Jethro Pili

“The Summer of Murphy’s Law” by Jethro Pili

It was supposed to be the summer vacation they would never forget, and it was—but not for the reasons they had hoped. Six friends: Pierre, the charismatic son of immigrants dubbed "Monsieur LaFayette" for his diplomatic finesse; Natalia, the quiet artist with a penchant for daydreaming; the Galveston brothers, Joel and Jesse James, as inseparable as they were unpredictable; Connor, the absent-minded inventor who always seemed a little lost in thought; and Katrina, the adventurous spirit with a love for the outdoors. The plan was simple: a we...

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“The Hottest Day of the Year” by Jethro Pili

It was the hottest day of the year, and the air felt heavy and suffocating in the small town of Pine Valley. The sun beat down mercilessly, turning every surface into a sizzling frying pan. The streets were deserted, save for the occasional car rolling by with windows tightly shut and air conditioning blasting. But inside the old, slightly worn-out house on Maple Street, a group of six friends were determined to make the best of the oppressive heat. Connor, the ever-imaginative one with a flair for the dramatic, sprawled out on the living ro...

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“The Demon of the Black Ravine” by Jethro Pili

The blood red sun dipped below the craggy peaks of the Fellmarch Mountains, casting long shadows across the valley where the exiled King Leander's army was encamped. The night watchmen were taking up their posts, their torches flickering in the chill mountain wind. Around the campfires gathered Leander's most loyal knights - a ragtag brotherhood forged in the fires of war and bound by unbreakable oaths. First among them was the gallant Sir Rian of the Hall, his imposing figure unmistakable even in the fading light. His broadsword hung heavy ...

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“I Dreamed A Dream” by Jethro Pili

The crisp autumn breeze carried the scent of change through the air, hinting at the impending arrival of winter. Lance inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar aroma that signaled a new chapter in his life. As he made his way across the well-trodden path leading to the university campus, his thoughts drifted to Jennifer, the girl who had captured his heart with her radiant smile and infectious laughter. Jennifer's presence had been a constant in Lance's life since they were children, their bond forged through countless adventures and shared sec...

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“Echoes Of Silence” by Jethro Pili

In the year 5090, the world had settled into an uneasy silence. From the polar ice caps to the equatorial jungles, every nation adhered to the uniform decree that had reshaped civilization: the One-Child Policy. The decision, made centuries ago in the midst of an unprecedented population crisis, had long since evolved from a policy into an unspoken creed. To utter the words “sibling,” “sister,” or “brother” was to court annihilation. The edicts had erased these terms from every language and context.  In the city of Arcadia, a sprawling ...

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“The Illusion of Control” by Jethro Pili

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains scenes of war, injury, blood, and nearly certain death. The sun was a blazing furnace, hanging high over the desolate streets of Fallujah. Dust coated every surface, and the air shimmered with heat. Peter, Matt, Chris, Gus, and John, five best friends and members of the same platoon, moved cautiously through the narrow alleyways, their senses on high alert. It was supposed to be a routine patrol, but in a place like this, routine was a fickle concept. "We’re almost through," Peter said, his voice ...

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“Death Comes In Threes” by Jethro Pili

TRIGGER WARNING: This story is about three deaths. There is a mention of gang violence, a heart attack, and a car bomb.The office of Seabrook Viking News had always been a bustling hub of activity, but today, it was eerily quiet. Sam Ihle and his wife, Jodie Williams-Ihle, had just returned from their 2 1/2-week honeymoon, their radiant smiles a stark contrast to the somber mood that had settled over the newsroom. The first death at Viking News came as a shock to everyone.Julio Vasquez, a crime reporter known for his daring investigations, h...

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“The Lois To His Clark” by Jethro Pili

The bustling newsroom was a symphony of clacking keyboards and ringing phones, a cacophony that Sam Ihle had long since learned to tune out. His eyes, shielded by wire-rimmed glasses, were fixed on the computer screen before him, fingers flying across the keys as he typed furiously. A loud thud jolted him from his trance, and he looked up to see Jodie Williams sauntering into the room, a stack of files tucked under her arm. She moved with an effortless grace, her every step oozing the poise and sophistication of a bygone era. Even in th...

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“Old Betsy” by Jethro Pili

The Maine October storm had been raging outside the lighthouse all afternoon. Captain Jacob Turner stood at the window of the lantern room, gripping the window frame tightly as powerful gusts buffeted the glass. Through the sheets of sideways rain, all he could see was an endless gray void. Down below, his 12-year-old twins Jules and Julie huddled nervously by the fireplace in their living quarters. “I don't like storms, Uncle Martin,” Julie said quietly. “They sound scary here at the lighthouse.” Their friend and father's former f...

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“Pan's Grotto” by Jethro Pili

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Matthew 16:18 (King James Version)Audio Journal Entry, Day 45June 06, 20269 AMDeir ez-Zor GovernorateSyria-Iraq BorderThe Gate OpensI was an atheist. I used to be. How could I not be? I found the concept of God, angels, demons, and the Devil to be totally ludicrous. They were the ravings of madmen. I equated Jesus with the likes of the Tooth Fairy, Mr. Sandman, or Bigfoot. To me, they were figments of people’s...

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“And Now, For My Last Act, I Will Disappear” by Jethro Pili

Submitted to Contest #182

The sun rose early on the very first day of summer break and so did Dorian Peters. He freshened up, ate breakfast with his siblings and parents, brushed his teeth after the meal, and went straight to doing his chores. He was an obedient kid but he had an aversion to cleaning up. That’s why it was a surprise to his family to find him doing his chores with zeal and a tune on his lips. He was doing a better job at cleaning than his siblings. And whistling.“What’s with him?” Mr. Peters asked his wife.“He’s just excited,” Mrs. Peters answered. “L...

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“The Christmas Feast” by Jethro Pili

Beep! Beepbeep! Beepbeepbeep! Beepbeepbeepbeep! Beepbeep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beepbeepbeepbeep! My alarm went off incessantly at ten minutes to midnight, increasing in both volume and frequency. I groaned and turned over to reach for my irritating phone so that I could throw it across the room (but I didn’t, no matter how tempted I was).Our family has a very unusual Christmas tradition called the Christmas feast. While some families opened their gifts on Christmas morning and have Christmas dinner in the evening (some have Ch...

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“Pitching In” by Jethro Pili

Donnie, Herb, and Alexander spent the entire day moving their stuff into their new apartment and sprucing up the place. They started with their own rooms and decorated it according to their individual tastes. Donnie decorated his room in rich purple and deep greens. He hung faux vines all along the top and sides of his mahogany four poster bed. He made sure to create a tranquil oasis amidst the noise and chaos of the bustling city.Herb’s décor choice showcased his love of traveling. Above his platform bed was a giant world map with red, whit...

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“Operation: Stupid Cupid” by Jethro Pili

“I’ve got a plan,” Kayla said to her best friend Nathaniel as they sat on the sofa of his living room, about to watch a buddy cop comedy on a Friday night. Nate’s dad was in the bathroom, performing some emergency business before they could start watching the movie.“Oh, no,” Nate said with a sigh, running his hands over his face and through his hair. “Please don’t tell me this is another one of your harebrained schemes.”“Oh, come on!” Kayla said. “Look me straight in the eye and tell me you didn’t see the sparks between my mom and your dad. ...

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“My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River And Me” by Jethro Pili

I hummed Moon River to myself as I put up the last of the Halloween decorations in the store. There was an empty corner that had been left untouched. We couldn’t decide what to put. Luckily, we had some leftover fake cobwebs. Perfect. Down below, I heard Chris calling out to me. Chris was my boss and the owner of Little Town Bookstore & Café (which he named as a tribute to Belle, the most endearing bookworm of all time).“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jodi!” Chris shouted. “You gonna lock up?”“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” I called back from atop...

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