Welcome to Short Tales


A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment

Currently 12,517 short tales

| Next Page

Advertise here



The Last Resort: Rebuilding Reality in a World Gone Mad



Once upon a time, in a world not so different from our own, there was a strange and mysterious disease that spread rapidly across the globe. It was known as "Communicable," and it had the power to alter the very fabric of reality itself.

At first, the symptoms were subtle but insidious: a sudden loss of appetite, a vague feeling of unease, a tendency to feel more anxious than usual. But as the disease progressed, things got much, much worse. People began to experience vivid hallucinations and delusions, their memories became distorted and unreliable, and their emotions were thrown into chaos.

As the sickness spread, governments and scientists scrambled to find a cure. But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't seem to stop the disease from spreading. It was as if Communicable had a mind of its own, and it was determined to wreak havoc on the world.

One of the worst affected areas was New York City. The once bustling streets were now eerily silent, with only a handful of people still roaming the empty streets. Those who were left huddled together in fear, trying to find some semblance of safety in each other's company.

Alice, a young woman in her mid-twenties, found herself alone and scared after her entire family had fallen ill with Communicable. She had managed to escape the hospital where they were being treated, but now she was left to fend for herself in a city that seemed to be collapsing around her.

As she wandered the empty streets, Alice stumbled upon a small group of survivors who had banded together for safety. They were led by a man named Jack, who had lost his entire family to Communicable but was determined to keep fighting.

Alice joined their ranks, and together they set out to find a way to stop the disease. They scavenged what they could from abandoned buildings, bartered with other survivors for supplies, and tried everything they could think of to find a cure.

But no matter how hard they tried, it seemed like Communicable was always one step ahead. The disease had a strange intelligence that made it almost impossible to track, and its ability to mutate and adapt made it a formidable foe.

As the months dragged on, Alice and Jack's group became more and more desperate. They had lost so many people, and they were starting to lose hope. But then, one day, they stumbled upon something that gave them a glimmer of hope: a strange, ancient-looking book hidden away in an abandoned library.

The book was bound in black leather and adorned with strange symbols that seemed to shimmer and glow in the dim light of the library. It was called "The Book of Communicable," and it claimed to hold the secrets of the disease within its pages.

Alice and Jack were skeptical at first, but they decided to take a chance on the book. They opened it up, and as soon as they did, they felt a strange energy emanating from the pages. It was as if the book was alive, and it was trying to communicate with them.

As they read on, they began to understand the true nature of Communicable. It wasn't just a disease - it was a being, an entity that had been awakened by humanity's greed and neglect. It had been feeding off their fear and despair, growing stronger with each passing day.

But the book also revealed a secret: there was a way to defeat Communicable once and for all. If Alice and Jack could find the right combination of symbols and words, they could banish the entity back into the depths of the earth where it came from.

With newfound determination, Alice and Jack set out to gather the necessary symbols and words. They scoured the city for anything that might be useful, and after weeks of searching, they finally had everything they needed.

As they gathered around the ancient book once again, they could feel the power of the symbols and words coursing through their veins. They spoke the incantation aloud, and as they did, a brilliant light burst forth from the pages of the book.

The light enveloped the entire city, and as it did, Communicable began to scream in agony. The entity was being banished back into the earth, and Alice and Jack could feel its final moments of existence.

When the light faded, the city was quiet once again. But this time, there was a sense of peace that had never been present before. Communicable was gone, and with it, the fear and despair that had consumed humanity.

Alice and Jack emerged from their hiding place, blinking in the bright sunlight. They looked around at the empty streets, and they knew that things would never be the same again. But they also knew that they had done something incredible, something that would go down in history as one of the greatest feats of bravery and determination ever achieved.

And so, they set out to rebuild their city, to create a new world where Communicable could never gain a foothold again. They worked tirelessly, using all of their knowledge and skills to create a better future for themselves and their fellow survivors.

As they worked, they knew that they were not just building a new world - they were creating a new reality. One where hope and resilience could overcome even the darkest of foes.


The A-Z Challenge: Where Creativity Meets Structure

Adventure Beckons: A Journey of Discovery and Power

Max's Mastery of Metalwork: A Tale of Detail and Admiration

Unveiling Aachen's Enchanted Realm: A Traveler's Journey into Magic

Aaliyah: The Star Who Shone Brightest Despite Criticism

Arnie's Adventure: The Little Aardvark Who Stood Up for What Was Rightfully His

Arty the Aardvark: The Unlikely Rockstar of the African Savannah

Aardvarks and Hyenas Unite for an Epic Journey and Lasting Friendship.

From Teenage Dreams to Global Acclaim: Aaron's Journey to Becoming a Music Producer Extraordinaire

Sailing into the Depths: A Young Man's Quest for Oceanic Wonder

Bringing Dreams to Life: The Magical Adventures of Ava

A World of Magic: The Ancient Tree's Lessons

The Ingenious Abacus: How One Man's Passion for Mathematics Changed History

Young Blacksmith Continues Legacy of Grandfather's Forge After Tragic Fire

The Abacus Master: A Legacy of Mathematical Brilliance

The Abacus Wizard: How Li's Math Skills Brought Prosperity to a Rural Chinese Village

The Math Whiz of the Village: Maria's Abacus Adventure

The Engine Room Enigma: A Mysterious Encounter at Sea

The Magical Adventures of Luna and Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder

The Secret Life of Abalones: A World of Wonder and Adventure

The Magical Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder

Abigails Journey: Finding Hope Amidst Regret

Abandoning My True Self: A Journey of Rediscovery

Abandonment: A Journey of Resilience

The Shadowed City: A Haunting Legacy of Disappearance

Maria's Mystical Journey: Unlocking Her True Potential

The Kind Heart of Abase: A Legacy of Compassion and Caring

The Brave Girl of the Rolling Hills: Abash's Quest to Save the Forest

Abashed: The Animal Communicator's Quest for Kindness and Protection

The Legend of Ash and Lila: A Tale of Unlikely Love

Emily's Gift of Courage

Unlocking the Art of Winemaking: A Small Village's Legacy of Passion and Excellence

The Sky's Great Mystery: A Massive Light Figure Appears in the Abatement

The Ancient Tree's Gift: A Boy's Quest for Communication

Ember's Legacy: A Young Girl's Quest to Protect the Natural World

The Secrets of Abattoir: A Gateway to Malevolent Spirits

The Magic Within: A Kind Man's Journey to Enchanted Lands

The Boy Who Wished for Adventure: A Magical Tale of Travel and Triumph

Ali's Journey: Pursuing Knowledge and Enlightenment in Baghdad's Great University

The Golden Age of Baghdad: A Love Story of Rebellion and Freedom

Amidst the Winter's Darkness, a Beacon of Hope: The Story of Abbé Pierre and His Café of Compassion

A Glimmer of Hope: A Priest's Encounter with Magic

The Wishes of the Abbaye de Bellevue: A Monastery's Descent into the Supernatural

Finding Peace in the Face of Doubt: The Story of Brother Thomas

The Abbess's Heart: A Tale of Love, Compassion, and Redemption

Finding Peace and Purpose at St. Agnes Abbey: A Story of Grief, Healing, and Redemption

Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Abbey: Sarah's Journey to Enlightenment

Finding Peace in the Ancient Walls: A Young Woman's Journey to Solace at the Abbey of St. Mary

The Eternal Sanctuary: A Place of Peace and Legacy

The Magic of Abbot: A Young Man's Quest for Ancient Power

Finding Inner Peace: A Journey of Discovery and Transformation

Finding Peace and Purpose in the Heart of Abbots

The Shroom's Sinister Spell: A Clever Inventor's Deadly Descent into Dark Magic

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Donuts: A Tale of Mischievous Treats

The Magic of Abbr: A Curious Girl's Journey to Mastery

The Secret of the Hidden Clearing: A Brave Girl's Quest for Adventure and Survival

The Guardian of the Woods: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Protection

Adventurous Brave Curious Expeditions in Enchanted Lands: Alice's Magical Journey

King Edward Abdicates, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Kindness and Compassion

The Kingdom's New Queen: A Reflection of Wisdom and Compassion

The Kingdom's Unlikely Abdication: King Edward's Journey to Simplicity

The Kind and Just King: A Legacy of Wisdom and Compassion

King Henry's Legacy of Peace: The Kingdom's Path Towards Selfless Leadership

A New Queen, a New Era: The Transition of Power in a Far-Off Kingdom

A New Era Begins: King Edward's Legacy Continues

Abduction and Experimentation on an Unknown Planet

The Nightmare Unfolded

Sarah's Journey: From Earth to Alien Ship and Back Again

The Shadow Watchers: A Chronicle of Fear

The Mysterious Abductions of Willow Creek: A Town Forever Changed

Abducted by Alien Zorbs: Sarah's Fateful Night

Escape from Captivity: A Tale of Determination and Freedom

Trapped in Darkness: Sarah's Escape

The Alien's New World

Abe's Community Garden: A Small Act of Kindness with a Lasting Impact

Abe's Elemental Magic: A Simple Tailor's Quest for Heroism

Sailing Through the Storm: Abeam's Heroic Rescue

Abed's Magical Grove: A Legendary Adventure of Wonder and Discovery

Abel's Quest: A Journey of Kindness and Adventure

The Craftsman's Quest: Unlocking Inner Power and Potential

The Passionate Pursuit of True Love: The Tale of Pierre Abelard and Heloise

The Curious Adventures of Abelson: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Bravery

Abelsons: The Portal to Infinite Journeys

The Secret Isle: A Journey of Discovery and Redemption

Finding Solace in Aberdeen's Cozy Cup

The Secret Heart of Abernathy: A Tale of Adventure and Homecoming

A Town's Transformation: From Industrial Hub to Artistic Oasis

The Evil Force Within

The Aberrants Tale: A Mysterious Encounter in the Rainy City

The Girl Who Saved Eleria: A Tale of Magic and Bravery

Alice's Enchanted Adventure: The Girl Who Could Talk to Animals

The Magical Friendship of Hootie and Betsy: A Tale of Joy and Wonder

Thieving in the Night: A Master Heist

The Book of Unlocking: A Tale of Ingenuity and Responsibility in a World of Advanced Technology

Finding Hope: Better's Journey to a Better Life

The Betters' Downfall: A Hero's Quest for Humanity's Future

The Magic of Community: Ember's Legacy

The Bettors Curse: When Desire Becomes a Living Nightmare

The Shadow Whispers: A Beta's Descent into Darkness

Embracing Abeyance: Finding Hope and Resilience in the Face of Adversity

| Next Page

Advertise here

All stories are fictional works
- You may use any of these short stories as a base to create your own longer stories! -