Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Fiction.
Till Death Due Us Part
This toast is for my ex-wife Carole and Brian. I have no idea what I am doing at this wedding, but don't worry I have not checked the mail in two days. I feel very powerful at this moment, feeling that I have the power to ruin everything with the stroke of a pen or lack of a stroke. However, I would like to wish you both years of happiness, and mortgage payments, and babies and child support. I will be sure to sign on the dotted line, granting you, the freedom to remarry, of course you just did that.
By Gregory Payton12 days ago in Fiction
A Chain Is As Weak
I was very uneasy about the new guy. He was neurospicy. That, in itself, is certainly not a bad thing – I’m neuroseasoned myself, and my husband is definitely ensconced in the Scoville Unit area of neurospicy – but there are certain combos that scream Will Not Survive in a Post-Apocalyptal Environment.
By Meredith Harmon12 days ago in Fiction
The Goblin
Mr. Moore finished roll call and signaled to the bus driver to go. The bus started to move. Doug Barnes slipped on his head phones and turned on his Walkman. The year was 1998. He shut his eyes and got lost in the rock music playing in his ear phones. The bus hit a pothole and jostled everyone temporarily. Doug grumbled under his breath. If there was one thing Doug could not stand it was a long bus ride. This particular bus ride was going to last two hours.
By DJ Robbins12 days ago in Fiction
A Deadly Mistake in the Desert: The Merchant’s Fate
By(Haris Barki) SIRE, there was once upon a time a merchant who possessed great wealth, in land and merchandise, as well as in ready money. He was obliged from time to time to take journeys to arrange his affairs. One day, having to go a long way from home, he mounted his horse, taking with him a small wallet in which he had put a few biscuits and dates, because he had to pass through a desert where no food was to be got. He arrived without any mishap, and, having finished his business, set out on his reurn. On the fourth day of his journey, the heat of the sun being very great, he turned out of his road to rest under some trees. He found at the foot of a large walnut-tree a fountain of clear and running water. He dismounted, fastened his horse to a branch of the tree, and sat down by the fountain, after having taken from his wallet some of his dates and biscuits. Whilst eating the dates he threw the stones right and left. When he had finished this frugal meal he washed his face and hands in the fountain.
By Mariana Farias12 days ago in Fiction
The Two Black Dogs and the Brother Who Betrayed Death
The Merchant, His Brothers… and the Curse of the Black Dogs By(Haris Barki) “Great Prince of the Genii,” I began, bowing respectfully, “you must first understand who we are before you judge what has happened.”
By Mariana Farias12 days ago in Fiction
THE GILDER’S LEDGER
THE GILDER’S LEDGER: Chapter 1 — The Case in the Shed March 26, 2026 This morning, I felt a pull to share some of the lesser-known truths about Gold Leaf. That thought led me straight to my old Gilder’s Case, which has sat locked away in the stillness of my brick shed for over twenty years.
By Alexander Burnside12 days ago in Fiction
Merlina Magpie. AI-Generated.
Merlina Magpie did not sleep. This was not, in itself, unusual. Astronomy professors were not known for maintaining sensible hours, and Merlina had long ago abandoned any attempt at pretending otherwise. Still, there was a distinct difference between choosing not to sleep and finding that sleep would not come at all.
By Eris Willow12 days ago in Fiction
Merlina Magpie. AI-Generated.
Professor Merlina Magpie had always been particularly good at ignoring advice. This was not because she failed to hear it—quite the opposite. She listened very carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and even, on occasion, appeared to agree. It was simply that, once she had considered all the sensible warnings placed before her, she had an unfortunate habit of doing exactly what she pleased anyway.
By Eris Willow12 days ago in Fiction
