Fiction
You Knew Full Well I was a Snake, Chapter One
A heatwave tipped to break midweek hadn’t disappointed the would-be weather-prophets. Rain sweeping in from the sea drove relentlessly down against souvenir shops and ice-cream stands, while the black sky above touched the small coastal resort’s shivering pinnacles and turrets. Through javelins slanting Main Street’s span Jenny hurtled full-pelt, jostling dumbfounded forms wrapped up in plastic macs, and spilling showers from precarious umbrellas already pitted against the gale.
By Doc Sherwood10 days ago in Chapters
Mermaid Island: Experimenting With Murder (Chapter 1)
Chapter 1 Bruno raised his gun with only the slightest hesitation then quickly squeezed off three shots. The shots rang out loudly and were instantly followed by another sound. It was the thud of a body hitting the ground, but this time, the sound was drowned out by the constant roar of the waterfall.
By Justiss Goode10 days ago in Chapters
3:10 to Ingoldmells, Chapter Three
Flashsatsumas had at least had the foresight to bring an emergency medical kit. Having groped his way deliriously to it along the forecourt he’d now thrown open the small satchel and was treating himself, in both senses of the word. So Maureen sat and watched bemused, as far above her head a plastic automaton contorted hugely in some sort of bid to acclimatise itself to existence, while her friend in his tangerine rubber sundress shovelled down slices of death-by-chocolate one after another.
By Doc Sherwood10 days ago in Chapters
3:10 to Ingoldmells, Chapter Two
On leaving the joke shop Pat led Juniper a short way to a district which he said was perfect for what they had in mind, though she was out of her depth as to why. There was a building whose double-door was made of elaborately carved wood and covered just the middle part of the doorway, through which only adult spectres seemed permitted to pass. This they were doing in extremely jolly fashion, whilst outside was a contrivance more outlandish still to Mini-Flash Juniper. Roofed by an awning it was wide rather than high, and populated by lurching mannequins which bawled a steady incoherent spiel. Child-phantoms were popping ineffectually away at these with guns far larger and cruder still than the one Juniper had purchased, and to all appearances enjoying the experience heartily.
By Doc Sherwood10 days ago in Chapters
Glass Winter | Chapter XVI
Within those feverish dreams Mal lived for a thousand nights, only to awaken mere hours after he had fallen asleep. Revelation phased in and out, clear as ice but forgotten in moments. He tried to grab hold of its essence, just strong enough to hold on. Any weaker and it would float away, any stronger and it would dissolve in his hands. In his dream he never saw his hands.
By Andrei Babanin11 days ago in Chapters
The 'Perfect' Daughter
“Mum, my…my uniform is ripped,” I whispered meekly. She doesn’t turn. “Are you sure? I don’t think that’s possible, Selena,” she replied dismissively. I turned, about to go back to my room, careful not to make any noise, when my brother walked in. He smelled like sunshine and the field, bringing the sunlight into the house. His posture said it all: he owned the room. Meanwhile, I was just the background—the curtain, the wallpaper.
By Sylvia Rivelle11 days ago in Chapters
The Leaders Meeting
“What about Duska?, she appears to be a great fit for this and she really does love it here. She definitely has a good understanding of how it all correlates. Have we invited her to apply?” He proposed as an option to fill the position.
By Dana Mary Colleen Campbell11 days ago in Chapters
Hue and The Discovery of Manipo (Chapter 2). AI-Generated.
Dreams have a strange way of persuading you. Not with logic, but with longing. With the quiet conviction that what you see behind closed eyes could be real — if only reality would cooperate. People say that if you speak your desire boldly enough, if you pray with enough hunger, the universe eventually yields. Manifestation. God‑consciousness. Wishcraft. I’ve never fully believed in any of it.
By Lorenzo Bland11 days ago in Chapters
Twisting by the Pool, Chapter Four
Mini-Flash Juniper wasn’t having much luck with the camp amenities. First the roller-skating rink and now the outdoor swimming pool, in as many days. It was enough to make her wonder if there’d be anywhere she wasn’t barred from when check-out time came around. The one bit of good news was that the lifeguards had had to give her short shrift in both senses of the word, as they’d then needed to dash off and get some ladders to rescue the stranded children with.
By Doc Sherwood11 days ago in Chapters
