Romance Short Stories

I’m in Love with my Sleep Paralysis Demon

I’m in love with my sleep paralysis demon. I’ve only ever seen him out of the corner of my eye. He freaked the hell out of me the first time…[...]

The Girl of your Dreams

~~TW for death and mental health things~~ She reached for her drink and reseated herself – her thigh now just barely touching his. She handed him a Kleenex. “Thank you.”…[...]

Diddle Diddle

“Pa! Bessie’s actin’ up somethin’ fierce!” The screen door slammed behind Tommy as his boots clomped over the linoleum floor in the big country kitchen. Ma sat at the huge…[...]

James, Jimmy to His Friends

The nurse, making her rounds, peeks into the dimly lit room and gasps. She turns away and pads as silently down the hallway in her crepe-soled shoes as the cat.…[...]

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily

CW: Mental health, horror The boat sped by, water sloshing onto his little makeshift raft. Jamie clung for dear life, fearful of the dark, tumultuous water. Only a few inches…[...]

I Gave Him Soup

CW: kidnapping, physical restraint, and implied sexual threat So, I've just moved to the island. I'm in my fifties and a single woman. I thought I'd stay in the Airbnb…[...]

Bella’s Determination-A Ghostly Encounter

PLANET EARTH-TWO DAYS BEFORE HALLOWEEN ROBERT HAYES It seems like she’s been stalking me for a couple of weeks now, following me around the Macy’s department store, where I work.…[...]

The Fountain’s Last Drop

Long, long ago, the mayor of a small town was gifted a large fountain by an old couple.“Take care of this fountain,” they said. “For it can provide water to…[...]

Scratchy

Cat had always shared her room with the washer and dryer. She hadn’t minded the humming of the washer and rumbling of the dryer. She could feel the warmth of…[...]

The Morgan Smith Case: Evidence

A Letter. April 10,2009 I called in sick this morning. I read something that said writing your thoughts down can help you navigate a problem. I’m not sure how much…[...]

Revealing my Name

That was quite a ride. I’ve ridden along plenty of times, every time, for ages, but yesterday was different. It was… yeah, it was different. I’m Jinx. That’s the name…[...]

Amy, the Boy with a Girl’s Name

It was a cold winter when I first met Amy—a boy cat with a girl’s name. “Amy” means beloved, but he didn’t look loved at all. He was curled up…[...]

Crunch Time

CW: Physical violence, domestic abuse, animal abuse It began with a bang. No, not the fireworks, those finished hours ago. It was the kind of bang that makes you somehow…[...]

Running away to Granny’s

Running away to Granny’s house. I remember Granny Norah’s thatched cottage with fluorescent red roses in the garden with the utmost affection. In fact, Granny's house was such a haven…[...]

Today is a write-off

Content warning: References to drugs and metaphors of sexual violence(Super mild. You can probably handle it, I believe in you) *Clears throat and cracks fingers*Every time I try to “do”…[...]

Sleep Therapy

*** Content Warning: Contains adult themes, sexual situations. *** Demons don’t sleep. Obviously. So, I work a more or less twenty-four-hour day, seven-day week, no holidays. I work while the…[...]

Midnight Lemon Pudding

‘Don't make a mess while I'm gone. Okay, Rush?’ That's what my older brother, Remington, said before leaving for work at dinnertime. Translated, that meant I should clean up any…[...]

A Goodbye That Became a Hello

The old train station creaked and groaned as I stepped onto the platform, the worn wooden boards beneath my feet a testament to the countless hellos and goodbyes that had…[...]

Library Loneliness

There once was a grand tower atop a hillside of emerald green grass. A cobblestone pillar four giants high with a blue tiled peak. In that tower resided the long…[...]

The Globe That Wouldn’t Stay Broken

Alone in the charity shop, Karen watched the snow fall against the window, each drifting flake a reminder that life had a way of delivering things you hadn’t asked for.…[...]

“Gift Me Not”

The holiday hustle was in full swing at the Super Center packed with shoppers buying gifts for the season. Just outside the entrance stood George, dressed in a soft, velvety…[...]

Mother Frost, Sister Blue

Lena and Kälte fought over the same blanket since they shared a cradle. There was nothing significant about this blanket - nearly the opposite. It was the color of dusty…[...]

Mother Frost, Sister Blue

Lena and Kälte fought over the same blanket since they shared a cradle. There was nothing significant about this blanket - nearly the opposite. It was the color of dusty…[...]

In Bed as Winter Takes Hold

IN BED AS WINTER TAKES HOLDHe slept on the left hand side of the bed as he had done with all his girlfriends. He was restless; he could not throw…[...]

Winter Secrets

By Cher Stonestreet I can see out my front window the snow has started falling . The flakes are big and fluffy. If we get enough snow, this will be…[...]

The Yellow Light

“Maudie, what can I do about mosquitoes?” Mama asked Granny Hickman.It was a Saturday afternoon during the summer after I had turned 10. We were all out on the front…[...]

The Raging Calm

The booming thunder roused me from my sleep. The reverberations shook the house, as if an earthquake were tearing its way through. I lay wide-eyed staring up at the ceiling.…[...]

Winter Wolf

The buildings along the street were the same silvery shades as the low banks of clouds above. Their faces revealed dark windows and funereal emptiness. The muddy, snow-slushy street glowed…[...]

The Storyteller

Two scarred hands carefully parted the branches of an old tree stump, the hood pulled low, only the rise and fall of the person's breath visible. The figure looked toward…[...]

Weather the Storm

The storm did not begin with thunder. It began with a whisper. Mara was alone on the hillside, cutting herbs for her mother’s remedies. The sky had been clear moments…[...]

The Little Broken Cake: A Lesson in Love

Looking into my childhood, there are many memories with tales to tell, lessons to teach, and wonderful stories to pass down through future generations. But there is one memory that…[...]

The Man Who Danced With Pixies

The Man Who Danced with Pixies There was once a man named Leo who lived in a small, charming village nestled between rolling hills and whispering forests. The village was…[...]

The bear

“Here catch!” Jasper said with strength in his voice as the wind swirled around them, and it bounced around the clear blue glaciers. “It was so terribly cold.” snow was…[...]

A Golden Spark

In a land far, far away, there lived a young dragon who pretended she was part of a tree.If you had passed through Deep Oak Wood during the old days,…[...]

Love in the moment..

Once upon a time.there was a man who's name is Johnny and a woman who named Hilary ,no-one or not many knew they were secret operation group of spies,so one…[...]

Kets the Fairy

Allow me to tell you a story. Now, how to start? The old ‘once upon a time?’ No, I think I’ll skip straight to it.There lived a man who seemed…[...]

The Mother Witch

“Frau Margaret, you understand that the things we are questioning you about are very serious accusations. Little Hansel and Gretel have told many accounts of you using witchcraft to craft…[...]

The Three Lady’s In The Cage

“Father, tell us again the story of the Three Ladies In The Cage.” “Do you never tire of that one, my beloved? How about the story of Rumpelstiltskin’s Revenge? I…[...]

Requiem of The Fox

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. Death hauled her by the ankles as she suffocated on the luminous depths of the sea. Water…[...]

‘Mon Nom Est Crapaud’

Mon Nom Est Crapaud Once upon a time in a land a long way from here everything was very different. There weren’t any houses or buildings just lot’s of trees.…[...]

THE PEOPLE VS. THE S.C.o.B.

“Aren’t you tired of hiding out here, huddled in the lodge when we should be outdoors? It is like this every time they pass through our lands,” he growled, slamming…[...]

Kid Brother

Once upon a time, there were a pair of orphans. Their mother and father had passed away, and so Alonya and her little brother Ivan both lived in a cottage…[...]

Nana’s Story

“Once upon a time, in a land far far away.” my Nana always began her stories this way. My Nana is not just a loving and wise elder; she played…[...]

The Tale of Peaks and horns

Once upon a time, there was a village tucked away in the jagged folds of a range known as The Mountain. Its people were carved from the same gray stone…[...]

The Little Match-Dweller

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. This would not have been trouble, had the flower pot not been knocked from the sill.The culprit,…[...]

Happy was He.

Trigger Warning- this short story contains Death, and Mature themes. Part 1- Life on Earth. As tissue after filled tissue hit the floor, Matthew could not hide his grief any…[...]

THE PRICE OF A WISH

Once upon a time in a land far, far away of Sorea, there existed a mysterious woodland feared by all. Deep within it a cottage weathered by time stood, making…[...]

Wendigo

The young lad sighed at the sight of his empty snare wondering how the rabbit had gotten away. He stared down the path for a moment, his wide blue eyes…[...]

Dam Trudy: Grimms’ Fairytale #43

Once upon a time there was a pig farmer’s daughter who disliked work but did like to complain, and she dreamt all day of a life of leisure with sweets…[...]

I AM Noah Preston!

Foreword: Imagine you wake up one day and realize that it is your life, but everything is different. No body recognizes you, not your parents, teachers, friends, not even your…[...]

Gambolini

The boys raced through the alley hollering like crazed hyenas after a small rabbit. Marcus Gabolini---The Great ---wasn’t so great and certainly wasn’t a rabbit though he was their prey.…[...]

Burn a Million

I’d burn a million dollars if I couldn’t buy you a plane ticket. What would be the purpose of the rest? Couldn’t buy me a thing. All I do is…[...]

‘Emily The ………….’

Emily the ……. Emily was unique. She was tall and a bit thin, but even so to look at her you would never have guessed her secret. Underneath those elegant…[...]

What a Big Mouth You Have!

“Grandma! I’ve come to visit you! I hope you don’t mind, I let myself in. It’s such a long journey through the woods to get here. And you know me,…[...]

Durenchi

“Life for life,” the Hollow Tree said.Its words creaked into the air, sharp and splintering, echoing through the cave as though the stone itself repeated the price. My heart strained…[...]

Liam Pembroke’s Rite of Passage

"Speaking," said the lively lady. "Hi, Mith. My name is Liam Pembroke, and I think my mom emailed you the other day. She said you were gonna, like, babysit me…[...]

Midnight Pumpkins

What a disappointing year for farmer Faulk. The prince had chosen four of his pumpkins to take to wife, but there hadn't been a suitable bride in the lot of…[...]

Way Beyond

Melda always wanted or expected more. Her parents worried about her interaction with other kids and their parents. They hsd thoght about another sibling for Melda, so that she would…[...]

Chasing A Myth

Once upon a time, there were Six Provinces in the land and were divided amongst everyone. One was given to the Elves to rule, one to the Centaurs, and four…[...]

So much more!!!

We were sitting one cool, fall evening. The conversation rolled like Tootsie roll. Since we were around 40, with no kids or responsibilities, the atmosphere was casual. My girl seating…[...]

NIGHT TERRORS

“Honey, could you do me a favor and run down to the basement and get me a bottle of pickles from the pantry?” A sudden surge of anxiety rose in…[...]

Willow and the Living Water

One day, a Golden Retriever named Willow went on her usual morning walk. She loved this time of day, when the world seemed to wake slowly, as if wrapped in…[...]

is anyone else here? (Train in Vain)

Dark. Can't even see the yellow stream in front of him, but the thing is, he can feel it."What a weird-ass dream?"His eyes are two moons on two different days,…[...]

Elevenses

Jane poured herself some tea. The winter sun shone through the window and the music she had put on unfolded like a delicate, floral Darjeeling. From the café downstairs, the…[...]

Somebody Out There is Thinking About Me.

CW: Contains themes of physical violence, abuse, suicide and self-harm. Prelude- Inspired by a story I heard a long time ago, I am pleased to present to you my new…[...]

I Wished

Zahara didn’t remember when she found ‘the book’. It was a long time ago. But she remembered she had found it one summer in the town library, a place she…[...]

The Chess Book

“Okay, honey, go look at the books, but stay where I can see you,” Sam's mother said before kissing him on the forehead and ruffling up his dark and wavy…[...]

The shop that noticed her

seraphiel had lived in Yorkshire all her life, and she knew Leeds like most people know their favourite mug — familiar, comforting, and chipped in all the right places. She’d…[...]

Misha’s Place

Dustin wandered around his childhood neighborhood and local shopping centers, hands in his pockets and a black beanie on his head. It was cold out, down in the thirties, and…[...]

The Rose Tattoo

Karly Moller Her day was an agony of waiting for a chat with her manager that never happened. It was really the only reason she had come in to work…[...]

The Glazed Windowpane

The apartment on the sixth floor purred with the comfortable quiet of a shared life. Elliot was mixing a whiskey and soda at the small, granite counter, the ice cubes…[...]

Small Expectations

The sun was a tired, orange coin that had slipped behind the jagged teeth of the city skyline. Viola, a calico of unremittant rage and fierce territorial loyalty, watched the…[...]

After the Shattering

Once, there was a café that was always abuzz with life and chatter. In its storefront was a large window and this window’s favorite pastime was to eavesdrop on the…[...]

The Witch’s Brew

“IT’S MOVING, IT’S MOVING” shouted one of the teenagers. I… A… M… Suddenly the lights turned on. “Does anybody want some coffee? I know it’s late but I had some…[...]

Greyhound Trilogy

GREYHOUND TRILOGY – early reader series. PART 1: How my greyhound got his name. – By Billy Mum and Dad have decided we need a dog.‘At last,’ I say.But they…[...]

The Fife of Cruach Mhór

Pete Mueller, as he was then known, was not the first Irishman with two wives, nor the last, but certainly was the only one who claimed modesty out of respect…[...]

A dog’s life

A Dogs' Life Any moment now, Lycra clad, he will bounce down the stairs and burst in through the kitchen doors. It's Sunday. Of course, I sit up bright eyed…[...]

A dog’s life

A Dogs' Life Any moment now, Lycra clad, he will bounce down the stairs and burst in through the kitchen doors. It's Sunday. Of course, I sit up bright eyed…[...]

Petey The Pit Bull

PETEY THE PIT BULL Petey hadn’t seen his mother in such a long time that sometimes he found it hard to remember her. He remembered how she would snuggle with…[...]

cw: contains scenes of sexual nature, explicit anatomical references I had potential, Your Magesty. Just imagine. Split pea soup. A pan-seared side dish tossed in butter. I would’ve paired wonderfully…[...]

The Baby

THE BABYThe silence of the apartment was a fragile thing, broken only by the rhythmic, soft puff of air from the little bassinet tucked next to the sofa. Sarah sat…[...]

Echos of Valor, Whispers of Peace

As a kid you think you’re invincible, like nothing will ever touch you. I mean, you’ve seen the movies that start with the tragic beginning, right?Those movies almost always bring…[...]

Ten Years Later

The walk was somewhat long. It would be almost three miles. She hoped to arrive at his house in an hour or less. She could have gotten there quicker somehow,…[...]

Cecil

One crisp Monday morning in March, Maria found at the foot of the apple tree at the bottom of her garden. A small grey shadow, a lumpen form at first…[...]

A Menu at Midnight

The soft chiming of the grandfather clock in the hallway was what roused Adelaide from sleep ,but what pulled her from the warm side of the bed was the splendid…[...]

The Devil in the Duvet

If there is one thing all men do not know about women, it is that they are terrified of getting into any bed that does not have a duvet. As…[...]

101 and Gone Just Like That

Remembering Nan always brings the same image to mind: I am tiny, curled up on her lap, held in the gentle rise and fall of her breathing in her rocking…[...]

The Hamster, The Wizard and the Cat-flap

Although it’s true that Hamsters usually live in some sort of cage. You won’t be surprised to hear that Trevor chose to let his Hamster have the run of the…[...]

A life in a suitcase

One life in a suitcase The suitcase was small—smaller than most people would choose for a life. beige leather, cracked along the corners, the handle repaired twice with dark thread,…[...]

Creaks of Wonder

“I feel like something’s there”, she said in a somber tone. At an hour unknown to her, sometime between the midnight toll and morning’s dawn, she heard whispers from the…[...]

3 A.M. Why Are You Still Awake?

I woke at that moment. A moment I shouldn’t have woken up. Exactly the moment the clock changed to 3:00 a.m. with a soft click. For a few seconds I…[...]

Seven years and seven more

Once upon a time, there was a king who had a daughter. He did not have two, he had one, and since he had only one, he loved her more…[...]

The Prank

“I saw this on TikTok and it totally works.”Marcus shook his head. “It doesn’t. It’s a legend. They faked it.”“No for real, come on,” I insisted, and we snuck up…[...]

At 8:57 I Was In Heaven

A steaming mug was clutched between Kumo’s hands as she watched the sun rise, her eyes barely able to hold themselves open. After a long night shift, all she wanted…[...]

The Tale of Nosboddy and Bly

In the Andromeda Galaxy, on a blue and green planet with different land masses but animals similar to ours, was a road built a long time ago to reach a…[...]

Pride in feathers

Chapter 1Once upon a time on a farm far away a group of friends lived there and stayed Rabbits, birds, sheep and strays lived in harmony, sharing meat and hay…[...]

A Dog’s Road

As an angel, I hear lot of confessions. What some would do differently. What some would take back. What some would amend if given the chance. My job was to…[...]

The Attic of Good and Evil

The babysitter fell asleep. Sometimes it’s opportunity, more than motive, that creates the crime. Halley didn’t particularly want to go into the attic. She wasn’t staying up late at night…[...]

Autumns Wish

Autumn’s Wish Autumn waited until the house settled into its soft evening quiet—the kind of quiet that made the lamps glow warmer and the walls feel closer, as if the…[...]

The Witch’s unwilling apprentice.

The witch’s apprenticeNope. She couldn’t do it.Merliah had ripped off the legs of a locust, scooped out the guts of a bunderlout. But she could not – would not gouge…[...]