The Edge
An optimistic adventurer reveals their world's elusive boundary.
On my adventures I never thought I'd find the Edge.
My tribe had prophecies of people finding the Edge, some tribespeople ventured out on their own, others were chosen, but out of everyone who left, no one ever returned.
I had always wanted to go, but, days before I left on my own accord, I was chosen.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. My supplies were running low, but I was determined. Trudging through the thick snow, along vast barren spaces and navigating huge dense forests, I saw no signs of life.
Just as I left the last few trees behind me, I saw it, the Edge. I stopped in my tracks, admiring what was in front of me, the end of our world. The ground started to tremble, I rapidly dove to the floor and laid as still as possible, just as I'd been taught. Our tribe called them worldshakes, the ground trembled shortly before everything shook violently. The disturbed snow drifted high into the air, and when the ground stopped shaking and the trembling settled, it fell again, slowly, beautifully, blanketing the world around me.
I found myself entranced, walking clumsily to the Edge. I lifted and outstretched my hand, the Edge was cold to touch and I could see only my reflection. Looking up, the Edge rose high above and behind me, all the way up and over. Our snowy land was surrounded, enclosed, there was no escape, I'd found the Edge of our Snowglobe.
About the Creator
Liam Storm
I currently work as a thatcher, but love the art of writing a narrative, currently I am working on putting my ideas onto paper and creating a book. In the meantime I create short stories to keep myself, fiancée and two dogs entertained.
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TUS NUA - ch 53
TUS NUA – ch 53 New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight (*)(*)(*) Finola knew Ali’s brother-in-law needed to put his mind at rest. She fed her arm through his and led him outside. “We’ll sit here. If you like, I can put a block around us so our conversation will be private.”
By Margaret Brennana day ago in Fiction
The Frozen Pass Mystery: The Night Nine Hikers Ran Into the Darkness
In the winter of 1959, a group of nine university students decided to attempt a difficult expedition through a remote mountain range deep in northern Russia. The leader of the group was Arman Karev, a calm and experienced hiker known among his friends for planning tough but exciting adventures. Joining him were his close friends: Leonid Petrov, Sasha Morov, Nikolai Varenko, Yuri Sokol, Viktor Belin, Irina Volkova, Tania Orlov, and Mira Petrenko. All of them were skilled hikers. Some had already completed several winter expeditions before. None of them were beginners, and they knew exactly how dangerous the mountains could be in February. Still, adventure called them. They began their journey at the end of January, carrying heavy backpacks, cameras, journals, and enough supplies to survive the brutal cold. Their goal was to cross the frozen mountain pass and return home with stories of challenge and victory. During the first days of the expedition, everything seemed normal. Photos later recovered from their cameras showed the group laughing, walking through deep snow, and setting up camp under the pale winter sky. They looked happy, confident, and completely unaware of the mystery their journey would become. But after they failed to return on the scheduled date, worry began to spread. Days turned into weeks. Finally, search teams were organized to look for the missing hikers. When rescuers reached the area where the group was believed to have camped, they quickly found something strange. The tent was still there. But something about it felt wrong. The fabric of the tent had been cut open from the inside. Experienced hikers would never destroy their own shelter in the middle of a snowstorm unless something forced them to escape immediately. Outside the tent, the snow told a silent story. Footprints led away from the campsite. But the rescuers noticed something terrifying. Some footprints appeared to belong to people who were barefoot or wearing only socks. In temperatures far below freezing, leaving shelter without boots or coats would be almost certain death. The tracks continued down the slope toward a dark forest about a kilometer away. When searchers followed the trail, they discovered the first two bodies beneath a tall cedar tree. It was Yuri Sokol and Leonid Petrov. Near them were the remains of a small fire, as if they had desperately tried to warm themselves before the cold became too much. Between the tree and the abandoned campsite, three more bodies were found: Arman Karev, Sasha Morov, and Nikolai Varenko. Their positions suggested something heartbreaking. It looked as if they had been trying to crawl back to the tent before collapsing in the snow. Weeks later, after heavy snow began to melt, the remaining four hikers were discovered inside a nearby ravine. What investigators saw next made the mystery even darker. Irina Volkova had a fractured skull. Viktor Belin had several broken ribs. Mira Petrenko was missing her tongue. And Tania Orlov had severe internal injuries that looked similar to those caused by a powerful collision. Yet strangely, there were almost no external wounds. Even more confusing, there were no signs that anyone else had been present. No other footprints. No evidence of an attack. Some of the hikers’ clothing was later reported to have unusual radiation traces, adding another layer of mystery to the case. Over time, theories began to appear everywhere. Some believed a sudden avalanche might have terrified the group. Others suggested secret military tests happening in the mountains that night. A few locals even claimed they had seen strange glowing lights in the sky during the same period. But none of the explanations fully answered the biggest question. Why would nine trained hikers suddenly panic so badly that they cut open their tent and run into the freezing darkness? Years later, the case file was quietly closed with a strange explanation. Officials simply stated that the hikers died due to “an unknown and overwhelming force.” The mountain pass where the tragedy happened was later renamed Frozen Pass in memory of the lost hikers. Even today, hikers who visit the area say the place feels unusually quiet. The wind moves slowly through the snow-covered slopes, and the forest stands dark and still beneath the mountains. Some visitors say that standing there at night feels unsettling—almost as if the mountain is hiding something. Something that happened long ago. Something no one has ever fully understood. And perhaps never will.
By Baseer Shaheen 2 days ago in Fiction
Comments (26)
Well deserved Top Story… clever reveal.✅
Came back for another read, I do remember this one and see why you are so fond of it.
I read a ton of snow micros including this one. Not sure why I never commented. Such an imaginative tale. Not sure why it didn’t place. At least you got 5 bucks for the TS. Happy belated congrats for that!
وعسى أن تكرهوا شيئًا وهو خير لكم: دروس النجاح من رفض الأمور الظاهرة https://alsnwy.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-post.html
Congrats on Top Story!🥳
Interesting. The snow globe concept brings it all together and sets my mind racing!
I thought you were going for the icewall for a second but this was very interesting too. Great work!
Great story! Congrats on Top Story!
Nice. Congrats on Top Story :)
congratulations
سورة يوسف نزلت في عام الحزن https://alsnwy.blogspot.com/2019/12/blog-post.html
Good story and good work
congratulations on your Top Story!
Congratulations! I've often wondered if we aren't some plaything for a giant. A snowglobe works for me, living in the snowy Northeast.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Brilliant! Loved the concept and your writing was so compelling!
Very clever! Love the original take on this challenge. “and when the ground stopped shaking and the trembling settled, it fell again, slowly, beautifully, blanketing the world around me” is a great line. Nicely done🙌🏽
So clever. I should have realized with "floor" rather than "ground." What a lovely interpretation of the challenge, Liam! I think my favorite part is how beautiful the MC seems to find it all, even the quakes and the end of his world. (Just my excitement talking, but I feel you could expand this...I'd love to read more of this world you've created. :D)
Snowglobe. I shoukd have realised when there were the quakes and the snow came down. Nice.
Back to say congratulations, Told you it would be soon that vocal sees your talent
Absolutely beautiful, so incredibly well thought out and brilliantly executed! I never would have thought it was a snowglobe!
Omgggg, a snowglobe!! I would have never thought of that! As I was reading, the only thing that came to my mind was a flat earth where Antarctica forms an ice wall at the Edge! You're so brilliant to have thought of this! Loved your story so much!
Liam, you definitely have a gift to tell a wonderful tale. This was terrific from the opening line the very last. A great idea written well. I will absolutely be reading more of your works
Amazing story, really wasn't expecting the twist at the end. I audibly gasped 🤣♥️
Good level of mystery in the story!