Welcome to Short Tales


A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment

Currently 12,517 short tales

| Next Page

Advertise here



The Last Light of Anchorage: A Mysterious Encounter



It was the last light of day in Anchorage, and the city was shrouded in a soft orange glow. The snow-capped mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks piercing the sky like jagged teeth. The streets were quiet, save for the distant hum of a snowmachine and the hushed tones of passersby.

In a small café on 6th Avenue, a lone figure sat at a table by the window. His name was Jack, and he had been in Anchorage for three days, searching for a lead on a story. He was a journalist, one who had seen it all and reported it all, but this last one had him stumped.

As he sipped his coffee and scrolled through his notes, the door to the café swung open with a gentle creak. A young woman, no older than 25, stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room before landing on Jack. She had a look of determination in her eyes, and Jack couldn't help but notice the way she carried herself with an air of confidence.

"Excuse me," she said, approaching Jack's table. "Are you Jack?"

Jack looked up from his notes, surprised by the sudden interruption. "Yeah," he replied, eyeing the woman cautiously.

"I'm Lily," she said, extending her hand. "I've been looking for you."

Jack took her hand, feeling a jolt of electricity run through his body as their palms touched. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

Lily sat down across from Jack, her eyes never leaving his face. "I've heard rumors of something big happening in Anchorage," she said, her voice hushed. "Something that could change everything."

Jack leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of thing?"

Lily hesitated, glancing around the café as if checking for eavesdroppers. "I can't reveal my source," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I will tell you this: it's something big. Something that could bring Anchorage to its knees."

Jack's mind raced as he processed Lily's words. He had been in the city for three days, and nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Yet, here was this young woman telling him about some imminent catastrophe. He didn't know what to make of it.

"Do you have any proof?" he asked, his voice skeptical.

Lily shook her head. "No," she said, her eyes darting around the café again. "But I have a feeling. A feeling that something's about to happen."

Jack sighed, rubbing his temples. He had been around long enough to know that feelings weren't enough to base a story on. But there was something about Lily that made him believe her. Maybe it was the determination in her eyes or the way she carried herself with confidence. Whatever it was, Jack knew he needed to find out more.

"Okay," he said, his voice a little softer. "I'll look into it."

Lily nodded, her eyes lighting up with gratitude. "Thank you," she said, standing up. "I owe you one."

As Lily left the café, Jack couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He glanced out the window, watching as she disappeared into the night, her footsteps echoing in the silence. He knew he had to follow her lead, no matter how strange it seemed. The last light of Anchorage was fading fast, and Jack couldn't afford to miss the story of a lifetime.


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! -