Something flew past the bedroom window as Shannon closed it for the night. The dark shape went by quickly, so quickly that Shannon could not really see what it was. Startled, she jumped back. “Probably just a bat or bird,” the young woman muttered as she...
Find your next favourite story now
Login
Recommended Reads
Stories and poems that have made it into our recommended reading section are hand picked by our staff. They have been identified as exceptional pieces of writing, which warrant separate recognition.
Stories that are part of a series, or novels that have made it into this outstanding series section, are nominated by our staff and awarded by a select panel. These stories have been deemed superior as complete works and have garnered special recognition.
You are almost certainly guaranteed a good read, if you've selected a story from these offerings!
White Water
Three minutes on the Zambezi.They had encouraging, cosy names, like The Gnashing Jaws of Death, Terminator, and Oblivion. “If you go in, don’t let go of your paddle! Swim left, away from the wall,” yelled the instructor as we approached. This one was called Morning Glory. Paddling fu...
Insensitive
I don't care about you, aka another First World problem“I don’t care who you are or where you’ve been. Don’t tell me stories of your spiritual journeys or epiphanies. Screw your aspirations and achievements,” I fume as I scroll endlessly down my cellphone screen. “Just give me the recipe!”
“Detective Boyle? The forensics team is here. They’re outside examining the scene now. Coroner is on their way.” The detective stood looking aside in the living room and nodded. “God, I hate days like this,” the officer sighed, then headed to the front do...
The Legend of Lover's Lane
Ignore it, it's just the windThey drove out after the Halloween drive-in movie. They didn't have dates. They just cruised by the lover's lane along the railroad tracks, slowly passing by a car or two to ogle and razz. Wilmer flashed the headlights of his convertible Mercury. Bored wi...
On Guard Duty
I have this. Boss is my job.I've been seeing more monsters recently. Just last week I saw one hanging on the wall. I bayed at it. Boss lifted me up to touch it. Just a new painting. I can smell a monster around. Boss breathes in and out. I smell the monster. I have this. I am on the...
In The Midst Of Chaos
One single moment is all it takes.It was a day Lincoln High School would never forget. Thirty-five white mice with beady-red eyes scurrying the halls like inmates set free in a jailbreak. Susie had never told any of us her plan. Maybe that was because it wasn’t a plan, per se. She just go...
Anonymous
Monochrome snapshot printed on canvas and lovingly framed. Frozen blink in time portraying the warmest memoryof newly blossomed passion, desires that ran free. A perfectly captured moment of heart-fluttering joywhen we were just twenty and deeply in lov...
Get Free access to these great features
- Create your own custom Profile
- Share your imaginative stories with the community
- Curate your own reading list and follow authors
- Enter exclusive competitions
- Chat with like minded people
- Tip your favourite authors
The power company needed the dam. At least that was what the newspapers had reported. The town was soon abandoned, cemeteries relocated, schools and churches gutted, stores emptied. It would take almost three weeks to fully submerge. She woke slowly. Her...
Dolls In The Dark
‘The dolls!’ was Emma’s first conscious thought.‘The dolls!’ was Emma’s first conscious thought. She was sure she heard the delicate sounds of pitter-patter across her hardwood floors. With a shaking hand, she grabbed her phone and prayed to God that nothing had touched her. Emma’s fingers slid silent...
I have been here before Many times more A different face In a different place. As each vessel dies Amidst loved one’s cries The spirit rises I return in guises. Plato, Nero, Rembrandt and Bach Each return gives new paths to walk Embodied within A new...
The ice tinkled against the glass as I raised it to my lips, enjoying the warmth of the late evening sun on my face. The view from the hotel veranda was sublime, out across the Pacific vastness to meet the vivid blue sky at the horizon. It was plain to se...
Ten years on the force and this was the case no one ever wants to get. I stared at her photo and imagined the life she must have lived. So young and beautiful. Now lost as I stepped around the stream of blood flowing as slow as a turtle into a red pool be...
The Sweetest Destination
They were supposed to go on an adventure of a lifetime...As they sat watching the sun dipping into the blue-green water of the gulf, they sighed. It wasn’t the vacation they had planned, that was for sure. They’d spent the past two years planning an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa. Their chosen desti...