Welcome to Short Tales
A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment
Currently 12,517 short tales
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The Shadows in the Blinds: A Tale of Protection and Unease
As soon as Lily moved into her new apartment, she knew something was off. The place was cozy enough, with a small kitchen and a spacious living room, but there was one thing that caught her attention immediately: the blinds. They were old and dusty, and they didn't seem to block out much light at all.
Lily tried to ignore them, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was watching her. Every time she glanced up, she saw a shadowy figure peeking through the slats of the blinds. She tried to convince herself it was just her imagination, but the feeling persisted.
One night, Lily was working late in her home office when she heard a faint rustling coming from the living room. She peered through the blinds, and what she saw made her blood run cold. There was someone standing in her apartment, rummaging through her belongings.
Lily jumped up and ran to the living room, but when she reached the spot where she had seen the figure, there was no one there. She checked every corner of the apartment, but it was as if the intruder had vanished into thin air.
The next day, Lily decided to replace the old blinds with new ones. But when she went to the store, she found that they didn't have any that fit her windows perfectly. As she was about to give up, a strange old man approached her and offered his services. He claimed he could make any blind fit any window, no matter how awkwardly shaped it might be.
Lily was skeptical at first, but the old man seemed so certain of himself that she decided to take him up on his offer. He worked his magic, and within hours, new blinds had been installed. Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she looked around her apartment. The blinds seemed to be blocking out more light than ever before, and she could swear that the shadows on the walls were moving of their own accord.
That night, Lily was awoken by a loud noise coming from the living room. She rushed in to find the old man standing there, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. He spoke in a low, raspy voice, telling her that he had been sent to protect her from something. Something that was lurking just beyond the blinds.
Lily was terrified, but the old man seemed to know what he was doing. He began to chant and wave his hands in intricate patterns, and slowly but surely, the shadows on the walls began to take shape. They formed into a figure, tall and imposing, with eyes that glowed like lanterns in the dark.
The old man finished his spell, and the figure vanished. Lily was left shaking with fear, but also relieved that whatever it was had been banished from her home. She thanked the old man profusely, but he just smiled and said, "It's my pleasure. The blinds can be a tricky thing, you know."
Lily didn't understand what he meant until she heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind her. She turned around to see the old man disappearing into thin air, leaving behind only his worn-out shoes and a faint scent of incense. From that day on, Lily made sure to keep her blinds closed at all times, never knowing when whatever was lurking just beyond might come back.
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
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All stories are fictional works
- You may use any of these short stories as a base to create your own longer stories! -