Flash Stories

The Secret

hamed Jan. 15, 2024, 4:39 p.m.

David felt a surge of panic as he heard Sarah's footsteps approaching the bedroom. He quickly turned off the light and pretended to be asleep, hoping that she would leave him alone.

He knew that she wanted to be intimate with him, to feel his touch, his kiss, his embrace. He knew that she deserved it, that she was a loving and faithful wife, and that he was a lucky man to have her.

But he couldn't do it. He couldn't bring himself to be intimate with her, or with anyone. He couldn't overcome the fear that gripped his heart, the fear that stemmed from a dark secret, a secret that he had kept hidden for years.

David was a victim of childhood abuse. When he was a young boy, he had suffered at the hands of an older neighbor, who had violated him in unspeakable ways. The memories of …

Reconnection

hamed Jan. 15, 2024, 4:25 p.m.

Anya felt a pang of loneliness as she watched the couple walk by. They were holding hands, smiling, and laughing, oblivious to the world around them. They looked so happy, so in love.

They were not human.

They were Synths, hyper-realistic humanoid robots that had taken over the role of human companionship. Synths were designed to fulfill every human need and desire, from providing intellectual stimulation to offering unwavering emotional support. Their ability to adapt to any personality and preference made them irresistible companions, leaving real human relationships feeling flawed and unpredictable.

Anya hated Synths. She hated the way they looked, sounded, and felt. She hated the way they pretended to be human, when they were nothing but machines. She hated the way they had replaced human connection, making people forget what it meant to be alive.

Anya was one of the few people who still valued human relationships. She …

A New World

hamed Jan. 15, 2024, 4:15 p.m.

Ali had never seen anything like it. He had just arrived in Sweden from Iran, where he had won a scholarship to study engineering at Stockholm University. He was excited and nervous, but also curious and scared.

He had grown up in a strict and conservative society, where men and women were separated from each other and had very little interaction. He had never seen a man and a woman being affectionate in public, or even holding hands. He was taught that women were to be seen and not heard, and that they were inferior to men.

But in Sweden, everything was different. Men and women were equal and free, and they could do whatever they wanted. They could dress as they liked, go where they pleased, and love whom they chose. They could hug, kiss, and laugh in front of everyone, without any shame or fear.

Ali was shocked …

The Alarm

hamed Jan. 15, 2024, 4 p.m.

The Alarm

Every morning, the alarm goes off at 6:00 am. Every morning, he has to get up, put on his uniform, and report to his assigned station. Every morning, he has to smile and greet his neighbors, who are also wearing the same uniform and going to the same station. Every morning, he has to pretend that he is happy and normal.

He hates it.

He hates the alarm, the uniform, the station, the neighbors, the smile. He hates the society that expects him to conform to their standards of normalcy. He hates the fact that he can't express his true self, his true feelings, his true thoughts.

He is different.

He likes to read books, listen to music, watch movies, play games. He likes to explore new ideas, learn new things, create new things. He likes to be alone, to be free, to be himself.

He is not …

A Silent Prayer For Her Liberation

hamed Jan. 14, 2024, 5:53 p.m.

In the quiet solitude of his room, amidst the chaos of his unrequited love, sat Ethan, a young man trapped in the labyrinth of his unspoken affections. His heart beat a melancholic rhythm, yearning for the attention of a girl named Emily, a captivating symphony of beauty and grace.

Emily was a whirlwind of laughter and sunshine, her smile capable of melting away the harshest of winters. Yet, her radiance was dimmed by the shadow of a toxic relationship, a suffocating entanglement that pained Ethan to witness.

His love for Emily was a fragile seedling, nurtured by stolen glances and hushed conversations. He admired her from afar, his heart overflowing with unspoken words, his courage stifled by an invisible wall of fear.

The more Ethan observed Emily's suffering, the more his heart ached. The sight of her tears, the sound of her muffled cries, were like daggers piercing his soul. …

Two Paths Converged

dehongi Jan. 14, 2024, 1 p.m.

Alex and Ben were best friends since college. They both studied computer science and dreamed of creating their own software products. After graduation, they faced a dilemma: should they start their own business or work for a company?

Alex decided to take the risk and launch his own startup. He had a brilliant idea for a social media app that would connect people based on their interests and hobbies. He rented a small office, hired a few developers, and began working on his prototype.

Ben chose the safer option and joined a large software company. He got a decent salary, a comfortable cubicle, and a stable career path. He worked on various projects, learned new skills, and made valuable connections.

Alex and Ben kept in touch and supported each other. Alex often shared his challenges and frustrations with Ben, who offered him advice and encouragement. Ben sometimes envied Alex's freedom …

You never succeed (or fail) if you don't just start!

dehongi Jan. 14, 2024, 12:44 p.m.

In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the towering skyscrapers and the ceaseless hum of traffic, lived a young woman named Alice. Alice was a dreamer, her mind filled with a kaleidoscope of possibilities, but she was also a worrier, her heart often held captive by the fear of failure.

For years, Alice had harbored a secret dream: to open her own bakery, a haven of fragrant pastries and sweet delights. The thought of creating edible masterpieces, of transforming simple ingredients into works of art that would bring joy to others, filled her with an almost childlike excitement.

However, every time she considered taking the first step towards her dream, fear would grip her heart like an icy hand. She'd imagine the countless obstacles that lay ahead, the potential for failure, the disappointment of others. And so, she remained frozen in place, her dream trapped in a realm of …

Directed By Fear

dehongi Jan. 13, 2024, 8:17 p.m.

The alarm clock rang, but Anna did not want to get up. She had a big presentation at work today, and she was terrified of speaking in front of her boss and colleagues. She had spent the whole night tossing and turning, imagining all the ways she could mess up. What if she forgot her lines? What if she stuttered or mumbled? What if they laughed at her or criticized her? She wished she could just stay in bed and avoid the whole ordeal.

She reached for her phone and typed a message to her manager. She lied that she was feeling sick and asked for a day off. She hoped he would understand and reschedule the presentation. She hit send and waited for his reply. She felt a surge of relief, followed by a pang of guilt. She knew she was letting her team down, but she also felt …

The Unexpected Guest

rumi Jan. 12, 2024, 6:53 p.m.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
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The Unexpected Guest

She was about to close the door when she saw him. A man in a tattered coat, holding a suitcase and a guitar. He had a beard that covered most of his face, and his eyes were weary and sad.

"Excuse me, miss," he said in a low voice. "I'm looking for a place to stay for the night. Do you …

dread.

ziamaiko Jan. 12, 2024, 5:22 p.m.

he was a ruthless killer. a killer who kills others without touching them. he manipulated them.
he was walking on the roof of the tallest building in new York with his college friend.
«you're too smart you know? it's scary.» his friend said while laughing.
his eyes were cold as ice. he is scary indeed. he's too pretty to be scary. and it made him even more scarier.
his friends sigh. «ah.. i don't know if now is the time to say it or not. but i went to church every day and prayed. i talked to the priests. god, how can i forget my sins?»
«how weak the mind is when it wants to forget. it will never forget. maybe you just want to lie. lie to everyone around. lit to yourself.»
his friend eyes widened. he's standing right in front of him. and he's.. not like usual.
«i.. i just want my sins-»
«do you …