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Alone: A Love Story
People flow in and out of our lives all the time. Bosses, co-workers, acquaintances, friends, family, and sadly, romantic partners. What we know of them is scandalously little. What’s happening in the interior monologue of their lives is often blockaded by emotions that range from pride to shame.
By Frank Racioppiabout 6 hours ago in Confessions
The Cave Part 11
Darkness, and the countless points of light, as if the entire void beyond was filled with the fire of a million stars. I felt as if I was staring into the eternity of a night sky beyond those wooden doors, the place beyond the actual reality, while I stood behind a curtain of scenery, the mountain and sky a mere pretense. And in that void beyond of unfathomable space, there hung suspended a mighty shard of crystal floating in place, with hundreds of a far smaller chunks orbiting around it in balanced but intersecting circles, no two in the same path. These caught the light from the center, and sparkled with inner fire each.
By Jamye Sharpabout 16 hours ago in Chapters
The Portrait of Matteo
Seventeen-year-old Manny got off a public bus at a busy intersection in downtown Philadelphia. When the bus released its brakes and passed his narrow view, he checked whether the art museum across the street was still there. He had been visiting it every day that week but wondered for a second the veracity of its presence. Now, the spring sun betrayed its gray highlights, giving it a warm glow.
By Paul Aaron Domenick4 days ago in Fiction
Kusliga Vista
“I told you we were going too far off trail,” said Clark. “I thought Ammon said he could read a compass,” said Kit. “Guys, it’s easy, we just need to find a river or stream and follow it. Those things always lead to civilization,” Ammon said and pushed through thick patch of bushes.
By Amos Gladea day ago in Horror
Earrings
April truly is the cruelest month, especially in Augusta during the first full week, breeding dogwoods and azaleas into dreams of a green jacket on Sunday. I won’t go into it about badges; suffice to say my family received. I was dating some loser the year I was twenty-two or -three, and I was taking him to the Par 3. At least I was until the night before.
By Harper Lewis2 days ago in Writers
Challenges
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What Comes Back
Write a poem about something that returns, whether expected or not.
$200 Grand Prize4 days leftSmall Win
Write a piece about a small, everyday victory that ends up meaning more than expected.
$200 Grand Prize11 days leftThe Unhappy Ending
Write a story that does not end well, and allows the consequences to stand.
$200 Grand Prize18 days left
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Resources
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Something Is Beginning, I Think Challenge Winners
This challenge wasn’t about clean starts. It was about that weird in-between where something is beginning, but no one really knows what yet. A lot of these stories leaned into hesitation, into pauses and false starts and that feeling that something is about to happen but hasn’t quite.
By Vocal Curation Team5 days ago in Resources
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 03/19/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal18 days ago in Resources
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