Short Story

MARVEL/DC COMICS PRESENTS # 11
Nova Deep Space Outskirts of the Milky Way Galaxy “Can..” “...you....me?” “I...can anyone....me” “...is Nova Corps transport....”
By Derrick Billups 11 days ago in Fiction
Choose Your Own Adventure: St Helena Station Part 2
******* Author’s Note****** This is part two of my ongoing choose your own adventure style story St Helena Station. If you missed the first part, the link is below. Sadly you missed out on part one’s voting period but feel free to read and drop a comment/catch up on the story! Thank you for reading…… good luck.
By Sandor Szabo11 days ago in Fiction
Naked Succubus
Lola always chose her men the way other women chose handbags—something pretty, something flattering, something that made her feel more important when she walked into a room. He was no different. In fact, he was her favorite kind of ornament: young, beautiful, eager to please, and dazzled enough by her attention and clever manipulation that he never noticed the cost.
By Julie O'Hara - Author, Poet and Spiritual Warrior11 days ago in Fiction
There You Are
There You Are I saw you before I understood what was happening. One moment I was just another young mother out for a rare night in Cambridge, and the next my soul was singing like it had finally spotted the lighthouse it had been scanning the horizon for across lifetimes. “There you are,” it said, as if relieved, as if exhausted, as if it had been waiting for me to catch up.
By Julie O'Hara - Author, Poet and Spiritual Warrior11 days ago in Fiction
From Death Into Life. AI-Generated.
There are moments in life that feel like endings—chapters sealed off, doors slammed shut, or seasons that seem to wither before they ever had a chance to bloom. These moments may not involve literal death, yet they can feel like the emotional equivalent: the death of a dream, the fading of a relationship, the collapse of confidence, or the slow erosion of hope. But hidden within these endings is something quietly powerful: the possibility of renewal. Moving “from death into life” is not about miracles that appear in an instant. It is about the subtle, steady rebirth that begins when everything familiar falls apart, and you find yourself forced to rebuild—piece by piece, breath by breath. The Quiet Endings We Don’t Talk About People often imagine “rock bottom” as loud, chaotic, or dramatic. But most endings arrive quietly. Sometimes, it’s the moment you realize a goal you worked for simply isn’t going to happen the way you imagined. Sometimes, it’s the slow realization that you’ve outgrown a place, a habit, or even a version of yourself. And sometimes, it’s that heavy feeling inside—the one that whispers that things can’t keep going the way they have been. These moments can feel like a kind of death. Not final, not physical, but symbolic. Something ends. Something closes. Something stops growing. And in that stillness, it is easy to feel stuck or lost. Yet these moments are often the soil from which new life eventually grows. Why Endings Hurt So Much Human beings naturally cling to what they know. Even if something is painful or limiting, it’s familiar. Change, on the other hand, is uncertain. Endings strip away our illusions of control. They force us to face the unknown. They challenge the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we’re supposed to be. That’s why they feel frightening—even when they lead somewhere better. But pain, confusion, and uncertainty are not signs that you’ve failed. They’re signs that something inside you is being reshaped. The Turning Point: When Life Starts Whispering Back The shift from “death” to “life” rarely begins with a dramatic transformation. More often, it begins with small moments: a morning when you feel just a little lighter a thought that brings a spark of curiosity a conversation that makes you feel understood a new idea that keeps returning a moment of peace you weren’t expecting These moments are gentle, almost imperceptible. But each one is a seed. And seeds don’t look like much at first. They look like tiny, insignificant beginnings. But beneath the surface, something alive is taking shape. Rebirth Isn’t a Single Moment—it’s a Process People love stories of overnight transformation, but real growth moves slowly. Rebirth is a process of learning, unlearning, experimenting, and adapting. It’s choosing to keep moving forward even when you don’t feel ready. Sometimes this process looks like progress. Sometimes it looks like taking two steps back. But each step, whether forward or backward, is part of the journey of becoming. Moving “from death into life” means allowing yourself to outgrow past versions of yourself without guilt or shame. It means accepting that you are allowed to evolve, to shift directions, and to choose new paths that align with who you’re becoming—not who you used to be. Listening to the Voice of Renewal Every person has an inner voice that longs for growth. Sometimes it sounds like: “I think I can try again.” “Maybe there’s another way.” “What if things could be different?” “What if I’m capable of more than I thought?” Even the quietest spark of hope can become a flame if you nourish it. Listening to that inner voice is an act of courage. Following it is an act of rebirth. The Power of Choosing Life Again and Again “Life” in this context doesn’t just mean breathing or existing. It means: choosing joy even after disappointment choosing healing even after hurt choosing curiosity even when you’re afraid choosing growth even when it feels uncomfortable choosing to believe that your future can hold more than your past Every time you take a step toward something healthier, kinder, or braver, you choose life. And choosing life is not a one-time event. It’s a daily practice. Some days you choose with confidence. Other days you choose with trembling hands. Both count. Finding Beauty in What Comes After What comes after an ending is rarely what you expected—but often, it is exactly what you needed. The dreams you discover after letting go may be deeper than the ones you lost. The people you meet may understand you in ways you hadn’t known were possible. The person you become may be stronger, kinder, and more self-aware than the person you were before. Rebirth is not about returning to who you used to be. It’s about becoming someone new—someone shaped by strength, insight, and resilience. The Journey Continues If you’re in a season of ending, know this: endings are not proof that you’ve failed. They are invitations. They are doorways. They are transitions into something that is waiting to come alive within you. And if you’re in a season of renewal, nurture it. Grow slowly. Take your time. Life doesn’t rush, and neither should you. You are allowed to begin again—today, tomorrow, and as many times as you need. Every new beginning is a quiet miracle. And one day, when you look back, you’ll see it clearly: You didn’t break. You transformed. You moved—from death into life.
By Abid Ali11 days ago in Fiction
Barstow: The Art of Looking Away
Barstow, California was the kind of place where even the breeze felt like giving up. The air smelled like nothing. Barstow was dry air, hot wind, and dust that stuck to your skin. People said you got used to it. They said everything here was something you got used to.
By Sara Wilson11 days ago in Fiction
Saad Punjwani has officially become the first Pakistani to be featured in the global magazine The Orbit Times.
Every journey has a chapter that quietly shapes everything that follows. For Saad Punjwani, that chapter was 2019. It was a year defined not by noise, but by momentum — a period when effort, visibility, and purpose aligned naturally. While time has moved forward, that year continues to stand out as a personal benchmark, one that now feels increasingly relevant again. In recent months, conversations around Saad Punjwani have begun to resurface. Not because of controversy or sudden virality, but because of a steady and deliberate return to public focus. The difference this time is subtle but important: the approach is calmer, more measured, and grounded in experience. Rather than attempting to recreate the past, Saad Punjwani appears to be revisiting it with clarity. The Value of Stepping Back After periods of growth, stepping away can often be misunderstood. Silence is frequently mistaken for stagnation. In reality, it can be a phase of recalibration. For Saad Punjwani, the time away from the spotlight offered space to reflect on direction, priorities, and long-term purpose. This pause allowed lessons to settle. It replaced urgency with patience and ambition with structure. Many people peak once and spend years chasing that moment again. Others learn from it, adapt, and return stronger. The recent developments suggest that Saad Punjwani belongs to the latter group. A Moment of International Recognition One of the most significant milestones in this renewed phase came with international acknowledgment. Saad Punjwani has become the first Pakistani to be featured in the global magazine The Orbit Times. This feature is set to appear in The Orbit Times – 26th Edition, scheduled for release on 14 February 2026. The inclusion marks a notable moment, not only on a personal level, but also in the context of global representation. The Orbit Times is known for highlighting emerging voices and individuals whose stories reflect broader cultural or professional shifts. Being featured in such a publication places Saad Punjwani within an international narrative — one that extends beyond borders and local recognition. Why This Feature Matters Global platforms often determine whose stories are heard and remembered. Representation in international media is not merely symbolic; it shapes perception and opens conversations. For Pakistani individuals striving to be recognized beyond regional boundaries, moments like these carry significance. Saad Punjwani’s feature does not position him as an overnight success, but rather as someone whose journey reflects consistency, evolution, and readiness for broader dialogue. It signals that stories rooted in local experience can resonate globally when presented with authenticity. Revisiting 2019 with Perspective Rewinding to 2019 does not mean repeating the same steps. Time has added perspective. What once required instinct is now guided by understanding. What was once driven by momentum is now supported by intention. The confidence that defined Saad Punjwani’s earlier phase appears intact, but it is now paired with restraint. This balance often marks the difference between temporary success and sustainable growth. In many ways, revisiting a prime year is not about reliving achievements, but about reclaiming the mindset that made them possible — curiosity, discipline, and belief in long-term effort. A Broader Reflection Stories like this resonate because they are familiar. Many individuals experience a high point early on, followed by a period of uncertainty or distance. The challenge is not losing momentum, but knowing how to return without repeating mistakes. Saad Punjwani’s journey reflects this universal pattern. It speaks to creators, professionals, and entrepreneurs who understand that progress is rarely linear. Growth often includes pauses, reassessments, and quiet rebuilding. Looking Ahead As the release date of The Orbit Times – 26th Edition approaches, attention around Saad Punjwani is likely to increase. However, the focus remains grounded. There are no grand declarations, only steady movement forward. This phase feels less about proving something and more about alignment — between past experience and present direction. Closing Thoughts Rewinding a defining year is not about nostalgia. It is about understanding what worked, what changed, and what still matters. For Saad Punjwani, 2019 remains a reference point, not as a destination, but as a foundation. The upcoming international feature serves as recognition of that journey — one shaped by patience, reflection, and readiness. Sometimes, progress is not about moving faster, but about moving with intention. And in that sense, Saad Punjwani’s story is not about returning to the past, but about moving forward with clarity.
By Vocal Team11 days ago in Fiction
Persephone's Pomegranate
The pomegranate was already on her plate when Persephone sat down. The table was carved from a single slab of black stone, polished smooth by centuries of use. It reflected everything dimly, like water at night. Her plate held the usual offerings: grey bread dusted with ash, a glass of clear wine that smelled faintly metallic, and slices of fruit so pale they looked bleached by grief.
By Emilie Turner11 days ago in Fiction
Yellow Lights, Lucky Breaks & Borders
Crossing the Alameda border, I reached up and knocked twice on the car ceiling with my curled index and middle fingers. “Why do you do that?” Cynthia twirled a section of her long, coppery tresses; it was a fidget that I had long grown to love. She was perfect—literally everything that I had asked for. A redhead who looked like she had it all together and was a little crazy in the best way: great with fixing cars, loved dogs, and had a huge heart. She was amazing, and once again I looked at her and felt like the luckiest man alive.
By Alicia Anspaugh11 days ago in Fiction
The Town Mule
If anyone in town needed help, they knew to call Leo Germain. Though against his will, and despite his visible discomfort, Leo showed up on time just as his father once did. Just as the town expected him to.
By Kera Hollow11 days ago in Fiction
Oh My Gaaawd!!
💫🙏🤍 I don’t think of myself as a very religious person. I like to think of myself as a spiritual earthing, who can find something good and useful in every religion I’ve learned about. I believe there’s some truth to every story on the planet .. even if it’s just the source or idea that it evolved from. I’m going to share a true story of mine that I think most people will find something relatable in. It’s not well written, but it’s true and real and if it makes you smile or laugh, it makes me smile. 😃😂💫🙏🤍🕊️
By Dana Mary Colleen Campbell12 days ago in Fiction
MARVEL/DC COMICS PRESENTS #10
Spider-Man/The Legion of Superheroes 31st Century New York City “Welcome to Parker Interstellar Spaceport,” a voice announced over the intercom system. “The state of the art spaceport servicing the United Planets and other neighboring systems.”
By Derrick Billups 12 days ago in Fiction