the hot stove top. It keeps singeing my hand and I don’t know how to make the pain stop. Maybe if I touch it on the hottest part, the pain will stop. OUCH! What the hell. Why does it keep hurting me, burning me? And why, am I blistering. I know, let me increase the fire and touch it again. If it burns off the blisters, then the pain will stop. One of these times it has to stop. I’ll just keep changing it up a little here and a little there, until it does.
By Alexandra Grantabout 3 hours ago in Humans
The Invisible Unicorns: Why Pakistan’s Best Software Houses Are Ghosts in the US Market. AI-Generated.
Pakistan is currently experiencing an IT export boom. The government claims we are on track for $5 Billion in exports. We have some of the most talented engineers in the world. We have software houses in Lahore and Karachi building complex AI architectures for Fortune 500 companies.
By Mahnoor Qureshiabout 3 hours ago in Journal
Lurid Dreams
Lying here in bed seeing things I ought not to by the phone’s harsh light
By Leslie Writesabout 3 hours ago in Poets
My two cents on the "analog bag" and the "going analog" trend
Some days ago, I came across this video by Australian youtuber Drama Kween, where she was commenting on a new Tiktok trend named "analog bag":
By Simona Rossoabout 3 hours ago in Lifehack
January 24, 2026. Content Warning.
Saturday hands in view holding phone Protestor gun permit CITIZEN Masked agent made a choice Alex Pretti
By Tina D. Lopezabout 3 hours ago in Poets
Orange
Late-night phone conversation with my ex, who doesn’t believe in soulmates, fate, or anything that can’t be explained or measured.
By Tina D. Lopezabout 3 hours ago in Poets
The Mastermind
They called him, Mr. Mastermind. His duties were simple, he was to visit different places around the world and deliver his message, of his Master Plan.
By Susan Paytonabout 3 hours ago in Fiction
Cruising the Atlantic Division
The Colorado Avalanche's long seven-game homestand started well, but ended very rocky (no pun intended). We dominated our first two games, but the next five were very messy. The Avs lost four of our last five games in the homestand, but again, because a loss isn't a loss in regular season hockey, it's actually a 1-2-2 stretch in our last five games, which is only one game under "NHL .500" in that time. That's how fortunate and spoiled we are this year; even our lulls aren't truly lulls.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout 3 hours ago in Unbalanced
From 'Seth' to CEO: The Digital Crisis Facing Pakistan's Family Empires in 2026. AI-Generated.
Drive through the industrial heartlands of Pakistan—from the smoke-filled lanes of Korangi in Karachi to the textile hubs of Faisalabad—and you will see the physical legacy of the "Seth Culture."
By Mahnoor Qureshiabout 3 hours ago in Journal
How to Fill the Silence
Stop waiting for acknowledgment that isn’t coming. Open Google Docs. Create a blank page. Let your hands hover. Do not rush it.
By Alicia Melnick about 4 hours ago in Poets
How to cultivate regret
First, you'll need a woman. Any woman will do, but she should laugh like she means it, and her name should feel good in your mouth at 3 a.m.
By J.M.about 4 hours ago in Poets
Georgian Cooking Class
I've turned 56 today and my niece, who is visiting me in Tbilisi, gave me a most wonderful birthday present - a Georgian cuisine cooking class taught by a wonderful chef Karolina. Before retiring, she used to be a tour guide, so we had a pleasure of not only learning how to cook traditional Georgian dishes but also of listening to her stories about Georgia and its culture.
By Lana V Lynxabout 4 hours ago in Feast