Latest Stories
Most recently published stories on Vocal.
Rising from the Ashes
A year ago, I had nothing. My small business had collapsed, leaving me with debt, a broken lease, and the overwhelming feeling that I had failed. Friends tried to comfort me, but no words could erase the sinking weight in my chest. Every morning, I woke up feeling smaller, like the world had shrunk around me, and every night I went to bed wondering if I would ever rise again. The hardest part was not the loss—it was the loss of belief in myself.
By Sudais Zakwan18 days ago in Motivation
The Knock at Midnight
I had been living alone in the old townhouse for almost a month when it started. It was a quiet street, and I liked it that way. The first knock came at exactly midnight. I was reading in bed, the only light coming from my bedside lamp, when a soft tapping echoed through the wooden door. I paused, thinking it must be a neighbor, though I didn’t expect anyone to visit so late. When I opened the door, the hallway was empty. Nothing but shadows and silence. I shrugged, assuming it was a branch or a small animal hitting the window, and went back to bed.
By Sudais Zakwan18 days ago in Horror
The Face in the Window
I noticed the face on the fourth night after I moved into the apartment. It was raining heavily, and the city lights reflected strangely on the glass. I had just finished dinner and was standing near the window when something caught my eye. For a brief second, I thought I saw someone staring back at me from outside.
By Sudais Zakwan18 days ago in Art
Shadows in the Attic. AI-Generated.
I had always loved old houses, so when I found one on the edge of town with a “for rent” sign, I didn’t hesitate. The place was charming, with creaking floors, high ceilings, and an attic that I was told had once been used for storage. The landlord warned me that the attic was dusty and dark, but nothing more. I laughed it off, thinking of the old horror movies I’d watched as a teenager.
By Sudais Zakwan18 days ago in Horror
The Phone Call at 3:17 A.M.. Content Warning.
I always kept my phone on silent at night. It was a habit I had developed to protect my sleep and my sanity. That is why the ringing at exactly 3:17 a.m. terrified me so deeply. It cut through the silence like a blade, sharp and sudden, dragging me out of a heavy dream.
By Sudais Zakwan18 days ago in Horror
I Spent 30 Days Without Social Media and This Is What Happened to My Brain. AI-Generated.
I remember the exact moment I realized I had a problem. It was 2:00 AM, and I was scrolling through a stranger’s vacation photos from 2018. My eyes were burning, my neck ached, and I felt a strange emptiness in my chest. That night, I decided to do something radical: I deleted every social media app on my phone for 30 days.
By Hazrat Umer18 days ago in Lifehack
Why Growing Up With Little Can Make You Stronger Than You Think. AI-Generated.
Growing up with little does something to your mindset that stays with you for life. When resources are limited, you learn early that the world does not owe you comfort. You observe more, you listen more, and you adapt faster. While others are learning these lessons later in life, you are forced to understand them from the beginning.
By Hazrat Umer18 days ago in Motivation
