Jonathan Chen

“Through Rain and Light: A Tale of Two Worlds” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #265

It was a dark and stormy night when Sarah left her hometown for the first time. The rain lashed against the windows of the bus station, a relentless drumbeat that seemed to echo her racing heart. She clutched her ticket tightly, the paper already damp from her nervous, sweaty palms. Everything she had ever known lay behind her in the small, quiet town of Willow Creek. Ahead of her was the sprawling city of New York, a place she had only ever seen in movies and on TV, a place that promised both excitement and terror.Sarah's hometown was a pla...

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“The Dream That Changed Everything” by Jonathan Chen

The city skyline glittered like a thousand diamonds against the inky black of the night sky. Among the high-rises, one building stood out—the sleek, modern office of Treadwell Enterprises. Inside, the air was sterile, humming with the low buzz of electronics and the occasional clatter of keyboards. In a corner office, Michael sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen. He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache that had been building all day."Late night again, Michael?" Jenny, his assistant, stood in the doorway, a s...

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“Beneath the Moonlit Veil” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #259

The small town of Pinebrook hummed with the life of its annual fair. Strings of colorful lights blinked overhead, casting playful glows on the faces of children running with cotton candy in hand. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, blending with the occasional whirr of a ride or the pop of a balloon. Yet, amidst the cheerful chaos, a sense of unease lingered.Near the edge of the fair, a group of teenagers gathered, their faces flickering in the light of a nearby bonfire. Lucy Branson, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement, le...

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“Shadows of the Past” by Jonathan Chen

The PhotographSara's day started like any other: a dull routine that included waking up, making coffee, and heading off to her monotonous job at the local library. But today, something was different. As she pulled out an old book from the dusty shelf, a yellowed photograph slipped from between the pages and fluttered to the floor. Intrigued, she bent down to pick it up.The photograph depicted a group of people, their faces frozen in time, laughing and enjoying what seemed to be a summer picnic. The image was faded, but she could make out a f...

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“Stellar Bonds: A 25th Century Romeo and Juliet” by Jonathan Chen

Genesis DivideIn the 25th century, humanity had expanded into space, establishing colonies on distant planets. Earth's resources dwindled, driving this expansion. Among the prominent colonies were Elysium and Mechara. Elysium, a lush planet, was a society built on genetic perfection. Its inhabitants, known as Zeniths, had extraordinary physical and mental abilities due to generations of genetic enhancements. They lived in harmony with their environment, using advanced biotechnology to sustain their way of life.Mechara, in contrast, was a mec...

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“ Framing Solace” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #258

Jackson Kane had lost everything. The fire had taken his home, reducing it to ash in a matter of hours. He watched, numb, as the flames devoured his life. His wife, Emily, and daughter, Sophie, had been the first to go in a tragic accident years before. The fire was just the final blow, stripping him of the last remnants of his former world.Jackson drifted through the days like a ghost, barely acknowledging the pitying glances of the townspeople or the whispered conversations that ceased when he entered a room. He rented a small, dingy apart...

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“The Final Match” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #256

Chapter 1: The Preparation Liam’s training regimen was relentless, pushing him to his limits every single day. His father, a former Taekwondo champion, believed in the power of discipline and hard work. Each day began before dawn, the first light of morning barely piercing through the canopy of the forest surrounding their home. The morning air was always crisp, sometimes biting with the cold. The ground, often slick with dew, made each step a challenge. Liam’s breath came in visible puffs as he ran beside his father, the rhythmic sound of t...

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“Echoes of the Stormy Dawn” by Jonathan Chen

Submitted to Contest #255

It was a dark and stormy night. The wind howled through the palm trees like a restless spirit, sending shivers down the spines of anyone brave enough to be outside. Rain lashed against the windows of an old, creaky house perched on the edge of a cliff, its foundation seemingly fighting a losing battle against the relentless elements. Inside, seventeen-year-old Jasmine sat curled up on the threadbare couch, a thick woolen blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She stared at the flickering candle on the coffee table, its flame dancing wildly wi...

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