Dystopian Short

Fighting in the streets, corruption at the highest levels, collapsing infrastructure, brutal police, a daily threat of nuclear war: few of us thought we’d find ourselves here, so far into the 21st century. What’s next? Are we really going to be “great again,” however that’s meant? And if we are, what does that mean for those of us on the receiving end of the less-than-great? In this diverse and vigorous mix of stories by newcomers and luminaries, writers offer their takes on what life might hold for us in the next few years.

Are you brave enough to face the terrifying truth lurking behind your neighbor's perfect smile? "Manufactured Minds" isn't just a story – it's a heart-stopping journey into suburban hell that will rewire your brain! Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster as Elise Thompson unravels a sinister conspiracy that will make your skin crawl. You'll feel the paranoia creeping in, questioning everything you thought you knew.

Some religions state that the very universe was created by words. The nation of America was founded using words. Words established the rights and freedoms this nation enjoys. The first of those rights is freedom of speech, which implies so much more than the right to use words. This anthology contains four stories from four authors. Each story pays tribute to either the ideals held by America’s First Amendment or to the concept that the words people use hold power. These authors took the concept of words and placed it in futuristic, apocalyptic, and fantasy settings.

Billions are dead. The world is changed forever. Fear is rampant and for once, humans are the ones on the brink of extinction. But there are survivors and they are determined to never allow anything like The Great Plague of 2083 to ever happen again. The most powerful countries in the world have assembled a group of people to make one decision: how can the human race be safeguarded for future generations? The Plague Council is a short story prequel to Oceania: The Underwater City. Discover how the underwater city came to be.

The wagon ground to a halt, and there was no time to feel anything, much less fear, as Jeremiah unbuckled and piled out with the others. And yet, as he paused momentarily to take in the building, a strange thing happened. He thought he heard a voice - a woman’s voice, a witch’s voice. And it said to him, as faintly as the cymbals at the start of the music, "Why have you come for us, witch doctor?"

The Free Story Friday Collection Volume 2: "The Mythos Cycle" is a compilation of seven tales told in a universe inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft. From the ice of Greenland, to the suburbs of America, to alternate realities, parallel dimensions, and the sands of the Middle East, this collection ranges the gamut of Horror.

Abby never expected life to be easy. The daughter of a father she's never met and a mother who works three jobs just to get by, she walks herself to her middle school in Chicago, fixes her own dinners, and keeps herself company. Despite all the disadvantages stacked against her, however, Abby manages to keep a smile on and even dedicates her time to helping others who have even less than her. But one July day, something happens in the city that causes a mass panic while she's out grocery shopping, and Abby's life is forever changed.

The Scarlet Plague, by Jack London, was the first example of a post-apocalyptic fiction novel in modern literature. Set in a ravaged and wild America, the story takes place in 2073, 60 years after the spread of the Red Death, an uncontrollable epidemic that depopulated and nearly destroyed the world in 2013. One of the few survivors, James Howard Smith, alias “Granser”, tells his incredulous and near-savage grandsons how the pandemic spread in the world and about the reactions of the people to contagion and death.

Are you a fan of science fiction short stories? Do you crave the thrill of exploring new worlds, meeting alien species, and facing impossible challenges? Look no further than Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 06, a collection of gripping tales that will transport you to the farthest reaches of the universe and beyond. Written by The Shadowplay Collective, this anthology is a must-read for anyone who loves to lose themselves in a good story. In this volume, you'll encounter a diverse array of settings, from the icy wastes of a distant planet to the bustling streets of a futuristic ...

Unreal, a word often used to imply the opposite of its definition, makes a fitting title for this collection of short stories. The stories are fictional allegories of real events and explorations into the mind’s misinterpretations, save for one. One story is real. The listener journeys through dystopian societies, psychological tumult, and introspective discovery from varying perspectives, all the while unsure wherein reality lies.

Killer bots anyone? What about an eco-Armageddon? And what really happened at Roswell anyway? From ancient mysteries on Earth to far-future conflicts on other worlds, this collection of sixteen sci-fi short stories from the author of The Anti Life Series and the Final Update trilogy promises to take you on an adventure. Whether it’s human-sized parasites, clone lovers, or intergalactic war—there’s something in this novel-length story collage for every science fiction enthusiast.

In the distant future, the Earth lies barren. Devoid of vegetation, what remains of the human race scours the land as scavengers. During one gathering a survivor, Josiah, discovers a map leading to an unknown destination. His newfound quest becomes a journey of hope and redemption as he lays eyes upon a miracle: the world's last living tree.

Welcome to the world of Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 05, a collection of gripping tales that will take you on a journey through the unknown. The Shadowplay Collective has masterfully crafted a set of stories that will transport you to different worlds, each with their own unique challenges and dangers. If you're a fan of science fiction, this book is a must-read. UNHAPPY SMILE. HUNTED ON MARS. THE COARSE PATH. THE JUDGEMENT. KINETIC MOVEMENT. PARKING FOR PROFIT. EAT. SLEEP. BREED.In this collection, you'll find stories set in various timeframes and locations, from the depths of space ...

Follow Aapeli, Tinker, Liberty, Harmony, Rat, a tiny robot named Boy, and a droid who always believes they're on the verge of dying in this post-apocalyptic collection by Regina Puckett. The Liberty and Forbidden Collection includes six stories surrounding the events of The Great War that changed the face of the Earth, killing millions and destroying most of the world's technologies.

Galen is an innkeep, a humble man who cares about his work and his patrons. He also lives on the edge of a haunted forest. One inhabited by a fell wizard far too many of his guests are intent to meet. Despite Galen’s warnings and admonitions, most travelers passing through his doors only stay long enough to ask a few questions before entering the dark wood. Far too few come back. These are the tales of some of those adventurers who return. These are the tales of those Galen wishes had never left his door. Tales of the Fallen is a short work of fantasy fiction totaling about 10,000 words.

In a time when a pandemic is threatening the entire population, Risa and her family apply for coveted acceptance into a new Safe City - a place designed to keep the virus out and to preserve a select few of the population. But getting accepted into the city may not be worth it - especially when she is sedated for secure transport and wakes up, unable to find her family. Meeting a few new friends and an intriguing soldier named Camsen Luck may help, but none of them can convince her that self-preservation is more important than finding her family; or that trying to escape is suicide.

If someone observed us from afar, they could claim that our civilization was a civilization of walls. That was its main purpose. Such observers would likely not be able to explain why. I cannot either. Walls do not protect. They just trap and kill. Three short stories about a dystopic future, about people turning into machines, about walls and fences, about the way history works. Three short stories about now.

"Land's End" by Lauren Dane: The Land's End highway is one of the most dangerous places in the universe. The constant peril of brigands keeps Verity Coleman stuck in Silver Cliffs, dreaming of the open road - and of Loyal Alsbaugh, the tall and silent highway patrolman. When her town is attacked, Verity has a chance to win over Loyal's muted heart. But will his wounded past make him leave her along the road, or can she convince him to take her along?

Join the postapocalyptic adventure as David and the survivors of a solar storm taking out the grid try to find the means to survive another day. Earth and space are about to come into contact in a way that's new to human history.... Are you prepared for the loss of all modern electronic technology? The sun is waking up from a deep slumber. NASA says in next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity and to prepare ourselves for a century-class solar storm event.

Join Dr. Amelia Mercer as she navigates a nightmarish city engulfed in collective agony, where every scream resonates in your VERY BONES! Feel your pulse quicken as you experience the relentless tide of shared suffering, forcing you to confront the darkest corners of human empathy. This isn't mere fiction; it's a gripping exploration of what it means to truly feel the pain of others.