WARNING: This short story contains content that some may find sensitive and triggering. Eyes turn love to hatred. Hatred blinds eyes and heart. Forgiveness, opportunities, and warnings come knocking at the door many times, only to be refused. And refusal... leads to a burden that haunts you. An original flash fiction by Cain Fitzgerald.

If you mention the past, you die. ~~~ Phoenix has grown tired of unjust deaths, brutal killings, and punishment for individuality. Chips implanted in the throats of citizens ensure that any mention of life fifteen years ago is heard by none other than the unnamed president known as The One, and his loyal Enforcers. Trusting others is hard when people have killed their own flesh and blood for a can of expired beans or a few meager coins. Having lost her family in the mass bombings all those years ago, Phoenix has no one save for herself and her grit. As it has been for fifteen years. The only way to flee the violence is to sail off the Continent, but doing so might be riskier than staying. An unexpected encounter with someone she thought she'd never see again forces her to reconstruct her plans. Facing old friends, new comrades, and cruel Enforcers, Phoenix finds herself confused about her role in the midst of all these changes. Strangers are turning into allies, allies are turning into traitors, and a revolution is being born. There is a continuous battle between Phoenix's heart and mind. She doesn't know who to trust, who to kill, and who to love. When you are surrounded by many but feel completely alone, you start making dangerous decisions. ~~~ ONGOING ©Heba Mawid 2020

Avery Jones thinks that her life is simple and perfect. She thinks that she is just an ordinary girl with decent looks, decent grades, good parents and great friends. Little does she knows that not everything remains perfect forever and her life isn't as perfect as she thought it to be. Everything changes when she meets her new next-door-neighbour and his cousins. Secrets are revealed and she learns that her whole life has been a lie. Sebastian Williams has secrets. Some good, some bad. He has changed towns to run away from his past and is here to change her future. Join the journey of Avery and Sebastian where they learn a lot about life, trust, betrayal and also, each-other. Let us go on an emotional roller coaster ride with them. -------------------------- "DON TOUCH MY VEE AGAIN," He screams and the boy scrambles away. He turns towards the girl and gives her a small smile with a missing tooth," I will always plotect you vee," he whispers as she hugs him. -------------------------

Started with a dream, Rumi a commoner with only his dying mother by his side, and a past filled with tragedy finally finds and pursues love. Fighting the endless, vague dreams- tormented by faceless silhouettes. With many obstacles yet to conquer, and misfortunes to avert. Will he in the end meet love and happiness, or dwell in the endless void of nothingness? 'Darkness enveloping, alone I stood in my infinite depth of misery- all alone. Suddenly. A sharp blinding light illuminated in front of me, cutting through the darkness. Leading me towards a path. I sprinted ahead to keep up, when I saw- a silhouette...' May contain sensitive and/or trigger content such as; Suicide, Death, and Depression.