Romance Short Stories

In the kitchen of Madame Noro

In THE KITCHEN OF Mme NORO The house was smelling very good. The delicious odor emanated from the other room. It was apparently the kitchen after a glance at it.…[...]

Just a Sky

The first time the train came, I thought it was thunder.I was standing on my back porch, staring at a sky so clear the noise felt like a mistake. But…[...]

The Sun’s Great Descent

The only thing I can manage to do in this moment is look at the sky, at the sun, at that over-encompassing plaster of color, and grand, imposing ball of…[...]

The Day I Opened My Eyes… and Everything Was Still Black

They say that when I was born, I opened my eyes and saw nothing.Black.That’s how they tell it, like it was a tragedy, like something inside me had failed before…[...]

Colored Central

May 2001, Central High School Tuscaloosa, Alabama, AP Stats "You should definitely stay put," said Janiyah. "Why would you change and then risk getting the wrong door?" Mr. Nade had…[...]

Color Thief

Mid-day. Soldier of Rovasanvic, named Arcstat woke up in a world where there's nothing to fight or protect. He got up and went to the washroom. His sister called him…[...]

426: Fade to Black

426: Fades to Black While in a coma, I dreamt about things that had happened on this date throughout my life; although I didn’t know it was a dream, it…[...]

Flow the Names the Sea Remembers

Children born after the Deluge laughed when elders spoke of roads that stayed still. They ran across pontoons and solar decks as if the world had always shifted underfoot, as…[...]

What Survives Being Measured

The ground had forgotten how to give anything back. It held its shape when she pressed her heel down.The town called it a drought, like naming it made it simple.…[...]

Not Yet

In the Edo and Yoruba traditional archives, a god rules the deep ocean floor. Not by will, though, or by want. Olodumare the Ultimate spoke, and that was all it…[...]

The Calligrapher

Nora hated Brighton Mall. She wanted to go home as soon as she stepped on the grounds. She had moved her shop from her home at the request of her…[...]

Foley’s Follies

Pre-AI-flashes of light emanate from the half dozen compact discs suspended by ribbons of multiple lengths and colors hanging from different branches of the venerable pepper tree in front of…[...]

Foley’s Follies

Pre-AI-flashes of light emanate from the half dozen compact discs suspended by ribbons of multiple lengths and colors hanging from different branches of the venerable pepper tree in front of…[...]

Trails of a Garden Past

I still remember the first year Grandma decided she couldn't garden anymore. In truth, the decision had been about four years overdue, but a shock to the family nonetheless. Back…[...]

No more laundry.

It's a mortuary fact that dead bodies should not be buried without a banana. Most of the dead people around our town drink too much coffee and spout their mouths…[...]

The Last Man Kneeling

(*warning; Implied racism and mentions of slavery. *) THE LAST MAN KNEELING The man in the painting was nameless, but he knew three things for certain:1. He was depicted kneeling…[...]

Wrapper

Before I even saw your face, I had the wrapper picked out. It was made of crimson Ankara, adorned with golden flowers outlined in black. I had others, of course…[...]

Stoker

FROM THE SIDELINES I don’t belong here. Sometimes I feel I’m the “EYE” that’s watching and at times I can’t tell the difference. Nothing makes sense anymore. Not the memories,…[...]

The Little Moth that Could Not Fly Anymore

Trigger Warning- SOME LANGUAGE and SUSPENSE lis ahead! Blood! Lots of blood! If you are squeamish- you might want to read something else! Inspired by true events. Please, enjoy! “The…[...]

“Now You See Um!”

CW: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Cannibalism Hear ye! Hear ye, all young and old! What you may read here is incredibly bold. God made me write this. I believe in God,…[...]

Tooth Decay Jack

In loving memory of a mum who wrote poems that turned monsters into teachers. On the night before the dentist, Ellie dreamed of castles. Not the grey stone and moat…[...]

Bump

By Christine Heriat 1. “Oleeever, you can’t hide from me,” it said, with a voice sharp as a squeaky door. The bed’s legs bumped against the wooden floor. Oliver groped…[...]

Goodnight, Eugene

Living under a bed was entirely too cramped, Eugene thought to himself. He often bumped his head, and it was impossible to keep the dust out of his fur. Sometimes…[...]

Death’s Child

The first child that Death came to claim was unlike any other. She was born in a time before children were taught to fear Death and she stared up at…[...]

My Name is Monster

Struck by lightning, I respond, "I'm more alive NOW than I was ever!" Ron seems incredulous, looking at two me's. One on the ground, one glowing with an azure blue…[...]

The Big Bad Wolf’s Perspective

The forest is the only home that I have ever known. I lived in it and do tend to it often. I truly have tried to keep it tidy and…[...]

Christmas at Tinsel Town

Trying to find a gift during the Christmas season can be a daunting task, but when you’re twelve and trying to buy your mother the perfect gift with your own…[...]

Into the Woods

Nocturna had been basking in solitude for five years, tending her garden and conversing with the birds and insects when she hears something crying. Occasionally, hikers or kids on a…[...]

“Out of the Woods”

Michael had always been the dependable one. The one who showed up early, stayed late, and never asked for much. He was the friend who listened more than he spoke,…[...]

Prayer of the Mantis

Trigger Warning- Mild Sexual, Drug, and Mature Content lies ahead, and, oh yes! Nudity.Genesis 2:8-9 KNJV-8The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man…[...]

“Mum, Mum, get up! It’s championsday,” the young mouse screeched,as she ruffledher mother’s tiny pillow, demandingher out of bed.“Morning then, Missy,” The greyer and much less bouncy mouse yawned as…[...]

Crickett Finds a Secret Gate to Fairyland

Crickett is a tri-colored Corgi and her full name, which she loves telling everyone she meets, is Crickett Elizabeth Turtle Hobson. She lives with her parents in a nice quiet…[...]

Becoming Baba Yaga

Between two mountains, there lay a sleepy village surrounded by a great forest. The villagers whispered the secrets of the wood to each other as they went about their daily…[...]

What Dreams Can Do

Lieutenant Barrington “Bear” Stryker’s DA-42 starfighter dropped out of hyperspace, and he shouted, “Hal, dark mode, STAT,” as he lowered his helmet. Immediately, every single thing that emitted heat or…[...]

Code

October 1-- Program is working great. I have downloaded all protocol using a complete list of commands and has responded with a complete accuracy of the return commands. We are…[...]

Limerence

Ronald was lying in his bed. It was 2:20 AM, he checked a minute ago.He never would’ve thought that googling the meaning of a word that he half-heard in a…[...]

The Summoning of Astaroth

A sudden bang causes Lucy to jolt up in her bed. Her wide eyes scan the dark room. Lucretia St. Germain had always kept her room tidy. Despite the lack…[...]

Falling in Love

FALLING IN LOVE (1317 words) He looked as forlorn as a greyhound’s tail. He didn’t care. Not caring had become like breathing, the oxygen of despair. His head was uncovered…[...]

Worth of a Duck

Doug’s webbed feet paddled vigorously through the clear blue water of Averdale Pond. He huffed and puffed, the wind whistling all around him. The fragrance of dirt hung in the…[...]

Old Salt

His lone green eye stares out upon the boundless sea. There's a ship on the horizon. Every day the ships bring him new treasure. He licks his wrist, his tongue…[...]

Instructions to Mariners

I was drowning in deep waters, waiting to be rescued. Or rather, I was waiting for someone to come and rescue me. Someone to see me sinking in the dark…[...]

Between the Waking and the Dream

Mara hadn’t slept in three days.At least, she didn’t think she had. The lines between waking and dreaming had blurred until her mind became a broken clock—ticking, rewinding, skipping entire…[...]

Living The Dream

Time to wake up.No, that’s not right, Jay thought. I’m already awake... I think.A giant whale floated through the sky as he opened his windows to let the cool morning…[...]

What Talks Back

Fred was always a talkative sort. Ever since his first word, “me.” When that was the only word he knew, he chirped and burbled over and over, “me, me, me,…[...]

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…[...]