Vera N

“The Uncertain Life Of Thraym” by Vera N

I'm Thraym, and I’m trapped in a place that makes no sense. The sky is a constant bruise of storm clouds, rain that never falls, and shafts of sunlight that flicker like dying light bulbs. I live in a crumbling city that might have once been grand—a place caught between old-world charm and half-finished construction sites, where ancient stonework rubs shoulders with steel scaffolding and neon signs that flash gibberish. The city feels alive, but in the way an animal too wounded to be saved is alive: twitching, gasping, caught in the agony of...

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“The Alchemist's Muse: A Ritual of Urban Enchantment” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #266

In the heart of a bustling metropolis, within a narrow, dimly-lit apartment on the top floor of an aging skyscraper, Elara sought the elusive muse that had long evaded her creative grasp. Her apartment was a curious blend of modern minimalism and arcane relics, an unusual sanctuary amidst the city's relentless pace. This juxtaposition provided a unique backdrop for her intricate ritual. Elara’s journey to summon inspiration was as complex as the city skyline was vast. It began with the meticulous selection of thirteen rare herbs, each one im...

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“The Edge of Giving Up” by Vera N

Ella sat on the edge of the ballet studio’s polished wooden floor, her back against the mirrored wall. She stared blankly at the faint scuff marks on the boards, left behind by countless hours of rehearsal. Her ballet slippers, frayed at the seams, were tossed carelessly beside her, a sad testament to her years of dedication. Sweat dripped from her forehead, mingling with tears she was too proud to wipe away. The studio, usually a place of solace, felt claustrophobic and cold tonight. The gentle hum of the city outside was a distant reminder...

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“The Written Word” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #266

Casey Morgan was stuck. A struggling writer in her late 20s, she spent her days juggling part-time jobs—tutoring, freelancing, and walking dogs—just to pay rent on her cramped New York City apartment. Her nights were devoted to writing, though her manuscripts never seemed good enough to get noticed. Every rejection email felt like a nail in the coffin of her dreams. On a particularly frustrating night, after hours of staring at a blank screen, her battered old laptop froze and flashed a strange update prompt: “Install New Writing Enhancement...

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“The Perfect Day” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #266

Sophia sat at her kitchen table, her laptop open to the meticulously organized schedule she had been refining for weeks. Today was going to be perfect. The kind of day that left you feeling accomplished, like all the puzzle pieces of your life had finally fallen into place. She glanced at the clock: 6:00 AM. Right on time. Sophia’s day was mapped out to the minute. She would start with a brisk jog, followed by breakfast at her favorite café, then a few hours of uninterrupted writing at the library, lunch with her best friend Ava, and finally...

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“The Ghost Tram of Budapest” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #265

It was a damp, misty evening in Budapest when a group of strangers gathered at a discreet tram stop near the banks of the Danube. The tour was billed as "The Ghost Tram," a ride through the city's lesser-known haunted locales. Most of the group had signed up out of curiosity, drawn by the strange allure of the city's dark history, while others hoped for a thrill or perhaps even a brush with the supernatural.The tram itself was ancient, a relic from a bygone era, marked as *Tram No. 19*. Its faded red paint was peeling from the wooden panels,...

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