Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Fiction.

The Quiet Girl in the Office
Laughter spilled through the slightly open lunchroom door, bright and sharp like glass breaking in the quiet hallway. Cindy paused outside the doorway.
By Gaurav Gupta3 days ago in Fiction
Deep Blue
When I was eleven, my family went on vacation to Hawaii. We took a boat out to a secluded reef in the shade of a lush cove, where the water was a deep blue and you couldn't see the bottom. Peering out through their comically-large snorkelling goggles, my parents beckoned for me to join them in the water, but I was afraid to jump in.
By TYC3 days ago in Fiction
Contillian Rubustus the III
Contillian counted the seconds before the beast was to be released. His bare shoulders were flexed. Already, his sweat drenched his body in the heat of the baking sun. He had wrestled lions and bears dozens of times. Whatever type of beast was behind the gate, it couldn’t be worse than the animals that he’d strangled to death before. The spear in his hand was sharp.
By Rowan Finley 3 days ago in Fiction
The Hunt for Dahlia
Paws the size of bucklers slapped down one after another through the mud that made up the eastern pass that ran out through the Agathok. The locals referred to it as Mercas Way, no doubt because of the vast amount of trade caravans and merchants that frequented it in the dry months. The beast gave a low moan and tossed its head back and forth several times to shake the rain and dirt from its face, picking up its pace slightly as it grew giddy at the prospect of a clean hide. The deserts had been warm the last few years allowing the beast to lounge with its master out in the sun, but the packing of sand into everything that was not sealed had been an uncomfortable compromise.
By Brier3 days ago in Fiction
The Edge of Something
She kissed me. She kissed me, and I just stood there. I didn't understand what was happening until it was already over. Did I lean in? I don't know. She did — I know that much — because I would never have been the one to close the distance. I had only been thinking that I was having a nice time with a girl I met in class. A nice time. That's all.
By Eddamar González3 days ago in Fiction
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicle
In late March, after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued the stay-at-home order, all workers in non-essential industries were required to remain at home. The goal was clear: protect lives, slow the rising curve of infections, and relieve the growing panic that had gripped New Yorkers.
By Peter3 days ago in Fiction
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicl
On March 1, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New York City was announced. The patient was a middle-aged lawyer working in a Midtown Manhattan law firm. His condition was already severe when he was diagnosed, and he was immediately hospitalized and placed in isolation.
By Peter3 days ago in Fiction
A Wedding Toast
Good evening, everyone! I wanted to let the bride know first that I cleared it with the groom, and he agreed that I should sleep with you guys on your wedding night. After all, that is what you did on my wedding night. Because you told everyone you slept in the middle, I think it's only fair. Your groom agreed. I know some of you have heard the story about how this happened. And perhaps have heard it many times over the years. Since it is rumored that you are pregnant, it's not like it is your first night together.
By Denise E Lindquist3 days ago in Fiction
To The Groom
For those who don't know me, I'm Carley, and this toast is for the groom, Matt, or should I call him the wedding specialist, God knows he's been at the Department of Marriage License Bureau enough times. According to the lady who works there, fourteen times to be exact. This toast is also for Nicole, someone who finally got him to the alter, my hat's off to you, or should I say, my garter belt. Matt, you should recognize it from when you took it off me, when we were together. "Many Happy Years Together, if you last that long. Anyway Cheers!"
By Susan Payton3 days ago in Fiction
The Corner Table
Every morning, the cafe illed with the same quiet rhythm. The door chimed, the espresso machine hissed, and the regulars appeared in a steady procession.
By Zakir Ullah3 days ago in Fiction
Is Saad Punjwani About to Get Married? A Mysterious Instagram Post Sparks Curiosity
A single Instagram post is sometimes enough to start a wave of curiosity online — and that is exactly what happened when Pakistani technology entrepreneur Saad Punjwani suddenly appeared on Instagram after years of silence.
By Jon B. Carroll3 days ago in Fiction
A Convening of Heaven's Conference Table.
"There will never be any peace...until God is seated at the conference table". (The ChiLites, 1973). "Hear ye. Hear ye. By the power of the All Seeing and Unseen, I thus make this holy proclamation to declare, affirm and acknowledge that...
By Novel Allen3 days ago in Fiction