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Ten Resolutions: A New Year’s Tale
Your college buddies, now scattered across the country, decide to have a virtual New Year’s Eve party. As the clock strikes midnight in each time zone, you take turns sharing your resolutions. Amidst the laughter and catching up, you notice how some faces have changed—Tim looks healthier after his weight loss surgery, while Sarah’s eyes…
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The Mysterious Insurance Agent
The flood of insurance brochures was the final straw for Ethan. Generally, Ethan adored his cozy apartment. It was ideally sized, conveniently located near public transportation, a quaint farmers market, and a charming family-owned café. The only downside was the trail of previous tenants who had left their mark through questionable DIY projects and the…
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The Unexpected Inheritance
Scene One: A Personal Injury Lawyer’s Office “So you received this email today. That’s why you wanted to see me so urgently,” said Miranda Cho, adjusting her glasses as she peered at the computer screen. The personal injury lawyer in the navy pantsuit then read the email aloud: “Dear Michael, I know this email will…
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The Stillness of Winter
For the record, I wasn’t trying to disappear. I know how it looks. I grew up in the Midwest; I should have known the dangers of an October night and a cornfield shrouded in fog. I remember being young, maybe seven, overhearing my grandparents (wise, weathered, somber) discussing a farmer who had vanished in his…
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The Magic Behind the Mask
Max was drenched in sweat. Before donning the costume, he’d been advised to guzzle water until his stomach ached. Now, he was certain there were extra pounds of perspiration trapped in the cheap synthetic fur. The stench was unmistakable, but the cardinal rule of wearing the suit was clear: never remove the head. “That’s an…
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The Horizon’s Edge
The weight of the silence pressed down on Lydia like a thick blanket. Dr. Winters and her husband, Mark, faded into the background as her breath caught in her throat. Even if she could find her voice, Lydia knew her words would fall on deaf ears. She wanted to bolt from the therapist’s office, but…