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Latest Stories

January 13, 2025
Flash Fiction Ben Macnair

Everything’s Funny Until Everyone Stops Laughing

The neon lights flickered like a thousand laughter-filled memories. Charlie Chuckles stood backstage at the Laughing Lotus, an iconic comedy club, nervously fidgeting with his signature red bowtie. It had been months since he had last performed, and the…
January 13, 2025
Romance Stories Caroline Bickovskii

Jack And His Country Romance

The delicate red flowers were brighter than usual. Their petals reminded humanity they were part of a wider, more beautiful world. Few people stopped to admire the sheer beauty around them as they rushed from one place to the next. Jake was one of those rare…
January 13, 2025
General Stories Yuan Changming

Retreating

He is already tired out, but what on earth is really good about living? What’s the meaning of life, if any at all? He doesn’t know since then, but he has been haunted by a strange or ineffable lethargy that renders him apathetic about everything and…
January 13, 2025
Flash Fiction Benoit

Sanuk

Synopsis Spoil the children. Mai put her head down and started to cry. Everything was going wrong. Her university tutor told her she would fail, unless her work improved greatly. But creative writing was her strength, wasn’t it? How can this be? The concierge…
January 09, 2025
Poetry Emanuel Diaz

Across The Abyssal River

Beneath a sky of ebon flame,Where trembling stars whisper her name,Two hearts did yearn, a bond profane,Bound by sorrow, love, and pain. On one side stood a maiden pale,Her raven hair a mournful veil,Eyes like dusk, where shadows weep,Guarding dreams that…
January 09, 2025
General Stories Jim Harrington

What If

What If. . . Jolene and I rode into unknown territory uncertain of what to do. The top was down on my Dad’s Pontiac. Music from Star Wars blasted into the chilled air. Weathered faces standing in parched fields turned our way as we drove through tribal lands.…
January 09, 2025
Flash Fiction Elizabeth Rosell

Cavea

The devil is trying to get out again. I can hear him rattling his prison door, howling with rage. I don’t react, even as the door shakes in its hinges. The worst thing I could do is react, the smallest response giving him just a little bit more power. I’m on…
January 09, 2025
Poetry Paweł Markiewicz

From The Marsh

Hydra noblest daydream array of wing the swamp remains enchanted when the homeplace is ablaze and I like the marshes very I wish Apollo’s grace lingered so nicely delectation Dionysus gallant dreamery paragon of nests the bog abode becharmed when celestial…
January 09, 2025
General Stories Nelly Shulman

The Honeypot

 “Today’s September 12,” her artificial voice was as soft as melted butter. “Have a beautiful morning, our darling Sophie.” The nest of crumpled linen sheets on the gilded, canopied bed moved, and I stuck my tousled head out. “Thank you, Madame,” I yawned. “I…
January 09, 2025
Flash Fiction Benoit

Too Busy

Like a whirlwind, the family entered the breakfast room, gave their excuses and left. Don sat there, somewhat stunned. He had made pancakes and coffee for five. The smells cheered him. It was his birthday today, and he was hoping for a surprise birthday cake.…
December 16, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

5 In The Morning

At once, both within and without that dazzling crowd. You go from one to the other. Predictable, tedious, careless people. Darkness, and only a blinding light right in your eyes - looking at you. Deafening music drowns and bites your twisted thoughts. Drinks…
December 16, 2024
Mystery Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

I Professional Gamer

This is Betty, the voicemail said. I got your number from Jess. Why weren't you in school today? Everyone missed you. Sorry, I meant everyone missed your noise. Mr. Lagerback taught coding today. Hope you'd show up tomorrow. Or would what stopped you from…

The old man with grey streaked hair warmed himself over the fireplace of his modest Boston area home.  Now 67 and in the winter of his life, Brian was a recent widower, trying to navigate the senior dating scene after 40+ years of marriage. Nancy had been a wonderful wife and partner for him. 

The knock on his door startled the man out of his thoughts.  Opening the door, he found Karen McLaughlin, a widow and member of his church, standing on the landing of his house.

"Oh my Karen. I am surprised to see you.  Please come in."
The older woman smiled. "Just wanted to bring some peach cobbler over for you.  I know how hard it has been since Nancy….since Nancy has passed."
Brian Walker smiled as the woman continued to speak. "It's so cold today," the attractive older woman commented as he took her overcoat off, looking intently at Brian. 
Brian Walker smiled before replying. "Yes but I think spring just came early when you arrived."  And with that, the older woman blushed.

 

 

The End

 

Author’s Bio:   Tom Schmidt is a Chemical Engineer working in medical diagnostics in upstate New York.  He enjoys creative writing and has been published on www.short-story.me, www.fatherstars.com, www.short-humour.org.uk, and overmydeadbody.com in the past.  Tom can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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