Young Adult
taking the train to the sea
Stranger Danger The clanking steel wheels crash against the hot, expanding metal of the rail track as puffs of steam engulf the station. The clouds in the sky swirl like blobs of paint mixed in water; the faint sprinkles erupt as if struck by a paintbrush. These scattered showers dance across the sky as they splatter against basalt roof tiles and voluminous oaks. People dressed in heavy jackets depart from the train car, stepping past me, past the concrete squares that litter the ground. Like salmon, they push on unimpeded, past everyone around them on their way to work.
By Thomas Bryant9 days ago in Fiction
“Very Dark Times” OF USA
Ray Dalio Warns: The United States May Be Heading Into “Very Dark Times” Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has issued a stark warning: the United States may be heading into “very dark times.” His concerns are not based on short-term politics but on long-term historical patterns that have shaped the rise and fall of global superpowers.
By Wings of Time 10 days ago in Fiction
Above From Below: Part 5
Red skies appeared slowly over the Texas horizon as the morning suns brought new life to the area. The roads weren't as saturated as they were to the north, and 1970, black, Challenger sped through the desolate part of the state as it headed to the area Nico was killed. Rick's weary eyes were heavy from driving straight through. He'd only made one stop near any form of civilization.
By Jason Morton11 days ago in Fiction
Concert Line
Trini and Marci got up in the middle of the night, determined to be first in line for tickets. A special concert was coming to their town for the first time, featuring numerous artists, including secret guest singers and guitarists. Laden with fleece blankets and beach chairs, the friends walked from the parking lot only to find they were not the first.
By Andrea Corwin 12 days ago in Fiction
Amongst Us
The alarm sounded at 5:30 AM with a soft bell. It was quiet—only about 15 decibels, slightly higher than the sound of human breathing. You wouldn’t think it was loud enough to be heard. No one else was disturbed by it. But 15 decibels were all it took to awaken Malissa.
By David E. Perry12 days ago in Fiction
Above From Below: Part 4
Rick Steele drove away from the bar and headed toward home. There was a period during the rainy season when the locals got a break, the first time in a while, he could drive without using his wipers. He had a lot to think about. What Major Kohl shared with him about his brother’s death had his head spinning. There was something more to his death than the locals in Texas had found.
By Jason Morton12 days ago in Fiction
True Story
“True story,” is how she starts every story before launching into the most implausible tale. Last night, she claimed the moon was stalking her, said she caught it, shrank it to marble size. I chuckled until she reached into her pocket and pulled out the luminous orb.
By Tina D. Lopez13 days ago in Fiction
Book review: Holden Sheppard’s KING OF DIRT
I am always excited by the prospect of reading another offering from Australian author, Holden Sheppard. Having read his first two releases, in INVISIBLE BOYS and THE BRINK, both of which – by Young Adult themed book standards – were raw and no-holds-barred efforts that were emotional rides, I was excited to see where he went with his next novel, KING OF DIRT. And I wasn't disappointed.
By Mark 'Ponyboy' Peters13 days ago in Fiction
