Fiction Archives - Page 3 of 52

Story

Ghostroots

by testsuphomeAdmin — “Ghostroots” by ‘Pemi Aguda is a debut short story collection set in Lagos, Nigeria, blending the mundane with the supernatural. The twelve stories explore themes of inheritance, maternal lineage, and haunting legacies, often focusing on women grappling with familial and societal burdens. Aguda’s prose weaves unsettling yet deeply human narratives, where everyday life intersects with spectral presences. Notable stories include “Breastmilk,” which delves into…
1. The Wonders of the World
  
  2.4 K Words • Apr 8, '25
2. The Dusk Market
  
  2.3 K Words • Apr 8, '25
3. Masquerade Season
  
  2.3 K Words • Apr 8, '25
Fiction • Gothic Fiction • Historical Fiction • Horror

12 27.7 K Apr 15, '25 testsuphomeAdmin 0 Ongoing

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 2

by testsuphomeAdmin — The chapter opens with James reflecting on the harsh reality of being a Black man in a racist society, where his very existence is questioned without white validation. He clings to the hope of the Underground Railroad, a symbolic lifeline to freedom, despite knowing his dark skin confines him to the shadows. His internal conflict is palpable as he grapples with the dehumanizing necessity of being "claimed" as property to move safely through the world. This sets the tone for his precarious journey, where…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.2 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 3

by testsuphomeAdmin — The chapter opens with James (Jim) and Huck attempting to catch a catfish by hand, a dangerous method known as "dogging." Jim, inexperienced but determined, wades into the Mississippi River and probes an undercut bank with his fingers, mimicking worms to lure a fish. Despite his fear of encountering snapping turtles or venomous snakes, he persists, encouraged by Huck. The tension builds as Jim feels a nibble, only to have his forearm suddenly seized by a massive catfish. The struggle that ensues is…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.3 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 4

by testsuphomeAdmin — After overeating on catfish and securing some for bait, James and Huck rest before continuing their journey along the river at night. James reflects on the white survivors they escaped, noting their preoccupation with their own survival rather than pursuit. However, he remains wary, knowing his theft of the notebook adds to his list of crimes. The pair walk in silence, James consumed by a newfound anger, its intensity and direction unfamiliar to him. He decides moving inland is safer, but they postpone the…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.3 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 5

by testsuphomeAdmin — James and Huck return to the slave quarters under cover of night, arriving at James's former home only to find it occupied by strangers, Katie and Cotton. The atmosphere is tense as Doris, a familiar face, reveals that James's wife, Sadie, and their child, Lizzie, have been sold. Overwhelmed by grief, James collapses to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably while Huck attempts to comfort him. The chapter captures James's devastation and the harsh reality of slavery, where families are torn apart without…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.1 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 6

by testsuphomeAdmin — The chapter opens with a surreal dream sequence where the protagonist, James, encounters a mysterious figure named Cunégonde. Speaking in French, she challenges his hope of reuniting with his family, comparing his enslavement to a financial asset owned by banks and mocking his belief in freedom. Their cryptic dialogue blends philosophical critique with literary allusion, as Cunégonde dismisses James’s optimism as naive. The dream’s idyllic setting—a verdant valley—contrasts sharply with the harsh…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.2 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 7

by testsuphomeAdmin — The chapter depicts James' agonizing wait for news about his family while isolated on an island, where time stretches unbearably. His days are filled with forced labor, writing to process his thoughts, and haunted sleep disturbed by memories of his wife Katie's rape. The emotional toll is palpable as he grapples with hatred—for the overseer Hopkins, for himself, and for a world that denies him justice. The island remains undisturbed except for occasional white visitors who drink and carouse, reinforcing…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.2 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 8

by testsuphomeAdmin — The chapter opens with James reflecting on his recent act of vengeance, questioning the morality and motivation behind his actions. He grapples with whether killing evil is justified and admits to feeling no guilt or pride, only a detached curiosity about his own capacity for violence. This emotional apathy unsettles him, yet he finds a strange comfort in it, suggesting a complex psychological state where self-discovery intertwines with moral ambiguity. The passage sets a introspective tone, highlighting…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.2 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 9

by testsuphomeAdmin — Under the glow of a gibbous moon, the narrator—James—swims across a muddy channel, carrying supplies and a pistol as he leaves Jackson Island behind. The night transforms his perception, sharpening his senses and solidifying his identity. He feels a newfound clarity and ownership of his voice and name. This journey marks a pivotal moment of self-assertion as he ventures into Hannibal, a town shrouded in silence after dark, with a singular purpose: to find his family. James stealthily navigates to…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.0 K Apr 11, '25 0

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Chapter

Part Three:Chapter 10

by testsuphomeAdmin — James, a runaway slave, pushes through exhaustion and hunger as he journeys to find his family, fearing pursuit after his escape. Forced to travel both day and night, he covers significant ground but remains distant from his wife and daughter. His desperation grows as his food supply dwindles, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of his quest. The chapter opens with his relentless determination, setting the stage for his perilous journey. While resting in a cornfield, James encounters another…
1. James: A Novel
  
  117.6 K Words • Ongoing
Fiction

2.0 K Apr 11, '25 0

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