Short Story Press

Three suburban friends had normal and routine lives. They each had their challenges, but overall things were normal. The one thing they had to look forward to each week was their wine night. One night every week they would get together, drink wine, and gossip about the other women in the neighborhood. This all changed when one of the women decided to shake things up and brought a mysterious book of spells and magic to their wine night. She had...

Earth has fallen far from its splendor and progress. Humanity's long-held fear of an asteroid colliding with the world has come to pass, and the repercussions are devastating. Resultant natural disasters, plagues, and famines have taken billions of lives. Of the former population, only a meager million or so, the Human Remnant, survive. Dust and ash blanket the atmosphere, making agriculture all but impossible and fogging the sun to a bright blur...

Ellen is a busy single mother with a daughter in eighth grade. She works as a nurse and because of that she misses out on some moments with her daughter Ashley. While in attendance at Ashley's track meet, she meets a nice man whose daughter also runs track and happens to be part of a relay team that Ashley is on. As the girls become closer it puts the parents in close proximity even away from the track. Dean, the father of Ashley's friend, is...

Mark is handsome, and he knows it. He is also ruthless and arrogant. It is often a very dangerous combination, and Mark is no exception. He uses his good looks to seduce beautiful women and do terrible, unspeakable things to them. He enjoys it immensely and considers this occupation the real purpose of his life. Then, one night, as he is on the prowl for his next victim, he spots Jasmine. She is beautiful and intriguing, and he wants her. Her appetite...

Benjamin wakes up, lying on a strange bed in a strange room in a house he has never seen. He can't remember what happened the night before or how he ended up in this place. Ideally, he would love to gather his belongings and go home, but soon he realizes there is no going back from this house. He is not alone there and the girl who claims to be part of him is not exactly someone you could call a great companion. She's beautiful and, in a very odd...

"Why You" is about two seniors. One has a rough and troubled home life. The other has a strong close knit family. Collin takes charge after his girlfriend Cleo disappears for a short time. He looks for her at work and school. He goes to her home and there discovers the root of Cleo's life problems. Not knowing what to do, Collin talks to his parents about the situation and finds they are his best allies to help Cleo break away from a horrible mother...

This story teaches that a state of despair is no manner in which to live. Often, when someone has been in a coma, they come out with memories (more likely hallucinations), that seem so real they really appear to have happened. Coma patients frequently remember things so vividly, they appear to be real memories. This story imparts the healing power of a person who is simply "willing to care" for someone, even if it can cause them pain. When we lose...

Ten years ago, Ellie Stephenson married her husband, George, because if she hadn't, her father would have disowned her and taken away her $18 million trust fund, along with excommunicating her from her father. George knew Ellie did not love him and never would but gave her the best life he could. The stipulations regarding the money expire on Ellie and George's 10th wedding anniversary. Due to her father's manipulation, Ellie has a deep-seated hatred...

Crusher Bruskiewicz doesn't believe he can be stopped. The 15-year old takes every challenge thrown his way, bolstering his fearsome reputation and encouraging his bullying ways. Some of his adventures are hazy in his mind, though, and hard to remember specifically. What the teenager doesn't know is that he keeps dying from his misadventures, only to be teleported into the future and repaired before being sent back to his own time. Who is Crusher's...

Each blended family has its own issues to sort out. The Bruner/Baker family is no different. Wilma is recovering from the wedding, while Favor deals with doubts that have crept into her mind about getting married. Cherish is left wondering if it's time for her to pursue her own happiness, but can she cut loose the ties that bind her to the orchard? Krystal has reached a crossroads and must decide whether she wants to continue living as an Amish...