[A retelling of the old fairy tale 'Cinderella' with some major plot twists] Instead of turning back into rags, Cinderella's spell kills her at midnight during the ball. Her death sparks a royal investigation, revealing a dark plot tied to the fairy godmother. [~17,500 words]

God- yes, the one with capital G- was quite bored. Sitting on their throne, passing into deep slumbers and being blamed for every mortal problem was what consisted of their routine. Hey! Even the mortals seemed to be living a more interesting life. Wait. Mortals and their world. If they were more interesting, why not just pay *them* a visit? With Death (yes, the Death with capital D) as their chaperone, they decide to journey to Earth. Damned be the heavens.

She knows danger like the back of her hand. Trained as an assassin since childhood to avenge her parents' deaths, she is bound to inherit the Mafia they left behind. For her, life has always been about assassinations and her revenge. And falling for someone who doesn't at all fit into her world was definitely not on her bucket list. Yet once he enters her life, she can't help but be drawn to him like a moth to a flame. But this isn't a fairytale, and mixing business with pleasure could cost her everything. --- Trigger Warnings: guns, murder, graphic violence, etc.

My trial in court was going on and all the evidence pointed toward my crimes. It was a really pointless proceeding. Everyone knew I had committed those sins against the nation. You know, the usual- mass killings, bombings, and all. I felt a bit sad as I heard the sentence of my death. 23 felt no age to die. "The court is adjourned-" The judge was saying when he got cut off by someone's frantic yells. The doors to the courtroom bang opened and a man entered with urgency. He had some papers in his hands and started waving them in the air. "I CAN PROVE HER INNOCENCE, I CAN. I HAVE EVIDENCE!" His voice rang in the room. I stared. _________________________________________ Rico Wayland is someone completely abnormal for her age. After all, being convicted for terrorist activities isn't at the top of the to-do list of a 23 year old young woman. But, of course, she has landed herself in that situation. And she is completely aware that she has, in fact, committed those crimes. But what will she do when a man (who she has know clue about) claims to her innocence? How will she discover the thin fine line between reality and illusion? __________ COVER DESIGNED BY: @idknylira

[2025 WATTYS SHORTLIST] New session equating to new section, getting kicked out of the one batch to another, that's how Adaira's every year in high school goes. Bad grades, teachers at throat, reputation in dust, friends nonexistent- all the usual. Well, it's the final year. Her plan? Keep her head low, force through the shitty academic life and get into whatever university that accepts her so that she can escape her home. Easy! Except this boy sitting next to her this year... doesn't really seem to agree. [First Draft. Unedited version. STC.]