Vera N

“Carving The Waves” by Vera N

The first warm breeze of the season always drifted through the coastal town of Harborview with a salty tang, but to Claudia, it felt like a reminder of what she was missing. She stood on her porch, the coffee in her hands long gone cold, and stared at the narrow path leading to the beach. For the fifth day in a row, she’d failed to walk down it. The idea of facing the crashing waves and the sound of children playing on the shore was exhausting. She’d let the dunes grow wild around her home, let the sea breeze erode the paint on the porch rai...

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“A Promise In Silver” by Vera N

The old oak chest sat in the corner of the attic, its brass latch tarnished but sturdy, guarding the secrets of generations past. Elise had seen the chest countless times during her childhood, always wondering what treasures might lie inside. Now, as the executor of her grandmother Margot's estate, Elise held the key that would unlock not only the chest but, perhaps, the stories of her family.Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned the key. The lid creaked open, revealing layers of yellowed letters, brittle photographs, and keepsakes wra...

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“Across The Sea, Into Herself” by Vera N

Jenna sat cross-legged on the hardwood floor of her tiny studio apartment, staring at the open suitcase that seemed to mock her from the center of the room. The task ahead felt both absurd and impossible: fit her entire life into this single suitcase.She had imagined this moment many times before. A chance to escape. A fresh start. A way to leave behind the weight of a life that felt too heavy to carry. But now that it was here, the reality was crushing. The suitcase—black, scuffed, and surprisingly small—gaped open, demanding to be filled w...

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“The Hill Were Memories Live” by Vera N

The moon hung low over the quiet plains, its silver light spilling over the world in ripples of soft illumination. Crickets chirped in the tall grass, their symphony a gentle reminder of life even in the stillness. A faint breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the scent of earth and wildflowers. Amidst the shadowy contours of the landscape, a lone horse stood atop a grassy hill. His coat shimmered faintly, a patchwork of obsidian and ivory, like the remnants of a starry sky. His name was Solstice, a name once shouted across vast fields ...

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“The Wisdom Of Wagging Tails” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #286

I’ve always believed that life’s big lessons come in small, unassuming packages. For me, it was a terrier named Blaze. If you’d seen him, you’d think he was nothing special—an old dog with a fading wiry coat, a belly too round for his lanky frame, and a knack for sneaking table scraps. But to me, he was the best companion I could’ve ever asked for. At least, that’s what I’ve come to understand now. Funny how hindsight sharpens the picture.When Blaze first came into my life, I was seventeen and full of ideas about how the world should work. M...

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“The Telemarketer's Trial By Sarcasm” by Vera N

Ring, ring… Jack: (cheerfully) Hello? Kevin (Telemarketer): Good afternoon, sir. This is Kevin calling from National Utility Solutions. How are you doing today? Jack: Oh, Kevin! What a pleasant surprise! I was just sitting here hoping someone from National Utility Solutions would call me. My day’s going great. And yours? Kevin: (caught off guard) Uh, yes, that’s... great to hear. I’m doing well too, thank you for asking. So, the reason for my call today is that we’ve noticed you qualify for a government rebate on your electricity bill. Can I...

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“Back to 1999” by Vera N

The first thing that hit Jamie was the smell.It wasn’t the sharp, metallic scent of the present, nor the hum of technology that seemed to buzz everywhere in the world he knew. No, this was something different. The air was thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass, gasoline, and something warm and nostalgic—like the kind of sunburned afternoons when summers felt endless. He blinked and squinted against the harsh sunlight that bathed the streets.It had worked. It had really worked.The small, wrist-sized device in his hand—made of sleek, brushed ...

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“Maple Street Chronicles” by Vera N

I remember the first time I met Evelyn and Nia like it was yesterday. It was one of those crisp autumn afternoons that seem almost too perfect to be real—where the sun casts long, golden shadows across the ground, and the air carries the rich scent of earth, falling leaves, and the faint promise of winter. The kind of day where the world feels still, as if holding its breath before the changing seasons.I had just moved into the old Victorian house on Maple Street, a place that had been vacant for years. The house was a fixer-upper, no doubt ...

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“Poisoned Victory” by Vera N

The lights were blinding, flashing in every direction, casting long shadows across the concrete walls of the underground arena. The deafening sound of the crowd echoed through the space, vibrating the very air as the final countdown to the championship match began.Beneath the surface of the chaotic noise, Jane could feel her heartbeat like a drumbeat in her chest. She’d been preparing for this moment for years—working tirelessly, training in every discipline, mastering every technique, and now, here she was, at the final match of the Global ...

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“Two Strangers, One Holiday” by Vera N

The crisp winter air bit at Alannah's skin as she stood on her apartment balcony, staring down at the city streets below. The holiday season had descended in full force, with the world around her aglow in festive lights and glittering decorations. Yet, for Alannah, it was just another day, another reminder of the loneliness she felt during the most celebrated time of the year. The holidays had always been a big deal in her family—until last year. That was when everything began to unravel. Her parents had separated, her sister had moved abroa...

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“When The Holidays Don't Feel Right” by Vera N

It was the most wonderful time of the year—at least, that’s what the songs always claimed. The twinkling lights, the endless carols, the laughter, and the cheerful faces—it was all supposed to be filled with joy. Elena stood in the middle of her living room, the holiday decorations sparkling around her, yet something gnawed at her. She had checked her list twice, decorated the house to perfection, and had the turkey roasting in the oven, yet the sense of unease wouldn’t leave her.She glanced out the window at the snow gently falling outside,...

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“The Man Who Never Left” by Vera N

Sandy had always been a creature of habit. Her Saturday mornings were sacred—a quiet ritual that kept her grounded. She would wake up before the world stirred, make herself a steaming cup of dark coffee, the kind that wrapped around her senses like a warm embrace. Then, she would settle into her favorite armchair by the window, the soft glow of dawn spilling in, casting long shadows across the room. Her world was filled with the gentle hum of jazz, the soothing notes of Miles Davis or Chet Baker weaving through the air, wrapping her in a bla...

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“Whispers of the Alps: A Christmas Renewal” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #283

Sophia stepped off the train and into the crisp December air of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a picturesque town nestled in the Italian Alps. The Dolomite peaks towered above, their jagged edges softened by a fresh blanket of snow. Her breath formed small clouds that dissolved into the endless expanse of pristine white. The station was quaint, with stone walls and a roof dusted in powder, blending seamlessly into the alpine surroundings. This was her first Christmas since the life she once knew had been turned upside down, and the quiet isolation of Co...

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“Bringing the Dawn” by Vera N

In the beginning, there was only mist. For generations, the people of Nebra had adapted to their veiled world. The sky above was a swirling gray haze, and the ground beneath their feet was covered with soft, spongy moss that drank in the ever-present moisture. Life thrived in the shrouds of mist; glowing flora illuminated the dim surroundings, and the people had evolved to see by the faint phosphorescence of their environment, navigating by instinct, sound, and the diffuse light of their foggy home.Among the Nebran people was a curious young...

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“Echoes of Mistakes, Murmurs of Hope” by Vera N

The morning air was crisp as Evelyn stepped off the train in the sleepy town of Eldermere. The station, a quaint relic of another era, smelled of old wood and the faint tang of diesel. She tightened her grip on the single suitcase she had brought with her—all that remained of her old life.Evelyn wasn’t sure what had drawn her to Eldermere. Perhaps it was the anonymity of the place, tucked away in the valley and surrounded by thick forests. Or perhaps it was the promise of a fresh start, untainted by the mistakes she had left behind.Mistakes....

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