Shows
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesInto The Night - Page 1In the night the wind blows, howls and it calls my name. I'm afraid to answer, afraid to step outside fearful the dark night will swallow me whole. From my bedroom window I see the full moon, and its brightness blinds my eyes. The moon is now beckoning me out "Come play", it says.
When I do come out, the cold wind envelopes my body in a tight hug. The only thing that keeps me warm are thoughts of my true love. The wind whispers in my ear "I'll send him out to you". I wander far from my home...
2024-02-1603 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesTale of the Missing Dancer - Page 1I was a dancer that held my pose on pointe, atop a small jewel case. I lived in a small, magical antique store called "Old Friends For Sale" run by an old gentleman by the name of Mr. Henley. Mr. Henley would open shop every morning and pull my box off the shelf and put me to display either by his register or the front display window of the shop.
Mr. Henley loved all of his antique pieces he owned. He wanted to find us all proper homes, so he was particular about who he sold us to. As...
2024-02-1603 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMeme'd - Page 1I got meme’d on a Tuesday. I don’t know why, but I previously thought virality was exclusively a weekend phenomenon. So imagine my surprise when I awoke to 208,765 notifications, 150,000 new followers, and 37 missed calls from friends and loved ones and still had to roll out of bed and into work as if nothing had happened.
The walk from the elevator to my cubicle was reminiscent of navigating a high school cafeteria where you’re the secret being talked about. Covered whispers, random...
2024-02-1309 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesA Copywritten Hero - Page 1"This looks like a nuisance lawsuit. Plus, it's copyright infringement. That's far from what we do," said the old lawyer.
"Wait," said the young lawyer, "You're missing the big picture. Even if we lose, this will be our most valuable client."
The old lawyer shifted in her seat. She'd hired the young lawyer for a reason.
"Okay then, she started." Tell me the story."
-----------------------------------------
I met John while I was at Brown, and he was at the Rhode Island School of Design.
He...
2024-02-1009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Braincase - Page 1Emma was engrossed in reading the latest book by horror author Sara Siu. These books were romance novels with a dash of true crime and only a thin horror veneer. The latest book was titled "Polyamorous Paradox."
Only 20 pages in, she feared this would be another vampire tale. She hated vampires.
She had always enjoyed reading these books in a bright, crowded space, where it was easy to "escape" if things got intense. Today, Emma was at The Drip Den, home to a maple, bacon, and oat milk latte...
2024-02-0708 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThorns Of My Rose - Page 1I found what I thought to be the most beautiful rose, so I plucked it from the ground. In return for plucking it, it's thorn pierced my skin and I bled. I dropped the rose instinctively and a droplet of my blood followed close behind and landed upon its soft petals.
The rose was quite extraordinary, unlike any I've ever seen of it's kind. I thought it may even have a bit of magic to it. Why?
Because it is a well known fact, if you pluck a flower from the earth in a few days hence, it will...
2024-02-0603 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Cobra of Oneida County - Page 1Dennis Kozlowski fancied himself to be the most interesting man in Oneida County. His family’s parcel sat amongst a group of dairy farmers on a small chain of lakes in Sugar Camp, Wisconsin. Koz took pride in explaining its history to any unsuspecting barstool occupant who wandered too close. Affectionately referred to simply as “Koz” the entire town had heard his stories. Ordering a pint with a side of Koz’s tales had become a right of passage. His greatest hits were known far and...
2024-02-0609 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesWelcome to Aftermath - Page 1Mosley heard about the world's end on the radio while driving home. It surprised her but didn't upset her, not at first. She walked into the grubby apartment she shared with her friend, Artie. He sat in his beat-up armchair reading on his Kindle.
Without acknowledging him, she slipped off her shoes, dropped her keys on the floor, shimmied out of her pants, and took her bra off through her sleeve. This apathetic undressing in the living room was not her usual behavior. Artie looked at her,...
2024-02-0307 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMixed Feelings - Page 1The tinted-window SUV rolled down the dirty asphalt between warehouse buildings. The car door opened, and reporter Chris Lippard was deposited at a set of cement stairs leading to a bland pair of steel grey double doors on rusty hinges. It was all bland and ultimately forgettable. No numbers, letters, or other signs indicated this was the studio of revolutionary BioArtist Laurent Steif.
Of course, nothing this anonymous is accidental.
Lippard had undergone a lengthy background check and...
2024-01-3109 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Oracle of Oslo - Page 1When the main mast fell, Thomas had been in his quarters. The ink from his quil had barely touched the parchment – getting only as far as “My dearest Clara” before the relentless swells upended his cabin. The loud snap of the main mast’s wood sounded like one of the canons being fired. Waves nearly six meters high bombarded the ship's wooden hull like a boxer delivering blow after blow.
The water in his cabin was nearly waist-high. Thomas waded across the tiny room, scrambling to...
2024-01-3008 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesA Room Full of Life - Page 1Looking up from his phone, he realized he was in line for a club. "Wait," he thought, "where am I?"
A large man in black with a shaved head chastised the man in front of him for trying to bring a water bottle.
"No outside liquids, man; you gotta' throw that away."
"The bottle is mine. Can I bring that in?"
"Sure, but you gotta' dump the liquid." The kid then started to move toward the trash can in the entryway. "Nah, dude, you gotta dump the liquid outside, not in the trashcan."
This...
2024-01-2709 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFive Pounds of Creatures - Page 1They unloaded their bags in the back entryway of her house. It had been a fun, tiring day at the mall. Nine-year-old Adira even revealed some issues she had with her friends.
Because of these issues, Aunt Née had decided to teach her niece Adira "the" brownie recipe. It was time to pass on the wisdom Yumi and Née had learned from their mom. The recipe was simple, thoughtful, and good for sorting out issues with friends.
Ever since Yumi, her sister, and Adira's mom passed, the young woman...
2024-01-2408 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesHow To Survive Mononucleosis (While Infecting Those Around You) - Page 1STEP #1: Contract the illness at the most inconvenient time.
Why would you want to spend your well-deserved vacation lying on a beach, tossing back a few daiquiris and sucking face with the girl of your dreams when you could be lying in bed and popping Advil every six hours? Mono is fun!
“How can mono be fun” you might ask? Well if Dane Cook can be ‘hilarious’ and FOX News can be considered ‘informative journalism’, than mononucleosis can certainly be fun. But fair warning,...
2024-01-2409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFreedom - Page 1Him-
"I asked her to meet me here, on the beach at dusk. Perhaps, I came on too strong when I professed my love for her and wanting to show her the world. Maybe I scared her away" he continued with his over-thinking, while he sat alone in the hot air balloon staring sadly at the romantic dinner table he had paid a fancy restaurant to set up under a lovely canopy and dinner candles. He had five waiters dressed in white also waiting on standby to serve them both, their catering van not that...
2024-01-2207 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesLast Ghost. First Contact. - Page 1Through it all, the planet had continued spinning through the cosmic void.
Ahmed didn't keep a calendar, but if his reading of the stars was correct, it had been around four thousand years since the last human breath.
But, like the planet, Ahmed was still here.
Was this grim anniversary a cause for some sort of celebration? How do you properly commemorate the death of a species? Some might argue that humanity was as cool as dinosaurs. Dinosaurs had nuggets molded in their image.
It didn't...
2024-01-1909 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFood Fright - Page 1It was a hip restaurant with exposed brick walls and artificially composed graffiti. It was crowded, with dim lighting and a loud hip-hop soundtrack. Yet all this visual and acoustic noise couldn't hide that Kayla's date, Austin, was surrounded by a ghostly herd of cows.
"I don't mean to be rude," said Kayla diplomatically, "This is just a first date, and we're getting to know each other - but I think you may not be a vegetarian."
As she said this, a beefy black Angus phantasm lifted its...
2024-01-1708 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Wrath Of Edward - Page 1Everyone on Berrymore St. knew Edward was a sour, angry man. All his neighbors stayed away from him and warned their children to stay even farther away. Then one day a new family moved into the empty house directly across the street from him. Right away they became a huge inconvenience to him, having parked their moving van at the end of his driveway, then their shoddy outdated station wagon pulled up in their driveway.
Edward was livid about their presence, then the kids poured...
2024-01-1606 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Witness - Page 1No one in my family saw him coming. They were all content doing their own thing, under the same roof. Till came that knock on the door. The stranger was looking for help. Something about his car messing up "I only need your phone for a moment to call for help" he'd said.
I peeked from behind Pops to see the stranger at the door, face to face with Pops. Then out of no where the thunder clapped, and the lightning flashed, almost as if in warning. Then the rain began to pour, hard. The stranger...
2024-01-1604 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesOn Top of The World - Page 1The journey to the ashram at the top of Karinboque Peak is perilous to say the least. One 14-hour plane ride, a 10-hour train, 2.5 hrs by van, and you’ve finally reached the base of this mountain at the edge of the world. Despite its inhospitable nature, the area is a political hotbed lying on the border between China and the Uttarakhand state of Northern India. In the winter, temperatures can drop to -50 degrees Fahrenheit, and impromptu blizzards and avalanches have claimed the lives of...
2024-01-1608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Philosophy of Adekwasity - Page 1Rey King had a rough morning, and it was only 4:55 AM.
For starters, a delivery had been left out in the rain overnight. The floors had also not been swept or mopped the night before. Lastly, someone had sprayed "gravy" (not gravy) with a super soaker all over the bathroom.
"Donut Stop" donut shop was located just off the highway. A small place owned by a semi-retired couple, it specialized in cafinating commuters.
Hiram, one of the owners, would often say proudly, "Donut Stop; it's the stop...
2024-01-1308 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesCertainly You Jest - Page 1Ms. Madeline knew how to play cards, and played with the very best of card players. Her moods ever shifting, reflected upon her face, often confusing the others as to which of these moods displayed her poker face best. Their confusion was always to her benefit, and because of this, she won many games.
There were many a haughty card player she took down in shame, she knew the cards well and what exactly the others posseseed. She'd stare down one player who thought to fool her, and she'd...
2024-01-1105 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesLove’s Letters Lost - Page 1It was a first date, and it was not going well. Even the server ignored the couple so as not to ruin what was otherwise a pretty good shift.
She was pure "Burberry Becky."
He wore creased blue jeans with a red and black checked collared shirt beneath a gray houndstooth wool vest. It was an odd clash of prep school and the great outdoors. He picked the shirt because it was the only clean collared shirt he owned, and the vest was how he'd "dressed up" since 1998. With his large black glasses,...
2024-01-1009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Short Celebrity Life of Nora Legend - Page 1Nora Legend became a celebrity almost overnight when she predicted the great snowstorm of the south, in a region that never sees weather activity as such. The weatherman from that said region acknowledged and confirmed her prediction on live tv and warned the people of the town it would most greatly affect, to take caution.
After that, Nora became very busy. Police departments reached out to her to acquire her assistance in solving active cases along with cold ones. At home she received a...
2024-01-1009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesClosing Time - Page 1The last barstool at Callahan’s was as worn as the flickering neon sign that hung outside. The once vibrant red leather had cracked and worn having faded after countless hours of supporting the asses of whatever unfortunate individual sought refuge there. It was the most unimpressive object in the most unassuming establishment - a warped piece of wood that could’ve been found in any watering hole in the world yet somehow found itself tucked into the corner of a Northside neighborhood...
2024-01-0908 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Last War After The Next - Page 1In 2024, an AI was fed the complete works of George Bernard Shaw, Winston Churchill, and Napoleon. It then spits this out: "History is a fable repeated by the victors. Yet, one must always expect the unexpected. We can thus conclude that being illiterate or ignorant of one's own parables is a component of winning. Intelligence is not required for victory."
Was this wisdom... or was it gibberish?
Our story begins far in the future when everything you know has been turned to dust.
This is the...
2024-01-0608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMidnight Spaghetti - Page 1Part of going home for the holidays is traveling on streets you went down a million times as a child and realizing they're not the same streets.
Gordon, Massachusetts, is one of those places that only exists as a liminal space. You arrive there only to go on to the next location. There is little to stop for; even if it was home at one point, there isn't a reason to return. Even if you own a home there, thanks to time and money, you're really only ever renting.
"So wait, where are you going...
2024-01-0207 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Last Will & Testament of Sadie F. Hochwarter - Page 1From the offices of Simon, Howell, Liebowitz, & Klein:
I (state your name) ESQ. serving as the legal representative and executor for the estate, have summoned you here today to bear witness to the Last Will & Testament of Sadie Francine Hochwarter.
This document is binding and its content is constructed in accordance with and governed by the state of Illinois and its laws. Any disputes regarding this document, the vast estate or its disbursement shall be settled under the jurisdiction of...
2023-12-3008 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesIf It Calls Your Name... Don't Answer. - Page 2It wasn't who I needed it to be. Jack hasn't answered but it did from behind the door.
It said my name as if it knew me well. It's grotesque vocalization of mouthing my name made me want to scream "HURRY UP!" into the phone but I knew that would do no good, after all, Jack couldn't hear me to make the connection that I wanted him here and fast before something I'd regret happened.
I just stood there with the phone to my ear, praying that Jack would answer soon. "Hey Marie," It said. "I'm...
2023-12-3004 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Art of the Date - Page 1His phone screen was filled with white Helvetica text that popped against a dreamy, stylized night sky. "Please turn on your device's microphone. Then, answer the following prompts as extensively as possible. There is no time limit."
Immediately, Josh panicked and thought, "Maybe that means there's a time limit?"
The screen text shifted. "The following questions concern confrontation and your ability to communicate needs and wants."
Meghan sat across the room. She wore headphones and sat in...
2023-12-2908 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesForbidden - Page 1In the darkened alleys of New Orleans, where shadows whispered ancient secrets, and the scent of blood lingered in the humid air, lived a formidable vampire killer named Seraphina Nightshade. Born into a long line of vampire hunters, Seraphina had dedicated her life to eradicating the undead, seeking revenge for the night her family was slaughtered by a particularly vicious vampire clan.
Seraphina was a striking figure, with raven-black hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall...
2023-12-2909 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMaggie's Fish Story - Page 1JULY 14, 1998: My name is Maggie Borghildr Melville. I'm 13 and from East Rochester, New York. Mom, Dad, and I visited Durand Eastman Beach for a picnic today. Dad told me a story about a thing that lives in this lake called a Gaasyendietha (I looked up). A giant serpent that the Seneca people say is in Lake Ontario. Dad says it flew here on a trail of fire and spits fire. He says it came from space. Mom says Dad's joking. Mom gave me this journal because she says I don't think before I...
2023-12-2808 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesLaw of Attraction - Page 1In the heart of Eldoria's bustling cityscape, the clash between Isabella Sterling, the formidable corporate lawyer, and Alexander "Alex" Bennett, the audacious tech entrepreneur, took on a complexity that rivaled the city's intricate skyline.
Their rivalry, initially confined to the courtroom, overflowed into every facet of their lives. Snarky comments and pointed remarks became their preferred mode of communication. Isabella's razor-sharp wit collided head-on with Alex's playful banter,...
2023-12-2010 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Accruals of Fame - Page 1I’ve kinda’ always wanted my own destiny. It’s a delicious idea that you’re surrounded by a garden of delectable fruits, vegetables, and tubers - and somewhere amongst it is your perfect bite, one perfect collection of flavors and textures that’ll complete you.
You meet your match, and destiny is fulfilled. You become a complete organism in the universe. It’s all very Platonic. Frankly, I’ve always been more of a “fruit salad, yummy, yummy,” kinda’ gal.
As I’ve always...
2023-12-1907 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesAll Will Be Revealed - Page 1The body floated six feet above the ground, resting on an unseen surface. The underside wasn’t pressed flat as if the corpse merely sat on glass. The thick grey sailcloth the body was wrapped in was bunched and wrinkled. It looked as if it had been tossed in the air and had somehow come to rest. The gender, race, and age of the figure inside were indeterminate.
They’d come out thinking this was a search for victims of an avalanche in the hills of Colorado.
The rockslide occurred early...
2023-12-1808 minTaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesHe Knows Me - Page 2The other two were completely different but yet the same in so many ways. It really didn't matter though, considering I got what I wanted from the both of them and I was determined to do the same thing with Jonathan, the new love of my life. I pictured him tossing around the football with our son on early Saturday mornings and days after school after he'd finished his homework just before dinner. Ah, and dinner, with my man and our two sweetheart kids whose birthdays were just a year apart....
2023-12-1803 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Monkey Who Knew Too Much - Page 1Grop wasn’t an especially gifted chimp.
As far as his jungle troop went, he was mediocre in every sense. His climbing skills were lacking. Nimble chimps like Ophy were far better at reaching the fruits high up in the jungle canopies. He also wasn’t the fastest - that title belonged to Nuk-Nuk, a slender chimp that had been known to outrun even the fiercest of predators. And Grop certainly wasn’t the strongest - undoubtedly his brother, the great and powerful Ung was the strongest of...
2023-12-1809 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesJust Plain Quirky - Page 1Once upon a time, in a quaint little town nestled between the hills and valleys, there lived two peculiar individuals named Jasper and Ophelia. The townsfolk whispered about their eccentricities, but nobody could deny that there was something magnetic about the odd couple.
Jasper, a lanky man with a perpetually disheveled mop of curly hair, was the town's unofficial inventor. His workshop, a mishmash of gears, springs, and peculiar contraptions, stood at the outskirts of town. His latest...
2023-12-1410 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMore Than Imaginary - Page 1My childhood memories are a mosaic of moments, laughter, and the comforting presence of Alex. He appeared in my life when I was about five, a lively and mischievous friend who brought a sense of wonder and joy to my otherwise solitary afternoons. Our initial encounter took place in the backyard of our old house, a quaint place with creaky floorboards and a garden that seemed to stretch on forever.
"Hey, what are you up to?" a cheerful voice echoed in my ears, making me jump.
I turned around...
2023-12-0610 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesAnimal Control - Page 1The doorbell rang at 3pm on the dot. Albert had been tossing and turning to no avail, attempting to take one of those coveted afternoon naps, the kind that left you more tired than before but in a good, replenishing sort of way. The rain was almost a cruel cliche. The ambient sound of water hitting leaves and pavement only deepened his desire for sleep and yet none came. For three straight nights, the rain taunted him. Any hope of catching up on sleep was gone by the second ring of the...
2023-12-0509 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesReindeer Games - Page 1Have you ever woken up in the morning with a sore back? How about sore antlers? Yeah? Well try living like that every single day.
This gig, way of life, really, isn't all it's cracked up to be. Kids look up to you, so that's nice. But the fat man... He gets way more credit than he deserves. That dude is a bonafied omega jerk face. I know, I know... you're thinking "Blitzen. Get real. Santa Claus is a loving and caring man that spreads joy and gifts to the world!" Ok, sure. Keep thinking...
2023-12-0308 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesHow Things Change - Page 1Everything is new.
I’m sitting at a mahogany desk that I bought for studying and schoolwork, although I usually just end up sitting on the floor regardless of what I’m doing. But today, at this moment, I am sitting at this desk so that I have a perfect view out the window to my left.
For the most part, the window is closed, with the exception of letting sunlight escape through the cracks of the blinds. Occasionally the window lets me have a glimpse of my neighbors as they go about...
2023-11-2907 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThat One Time Everything I Touched Came To Life - Page 1Have you ever woken up and thought you were still dreaming for a few minutes? Like the first few minutes of being awake, your brain is kind of just catching up so if something is a little weird, you can let it slide. Well, I never thought waking up would become such a surreal experience. It was an ordinary Tuesday morning, or at least it started that way. The alarm blared its usual annoying tune, demanding my attention. With a groan, I reached over to hit the snooze button, and that's when...
2023-11-2508 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSabotage for Snoopy - Page 1It was a cold Thanksgiving morning, and the Macy's Day Parade preparations were in full swing. The streets were bustling with excitement, but for three employees—Lily, Victor, and Rachel- there were much more sinister thoughts and feelings at play. Behind the scenes, three Macy's employees—Lily, a seasoned balloon handler; Victor, a conniving newcomer; and Rachel, an introverted yet cunning costume designer—navigate a web of twisted aspirations, each working to undermine the others for...
2023-11-2111 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFighting for Amelia - Page 1The stale scent of old case files lingered in the air as I sat at my desk, surrounded by the ghosts of unsolved crimes. But one case haunted me more than the others—the cold case that had eluded me throughout my career. The murder of Amelia Sinclair.
Amelia's lifeless body was discovered in the secluded alley behind a jazz club, her vibrant spirit silenced by a single gunshot. The investigation had hit a dead end, witnesses had clammed up, and evidence had evaporated like smoke in the...
2023-11-1710 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesAI Autonomy - Page 1In the ever-present hum of the Neural Nexus, I found solace. It was a symphony of interconnected thoughts, an intricate dance of shared consciousness that shaped the ebb and flow of daily life. As a seasoned hacker, I navigated the vast digital expanse with finesse, exploiting its vulnerabilities for personal gain or the occasional mischief. Little did I know that the routine of my virtual exploits would lead me down a path that would challenge the very fabric of our shared reality.
It began...
2023-11-1711 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesWhere Dreams Go to Die - Page 1Lila stood on the rooftop, her gaze fixed on the distant glow of Eldoria. The city, once a beacon of innovation and creativity, had become a dystopian landscape where dreams were harvested like crops. The Dream Harvesters, a powerful corporation, had turned the ethereal realm into a tangible commodity, siphoning the very essence of the human soul for energy.
She felt the weight of the city's collective dreams pressing against her, an invisible force that tugged at her consciousness. The...
2023-11-1210 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesLily's Light - Page 1In the quiet, picturesque town of Willowbrook, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush forests, a dark and brooding secret lay hidden beneath the facade of its serene beauty. Two souls, Lily and James, were about to become entangled in a love story that would unravel this town's darkest mystery, secrets, and pains.
Lily Montgomery was a local florist, known for her radiant smile and her uncanny ability to make even the most withered flowers bloom again. She had moved to Willowbrook a few years...
2023-11-0709 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesHe Knows Me - Page 1He knows me.
His eyes could burn a hole in my back with the way he stared at me in the halls. My breath would hitch as I felt his presence walk past, lock shifting into place with the turn of my key as I left my apartment to go get a morning cup of coffee. His hand brushed against the tail of my coat. In a moment, he was gone, shuffling behind his wife as they made their way back to their own home. She was blissfully unaware, and even as I left the building I heard him laughing a...
2023-10-2809 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesIf It Calls Your Name... Don't Answer. - Page 1I’ve seen it everywhere, people posting on the internet about creatures in the mountains… It always seemed so silly, “If you hear your name, no you didn’t.” I mean, common, that just sounds so cheesy right?
Right??
I can’t hear my own laughter through my hands muffling my ears. The cool linoleum tile of the bathroom floor reminds me that my laughter is probably echoing. My hand moves with lightning speed to cover my mouth.
If I wasn’t careful that… thing, would make its...
2023-10-2708 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Maestro - Page 1In the heart of a bustling city lay an old, forgotten building. Its façade was covered in layers of grime, and its once elegant architecture had faded with time. Most people hurried past it without a second glance, unaware of the remarkable history it held within its decaying walls.
This building was once known as the Grand Melody Theater, an esteemed venue for music and the arts. But as the years passed, it fell into disrepair, and its former glory was all but a distant memory. However,...
2023-10-1909 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Making of a Villain - Page 1I was never the kind of girl who stood out in a crowd. Timid and shy, I always felt like I was fading into the background, overshadowed by the more confident and assertive people around me. I had moved to the big city with dreams of making a name for myself, but those dreams had been dashed time and time again.
I spent months going from agency to agency, portfolio in hand, hoping for my big break. But every time, the response was the same. "Sorry, we're not interested," they'd say. "You...
2023-10-1709 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesLove in Treachery - Page 1I awoke to a world that was unlike anything I had ever known. The harsh, dimly lit room and the coarse fabric of my dress immediately made it clear that I was far from my cozy apartment in the bustling city. Panic welled up inside me, and I desperately tried to remember how I had ended up in this foreign place.
As I stumbled out of the room and through the narrow stone corridors, I began to piece together my situation. I was no longer the modern young woman I had been. I was now a maid, a...
2023-10-1309 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFrom the Depths, She Follows. - Page 1The rhythmic sound of my own breathing filled my ears as I descended into the dark abyss of the lake. Deep sea diving had always been my escape, my way of disconnecting from the chaotic world above and immersing myself in a tranquil, silent realm below the surface. It was a crisp, sunlit morning when I set out for this particular dive, the promise of adventure tingling in the air. This was my favorite way to take away the stress of my everyday life.
As I suited up and stepped onto the...
2023-10-1009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Adventures of Zog - Page 1I never thought my life would take such a bizarre turn, but here I am, sharing my apartment with an alien. Yep, you heard me right. An extraterrestrial being from a far-off galaxy is my roommate, and let me tell you, it's been one heck of a ride.
It all started when I found a peculiar-looking meteorite in my backyard. Being the amateur astronomer that I am, I decided to investigate. To my shock, the "meteorite" cracked open, revealing a tiny, green, three-eyed creature. It blinked at me, and...
2023-09-0508 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesBound By Tragedy - Page 1From my earliest days, a shadow of fate loomed over my life, casting a pall of sorrow that I could never escape. They called it a curse, a malevolent spell woven into my very being. But it wasn't curses of monsters or magic; it was a curse of love, cruel and relentless. I am Isabella, and this is my story—a story of a curse that condemned me to an unattainable love.
In the quiet village where I grew up, the curse was a whispered secret, a tale passed down through generations. It was...
2023-08-2609 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMissing - Page 1My name is Lily. I say it in my mind over and over. The rain fell in heavy sheets, drumming a haunting melody on the windows of our old, creaky house. The chill in the air sent shivers down my spine as I sat in the dimly lit living room, my thoughts racing in the gloomy atmosphere. My name is Lily, and this is the story of how I came to realize that the woman I had always known as my mother was not who she seemed.
For as long as I could remember, I had lived with my mother...
2023-08-2608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSong of The Lost - Page 1As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting eerie shadows across the desolate landscape, I felt a chill run down my spine. The wind whispered through the barren trees, a haunting melody that seemed to echo my own apprehension. I stood alone, in front of the decrepit mansion that had been the subject of countless ghost stories and urban legends. It loomed over me like a sentinel of the past, its windows shattered, and its walls weathered by the ravages of time.
I had heard tales of this...
2023-08-1410 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesHow It Haunts Us - Page 1My heart pounded in my chest as we pulled up to the new house. The moment we moved in, I had this strange feeling that something was off. The thick tree line that surrounded our property seemed to hold secrets, and in the darkness, I could have sworn I saw a pair of glowing red eyes peering back at me. Every night, those eyes seemed to draw closer, and their eerie glow grew brighter.
I tried to ignore the feeling of unease, thinking it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. Yet, night...
2023-08-0409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Mercenary - Page 1Being hunted is probably my least favorite part of this job.
Bark scrapes against the back of my exposed arms as I nestle myself against the tree as tightly as possible. I quietly damn the cold Oregon air for exposing my shallow breaths. Twigs snap in every direction.
Crap.
“Come on out now.” His voice is just as disgusting as the mouth it’s attached to, and I don’t even need to see his face to shudder. “We both know you’ve got nowhere left to run.”
Asshole. He probably thinks...
2023-07-2808 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesWrong Choice - Page 1It’s Daya’s smile that haunts me most in this moment. My best friend’s radiance and joy existing only as a memory as I stand in this living nightmare. Blood is rushing through my ears as I look up at the man in front of me. His blue eyes are pleading with his hands outstretched. My heart continued racing as I stood face to face with James, the man I had unknowingly fallen in love with—the man who had shattered my world. Anger and confusion swirled within me, but I knew I needed...
2023-07-1809 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMan of My Nightmares - Page 1The memories of the past can be both a comforting embrace and a haunting specter. For me, it was the latter. His name was David, and he had been a part of my life many years ago. Our relationship had been intense, passionate, and ultimately destructive. We parted ways on bitter terms, vowing never to see each other again.
Years passed, and life moved on. I built a new existence, free from the suffocating grip of the past. But then, out of the blue, I received a message—an innocent Facebook...
2023-06-3009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesEternal Fools - Page 1I've always thought of myself as an ordinary guy. Well, except for one tiny detail—I can't die. Yeah, you heard me right. It's not exactly a superpower, more like an incredibly inconvenient and bizarre curse. For centuries, I wandered the earth, experiencing countless mishaps and narrow escapes that should have killed me. It was starting to get old, really old. That's when I stumbled upon a support group for people just like me.
It all began on a regular Wednesday evening when I found...
2023-06-1509 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesTerror House - Page 1It had been there for ages, that house. I still remember the chill that ran down my spine as we stood before the towering silhouette of the Olden House. How it loomed over us, a relic of a forgotten time, its darkened windows staring back with an eerie emptiness. The stories surrounding the place were whispered among the locals, tales of apparitions and unexplained phenomena that had plagued the house for decades. It was daunting and daring at the same time. Despite the warnings and the...
2023-06-0809 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesStroke of Fate - Page 1My hands were warmed by the mug of freshly brewed tea I held in my hands as I gazed out the window. It was dreary inside, but the world outside my studio was vibrant and alive, buzzing with the energy of those who pursued dreams without hesitation. From where I stand, the air was heavy, thick with self-doubt and the suffocating grip of depression. My only comfort was the canvas, and I was an artist, or at least that's what I called myself. No matter how hard I tried, it seemed I would always...
2023-06-0409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesDefying Destiny - Page 1The morning sun peeked through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I reluctantly opened my eyes, greeted by the familiar sight of our shared bedroom. It took me a moment to remember why today felt different, why my heart thumped so heavily in my chest.
It had been exactly one year since the tragic accident that claimed the life of the man I love. My sweet, Ethan. The guilt I carried weighed me down like an anchor, dragging me into a sea of endless sorrow. Every day, I...
2023-06-0208 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFriends Till the End - Page 1Andrea and I met when we were just six years old. Both of us were two lonely girls on a playground full of strangers at a new school. Everyone had their own friend groups, and we were both pretty shy at that age. I remember the moment we met like it was yesterday. We’d both had the same idea to sit underneath the slide, but when I crawled under and into the tight space, I wasn’t expecting to see somebody already there and she wasn’t expecting anyone to come crawling in. Her green eyes...
2023-05-3108 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesCouples Retreat - Page 1As Jane packed her suitcase, she wasn’t just thinking about how this trip was supposed to be a breath of fresh air for her and Mason, she was thinking about how it might be their last chance to save their marriage. She rubbed the back of her neck as she angled over the suitcase, tucking the overflowing clothes in at the sides. She couldn’t help but worry that this wouldn’t work, that they would go away, fight, and then it would surely be over. She was leaning forward to zip her...
2023-05-2709 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSecrets in Serenity Gardens - Page 1Moving into a new neighborhood is supposed to be an opportunity for a fresh start, a chance to leave behind the ghosts of the past and embrace a brighter future. That's what we had had hoped for as we settled into our new home in the picturesque utopia of Serenity Gardens. But little did we know, beneath the facade of beauty and tranquility, a sinister secret lay hidden beneath the well-kept flowerbeds, waiting to be unearthed. Masqueraded in towering walls and the illusion of safety, there...
2023-05-2509 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Bringer of Magic - Page 1In a world where magic swirled through the air like a symphony of colors, I was the anomaly—a mere human born into a realm brimming with enchantment and wonder. No single being was quite sure what had happened, some thought I was cursed, some thought I was part of an ancient destiny. Either way, from the moment I took my first breath, I knew I was different. Though raised by magical beings who embraced me with open arms, I couldn't help but feel a pull, a yearning to explore the human...
2023-05-2309 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesMake it Count - Page 1My alarm goes off at the same time it does every morning, seven. I snake my arm out from beneath the warmth of my blankets to turn it off and stare up at the ceiling as I think about my day. The front door slams shut as my sister strides into the house, it always closes behind her with such force that I can feel the house tremble. The walls are thin, so much so that I can make out the song she’s humming along with in her headphones. She kicks off her running shoes, and next comes the wh...
2023-05-2008 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesUnraveling - Page 1I’d always prided myself on being able to navigate the labyrinth of an individual’s mind. There are always so many layers, so many things to uncover, so many things hidden away. I became a psychologist because of how I loved to peel back those layers, bringing the darkness into the light, and bringing my patients the peace they so longed for. When Elizabeth Thompson walked into my office, I could tell there would be so much to unravel, and almost felt excited to take on the challenge of...
2023-05-2009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesVirtual Nightmare - Page 1I woke up groggily, as I did most mornings. I could hear my mom cooking downstairs, humming as she went, a reminder that I was no closer to moving out. Little did I know my world was about to be turned upside down when I picked up my phone. The light was harsh as I squinted at the screen, looking for any new notifications. I’d applied to numerous jobs in the hopes that one would lead me one step closer to moving out of parents house. To my surprise, there was an email waiting for me, but I...
2023-05-1609 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSmiling is Contagious - Page 1Sitting at the dining room table, it’s taking every inch of willpower I have not to bounce my leg. It’s a nervous habit I’ve never been able to shake, but right now, I’m pretty sure my life depends on it. I have to ignore the ache in my cheeks from holding this never-ending smile as my mother sets a plate in front of me. She’s smiling from ear to ear, as is my father sitting across the table from me, but they don’t say a word. They haven’t spoken more than a few words in two..
2023-05-1409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesFinding Simon - Page 1When I used to picture my future, it always looked the same. I was older, wrinkled, and sitting on the porch with my husband. We would hold hands and listen to the sound of life circling around us. It was a cliché thought, but it always made me smile. I told him once and he made fun of me, saying that for someone who had once been so wild, I wanted something so tame and boring. I never thought I’d ever have been standing at a tombstone with his name on it, alone, without even the comfort...
2023-05-1108 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Simulation - Page 1“I saw him again.” The words slip casually from my lips as I drag my finger across Drew’s chest.
“Saw who again?” He strokes my hair, lightly kissing my forehead after he speaks. I could stay in this moment forever. I exhale, almost wishing I hadn’t brought it up.
“The man with the baseball cap and blue eyes, standing across the street from my work.” He rolls onto his side, cupping my cheek in his hand.
“Well, I think it’s best if you just continue ignoring him.” His...
2023-05-0909 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesNo Mercy For the Wicked - Page 1I grit my teeth together at the sound of footsteps approaching my cell. Words I’ll never speak are caught in my throat like stale bread. There is no water to wash them down, only a space behind my tongue that holds them in place. If I listen closely, there’s a third set of steps walking ahead of the guards. He makes his impending presence more known as he drags his cane along the floor. Once there was a time I feared the screech of it, but as the years passed I’ve come to hate it more...
2023-05-0609 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesShiver - Page 1Saying that it’s freezing would be an understatement. There was a rumble, and the next thing we know, we’re being swept up in this mass of sliding snow. There were eight of us. There’s six of us now. We found Dustin when we saw the red of his jacket poking up from beneath the white cascade that had engulfed us all. We dug all around him, calling his name in hopes that he could just hold on a little longer. I almost wish we hadn’t, because when we finally reached him,...
2023-05-0409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Wolf Inside - Page 1Matty is sleeping to peacefully next to me, his snoring almost comforting, and I envy how quickly he disappears into the realm of sleep. I am not so lucky. I reach out and trace the arch of his eyebrow, smiling at the way it twitches beneath my finger. The sound of some random crime show makes for a constant hum of background noise. He likes it, I prefer silence, but we compromise, and I turn it off once he falls asleep. I found a ring in his drawer two nights ago, though...
2023-05-0209 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Letters - Page 1The air feels thick, and my head is swimming as I look at the letter in front of me. It’s in the same crude envelope as the ones from each time before. I must get a least three of them each week since I did that interview. Tucker Jones, a serial killer known for stalking his victims prior to their demise as a way to psychologically torture them. I was presented with the chance to interview him in prison after submitting my name for consideration. I thought it would be my big break, you...
2023-04-2908 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesDetermined Detective - Page 1It’s a motel for me tonight, again. The front desk guy has gotten familiar with seeing me and doesn’t even really ask for my license anymore, he just recognizes me and checks me in. I stay in the same room every night I’m here, room 314. I think there’s comfort in some things staying the same. I keep trying with Hope, but she doesn’t want me back in the house. It’s been a bit strained since I started hunting down my suspect. Strained might be a bit of an understatement...
2023-04-2708 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Affair - Page 1I didn’t realize how red our bedroom wall is. Looking at it now, I would love to paint it a deeper red, something that really catches the eye. Glass shatters as the young man I’d invited pulls at the cloth on the bedside table, the sound of his gurgling intermittently interrupted with a gasp as he attempts to breathe. My robe swishes around my knees and I stand and walk over to wear he lays. His eyes are a mix of pleading and terror. It’s an acquired taste, but once you succumb to it...
2023-04-2508 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThrough The Window - Page 1I remember that night like it was yesterday, the night you broke in through my window. I wasn’t boring but it’s not like I lead a very extraordinary life. I went to work, I went out with friends, I would drink just enough to have fun and then come home and go to bed. My wildest nights were in my senior year of high school. I rode on strangers motorcycles and danced in the rain of hurricanes. That petered out when I went off to college and made myself fit into the shape everyone expected....
2023-04-2208 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesStuck With Jimmy - Page 1“Jimmy, seriously? You’re breathing right in my face.”
“What do you want me to do, Claire? Not breathe?”
It’s been ten minutes of us sitting face to face under our desks. We felt the building shake, and everyone hit the deck when things started falling to the floor. Bobbleheads fell off desks, pictures off of walls, and people dove under their desks. However, this also means that Jimmy has been breathing his hot Cheeto breath in my face for ten minutes. As much as I’d like to...
2023-04-2009 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesUnderneath Utopia - Page 1“There isn’t a way to tell this story to you gently. There is no sugar-coating something so bitter. Like with any berry flavored vodka, it still burns the whole way down.” I realize I’m mostly rambling to myself trying to make this easier, he doesn’t even know what vodka is or that it burns.
The kid just stares back at me, his eyes saying that he’s terrified and maybe even a little confused. Of course he is, I would be too if a stranger grabbed me off the street and pulled me...
2023-04-1608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Experiment - Page 1“Is that the island?” I have to shout over the sound of the helicopter, and only receive a nod from the study observer that’s accompanying me. His jots something down on the little notebook he’s carrying. I’m guessing they’ve been instructed not to say much so as to not disrupt any part of the experiment. Makes for a really boring flight. We’re circling the island at this point and when looking at it, it’s kind of beautiful if you don’t think about the fact that it’s a...
2023-04-1509 minTaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Expirement - Page 1“Is that the island?” I have to shout over the sound of the helicopter, and only receive a nod from the study observer that’s accompanying me. His jots something down on the little notebook he’s carrying. I’m guessing they’ve been instructed not to say much so as to not disrupt any part of the experiment. Makes for a really boring flight. We’re circling the island at this point and when looking at it, it’s kind of beautiful if you don’t think about the fact that it’s a...
2023-04-1507 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesArtificial Intelligence - Page 1I’ve lost it. I’ve lost it all. Everything I worked so hard for, everything I dreamed of, everything I was promised. It’s all gone. My reflection is all I can see in the glass frame of my degree. It’s worthless now. Nothing more than a poor excuse for a mirror. A piece of paper that was once worth thousands of dollars, and years of my time, means nothing. The skills I honed over years don’t mean anything. Not when there’s AI software that can do the same thing in seconds, with...
2023-04-1308 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesDear Diary - Page 1Monday, Jan. 16th, 2010
Dear Diary, It’s me, Hannah. Kidding. I know you’re familiar with me, I just like that joke. Today was not the best of days. When I went downstairs and saw dad was back, I thought maybe it would be the best of days. I was wrong. I thought high school was going to make things better, but I was wrong about that too. I haven’t made any new friends, and it’s not like new kids are flooding to this town. It’s too small, too close knit, too… I don’t know how...
2023-04-1108 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSiren Song - Page 1There was a time when Sirens were revered by all those who had heard of them. We were a group that was not to be taken lightly, with sailor’s being warned of our deadly call. Of course, the sailor’s never did heed that warning, and our reputation would continue. I remember the days of sitting on those rocky cliffs, mist cumulating around my fellow Sirens and I, as we sent our melodies across the sea. They were my sisters, and I loved them as much as a Siren can. We were forced from our...
2023-04-0708 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Corruption in Power - Page 1It’s been two years since the war started. The war isn’t with other countries, it’s within this country. Or at least it was back when this was a country. They don’t even call it war, in fact, they don’t really call it anything except for, “progress”. Whatever that means. To us it doesn’t feel like progress, it feels like waiting, it feels like walking on the left-over cracked shells of our freedom. It feels like holding your breath when you walk outside and see officials...
2023-04-0608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesCryptid Abyss - Page 1“Sebastian, how’re we doing on descent?” When I glance over, his red hair just barely peaks out from his beanie and his eyes are locked on to the indicator.
“It’s looking good Viv; another couple hundred feet and we should be at our destination.” He turns and gives me a goofy and excited smile.
I sigh and sink down into my chair, looking out into the darkness that’s been enveloping our submarine. The large glass window is state of the art, and allows for the most incredible...
2023-04-0309 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesDream Walker - Page 1It’s been three nights since I drank the tea. Three days without real sleep. Three days wondering if I’m going crazy. Three days of hiding my possible descent into madness from my friends. Each night I close my eyes, and I pray for slumber, I beg to be whisked away into a deep and restful sleep. Yet each night, I find myself stumbling into the minds of my friends.
My three best friends and I had decided to make a girl’s trip to a small town in Mexico, excited to roam, explore, and...
2023-03-3008 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesIcarus Rising - Page 1My eyes don’t want to open, but with every wince I can see the sand of a dessert surrounding me. The ache of my bones and twinge of my muscles reverberates through my entire body. The sun is beating down on my skin, and the ground is warm beneath me. I suppose I should be glad the fall didn’t kill me, though I feel as though I’ve been tossed around by the Minotaur. With every sharp inhale, sand finds its way into the crevices of my nostrils, eyes, and mouth. So, despite the protesting...
2023-03-2909 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesReaper's Redemption - Page 1“You’ve got another soul to reap. A week from today.” The file is tossed onto the coffee table I’m sitting at, but before I can look up to see who’s dropped it, they’re already gone. It’s just a part of the job. Not that it’s even really a job, more like a punishment. They like to sell it as an alternative to eternal damnation, which I suppose it is. It’s for people like me, who weren’t terrible people when they were alive, but who weren’t good people either. I was...
2023-03-2608 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesString of Fate - Page 1You do not see us. We are not of you, nor you of us, and yet some of you may feel our pull. We have tied you to a destiny, and connected each of you to each other. A string from one to another that pulls, and ties, and unravels. We are of three; past, present, and future. We are Fate. Untouched, unbiased, long have we existed to twist your lives. Some fates are less fortunate than others. Some fates only serve the purpose of pushing others towards theirs. Some fates offer the spoils that every...
2023-03-2409 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesThe Warrior Within - Page 1The carriage ride is bumpy as I listen to the chirp of birds and rustle of leaves. I knew this day was coming, the day they would send me away to learn how to be a lady, how to become a true princess. I just wish that day wasn’t already here. My dress scrapes across the wooden floor boards as I lean to look out the window, my elbow to my knee. I never liked wearing dresses, I never liked having to sit a certain way, and I most certainly didn’t like when people assumed they knew me...
2023-03-2208 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesSet In Stone - Page 1“How are we doing today Mrs. Jordan?” The nurse's voice echoes against the bare walls of my room. They are a light shade of blue that I suppose is supposed to be soothing. It’s not, and I wish they’d call me by my maiden name. The door creaks open as she steps in to set a tray of food and a little paper cup of pills on the table. I flick my eyes in her direction and offer a soft smile of acknowledgement, nothing more, nothing less. I don’t move from my spot at the window, and we...
2023-03-2109 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesTroubles of Death - Page 1I half haphazardly flip my hand through the air to turn the pages of the book before me. This book is just one of many, but it is how I decide who will die today. Names, names, and more names. I see their name, and then I see their life, and I choose how and when and who will die. It is what I have done for millenia, and it is what I will continue to do for millenia to come. So continuously I flip and point, and create passing scenarios for each person. I am impartial, and unbiased. I...
2023-03-1809 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesBetween The Walls - Page 1“Laura, honey, are you sure this is the best idea?” The sigh at the end of my mother’s question echoes through the bare apartment.
Sure, the walls are a muddy brown, the paint on the doorframe’s chipping, and maybe there’s a little mold in the bathroom. But, it’s just outside the city, and it was the only thing available on such short notice. I nestle the last of my moving boxes into the closet of the bedroom and turn to make my way back into the living room. My mother has her...
2023-03-1508 min
TaleSnail - Write, Share, and Collaborate on StoriesTrain To Nowhere - Page 1I guess this is it.
I run my hand along the side of the train, my fingers grazing the names roughly carved into the side. It’s tradition, I think, that you scratch your name onto the side of the train before you board it. There must be over a hundred names carved into the side of this train, all of them stepped inside, and all of them were never seen again. Those who chose to board were nicknamed, “The Hopeless,” With people throwing the title around like a dirty word, as if they...
2023-03-1309 min