In The Tall Grass

PublicApology | contemporary | Complete

(I'm doing a complete rewrite as of 2/1/24. I hate the quality and the overall story changed so much that this has noncanon stuff to the petrichor series) Elizabeth Wilson commits suicide. She was the golden girl among her peers in Darkwood, Washington who stood above the pressure of her drug-riddentown. Explore the summer before her senior year that triggered the domino effect of Elizabeth's emotional and psychological breakdown that lead her to take her own life. This is the prequel to the main story, Petrichor and was never intended to be made. I wrote this because I wanted to explore Elizabeth's character and show how the main characters have changed since this event. I decided to release this first because Petrichor is undergoing a full rewrite. In the meantime, I'm writing a side story called Mourning Glory that takes place between thesecond and third act of Petrichor. Development is going rather fast so I suggest to to read that if you like this story

23.52 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:03

The Game (short story)

MichaelJSullivan | contemporary | Complete

I admit it; I'm a long-time gaming geek. When I started back in 1984, I played on a Compaq DeskPro outfitted with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and an awesome monochrome display adapter. I said I was a geek, remember? During the golden age of computer gaming, otherwise known as the 1990s, each month brought quantum innovations, spurring a host of inventive game designs. For me, the pinnacle was reached with the invention of the MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game), and my wife and I became lost in the world ofEverquestfrom 1999 to 2001. In the land of Norrath, we made many friends as we rose from a pair of pathetic magic users to guild legends, and I saw how the lines blurred betweenrealityand thevirtualworld. People speak of how computer games are a waste of time. But a great many good things grew out of those days. One of them was a fertile seed of an idea that I pondered well over a decade ago...and still do. This story is the result. What people are saying about "The Game" "An impressive and thought-provoking short story." - Mikel on Goodreads "The Game" is a wonderful short story, asking profound questions about existence and the meaning of life. I really enjoyed and be glad to see more from Troth." - Gil Estel on Goodreads "Great short story...different from much of Michael's writing (at least that I am familiar with). Definitely thought-provoking and chilling towards the end." - Gabe Erwin on Goodreads ". . . this one is just . . . brilliant! Do yourself a favor, everyone, and just read it." - Christomir Rackov on Goodreads.

4.38 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 16:52

Blog Entries of the Broken Hearted

Stephanie Van Orman | contemporary | Complete

Fall in love with a ghost, but wake up to a real boy... and he's yelling at you.

3.69 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 14:12

First Love

Welty | contemporary | Complete

A long-awaited reunion of two former lovers. James a now married man encounters his first girlfriend on the streets of a foreign city. Years have separated them as time often does, but how much has it diminished their love? Or has it grown in that time? How will James face his lustful desires when faced with the girl who owns the flame of his old passion?

2.46 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:24

Antiquity

The Last Tavern Open | contemporary | Complete

Back in 2011 I was working for a company doing a lot of electrical work. I was part of a project that had me driving all about Western Australia and assessing properties.On my trips I met many different people and heard quite a few stories.Some of them I wrote about, this is one.

0.22 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:13

Spiral

Methuselah | contemporary | Complete

I'm bound. I'm beaten. I ask for help. I'm bound. I'm beaten. I ask for help. The cycle renews; when the cycle renews, lights dim and sparks extinguish. This is the world of the city-cyclicals. Does anybody understand it? Do they understand it? Join Michaels, Johnny, and Johnny-boy as they digest their cycles. Will they find their peace of this world?

1.34 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 15:26

A Job for a Wendigo

Lady Siv | contemporary | Complete

Long ago Wendigos settled in the cold north away from most other Beings. Their almost secretive nature often gives Beings the impression of deep spirituality. And then there is Yrsa. Flighty at best she lives in her deceased grandparent's RV in the middle of the desert. Taking up the job of a mail carrier she earns enough money to keep her lights on and not much else. When a fairy on her route causes her to crash it triggers a chain reaction leading up to her finding a purpose.

20.21 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-04-10 16:02

Essokinesis

The Thaumaturge | contemporary | Complete

The fourth entry inThe Thaumaturge series. Jackie, a 17 year-old girl in Nevada, 2023, finds that she suddenly develops pyrokinesis. Kineses are potent superpowers that an extremely small amount of people around the world have developed. Her friend, Paul, who she meets in a government protection program to protect these few superpowered individuals, has a rare kinesis; dimensiokinesis, the ability to open gateways between dimensions. This draws the attention of Phineas, the owner of an extremely rich weapons company, who also secretly harbors a kinesis. This story follows the duo as Phineas attempts to kidnap Paul and utilize his powers for his own mysterious purposes. None of this goes unnoticed by Leviticus. The return of The Thaumaturge is imminent.

4.96 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 15:36

A Page of Life

uncannyvin | contemporary | Complete

When a sketch artist gets interested in comic creation, she's met with speed bumps and second guesses. A short story about creativity and getting help with it.

0.47 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:24

A Happy Place

Lucas Whorley | contemporary | Complete

A husband and wife recovering from marital strife attempt to rekindle their affection with a vacation trip to Maine. In hopes of putting the past away, they look to the future, to the old couple running the bed & breakfast, and to each other. In a desperate fight for their marriage, they find themselves in a battle where the stakes are life and death.

9.79 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 16:55

The Billboard

----EMMM---- | contemporary | Complete

Getting home in one piece to have a drink with your friends is a good thing. Figuring out how to make the design of a corn research shed interesting while getting there is even better. Especially when your studio professor is out to get you!

0.44 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:12

Y-Labs Experiment

DrpyCatty | contemporary | Complete

Down on his luck, Louie Sen found a job offer after visiting his friend at the local cafe. Desperate to make ends meet, he takes this strange opportunity, and comes out a new man. [Commissioned Work]

1.51 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 16:55

Friday Night Food Heist

nicoshaw | contemporary | Complete

TheFriday Night Food Heistis fraught with danger, but some boys will do anything for free pizza. Ross Cameron is sick and tired of boring Friday nights. Of course, with friends like Mac, there's always the chance of a more exciting development. On this occasion, it's the chance of free food at the expense of someone nobody likes. The only problem - Mac's plan requires military precision to pull off and could leave the boys facing the wrath of the most dangerous man in the neighbourhood.

4.84 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 16:51

A Slice of Life and Other Short Stories

Killerbee442 | contemporary | Complete

One big healthy serving of a slice of life. I saved the best for last.

1.00 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:11

Swipe Right for Catfish

Kai Willow | contemporary | Complete

Autumn K黨n is done with dating. A proud, self-confessed romantic, she always imagined she'd find "The One" and win her happily ever after. But if love is a game, the rules must be written in ancient Greek.Annoyingly, her friends say it's her fault. That she's a sucker for a pretty face, and tends to overlook the lesser details, like personality. Even so, when her cousin suggests the limitless smorgasbord that is dating online, Autumn shudders. For about three minutes. Then she downloads the app.Autumn's hopes lift when she matches with a cutie who appears to read more than just her daily horoscope and understands Autumn in a way that's almost uncanny. But every rose has its thorns. Autumn is looking for chemistry, companionship, and commitment, but what she discovers instead could ruin her faith in love once and for all.In this funny and poignant new adult F/F romance, Autumn will discover that the path to true love is filled with twists and turns, but she might just find herself along the way.

10.74 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:14

The Promise of Yuuko Asahino: Volume 3

OceansInTheSky | contemporary | Complete

Even though it's their first day of high school, Yuuko and Yuya are already late, but things begin to change when Yuya encounters a blonde boy being pummeled to the ground. "Are you okay Luka?" Can the thoughts of two strangers have any affect on a boy who has none for himself-- "You see New Kid, a community is made of like-minded people. Like-minded people work well together, they support each other.....when someone acts out from the group, they destroy the balance." --especially in a case where someone may not want to move at all?

22.12 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 15:27

Empty Window

DrpyCatty | contemporary | Complete

"His empty window now reminds me of how far I am from everything I love." - A short story inspired by a Twitter user's past.

0.64 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 16:55

This great witch's little blog

Critical-meltdown1 | contemporary | Complete

This great witch will write some short stories from my life here. Updates will be irregular

7.79 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 14:09

Guzzle

Hersi Hersi | contemporary | Complete

Two friends on a day out talking about things they shouldn't be talking about

0.36 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:23

I Summoned You

Adelaide West | contemporary | Complete

Julia wanted revenge, but she didn't imagine she'd get a demon to help her with it. Three girls worked together to cast a ritual, and summoned a demon to grant their wishes. Whether its peace of mind, the confidence to not be bullied, or revenge, the demon is willing to please. What matters afterward is the price that has to be paid. Not only by the summoners, but by the ones who have wronged them. --- Cover photo by Mallory Johndrow on Unsplash.com --- [participant in the NaNoWriMo Royal Road challenge]

26.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:03