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Latest Stories

March 19, 2024
Fantasy Stories Wondering Monk

Just My Imagination

The alarm clock went off and started playing an awful tune. Tom opened his eyes and closed them back, squinting. He reopened one eye and stood up to stop the torture. The phone was on the desk, in the furthest spot from the bed. Although he changed his way of…
March 19, 2024
Science Fiction Stories Ocelotlzin

Earth Is Dead

Recording… It doesn't matter who I was; I probably lived a long time ago, and I am now just a voice someone added to the audio-visual records. What is essential is the recollection of events that lead to the current state. So, a little history needs to be…
March 08, 2024
Flash Fiction Benoit

Some Enchanted Evening

It was a rugby tackle with tears: Chrissy burst in, sobbing and babbling, hugging James. Her face was all wet, eyes wild. What…? My parents split up, Dad has moved in with his boyfriend and I cannot join them. I am shut out. I have lost my dad. Torrent of…
March 08, 2024
Horror Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

In The Hands Of My Legs

The car pulled up in front of the large salon. The neon sign, that sexy broad thing, on the salon'sroof read "Mr. Gil's All-night Salon". The exhaust pipe of the car was pumping solid smoke, theswirls moving from the car and towards the salon.…
March 07, 2024
Mystery Stories Vanessa Leigh Giles

Casualty of Love in the Time of Coronavirus

Chapter 1 Until Death do us Part ‘Ring, ring!’. I answered the telephone and asked, “Hello, good evening. Who’s this? “Hello.” This is Dr. Smith from Red Cross hospital. “Is this Mr. Locke, John?”, he asked, hesitantly scratching his bald head. “Yes, doctor.…
March 07, 2024
Crime Stories Robert Pook

Bar Room Trigger

Another return journey on footpaths so familiar. He strides across each crack in each paving stone. Regular loose drain covers sidestepped. Mapping long ago mapped in Richard’s desolate mind. His pace hastened by the sight of the oncoming storm. Quickening…
March 04, 2024
Horror Stories Ano Chinemerem

Sanctity

Where should I begin? I could begin by telling you about this comely boy, whom every notable person around the streets agrees his smile could charm the bills off one. Between one smile, there was his goodness, his dreams and humanity—a little far ahead?— but…
March 04, 2024
Flash Fiction Emanuel Diaz

Et Mortui Partium

As Rafael stepped out into the rain, it wasn't the ordinary drops that fell from the sky. Instead, it was a storm of souls, each one taking the form of shimmering jewelry as it cascaded toward the ground. Rubies, diamonds, and sapphires twinkled amidst the…
February 29, 2024
Poetry Jing Li Ava

London

‘Am I in London?’ "I am." Where is Elizabeth? Happy living story All of your chapter Bounlance joy Please my heart Power hand Wise mind Our baby Vow vow Love all love Miss I miss Endless wonder Bring us together Love all love Miss I miss For everything My…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Rob Pook

Life Sentence of The Smith

Born nine months after his country won the World Cup.A child prodigy.Cast off at age twenty-four.Husband, father, emigree, away on the other side of the world.The blue-collar life.The dreams of success.The search for fulfillment.The long years of empty…
February 29, 2024
Mystery Stories Joshua Lowther

The Operator

Jason looked over to his right, his eyes barely able to focus themselves on the subject of his attention. His neck ached terribly from the strenuous movement. He was tired. The captain’s gaze came to rest on the rookie sonar operator sitting tense at his…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Salvatore Difalco

The Chute

At dusk, we left our unit with a soft pink bundle. I carried it through the wet streets and into the black woods. I said I’d take it all the way, the bundle, but that we had to drop it in together. My wife’s green eyes flashed. “Don’t make me do that.” I…

It is subtle, but then my nose hairs start to burn as the smell travels down my throat. I sit up, jump out of bed, quickly turn off the fan, and expect the little bastard to pass by my house and travel down the street, but unfortunately I hear his squeaky, annoying voice.

“It is me, the famous neighborhood skunk in search of food!” he shouts.

 

I don’t respond to him as I get back under the covers, trying to tolerate the smell, but it is too late. I now taste the dreadful stench in my mouth as it lingers around my tongue. I cough, trying not to swallow.

“I know I woke you with my pleasantry,” he says.

Frustrated by his mockery, I jump out of bed and push open the curtains. “Curse you, damn Skunk. Curse you!” I yell through the window.

“Oh, don’t be outraged, Neighbor. God made me this way.”

Pushing against the cold window, I desperately look for the dreadful Skunk, but it is too dark outside.

“What? You can’t see me? I know I’m black, but it is hilarious that you can’t see my beautiful white stripe. Surely you are not as blind as me,” Skunk adds.

“Fuck you, Skunk! Every other night you do this to me, disturbing my sleep, stinking up the place,” I shout.

I close the curtains and fall back on my bed, covering my face with my pillow, but the smell becomes stronger and stronger. “Damn Skunk!” I roll off the bed, run out of the room, and down the stairs into the den. I sit on the couch and shove my face into the cushion.

“Neighbor! Neighbor!” Skunk shouts.

I lift my head out of the cushion and reply, “Go away, you nasty animal.”

“But I can’t find any food.”

“Then you are out of luck and must starve.”

I shove my head back into the cushion, taking short breaths, trying to think of something else when I hear my front gate creak open.

“Neighbor, if you help me, I’ll never return to this neighborhood.”

I lift my head out of the cushion.

“Please, give me your pork chops and I’ll never return,” Skunk says.

“What? How do you know I have leftover pork chops?”

“I can smell them. Remember, I am a skunk, and I can smell better than you.”

“But that is all I have to eat. If I give you my leftover chops, I will definitely starve.”

“Would you rather starve or continue to wake to my fabulous scent?”

I cover my nose with my hand, thinking about his question.

“Don’t think too long, Neighbor,” he insists.

“Shut up, Skunk! Your stench is hideous and unbearable, but I must eat.”

“You will not starve. Surely, a man like you will have future luck in obtaining more chops and rid yourself of my scent forever.”

“Yes, I guess you are right,” I reply.

I hear Skunk approach my house.

“Then open your front door and give me the leftover chops,” he insists.

I get off the couch and walk to the door. “Do you promise to leave once I give you the chops, never to return for the rest of your life?”

“Yes, I promise to never return.”

“And you won’t spray when I open the door?”

“Yes, I promise not to spray.”

I grab a mallet leaning against the wall and cautiously reach for the door. I open it, and Skunk is about five-feet tall with a small triangular head and little ears, gawking angrily into my eyes. He then moves slightly to the left, displaying his white stripe running from his head up to his black furry tail. Frightened, I take a step back as Skunk reveals his webbed toes and sharp claws.

“At last, you see me!” he exclaims.

“My God, I didn’t expect your size and monstrous look.”

“Me either. I did not expect to see a short, bald—middle aged man, half naked—and skinny. You’re hideous for a human.”

I hide the mallet behind my back.

“There is no need to hide that,” he demands.

“But now I know I made a mistake opening the door.” I lift the mallet over my head in an attempt to scare Skunk away.

“You’re no threat to me, little man.”

The Skunk steps forward, stomping his feet as I move back.

“Now that I’m finally in your house, I will eat all your chops.”

“Get away.” I swing the mallet, but slip and fall to the floor.

He arches his back, raising his puffy tail.

“Leave now!” I shout.

The Skunk turns around as though to leave.

“Go, you filthy animal.” I point to the door, but unexpectedly a liquid from his behind suddenly splashes against my face, dripping into my mouth and eyes.

“Mother fucker!” I shout, to the stinging sensation of the smelly fluid.

“How do you like that?” Skunk asks.

I gag, half blinded, trying to stand up when Skunk reaches my kitchen counter and grabs my chops.

“You lied to me,” I murmur.

“Never trust a wicked skunk.” He hops over me and rushes toward the front door. “Goodbye, Little Man. I will see you again.”

I stand up, but then fall back to the floor, struggling to breathe. “Curse you, Skunk,” I murmur in desperation.

He lifts his black furry tail, shoves a chop in his mouth, and leaves my house.

End

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