Stockholm Syndrome – Episode 1: Am I Facing My Opposite Character?

I was at the bar. Songs were playing, and rain was pouring outside the window. Everyone had come with their partner, while I sat there all alone. The doctor prescribed me something—said I had Stockholm Syndrome.

I was no longer a superhero. I used to save people, but… I was starting to get tired of it.

A door in front of me opened. A man walked in, drenched from the rain, his wet hair falling over his eyes. He walked arrogantly. The men in the bar, irritated by his insolent stride, spoke rudely.

Men: Hey! Do you think you have permission to walk around so arrogantly? This isn’t some random stable you can just barge into!

Yet, even as they spoke, the man didn’t acknowledge them—he kept walking, just as boldly as before. This only angered them further.

Men: HEY! ARE YOU DEAF OR SOMETHING? WE’RE TALKING TO YOU!

The men stood up and approached him. One of them reached to touch his shoulder. Just as they did, the man suddenly slapped them and sprinted toward the door.

Seeing this, the men became even more furious.

Men: HEY! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING? COME BACK HERE!

They ran after him and rushed out the door.

Curious, I decided to follow them. I stepped outside and saw the men running to the right. After a moment, I realized they had entered a dead-end alley. When I reached the same alley, I saw a man in a brown suit, his back turned to me.

And then… I saw them killing the man with their bare hands.

The scene terrified me. I fell to the ground. A violent flash of lightning split the sky.

That’s when he turned around.

A man—his body covered in grotesque, tentacle-like appendages—noticed me. He smirked wickedly, like a true villain.

Tentacle Man: Well, aren’t you just adorable?

He threw the men aside effortlessly and quickly approached me. His gaze scanned me from head to toe, analyzing me. Then, something changed. His expression became sharper, almost mocking, as if he recognized me.

His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Tentacle Man: Hmmm? Shadow… It’s been a long time. Ah, you’ve changed—you’re becoming more of a woman.

His smirk deepened as he continued.

Tentacle Man: But be careful. If you keep becoming more of a woman, Manuh will start seeing you as one of those mature women… and leave you for someone his own age.

The moment he said that, I recognized his voice.

It was a voice I had heard before—one that belonged to someone from my past.

Wait!

Before I left the simulation…

This voice… It belonged to my school principal. My greatest enemy.

Mark.

And… my first love.

-The End-Stockholm Syndrome - Chapter 2: A Romantic Night, Adventure, and the Police!

I blushed, completely bewildered by the situation. How could it be that the man I had a crush on was standing right in front of me? I couldn't comprehend it... How was I facing him? I had to defend myself against the monster immediately! Thankfully, I had brought my spray with me for dangerous situations. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, but as I pressed it toward Mark, I realized it was empty. How could my spray run out at the worst possible moment? Could a girl be this unlucky? I had just embarrassed myself in front of the guy I liked!

Ah, I found a way! I needed to distract Mark to escape... But how? Think, think, Shadow! You have to use 90% of your brainpower. Aha, perfect! A brilliant idea popped into my head! To execute my plan, I took on an indifferent attitude. Clearing my throat and looking at him with a careless gaze, I said:

Shadow: "Eh! Umm, you've lost weight lately. Are you on a diet? I'm glad to see that!"

Mark, however, was unconvinced. His expression remained serious as he spoke in a stern tone:

Mark: "Did you really think you could fool me like that?"

Shadow shuddered at the sound of his voice and shook her head. Mark then continued:

Mark: "Good! Then I should pin you against the wall."

With those words, Mark grabbed Shadow and pushed her against the wall, moving even closer. His voice darkened as he whispered:

Mark: "Let's see how it feels to be close to your boss, huh? We've done this in previous versions of the simulation... Over and over again... We did all of this, and in the end, we had sex. We always did, didn't we? An unbreakable fate, right? But in the last simulation, you, Manuela, left me! That made daddy very sad! Hmm? Should I kill you with my own hands, just like I did with Lucas? Or should I just use you as a mere sexual object? I can't decide."

Hearing this, I became even more serious. I fell silent, lowering my head, unable to say anything. I couldn't hold back my emotions and started crying. Mark wasn't surprised; instead, he looked at me like I was a fool. With a mocking tone, he said:

Mark: "Ahh, oh my God! Did I just make the little lady cry? Now, what should I do? Should I use her as a sexual object?"

As he said his last words, his voice turned deadly serious. Shadow drew even closer, his lips nearing my neck, about to touch me...

But suddenly, a man appeared in front of Mark, pointing a gun at him. Behind him, police cars lined up, their lights flashing. With a firm voice, the man said:

Man: "Mark Blackjack! What a big surprise! Or should I call you the creator of the simulation?"

Mark recognized the man's voice instantly, showing no sign of surprise. He released me from the wall and turned to face him. With a smirk, he spoke in his usual casual tone:

Mark: "Well, well! Look who we have here! How are you, man? It's been a while! Looks like you've gained some weight! How’s your wife doing? Or should I say… White?"

White let out a soft chuckle. He was a tall, slim albino man with long, tied-back hair. Dressed in a dark blue police uniform and wearing a cap, he carried himself with a calm, intelligent, and gentle demeanor—like a father who had a daughter, at least in my eyes.

With his usual composed tone, White replied:

White: "I’m doing well. My wife is always busy with work. The business world is demanding, after all. At least she doesn’t run away from her job to flirt with other girls like you."

Mark burst into laughter, grinning mischievously:

Mark: "Ahhh, White! You're so funny! I wish I could be as funny as you! If I were a girl, I'd definitely fall in love with you! Do you like men?"

White, keeping his calm tone, replied:

White: "Unfortunately, I'm only in love with my wife. Now stop wasting my time! Surrender and leave the girl alone!"

The police officers stepped out of their cars. One of them approached me and took me to White’s side, while the others surrounded Mark, pointing their guns at him. Mark scanned the area carefully, weighing his options.

With a cunning smirk, he said:

Mark: "Ahh, fine, I'll leave the girl alone! But I will never surrender! Do you know why? Because I’m not an idiot like you! I can still have my fun with her later. No worries! Just like you can always cheat on your wife and have fun with her instead!"

As he finished his sentence, his voice grew lustful, his breath hot, and his gaze filled with desire. White, visibly disturbed by Mark’s perversion, turned to his officers and ordered in a stern voice:

White: "Kill him!"

The officers prepared to fire, their fingers on the triggers. But just as they pulled them, Mark suddenly teleported—vanishing into thin air.

-To Be Continued-

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Destined for the Abyss is a supernatural suspense and drama novel that follows the story of José Atilano Bonillas Rojas, an ordinary man whose life changes radically after an encounter with dark forces. Accompanied by his wife Eliana, José becomes involved in a divine mission that leads them to face far greater evil forces than they ever imagined. As darkness looms over them, love, vengeance, and redemption intertwine in a journey filled with sacrifices and decisions that will test their faith and humanity. A tale that explores internal struggles, destiny, and the clash between light and shadow as the characters navigate an unpredictable and dangerous path.

Author FangTing, Editor LuoYeh, hope you like our story. I didn’t write this. I dreamed it. Every night, I close my eyes, and the story keeps going— chapters I don’t remember writing, characters I’ve never met… but somehow, they know me. Sometimes I wake up with lines already in my head. Sometimes I open the file and there’s a new paragraph, like the story wrote itself while I wasn’t looking. I stopped questioning it around Chapter 12. I think this might be someone else’s memory.Or maybe it’s mine… just from the wrong version of Earth. Anyway. If you're into time loops, lost identities, parallel timelines, or just mildly haunted content: welcome to the weird side. Updates daily, unless the dream skips. ​​​​​​​Not explained, Not entirely conscious

Chapter 1

It was a fine morning. A man in his early forties stepped out of his home, dressed neatly in a proper jogging outfit and striking blue running shoes. A pair of wireless Beats earbuds nestled in his ears, pulsing with a steady rhythm. His slightly tousled hair and golden-brown framed glasses gave him a distinctive, intellectual look. On his wrist, a bold G-Shock sport watch gleamed, displaying the time—6:30 AM.

The world outside was still cloaked in darkness. Not a single soul stirred on the street, except for a stray dog wagging its tail, pacing back and forth like a silent guardian of the early dawn.

A notification popped up on his phone screen:

"Please come early. Don’t miss the appointment like last time."

The date read 01 August 2025.

Seeing the message, the man—Johnny—smiled. A series of memories suddenly played like a reel in his mind.

"Jack, why are you smiling like that?"

The unexpected voice came from the other side of the street. It was Susan, his longtime partner. She was elegant even in casual wear, her confident aura matching her title as the CEO of Melisphere Corporation. A single mother, Susan had been in a relationship with Jack for almost twelve years.

Their relationship had once stirred whispers. Jack had been the reason Susan left her husband. But neither of them carried guilt. Their love had endured the years, and they lived it unapologetically.

Jack chuckled and responded, “It’s from Johnny. I told you—we have a meetup this evening. He just sent me a reminder.”

“A reminder? At 6:30 in the morning?” Susan raised an eyebrow. “What are you two planning? I hope this isn’t like those times…”

Jack quickly interjected, “No, babe. Nothing like that. That was a bad nightmare—long gone. We're moving on now.”

“Even after 25 years,” she sighed, “it still feels like it happened yesterday. And it shouldn’t have ended that way… but sometimes, fate doesn’t ask for permission.”

Jack nodded silently.

Susan smiled faintly and said, “Come on, let’s go. Time to start our day on a healthy note.”

“Right behind you,” Jack said, picking up his pace to catch up with her.

The trail was quiet, covered in a thin layer of dew. Jack and Susan jogged side by side, their footsteps in sync. The rising sun painted golden streaks across the sky, but the chill in the air lingered.

Jack’s mind, however, wasn’t on the run. It kept circling back to Johnny’s message.

Don’t miss the appointment… like last time.

Those words weren’t just a reminder—they were a warning.

He glanced at Susan, her face calm, focused on her breathing. If she knew what Johnny really meant… No. Jack shook the thought away.

“Do you still think about it?” Susan suddenly asked, without looking at him.

Jack slowed down just slightly. “Every day.”

Susan gave a faint nod. “It’s like we’re being pulled back into it. Like we never really got out.”

Jack stopped running. The same old weight returned, heavy on his chest. “Do you think Johnny blames us?”

Susan turned to face him. “He doesn’t have to. We already blame ourselves.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant bark of a dog and the rustle of leaves. Jack exhaled sharply and took a few steps forward.

“We made choices,” he said. “We thought they were right. But people got hurt.”

Susan’s gaze was unreadable. “Some deserved it.”

Jack looked at her. “Some didn’t.”

The phone buzzed again in his pocket.

New Message from Johnny:

“Don’t forget the location. 7:30 PM. Same place.”

Jack’s grip tightened around the phone.

Whatever this meeting was… it wasn’t just a reunion.

It was unfinished business.

Evening fell with a strange stillness.

Johnny stood near the old park entrance, where the streetlights flickered like they were struggling to stay alive. He checked the time—7:27 PM. Just a few minutes early.

Then he noticed something.

A figure was standing across from him, barely ten feet away.

Not Jack. Not Susan.

Someone else.

The man wore a red shirt with bold white letters that read: "Are You Serious?". A grey hoodie hung loosely over it, sleeves slightly frayed, and he had on worn blue denim jeans with a pair of spotless Puma sneakers.

He wasn’t just standing there.

He was smiling.

A slow, deliberate, evil smile.

Johnny’s breath caught in his throat.

In a flash, it all came back—25 years ago. The screams. The blood. The betrayal.

And the one mistake that changed everything.

Tears welled in Johnny’s eyes. Not just from fear—but guilt. And this time, Susan wasn’t with him. She had said she’d come, but now… he was alone.

The man took a step closer.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he said quietly, almost like a whisper inside Johnny’s mind.

Before Johnny could speak, pain exploded in his right eye.

A small knife—clean, quick, and merciless—stabbed into the side of his face.

He stumbled backward, clutching his head, but the agony didn’t stop. The man slammed Johnny's skull against a streetlamp post with brutal force.

Johnny dropped to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

Suddenly—“STOP!”

The voice rang out, breaking the nightmare.

Susan.

She ran toward them, face pale with horror. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she screamed, but her body gave out before she reached Johnny. She collapsed, unconscious, hitting the pavement hard.

And just like that—the red-shirted man was gone. No footsteps. No sound.

Only the silence. And Johnny, barely breathing.

It was 9:30 PM when Jack’s phone rang.

Unknown number.

He hesitated for a moment before picking up.

“Hello?” Jack answered.

A calm but firm voice came through the speaker. “Good evening, sir. Is this Mr. Jack?”

“Yes, speaking.”

“Sorry to disturb you at this hour. My name is Detective Michael. I’m calling from Cheras Police Station. By any chance, do you know someone named Johnny?”

The name hit Jack like a brick wall. A knot twisted in his stomach. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.

“Yes… I know him well,” Jack said cautiously, his voice suddenly dry. After a pause, he asked, “Why? What happened, sir?”

There was a brief silence.

“Sir, I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss this over the phone,” the detective said. “Can you come to Cheras Police Station immediately? It’s urgent. Delaying even a minute could put another life at risk.”

Jack’s hand trembled slightly as he ended the call. His world was spinning—something inside him screamed that this wasn’t just about Johnny.

From behind him, a familiar voice broke the silence.

“Hey, what’s up, buddy? Why so serious?”

It was Vikram, Jack’s business partner. His usually bright demeanor turned concerned the moment he saw Jack’s face.

Jack didn’t turn around. “It was Detective Michael. From Cheras station,” he said flatly. “From the tone of his voice… I think Johnny’s gone.”

Both men went pale.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

Then Vikram asked, his voice low: “Is it… him?”

Jack didn’t answer right away. He stared at the floor, breathing heavily. “I don’t know, buddy. But I have to get to the station. Fast.”

“I’ve been trying to call Johnny for days. He wasn’t answering anything—not calls, not messages.” Jack ran a hand through his hair. “We were supposed to meet today. At my house. But instead… something happened with Susan. Something stupid. And now—now we’re in real trouble.”

Vikram looked like he wanted to ask more, but Jack was already grabbing his keys and rushing toward the door.

As it slammed shut behind him, the storm that had been buried for 25 years began to rise again.

Jack sped through the near-empty streets of Kuala Lumpur, the city lights blurring past as Detective Michael’s words echoed in his mind.

> “Delaying even a minute could put another life at risk.”

His hands tightened around the steering wheel of his white BMW, but it wasn't the road he was focused on—it was the storm in his head.

> Johnny, why didn’t you answer my messages?

Why did you run away from me?

His jaw clenched. None of it made sense. Something about this night felt like a bad dream that had finally caught up with him.

15 minutes later, Jack pulled up and parked just across the street from Cheras Police Station.

Before he could even step onto the pavement, a figure came rushing out of the shadows.

Susan.

She looked broken, her face soaked with tears, her expression wild with rage and grief. Without warning, she grabbed Jack by the collar of his shirt and shoved him back.

"You killed him!" she screamed. “You kept sending him those filthy appointment messages! For a week! I told you something bad would happen. I knew it! And now look—LOOK what you’ve done!”

Jack’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden attack. “Stop it, Susan! Are you out of your mind?”

Her hands trembled against his chest.

“You know I’ve been out of town,” Jack continued, voice tight. “I told you—there was an issue with my wife. I was trying to fix things. I’ve been away for almost a week.”

He stepped back, trying to compose himself. “And when I got back, I immediately reached out to Johnny. I even told him to come over today. Ask Vikram. Ask my wife if you don’t believe me.”

Susan’s breath hitched. Her anger hadn’t left, but it was tangled in confusion now.

Jack’s voice softened, but his pain cracked through. “You’re not the only one who feels lost, Susan. I still can’t accept it. I still can’t believe Johnny is… gone.”

They stood there under the streetlight, shadows dancing across their faces, both drowning in a truth they weren’t ready to face.

Just then, the door of the police station creaked open.

Detective Michael stood there, waiting.

INT. DETECTIVE MICHAEL'S INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT

Detective Michael sits behind his desk, calm but observant. Across from him sit Jack, Susan, and Vikram.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

(leaning forward slightly)

Good evening, everyone. I’m Detective Michael, handling Mr. Johnny’s case. I’ll need to ask you all a few questions. Let's start with you, Jack.

(turns to Jack)

Hi, Mr. Jack. How are you? Where were you on the night of August 1st, 2025?

JACK

(nods politely)

I'm doing okay, Detective. That day, I was in Johor during the morning. I returned to KL around 6:30 p.m. After I got back, I tried calling Johnny, but he didn’t pick up.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

According to Susan’s statement, you’d been in touch with Johnny for about a week prior. She mentioned you were planning some kind of reunion. She also felt it wasn’t just an ordinary gathering. Care to explain?

JACK

(looking surprised)

What’s going on here? I’ve been trying to reach Johnny for almost a week, but I couldn’t get through to him.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

Can you back up that claim?

JACK

Absolutely. I’ll need the phone company’s help to verify my call records. Also, I can prove I wasn’t in town that night.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

Noted, Mr. Jack. We’ll verify your movements. We already have Mr. Johnny’s cellphone and belongings. Our forensic team is working on them.

(then turns to Susan)

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

Susan, how long were you in a relationship with Johnny?

SUSAN

More than ten years.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

Did Johnny have any enemies… any personal issues?

As soon as the question drops, Jack and Vikram visibly tense. Their expressions shift subtly—faces pale. Detective Michael notes the reaction without a word.

SUSAN

(shakes her head softly)

Honestly, Johnny was a kind man. Despite being a multimillionaire, he was always grounded. He helped people whenever he could—donated generously, ran charities, and even set up a trust that helps hundreds of students graduate every year. I can’t imagine someone like him having enemies.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

(picking up on a discrepancy)

Mrs. Susan, you mentioned you’ve been with Johnny for over ten years. But records show you became a single mother about seven years ago. Are you saying you were in a relationship with Johnny while still married?

(pause)

Could it be your ex-husband had a motive? Maybe... he’s the one behind this?

SUSAN

(sighs deeply, composed)

I knew that question would come up. James and I separated a long time ago. He migrated to Canada shortly after we parted ways. I don’t see why, after all these years, he would suddenly seek revenge. Besides, our children are still under his custody. He wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL

(pointed tone)

Still, Susan, we’ve seen evidence suggesting your marriage broke down because of Johnny. Infidelity, emotional fallout. Would you care to explain how Johnny factored into that?

SUSAN

(looks away for a moment, then back at the detective)

Johnny didn’t ruin my marriage, Detective. My marriage was already falling apart. James and I were just... surviving under the same roof. Johnny showed me what it felt like to be seen, to be appreciated. Yes, I admit we got close before my marriage officially ended—but love doesn’t always follow rules. And whatever happened, it doesn’t make James a killer.

Last Day of Millbrook - A Fantasy Horror Short Story

[CONTENT WARNING: Graphic violence, horror elements, and scenes of family tragedy]

When Millbrook's walls are breached before dawn, baker's assistant Ren finds himself thrust into a nightmare. Monstrous creatures with exposed flesh and inhuman speed tear through the town, turning the morning into a desperate fight for survival.

Saved by Willem, a stoic farmer wielding a blood-soaked axe with terrifying precision, Ren is pulled into a harrowing journey through burning streets and fields of slaughter. But Willem's grim determination hides a devastating truth—one that will force Ren to make an impossible choice in the ruins of everything he once knew.

"Last Day of Millbrook" is a visceral tale of sacrifice, primal fear, and the lengths one man will go to ensure a message reaches those who can fight back. In a world where ancient horrors emerge from the shadows, sometimes survival comes at the highest cost.

*"The axe fell, as did a tear from Ren's eyes."*

Antonya’nın yaşamı, Ravka’nın parlak ama mekanik düzeninde sıradan bir biyoteknik mühendisi olarak geçiyordu. Ancak bir gün, sistemin sınırında keşfedilen bir “anomali” onun hayatını sonsuza dek değiştirdi. Rüyalarında gördüğü terk edilmiş şehirler ve gizemli figürler, simülasyonun gerçek yüzüyle karşılaşmasına yol açtı.

Bilinmeyenin çağrısına kulak veren Antonya, gerçeklik ve simülasyon arasındaki ince çizgide yürümeye başladı. Ancak her adımda bir seçim, her kararda bir bedel vardı. Gizemli bir figür ona rehberlik ederken, gerçeğin peşindeki bu yolculuk, onu hem simülasyonun hem de kendi zihninin sınırlarına sürükledi.

Eşiğin Ötesinde, gerçeklik algısını sorgulatan ve insanlığın özüne dair en karanlık soruları gündeme getiren bir hikaye. Antonya’nın gerçek dünyayı kurtarmak için verdiği mücadele, sizi gerilimin, dramın ve bilim kurgunun en uç noktalarına taşıyacak.

this is a short story about Bridget who is a detective in a mafia group called dark spirit.

Story Description:Yura, a rising artist, finds strength in his best friends, Kaizi and Arena. They help him through struggles, sharing cookies and solving his problems. But as his fame grows, people insist they don’t exist. When Yura tries to prove them real, they disappear—revealing a shocking truth: they were only creations of his mind.

At the last he get to know that mind knows everything .

Ember is a fifteen year old who recently came out as nonbinary, their family disowned them for it. Right after Ember’s announcement, queen Saranya died, the patriarchy crashed into tyranny and chaos. Her husband Mrithun became the sole leader and made everyone pledge allegiance to him and those who didn’t were named traitors. He moved everyone who pledged their allegiance in to Golool. Which Ember has nicknamed Broury, the broken city. When Ember stumbles upon a boy that’s near death they stops and takes care of him, the boy is about their age maybe a year older than them. But, she might have just sealed her death warrant, they have no idea who they just saved and it might kill her because someone wanted him dead and now they’ve intervened and messed up ,whoever did it, their plan. But most importantly they don’t know the thing that might save them is buried deep inside them.

Quick note: When I refere to Ember I will use they/them. Ember did not try to kill the boy.

A collection of numerous one shots from diverse authors.

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• Veinti3eis

Aiden enters into a relationship with White, a charming, all round nice guy but was unaware of his sinister plans.