Showing results by narrator "Orion" in All Categories

On the evening of July 27th, 1890, Vincent van Gogh, aiming for his heart, shot himself with a revolver. He missed. Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of history's most brilliant artists, revered by millions the world over. However, he sold only one painting in his lifetime, spent years in insane asylums, and died penniless in a garret. Haunted by his failures, riddled with addiction, and debilitated by mental illness, van Gogh eventually took his own life.

When my boyfriend suggested a romantic camping trip, I was game. Then I found out he’d dragged me into the woods to tell me about the friends-with-benefits arrangement he had with Bigfoot. And that he wanted me to…participate.

The headless horseman was hunting for his next victim. Well, he found one. Me… Halloween night is not the time to be out alone. I knew that. But I could either stay with my abusive, soon-to-be-ex fiancé or take my chances with the monster who haunts the roads. I chose the monster. He could’ve taken my head on the spot. I… distracted him. Headless Jack was so pleased with my efforts that he made me a sexy proposal. If I stayed with him and satisfied his every dark desire, come morning, I’d leave with my head and his hidden treasure. I could have said no. Maybe I should have. I didn’t.

I summoned a water monster who says we’re soul mates. I know… it’s a lot to swallow… To say I’m having a bad day is an understatement. First, my scumbag ex turned me into an unwitting porn star. Then, when I confiscated his recording equipment, he doxed me. That’s when perverts started showing up at my house. But they weren’t the only ones. Lir, ruler of an ancient sea kingdom, came to me as an intense, sexy wall of water with slightly murderous tendencies, and he quickly proved he’d protect me by any means necessary. And all he wanted in return was for me to be his. Forever. In Atlantis.

I thought my fiancé was a good guy. Not the greatest in the sack, but decent marriage material. Too bad it took finding him in a compromising position—with his mother—to figure out how wrong I’d been. When they told me they’d kill me if I ran away, I believed them. I didn’t, however, believe them when they said the magical Ash tree in the woods would eat me alive. Wrong again. Lucky for me, Ash didn’t kill me. Turns out he likes my stories. And my, um, sap. So, I’m sure I can convince him to let me go once he’s been properly…satiated.

I’m 99% sure that the boogie man is stalking me at night. Most mornings I wake up to find my bedroom covered in claw marks. He's even started stealing my underwear. The only thing keeping me safe from his malice is my enchanted locket. Nobody believes he exists—not even my coven, who think I’m crazy. When the other witches threaten to bind my magic, I set up a hidden camera. It turns out that he’s stunningly beautiful with intricate tattoos and black wings. He tries to reach me in my sleep, but my locket keeps him away.

José "Bulldog" Santiago is the Sergeant at Arms of the Via Daemonia Motorcycle Club. Once, he thought he had his life all figured out. He had his girl and life was good—until it wasn’t. His girl moved away, his mom was diagnosed with cancer, and his dad abandoned them when they needed him the most. At 18, Bulldog’s life imploded. Throughout it all, he never forgot her, his girl who got away.

This is a compelling tract for our times (manifesto) addressed to evangelicals around the English-speaking world from the general director of the Evangelical Alliance. This umbrella group represents evangelical Christians in the United Kingdom and is part of the larger World Evangelical Alliance...

Marshall "Jumper" Sager is the Secretary of the Via Daemonia Motorcycle Club. Life is a daily struggle for Jumper. After a horrible explosion that killed four of his Navy SEAL teammates and brothers, Jumper suffers from a severe case of PTSD. He knows he should stay away from Jasmine Sharpe, the town’s curvy veterinarian, but she's a temptation he can't seem to resist.

Terrance “Bear” Collins is the Road Captain of the Via Daemonia Motorcycle Club. He’s always had a laidback, jovial outlook on life. He loves his club, his family, his niece and nephew, and his hometown of Mount Grove, PA. Lately he’s been feeling restless—ever since a one-night stand snuck away from him. Bear’s been having trouble getting the little blonde spitfire out of his head. An unexpected event lands Bear in the emergency room.

Not all beginnings arrive with noise. Some appear quietly. A change in light. A gentle sunrise. A small sense that something new has begun. In this peaceful visit to the Orion Library, Kai watches the morning slowly unfold across the clearing beside the cabin. What begins as a quiet sunrise becomes a reflection on how new chapters in life often begin softly, long before we recognize them. The Morning That Arrived Quietly is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library.

Some things travel lightly. A drifting feather. A quiet breeze. A moment of trust that allows the journey to continue. In this thoughtful visit to the Orion Library, Kai watches a feather carried across the hillside by the wind. What begins as a small moment of curiosity slowly becomes a reflection on letting go and trusting the movement of life. The Feather That Carried the Wind is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library.

Some things in life move quickly. Others remain steady for a very long time. And sometimes the quiet strength of stillness can teach us more than constant motion. In this thoughtful visit to the Orion Library, Kai notices a distant mountain that has remained unchanged through many seasons. What begins as a simple observation slowly becomes a reflection on patience and the quiet power of steady presence. The Mountain That Didn’t Move is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library.

Warmth has a way of spreading. A small fire lights the night. A simple kindness brightens a moment. And suddenly the space around us feels different. In this peaceful visit to the Orion Library, Kai sits beside a small evening fire with Cuddle Monster and Aiko. What begins as a quiet night slowly becomes a reflection on generosity and the natural way kindness travels. The Fire That Shared Its Warmth is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library.

Perspective changes everything. The same scene can appear different depending on where we stand. Sometimes all that is required is a small shift in view. In this thoughtful visit to the Orion Library, Kai discovers a window that reveals two different worlds depending on which side he observes. What begins as a simple moment becomes a reflection on understanding and perspective. The Window That Looked Both Ways is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library.

Water moves in quiet ways. Sometimes quickly. Sometimes slowly. But always with a direction of its own. In this peaceful visit to the Orion Library, Kai watches a small boat drifting gently along the river. What begins as a simple observation slowly becomes a reflection on trust, patience, and the quiet art of allowing life to move forward without constant control. The Boat That Trusted the Current is part of Cuddleverse Chronicles—Calming Short Stories to Slow Down and Reflect from the Orion Library, a collection of thoughtful tales designed to be shared at the end of the day.

For years, the vampire family lived in the shadows, hidden by the night and people's disbelief; feeding on animals or throw away people who would never be missed. But as the family moves into an old theater, and uses it to cover up their crimes, the youngest of them are restless and determined to live as they like. Recklessly. Killing and feeding when and where they want. Feeding on who they want. Only the parent vampires have managed to keep them in check. But no longer.

Geneva Castle honed her skills for survival as a prison nurse by day and a stripper by night. Her world takes a tumultuous turn when Dominick LaRocca, who knows only the treacherous ways of the Mafia, emerges on her horizon. The moment Dominick abducts her, their lives become a twisted web of complexity. Geneva grapples with her own moral code, teetering on the edge of losing her nursing license if she succumbs to Dominick's demands. Or worse, if she doesn't comply.

Catherine Rose, the sheltered daughter of a wealthy British governor, has always felt suffocated by her role in high society. One night, a daring escape lands her on the deck of a notorious pirate ship, captained by none other than the infamous William Blackthorne. Known as the "Sea's Shadow," William is feared by men and desired by women—a mysterious, commanding figure with a past full of secrets. William takes Catherine captive, intending to ransom her, but soon finds himself drawn to her spirit and fiery nature.

The pirate lioness Mazalaen has survived by pretending to be a man, a murderer and a thief... and fears she has become those things in truth. Until she meets a fearless princess in battle. Could this woman be her salvation? Originally published in Anthrolations.