Seeking solace from her turbulent past, Clara arrives in the town of Everbrook, a place that feels too perfect to be real. Beneath its charm lies a world of hidden emotions, unspoken tensions, and unraveling truths. As Clara navigates the strange energy of the town and its mysterious inhabitants, she begins to feel the pull of threads that connect her to something deeper, something darker. When her connection to Amelia, a local with a mask of her own, intensifies, Clara must confront the haunting echoes of her past and decide if she can truly belong anywhere... or if Everbrook will unravel her completely.

This story follows Mizuha’s daily life at her new high school, including her friendships and the challenges she faces. It also features the stories of her friends, exploring their backgrounds and past experiences.

Life is collectively referred to as a dark fantasy, although many of us attempt incorporating ideas in our head, searching for ways to escape reality. I for one believe anything that can befriend you, can kill.

Every creature has a dark side but mine doesn't have my best interests at heart, I mumble short prayers, locking all the doors and windows shut.

Every step I took upstairs, made the wooden stairs creek, I keep having this feeling am been followed but every time I look back, am left with goosebumps and my head increasing in size.

I swallowed an imaginary saliva down my throat and continue walking up slowly otherwise I will freak out and run upstairs, that will mess up my night.

If you know anything about darkness, you'll know it leaves no room for the weakest heart. This foreign presence happens whenever am home alone, I made a research on the life beyond and discovered that the level of one's fear determines how far we're willing to let the darkness in.

I gently crawl under the duvet and sleep on my right side facing the door, my heartbeat was accelerating, you could hear every beat of it. 2,3,4 minutes later, the gruesome feeling was gone and I accidentally took a nap that lasted for two minutes until my ears picked a creaking footstep 👣 approaching in the direction of my room, dragging a metal object on the wall,  I froze on the bed.

I searched for my phone under the duvet and my eyes found it far on the table which was close to the door, this wasn't a normal circumstance so,  my mind is blank.

"Do you wanna play", the voice said, sounding distant but very  near. That was when I remembered all the short phrases used in horror movies, I stupidly find myself screaming them one by one.

Is anyone out there?

"Who the hell are you?"

Show yourself coward.

"What do you want from me?"

The noise died down and just when I thought it's over, the door to my room was kicked open with full force.

|13X FEATURED · 2024 NANO WATT/ONC 2024 LONGLIST · AMBASSADORS' PICK|

Two years after her older brother's tragic death, anxiety-stricken Maisie and her emotional support cat, Milo, attend the Disney College Program, where they must discover a new life meaning in the most magical place on Earth.

***

The death changed everything. Milo, an orange tabby, has always wanted a little sibling, but after the tragic loss of his owner's older brother, adoption was put on hold, and he became her Emotional Support Animal. Now, two years later, Maisie's determined to grant Milo's long-overdue wish; however, she's still grieving and overthrown with anxiety, leaving Milo to tag along with her for the famed Disney College Program. Nevertheless, when heartbreak catches him, too, Milo must push past his grief to save himself and his wish.

Maisie Claire is ready to move on but not prepared to leave her family after two years for the DCP. She would've never accepted that offer letter if it hadn't been for her parents helping her get an ESA. Now trapped in an unfamiliar world, Maisie must find a new life meaning while still keeping her brother's memory alive. It starts with discovering the courage to befriend her mysterious suitemate and thanking Milo for everything he's done. After all, sometimes moving on just takes a little bit of courage.

***

*Prompt Used: #24-"A desperate wish, made from the heart, is always answered. Sooner or later.*

*Based on a true story.*

*Contains a subtle, LGBTQ+ subplot because of Disney's Inclusion Key, but it's not the main focus. However, please be respectful.*

In the kingdom of Velyria, every family must adhere to a rigid law of childbearing. Women are required to have exactly three children: the eldest inherits the family business, the second is conscripted into the army, and the third becomes a scholar. Any deviation from this order leads to brutal punishment—execution, exile, or enslavement.

Merritt, an illegal fourth-born, should have been executed at birth, but his mother's defiance spared him—at the cost of her life. Raised as an outcast, Merritt fought his way into the prestigious Academy of War, where he became one of its top students, second only to Augustine, the second-born prince of Velyria who is destined for the front lines.

When an enemy kingdom strikes Velyria with a devastating attack, killing countless soldiers, the kingdom's rulers send every available recruit to the battlefield—including Augustine, Merritt, and two unlikely companions: Everest, a boy haunted by the death of his twin sister, and Kaito, a servant born from a forbidden love between a noble and a servant. Forced by the urgency of war, even those who were never meant to fight are swept up in the tide.

But everything changes when the four are captured by the enemy under the cover of night. Taken into enemy territory, they are subjected to the harsh ways of their captors and see the reality of war from a new perspective. As they train and form unexpected bonds with their captors—including a noble with secrets of their own—they begin to realize that the war is not the black-and-white conflict they were taught to believe in. Both Velyria and the enemy kingdom are steeped in corruption, using their people as pawns in a war fueled by lies and power.

As the four grow closer, they survive small battles, endure brutal challenges, and lean on each other through hardship. When a spy within their new camp offers them a chance to defect and fight for the enemy, they seize it—only to discover it's a test of loyalty designed to break them.

Back in Velyria, Augustine's father discovers their supposed betrayal and offers them a deadly ultimatum: betray the enemy kingdom by delivering vital information or face permanent exile. But Augustine, alongside his newfound allies, makes a bold choice. They reject both kingdoms, determined to escape the shackles of their birthrights and the lies that have shaped their world. United by friendship and driven by the desire for a better future, Merritt, Augustine, Everest, and Kaito spark a revolution—one that could break the chains of Velyria's ancient laws and change the kingdom forever.

The Silent Chainsis a gripping tale of rebellion, friendship, and the search for truth in a world that seeks to control every life.

The illusion of life and the desire for power often cloud us. They change our views, bias our hearts, justify our wars. But even though power demands payment, will that stop you from fighting for your dreams?

In a universe where gods run rampant, mages decide the flow of history, and eldritch horrors hide in the darkest crevices of creation. Power and the right to command it and its consequences is earned, bled for, died for. Does the fire of hope shine bright, or does it burn black?

Where evil boasts its name aloud and good slinks away wretchedly in the shadows, will you bend your knee? Or will you ascend and join the mighty legends?

What is a king to a god?

What is a god, to a non-believer?

*There are no perfect people in this story; no villains, no perfect protagonists and no fairytale romance. There is, however, realistic examples of neurodivergence, discovering yourself, LGBTQIA characters and nuanced depictions of mental health problems, self harm, religious and generational trauma.*

"My name is Faith Elizabeth Samuels. Well, it used to be, before I left my fundamentalist helicopter parents and started going by Luna... My counselor tells me writing will help me to 'heal'. Somehow, writing my feelings of depression, anxiety, self harm and suicidal thoughts will negate a lifetime of 'bad feelings' about my self image, mental health and general well-being. Sounds legit. So, fair reader, does my little tale of woe intrigue you? If so, come join my merry band of misfits on this roller coaster of life."

A -sometimes- uplifting story about growing up and overcoming life's challenges. Laugh, cry and smile with our cynical author as she tries to traverse the scary life of after high school while battling her inner demons and conquering the ever-terrifying world of adulting.

Rated Mature (13+) For themes of self-harm, depression, anxiety and some sexuality.

|PRE-PUBLICATION|

|7X FEATURED · SPOLIGHT STORY|

Saddened by her lonely life, a little girl named Victoria Christie uses her inventive imagination to write stories. Now that she's older, she must find a way to share her tale with the world.                                                                                                          ***  Victoria Christie never expected to be a writer, but everything changed in 4th grade when she annoyed her mother at a barber shop. She told Victoria to write in her school notebook, which sparked her daughter's life-long passion for writing. Now, many years later, Victoria is eager to share her story through an interactive novel that showcases how her writing has changed over time and what hardships she faced to keep her island of personality—especially after her brother's unfortunate death in 2021.

With the power of writing and her brother's legacy about her becoming a successful author, will Victoria's old stories spark the interest of an audience? Will they interact with her and tell her how her incomplete pieces should end, or will Victoria remain an undiscovered author?

This is an anthology of my old stories. Most are incomplete, so it's up to my audience to decide how they should end. This is the story of how I became Viktoria Fyodorova.

Let the cringe begin!

***

Word Count: 200,000-250,000

The story of two boys with troubled pasts who find that the future canget better. I'm also publishing this story on Royal Road.

When 14-year-old Aurora discovers a hidden portal in her book, she's thrust into a world where her choices shape reality. This novel takes young and older readers on thrilling adventures through new worlds, offering multi-level educational values for children and young adults.

Beta readers:"Like Jules Verne's works, but twisted to power.""A mesmerizing journey through worlds unseen - a must-read for fans of fantastic adventures!""This mind-bending tale explores the power of storytelling. I couldn't put it down!""A riveting blend of science fiction and fantasy that keeps you guessing.""The strangest novel since Alice in Wonderland.""Improves mood."

Read more:Maja's choices can change the fabric of reality as she and her newfound friends traverse parallel worlds, uncover hidden truths, and face unique challenges. As they encounter cybernetic creatures, molecular printers, and twists on familiar tales, they must confront the sinister force of Blackness that feeds on entropy and threatens the balance of the multiverse. Embark on an adventure captivating readers of all ages.

I wanted helpbut now that I have itit is a lot harder than expected.To the pointthat I don't want any help anymore.

(Or maybe we have all been told all the wrong things about getting help.)

Rose has had anxiety for what has felt like her whole life (considering that she was diagnosed when she was in kindergarten it was partially her whole life) and now it was really starting to catch up to her. Now at the age of 14, she can't leave the house. Why? you may be asking. Well, if she does go outside she HAS to be by one of her parent's side. So, she can't bring herself to go to school or go really anywhere. She has known for a while that she needed help but it wasn't until she couldn't bring herself to leave the house that her parents started getting concerned about helping her with it. Come with her on her journey going through the mental health field and navigating the new life it brings with it through poetry.

How I got the idea: I've been writing this for a few days, on and off, kind of a fantasy of how my life is going to look like (unless I'm not as stupid as the protagonist, but I'm afraid I am). Still keep in mind if there are any offensive statements, that's what he thinks, and part of the character. Don't blame me. Will probably contain violence and sex scenes later, not yet though so I might change the rating. Also there will be a lot of drinking because I like to drink. Here's your summary:

Rick's name isn't really Rick but it's the first one that came to his mind when he met Heather at the bar a few months ago after running from another failed relationship. Heather is a close friend of Sarah, and Sarah is who Rick believes to be the love of his life. But now their tumultous short-lived romance is in shambles after Rick's deepest, most well-kept secret is revealed. He is in fact a girl, or rather, a not-yet-transitioned transsexual (female to male) but refuses to admit to himself that running from himself and lying to his friends is not the right way.

After a failed attempt at picking up the shards, it's time for a new name, a new place, a new girl. But he can't run forever. His past is catching up to him. And while he's determined to make it work this time, he knows himself he can't keep starting over as many times as he wants. When it all comes crushing down on him again, he has to make a decision.