Magical Realism
The Mountain That Took a Breath
Once in a century, a giant mountain inhaled deeply, causing the entire valley to rise slightly. Those present swore they felt the earth’s ribcage expand. A young geologist stayed at its base for years, hoping to witness another breath. When it finally came, the mountain exhaled warmth toward her. She realized the world was alive in ways humans had forgotten to feel.
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 9 - Thaddeus
Theo claimed he was okay, but he was still shaking like a newborn pup in Roman's passenger seat. He hadn't said much of anything since learning what Chris had almost done to him. Understandable, to say the least. Roman wasn't in much of a talkative mood himself. Not after Theo told him about the Quill Family Curse.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 8 - Ripples. Top Story - November 2025.
Rain, gentle and soothing, pitter-pattered on the window beside Theo. The steady percussion roused him from slumber slowly, teasing him awake like an oyster being pried out of its shell. It was only then he realized that his bedroom didn't have a window before. And that the door was on the wrong side of the room. The bed itself was all wrong, too, made up in soft, dark blue sheets that certainly weren't his.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
The Universe Written on a Single Leaf
A philosopher discovered a leaf with veins forming patterns identical to star maps. He spent years studying it, realizing the design wasn’t coincidence but a reminder: the universe is not out there—it is in everything, even the smallest sliver of matter. When the leaf eventually decayed, the philosopher smiled instead of mourning. “Infinity,” he said, “doesn’t disappear. It only changes form.”
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 7 - Splitting Hairs. Content Warning.
Roman hated parties. Did he mention that? Rubbing elbows with the entire student population of Hill Academy while having his brain liquefied by Nicki Minaj's latest hit cranked up past eleven was not his idea of a good time. On top of that, this was a Chris Fletcher party. If that delinquent was involved, this party was guaranteed to the the wildest shindig west of State U's Delta Gamma Frat House.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 6 - The Party
To say Theo was anxious about going to Chris' party was a laughable understatement. He was utterly bricking it on the ride over, calculating the odds of surviving a leap from a moving car. Part of him was actually considering it; the numbers were in his favor, and his maths were never wrong. All that changed when he heard a deep sigh from his left.
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
The Cloud That Refused to Rain
A single dark cloud hovered over a drought-stricken village, trembling but refusing to break. People cursed it until they learned the truth: if it rained then, the cracked earth would shatter. So they softened the soil, and only then did the cloud let go. Sometimes restraint is the purest form of care.
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
Firebug: Chapter 5 - Jack of All Trades
"...and... done. Finally." Roman leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh, pushing back from his editor's desk. He rolled his neck gingerly, rubbing the back of it with a wince to massage the ache from it. He'd ridden that deadline right down to the wire, but the next edition of the school paper was ready for print. Better late than never, right?
By Natalie Gray3 months ago in Chapters
The Night the Stars Fell Silent. AI-Generated.
Mira had always believed that the universe spoke in light — in pulses, in echoes, in subtle vibrations that only telescopes and sensitive minds could understand. From childhood, she had felt connected to the night sky in a way that no one around her ever understood. While others saw stars, she saw patterns. While others saw darkness, she felt presence.
By shakir hamid3 months ago in Chapters
