Short stories

The first thing Elara noticed was the sky. It was not blue, but rather a kaleidoscope of purple, green, and gold. Panic engulfed her, a chilly grip around her throat. Where was she? Who was she? Her mind was a blank canvas, free of any memories. She stumbled through a surreal forest, the trees sparkling like living glass, and ended up in a clearing. There were creatures hidden within the luminous greenery. Not humans, but beings of light and fur, with eyes that contained wisdom beyond time. Fear turned to admiration as they greeted her with chirps and delicate touches. Elara, whose name was derived from a half-remembered dream, acquired their language, a symphony of tinkling bells and rustling leaves. She raised their luminous offspring, learned to sing with the wind, and danced with the moonbeams. Days turned into weeks and then months. Her heart bloomed with a sense of belonging, despite the ache for her absent past. One day, while exploring a forgotten cave, a sliver of sunshine pie...

  A newlywed couple, Sarah and Daniel, seemed destined for happiness. However, their home was clouded with constant bickering and arguments over trivial matters. Unbeknownst to them, the negative energies they were creating soon manifested into a series of misfortunes. One night, Sarah's grandmother, who had passed away recently, appeared in her dreams. The elderly woman's spectral figure emanated an ethereal glow as she tried to convey a message. Sarah, puzzled by the cryptic warnings, awoke with a sense of foreboding. As days turned into weeks, misfortunes seemed to multiply. Sarah and Daniel faced financial setbacks, health issues, and an overall sense of gloom. Still, the couple remained oblivious to the destructive energy their constant arguments had unleashed. Night after night, Sarah's dreams were visited by her grandmother. The warnings became clearer, urging her to look deeper into the source of their troubles. Yet, Sarah struggled to decipher the message, haunted ...

In the dimly lit studio of the renowned painter Roberto Ping, a secret shrouded in darkness lurked behind his masterpieces. Ping, desperate for success and recognition, had made a sinister pact with a mysterious black entity that dwelled in the shadows. Early in his career, Roberto struggled in obscurity, his brilliant strokes unnoticed by the art world. One fateful night, in the depths of despair, he invoked an ancient ritual he stumbled upon in a forbidden tome. The room filled with an eerie darkness, and from the shadows emerged a figure, cloaked in blackness. The entity offered Roberto unparalleled artistic prowess in exchange for a soul-binding pact. Hesitation lingered in Roberto's eyes, but the allure of fame proved irresistible. With a trembling hand, he accepted the entity's offer, and in an instant, his paintings transformed. Every stroke became imbued with an otherworldly realism that captivated the art world overnight. Critics hailed Roberto Ping as a genius, and hi...

I n a quiet Subdivision nestled between rolling hills of Sumulong highway, there lived a peculiar creature named Zephyra. She hailed from a realm of swirling winds and ethereal mists, an elemental being with the ability to manipulate the air. However, an unexpected rift in the fabric of dimensions had left her stranded in the mundane world of humans. Zephyra, with her shimmering form and translucent wings, found herself lost and disoriented among the concrete structures and bustling streets. Desperate to conceal her otherworldly nature, she adopted a human guise, taking on the appearance of a petite woman with windswept hair. For weeks, Zephyra observed the humans from afar, trying to understand their ways. The wind whispered tales of their joys and sorrows, and she longed to connect with them. One day, she encountered a curious little boy named Pekto, who saw through her disguise with innocent eyes. Pekto, fascinated by the mysterious woman who seemed to dance with the wind, befriende...

In the year 2050, an unforeseen global catastrophe plunged the world into darkness. A massive solar flare disrupted Earth's electromagnetic field, rendering all electronic devices useless. The once-thriving cities became silent, and the vibrant hum of technology was replaced by an eerie quietness. With no electricity, the world was thrust into a new era, where survival depended on the most basic of human skills. People had to adapt quickly to a life without the comforts of modern technology. In the absence of the internet and electricity, communities formed, and individuals learned to rely on each other for sustenance and support. The survivors faced numerous challenges as they adjusted to this post-technological world. Without electronic communication, communities had to develop alternative means to stay connected. A system of messengers on foot or horseback emerged, delivering handwritten letters between settlements. In the absence of supermarkets and industrial farming, people h...

In the bustling city of Metropia, amidst towering skyscrapers and the hum of corporate life, walked a man named Josh Dominic. Unbeknownst to those around him, Josh was more than a corporate magnate; he was, in fact, the embodiment of love and compassion, Jesus Christ living among men once again. Josh, disguised in a tailored suit and commanding boardrooms, used his influence to spread messages of kindness, generosity, and empathy. His company, known for its ethical practices and charitable initiatives, became a beacon of hope in the often cutthroat world of corporate affairs. As Josh moved through the city, he reached out to the forgotten, healing wounds of the heart with a kind word or a comforting presence. His acts of love rippled through the lives of those he touched, sparking a quiet revolution of compassion in the hearts of many. However, just as it happened two millennia ago, some could not understand or accept Josh's message. Among his inner circle, a man named Julian harbo...

  In the small town of San Antonio, a quiet miracle unfolded when fifty-year-old Harold emerged from a three-month-long coma after a tragic accident. To the amazement of the doctors and his family, Harold seemed perfectly healthy, but a peculiar change had taken root within him. As Harold reacquainted himself with the world, he discovered a newfound ability that both fascinated and terrified him. With a mere thought, he could communicate with insects and animals, tapping into their collective consciousness. Secrets unknown to man unfolded before him — tales of impending catastrophes, hidden wars, and the intricacies of the natural world. Harold found himself burdened with the weight of this profound knowledge. The insects whispered of environmental crises, the animals shared tales of human conflicts, and the wind carried echoes of unknown calamities. The once familiar world now seemed like a delicate tapestry of interconnected threads, each strand bearing the potential for disaster...

  In a quiet barrio nestled within the lush landscapes of the Philippines, Dr. Eduardo Gilas dedicated his life to providing medical care to the underserved. One day, while working in his modest clinic, he stumbled upon a breakthrough – a potential cure for cancer. Excitement bubbled within him as he envisioned a future where the impoverished could access life-saving treatment without the shackles of exorbitant medical bills. However, reality proved harsher than his dreams. Dr. Gilas faced an uphill battle as he sought support for his groundbreaking discovery. The local government officials turned a blind eye, dismissing his claims as improbable. The pharmaceutical giants scoffed at the idea of a cure that wouldn't yield massive profits. Undeterred, Dr. Cruz used his meager savings to fund research and trials, often pulling double shifts at the clinic to make ends meet. As news of his breakthrough spread, Dr. Gilas faced backlash from both the powerful and the skeptical. Whispers o...

Lost amidst the vastness of the Pacific, Vincent found himself stranded on an uninhabited island after a tumultuous journey as a seafarer. Days turned into weeks, and the solitude of the island became both a sanctuary and a prison. One day, while scanning the horizon for any sign of rescue, he spotted a figure approaching the distant shore. To his surprise, the person who emerged from the dense foliage was none other than the legendary aviator, Amelia Earhart. Vincent, initially in disbelief, soon found himself engaged in a conversation with the enigmatic woman who had vanished without a trace decades ago. As they shared stories around a makeshift fire, Amelia unveiled the truth behind her mysterious disappearance. Amelia confided in Vincent, revealing that her disappearance was not a tragic accident but a deliberate decision to escape the constraints of fame and society. She had discovered a hidden paradise during her final flight and chose to live a quiet, solitary life away from the...

  In the bustling heart of Binondo, Manila's Chinatown, lived a spirited little girl named Mia. With her wide, curious eyes and a heart full of wonder, Mia found herself amid a bustling crowd one fateful day. Hand-in-hand with her mother, the excitement of exploring the vibrant streets of Binondo filled her with joy. However, amidst the lively commotion, Mia slipped through her mother's grasp. Suddenly alone in the heart of downtown, Mia's small figure navigated the crowded streets with unwavering determination. Instead of succumbing to fear, her quick mind kicked into gear. She recalled the landmarks her mother had pointed out earlier and cleverly retraced their steps. As Mia wandered through the colorful chaos of Binondo, her resilience caught the attention of an unexpected ally – an enthusiastic social media influencer named Lily. Lily, engrossed in filming the rich tapestry of local restaurants and delicacies, noticed the determined little girl weaving through the crowd...

  Francine used to be like other struggling single moms. She juggled two jobs, barely affording rent and nutritious meals for her son, Jacob. Then, during a garage sale, a dusty tarot deck sparked an uncanny gift. Her readings were eerily accurate, predicting stock market trends and lottery numbers with chilling precision. Clients flocked to her tiny apartment, transforming it into a haven of gilded hope. Money poured in, erasing their struggles. Jacob had the best education, the finest clothes, and every whim catered to. Yet, a darkness coiled around Francine. Each accurate prediction chipped away at her humanity. Fear became her constant companion, whispering of the consequences of tampering with fate. The unease intensified when her readings started hinting at a future tragedy linked to Jacob. The cards, once her tools of wealth, became instruments of terror. Francine tried to defy their warnings, showering Jacob with love and protection, but an invisible net seemed to tighten a...

High above the Sierra Madre mountains in the Philippines, there existed a solitary cave that housed a man named Mateo. Abandoned by his family due to his reckless lifestyle of womanizing and alcoholism, Mateo sought refuge in the isolation of the cave, finding solace in the depths of the mountain. Deep within the recesses of his rocky abode, Mateo stumbled upon a surreal sight. A community of alien-like beings, their luminous skin emitting an ethereal glow, welcomed him into their midst. Intrigued by their advanced technology and out-of-this-world way of life, Mateo soon became an integral part of their society. Miraculously, he effortlessly learned their intricate language and adapted to their customs, forming bonds that transcended the limits of earthly understanding. Years passed, and Mateo became a respected member of the alien community. However, a yearning for his past life on Earth began to stir within him. Determined to share the knowledge he had acquired, he made the diffi...

     Oliver had been searching for a job for months, tirelessly sending out resumes, attending interviews, and facing rejection after rejection. It seemed as though the world had turned its back on him, leaving him in a pit of despair. As the rain tapped gently on his apartment window, Oliver sat at his worn-out desk, staring at his outdated laptop. He had bought it years ago with the hope of securing a promising career, but now it serves as a constant reminder of his failures. With no job prospects in sight, Oliver decided to open a blank document on the old machine, intending to kill time and distract himself from the harsh reality of unemployment. To his surprise, words flowed effortlessly from his fingertips onto the screen. It was as if a hidden talent had awakened within him. Oliver found solace in the act of creating fictional worlds and characters, weaving stories that transported him far from his troubles. Day by day, he immersed himself in the art of writing, un...

  The beat pulsed in Arthur's chest, not from the music blaring around him but from the anticipation. Tonight, under the neon gaze of dive bars and the hungry eyes of the crowd, he would finally trade his accounting spreadsheets for screaming fans and electric riffs. Arthur, the forty-year-old accountant, was about to vanish, replaced by Ace, the rockstar wannabe he left behind decades ago. It all started with that strange iPhone. A gruff man, smelling of incense and secrets, thrust it into his hand—a time machine disguised in sleek glass and steel. "Tonight," he rasped, "change your tune." Then, he vanished like a phantom chord. Skeptical but desperate, Arthur tapped the screen. 1967, London. The year Woodstock pulsed, guitars wailed, and dreams took flight. Arthur, now Ace, stepped into a whirlwind of psychedelic fashion, the air thick with cigarette smoke and rebellion. In a smoky blues club, fate dealt its hand. Ace jammed with a lanky guitarist, their notes...

  Finn had always seen them. Ethereal figures, shimmering like heat waves on asphalt, are moving and interacting alongside the "real" world. They were everywhere :translucent children giggling on the playground, stooped old men reading invisible newspapers at bus stops ,and a woman in a flowing gown dancing alone in the rain. To anyone else, they were nothing. To Finn, they were a vibrant, silent world layered onto his own. At first, it was a secret joy. He'd weave stories about the ghostly figures, attributing their actions to the real world. The giggling children became mischievous twins, the reading men eccentric professors, and the dancing woman a figment of his imagination. But secrets, like shadows, have a way of stretching and growing. At school, Finn's quiet observations morphed into whispered conversations with invisible figures, earning him the dubious title of "Space Cadet Finn." Whispers became taunts, taunts became shoves, and shoves became...

    The year was 1992, and ten-year-old Leo scavenged through the dusty bodega of his Lola's old house in San Miguel, Manila. Sunlight speared through grimy windows, illuminating forgotten treasures: chipped porcelain dolls, moth-eaten Barong Tagalogs, and a thick layer of memories. In the corner, shrouded in cobwebs,a bulky contraption unlike anything Leo had ever seen. It had a beige box with blinking lights, a chunky keyboard, and a grainy green screen displaying indecipherable symbols. Curiosity gnawed at him. Lola, his grandmother, chuckled as she saw his wide eyes. "That's your Lolo's personal computer," she said, her voice laced with bittersweet nostalgia. "He called it the 'Kaalamang Kaibigan'—the Friend of Knowledge." Kakai for short. Intrigued, Leo gingerly wiped the dust off the screen. The symbols flickered and rearranged, forming words: "Hello, curious one. What would you like to know?" Leo's jaw dropped. This mac...

       The humid air hung heavy in the crowded alleyway, and the cacophony of street vendors and children's laughter was a constant murmur. Maya, a wisp of a girl with eyes the color of melted chocolate, navigated the maze of tin shacks, her bare feet light on the dirt path. Her thin, cotton dress clung to her small frame, and the familiar ache in her stomach rumbled. Reaching her home, a rickety structure held together by hope and rusty nails, Maya was greeted by the sight of her lolo, his weathered face etched with the struggles of a life lived hand-to-mouth. He held aloft a small, wooden box, a rare smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. "For you, apo," he rasped, his voice thick with emotion. Inside the box lay a chessboard, its squares worn smooth by countless games. Maya's heart leaped. Lolo, a former champion, had promised her this treasure, a portal to a world beyond their meager existence. That night, under the watchful gaze of a million stars, lolo ta...

      Elias' gnarled hands trembled as he traced the worn lines on his granddaughter, Hilda's, face. Her once bright eyes were shadowed by worry, mirroring the deepening lines on his own face. The meager sum he earned from mending shoes barely covered their rent, let alone the doctor's bills for Hilda's ailing mother. A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with regret. If only he were younger and stronger, he could work more, earn more, and give Hilda the life she deserved. He closed his eyes, whispering a desperate wish: "If only I could..." A sudden gust of wind rattled the windowpanes, extinguishing the flickering candle. When Elias opened his eyes, the room was bathed in an ethereal glow. A woman, shimmering like moonlight, stood before him. "Your wish has been heard, Elias," her voice resonated, echoing through the room. "But every gift comes with a price. You can be young again, but only for a year. In that year, you must help Hilda achieve he...

          Rain lashed against the dusty windshield, blurring the neon cityscape into an impressionist painting. Daniel gripped the steering wheel tighter, the insistent beep of a faulty tire pressure sensor grating on his nerves. He cursed, pulling over onto a deserted side street. As he stepped out, a tremor, more internal than external, shook him. The world shimmered, the air crackling with an unseen electricity. When he opened his eyes, the vibrant city had vanished. Cobblestone streets, narrow and damp, stretched before him. Lantern light flickered, casting long shadows from figures in unfamiliar garb. Above, a sky painted with the soft colors of dusk held a crescent moon and unfamiliar constellations. Panic choked him. This wasn't Manila, the modern metropolis he knew. This was a Manila frozen in time, a 17th-century tapestry woven with Spanish colonials and indigenous Filipinos. Days blurred into weeks. Daniel, using his broken Spanish and a smattering of ...