Parallel Lives

…headmaster, Mr Keegan, looked down at us from the stage. We stared back. This was it. One last bullshit assembly and we were free. The middle aged man from leafy Cheshire glared at the hundred Salford kids. Both sides thinking the same thing. Not long now. After one last assembly we’d be done with each other. We would no longer be pupils of St Mary’s. He could get back to enforcing his petty rules on unruly children…

By Chris Platt

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"Trump Chronicles" Excerpt

The story is an excerpt from "The Trump Chronicles." It is a fantasy based on current events. "What happens if Donald Trump wins the 2020 election?"

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…his dog Pepe Rolando in honor of his best friend who was martyred by members of the Divine Life Church. The church believed God sent the virus. The mission of the church was to help…

By Lee Balan

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Lalmon

…know you are talented and you deserve that but due to your carelessness, you came second in the dance competition," Nayan’s mom scolds, “Had you focused, you wouldn't have missed that dance step. I am really sad. I've called your dance teacher and you better get up before 4 in the morning. From 4:30 am, he'll be training you till 8:00…

By Moin Uddin

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Small Heaven In A Suitcase

This story traces a foreign national who comes in the country pretending to be a pastor while abusing young boys. It is a story about homophobia.

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…lies on a burning pyre, a heap of sweltering petrol-doused tyres, logs, two litres bottles, and plastic rubbles beneath his back. White sparks float in his vision but the mercy of unconsciousness doesn’t come. Not even the mercy of an abrupt death comes to save him from the torment. His throat…

By Keketso Mashigo

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Dreams Of Edith

…telephone. He chatted away about the party he was throwing. He declared to his friends that they ‘were really gonna dig my new housemate.’ I laughed to myself. He was a real character. I hung my clothes up and stacked my books neatly on the shelf. With my row of books in place and my typewriter set up, it felt…

By Chris Platt

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The Resident of Pleasant Crescent

…smiled in the narrow hallway. She beamed as she looked around. Stephen and Carol grinned at her excitement. Moving house was more exhausting than exciting for parents than children, they thought. Stephen looked to the endless amount of boxes that would need unpacking. It would take weeks and weeks for them to settle in. Still, he told himself, it would be worth it. They hoped that the house on…

By Chris Platt

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