Dystopian Short Stories

A trip to the library prompts one woman to question her fate in this galvanizing short story. For a woman like Hadley, deemed not acceptable to procreate, there’s only one recourse. Unlicensed for motherhood, she can alleviate her grief and frustration at a “baby library,” where a curiously endless supply of infants is available for a two-week loan. But the borrowed life that serves as a temporary balm leads to a journey of self-discovery that will forever change the direction of Hadley’s future.

What would you sacrifice to keep a secret? Sage Indarra’s third year at the Institution is off to a rough start. She’s still horrified by what she had to do to protect herself at the end of last year, and she’s pretty sure one of her instructors hates her. Her former mentors are giving her the cold shoulder, leaving her unexpectedly isolated, and she’s not sure whether or not she can trust her newest friend. Despite these challenges, she’s determined to uncover the secrets Eprah doesn’t want her to know. But when Sage finds some unusual artifacts at the Archives, she makes a ...

Alien invaders take one of America’s most contentious issues, Gun Control, and use it for their interest.

In my second collection of short stories (February), I take readers on a journey across magical lands, dystopian futures, and the intricate landscapes of the human experience. Crafted through a collaborative process with an AI companion, these flashes of fiction emerged from a simple daily ritual: each morning, I would propose an imaginative premise, then let the AI build upon my ideas to spin them into fully realized tales. The stories within capture a dazzling array of concepts, characters, and settings. We meet an explorer traversing the multiverse, a ninja warrior forced to choose ...

In "If Tomorrow Never Comes," embark on an extraordinary journey through a world where the very fabric of reality has been torn asunder. Set against the backdrop of a once-thriving town now shrouded in mystery and despair, this gripping tale follows the Johnson family and a cast of diverse characters as they confront an unimaginable catastrophe. From the tranquil beauty of a sunset-filled evening to the heart-pounding intensity of a world plunged into chaos, each chapter immerses listeners in a rich tapestry of sensory experiences.

Short Circuit Time by Diane Saxon In the year 2086, Zaphira is alone, the last survivor of biological warfare on Earth. Before he died, her scientist father promised other survivors would come. Nobody has. So when a horribly mangled android shows up claiming to be her father’s assistant, Aiden, who has been sent through time to rescue her, she’s both frightened and astounded. The last time she’d seen Aiden, she’d been sixteen, head-over-heels in love with him and had literally thrown herself at him, leaving her devastated by his rejection and him running for the hills. The following...

Are you ready for a journey through the universe? Look no further than Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 14, the latest collection from The Shadowplay Collective. This anthology of short stories will take you on a thrilling ride through the unknown, as you explore new worlds, meet alien species, and witness the wonders of advanced technology. Within the pages of Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 14, you'll find tales that will transport you to distant galaxies, where battles are fought between robotic armies and where time travel is possible. You'll meet characters who struggle to survive...

"Would you remove your soul, to save your life?" Unlock the continuing mind-bending possibilities of ethical and moral dilemmas with "After Dinner Conversation - Season Two," the next installment of the must-read collection of the best short stories from the critically acclaimed After Dinner Conversation magazine series. Spanning all genres, from science-fiction to historical fiction and everything in between, each story is guaranteed to captivate you and leave you questioning your own beliefs. Perfect for philosophy students and fiction lovers alike, each story comes with five suggested ...

This is a SHORT STORY set within the ongoing THE UNSEEN franchise. Potential spoilers ahead! This action-packed thriller stars Jillian Moon, recapping her initial encounter with the Unseen inside New York’s Museum of Natural History, an event that occurs during ORIGIN (The Unseen Book 1).

Family meant everything to Ayden Stratton. It always had even when he didn’t always allow it to show. Because of that, he understood the fury in Tobias Blaise’s eyes when they learned that his sister had been dragged out the backdoor of her restaurant despite every effort to stop her from being kidnapped. Fury didn’t begin to describe what he saw in his brother’s face. Cassidy Blaise might be Tobias’s sister, but she was Benjamin’s entire world. Tobias Blaise never expected to find any woman he wanted to spend his life with, let alone one who looked at him the way Ellis did, ...

This is a new collection of short stories. They are not similarly themed and include, Western (The title story), apocalyptic, horror, sci fi, drama and more. Six stories total... Only in Dreams: A fateful night on a dark river road takes a toll on a young man, killing his wife and friends and leaving him in a deep well of despair he must try to climb out of. But fate is not finished with him when dreams continue to drag him back to that fateful night and then seem to take control of his waking life as well. Mister Johnson: A horse thief steals a poor dirt farmers plow horse, part of a team ...

Miriam was raised in a society without children. To offset the devastation of climate change, state-of-the-art birth control has made daycares and playgrounds things of the past. As tempting as the government inducements are to remain child-free, Miriam’s curiosity about the people who “drop out” of society to become parents grows. When she finds a like-minded partner, she must choose between the rewarding comforts she knows and the unknowable mysteries of being a mother.

"How do you stop yourself from growing up?" Unlock the continuing mind-bending possibilities of ethical and moral dilemmas with "After Dinner Conversation - Season Five," the next installment of the must-read collection of the best short stories from the critically acclaimed After Dinner Conversation magazine series. Spanning all genres, from science-fiction to historical fiction and everything in between, each story is guaranteed to captivate you and leave you questioning your own beliefs. Perfect for philosophy students and fiction lovers alike, each story comes with five suggested ...

"Is it selfish to abandon your abilities to follow your dream?" Unlock the continuing mind-bending possibilities of ethical and moral dilemmas with "After Dinner Conversation - Season Three," the next installment of the must-read collection of the best short stories from the critically acclaimed After Dinner Conversation magazine series. Spanning all genres, from science-fiction to historical fiction and everything in between, each story is guaranteed to captivate you and leave you questioning your own beliefs. Perfect for philosophy students and fiction lovers alike, each story comes with ...

Now the Congress of Animals is in control, unforgiving, and debating the fate of the planet’s most reviled species. The popular ruling: Exterminate humankind without exception. But a curious mare, coming of age, is making a case for a seemingly gentle person she longs to save - a wish for mercy that could once again unbalance the new and righteous nature of the world.

They say a man without options can be dangerous. In the far flung future of Bangkok, a young man’s every move is dictated by his boss, the evil Minister of Defense. When a terrifying secret is revealed beneath the capital city millions of lives hang in the balance. He must choose between his loyalty to his country and his ideals, with either choice having drastic consequences for those he loves. Don’t miss Rising, by A. L. Lorentz, for the best of science fiction world building in exotic locales right here on Earth. If you enjoy Rising’s ancillary tale be sure to read what happens to ...

In the chilling anthology series "Elemental Shorts," Readers are transported into dystopian futures where everyday chemical elements—iron, oxygen, and carbon—become harbingers of ecological calamities. Each episode unveils a world teetering on the edge of collapse as these essential elements, manipulated by human hubris and unforeseen consequences, spiral out of control. From iron structures crumbling into rust, oxygen-enriched atmospheres strangling life, to carbon-covered ecospheres dying from lack of sunlight, "Elemental Shorts" masterfully intertwines science fiction with dark ...

This 1911 collection of thirty-three stories, selected and revised by the author from amongst his huge output of short fiction, includes tales of comedy, horror, monsters, and strange worlds. In his Introduction, Wells writes that the book brings together, “All the short stories by me that I care for any one to read again,” and that, “No short story of mine of the slightest merit is excluded from this volume.”

In the near future, older generations can reverse the aging process through weekly transfusions while, far removed from the realities of the outside world, aimless postmillennials or “blood chickens” can live a life of guiltless bliss in idyllic youth farms. Among the first wave of volunteer donors are Billy Cantor and Frankie Halifax, who quickly bond over their dream paradise. What’s not to love? Wine tastings, parties, yoga, and all the organic avocados they can eat. Best of all: not a single care in the world until their thirty-fifth birthdays.

Need to Feed Another year. Another massacre looming. When the sun rises on the Old West town of Saltwater Junction, its residents will come face to face with two fierce predators. Vampires who stalk you in the sunlight and werewolves that transform with the sunrise. This story rewrites the legends and all you've ever known about these creatures of the night. A Vampire at Christmas A Vampire uses his riches and immortal skills to bring joy to those in need during the Christmas Season. It Sleeps at Dawn A Vampire stalks the Appalachian Mountains. A traditional Vampire who uses fangs instead ...