The Kingston family, led by their patriarch, Robert, receives an invitation for their annual hunting trip. Alexis, excited to spend time with her family, feels nervous about the tradition and rumors of taboo activities. As they set up camp, Alexis notices a change in their tenseness. The next morning, the family sets out on their hunt, and a deer bounded out into the clearing. Alexis is shocked by the fear and arousal she feels as they approach the deer. Her father, who has never been so turned on in her life, approaches the deer, and her brothers ride it like a bucking bronco. As the sun sets, the family tired themselves out and Alexis is welcomed into the family. She is shocked, disgusted, and excited to join their twisted rituals. As her family gathers around a fire, Alexis must decide whether she wants to join them in their twisted rituals or walk away. Her father asks her if she is ready for her initiation.

In the quiet town of Meadowfield, a young waitress named Jenny works at a local diner, where a silver-haired man named Mr. Jenkins flirts with the waitresses. A mysterious woman named Lila enters the diner, dressed in a crimson dress and a seductive smile. She orders a slice of the heavenly apple pie, which Lila is eyeing. Jenny feels a tightness in her chest as she approaches Lila, who is a young cook named Tim. They chat about Lila's garden and her secret, which is the rich soil in the town. Lila reveals that the soil is not the same for the men in the town, and the tension in the room lingers as the night grows darker. As the night grows darker, the whispers grow louder, and the shadows grow bolder, Meadowfield learns that Lila has a taste for more than just the local cuisine.

I just remember running. They were coming from all directions and there was no way out for me. No matter how fast I ran, it wouldn’t make any difference. They’d catch me and I would be done. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath; I could hear them moving through the branches and the trees. I could hear them breathing, they felt so close. I was the only one who survived the attack. But it was only a matter of time before they got me too. I ran until I couldn’t run anymore, my body screaming for rest. “Why me? Why is this happening?”

The base buzzed with energy as staff members were deeply immersed in preparation. Each pioneer was assigned to their respective teams, focusing intently on prepping and loading gear. The task at hand wasn't merely about preparing for flight; the military had the capabilities to handle the logistics of getting to Pioneer Station. Instead, this process was essential for fostering a sense of unity and teamwork among the pioneers. Engaging them in launch prep was a fundamental team-building strategy that Mitch Thomas strongly endorsed. It was a lesson learned from previous missions: the team needed to feel like a cohesive unit before reaching their destination.

For Eyes of High-Level Security Personnel Only This document contains sensitive information regarding the A.L.P.H.A. program, unit designs, development, and deployment under the classified operations of the International Coalition of Nations (ICN). The details herein are considered top secret and are authorized for review only by personnel with the highest level of security clearance. Unauthorized dissemination, reproduction, or discussion of this material is prohibited by ICN regulations and may result in severe legal and military consequences. This document outlines the operational capabilities, design evolution, and deployment history of the A.L.P.H.A. units, with emphasis on their pivotal role in supporting the Pioneer program.

Sarah looked at her phone screen, her brows knitting together as she read, "Nice to meet you, Sarah. I'm Richard." The text seemed innocuous, but it left her uneasy as if she were about to converse with a ghost. She took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keypad, then began to type her response. "Hi, Richard," she wrote, hitting "send" with a hint of reluctance. The following pause felt longer than it should have, and for a moment, she wondered if something had gone wrong with the app. Then, a graphic appeared on the screen, indicating that a response was coming.

Gavin was barely hanging on to sleep; his body twisted in the tangle of sheets that felt like an uneasy cocoon. The approaching morning light seeped through the blinds, casting long, pale stripes across the room. The foggy haze of dawn had just begun to lift, but Gavin's mind was already churning with uncertainty. Last night had been restless, haunted by the knowledge that Nate, a ghost, was somewhere in his living room.

Outside of the bus, what will the guys find? Who was the mysterious figure walking outside? As they chase after answers, will they find them, or will they regret leaving the bus?

I don't remember why I started sitting on the bench in the park. Each day with my guitar, I sat, played, and sometimes sang a gentle song. People passing by would pause, mesmerized by the melodies, and I sensed a connection forming between the music, the park, and its visitors as if the songs awakened a shared memory within them.

Morning came quickly, and Will groaned as he slowly sat up, his muscles aching from yesterday's punishing training. As he stretched in an attempt to ease his pain, he noted the excitement building in the quarters and the trainees anticipated meeting the Alphas. The trainees gathered in the main hall to receive Mitch's latest news and instructions. When he arrived, the hall was already buzzing with chatter, and most of his colleagues were present and seated. The atmosphere was charged, and the anticipation was almost tangible as they waited for the briefing to start.

The room was eerily silent except for the occasional hum of the refrigerator. Gavin sat on the edge of the couch, still clutching the bat like a lifeline. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. Nate sat comfortably on the couch across from him, examining the room with a curious gaze, as if he were a guest in someone's home rather than a ghostly apparition. There were no whirls of light, clouds or misty orbrs. Nor was there howling, moaning or any of the other sounds ghost make in horror films.

The young man sat, breathing through what he had been told. There will be no other assignments if this assignment fails. He hesitated. "This is my last assignment. If I can't be successful this time, I won't be reassigned?" On the screen, the man's smile faded and changed to a serious expression. "Yes, that's right. If you fail this time, you will be categorized as ineffective and no longer needed." The young man gulped, his eyes narrowing as the words sank in. "No longer needed?" he asked, his voice barely audible. "That's correct."

A poem ...Today's offering is a poem. I hope you like it! Shadows dance upon the wall I walk among them, my dance indifferent

I stand tall in a space where people like to come. A place of calm and beauty. Where they sit, sign, relax, read, and ease. They come from different areas for different reasons. And there is no judgment or requirements to be here with me. I guess they like that part. I know I do. And I love my group of companions that come.

Reopen my wounds, slip your fingers inside the hollows of crimson and force the hurt out…Slow and agonizing, yet orgasmic urges grow stronger through the pain—flashes of red flow down the curves of my body sparking the delight of punishment inside me. Hold my hands. Love me until my flesh has turned raw…

Mystery island of love or horror? Find out when Cormac takes his boat out to search for what his grandmother spoke of years ago.

"To boat or not to boat...that is the question." I giggled as I walked up the boat, giving my best Shakespearean voice. I had never gone fishing before, but this was a bucket list activity, so today was the day. I chose an off-the-beaten-path place with only a few boats to rent, and the space was relatively quiet. It was solitude I wanted. When I arrived, there was only one boat left. It was a row boat. Great. The man in the office was odd; he was mysterious. A little weird but not frightening. He gave me a pack of complimentary supplies and pointed at the small row boat at the end of an old dock.

It was frightening. I had got up that morning to go to work like any other day. I wasn’t looking forward to work and I remember praying for something to happen so I wouldn't have to go. Yeah. I probably shouldn’t have done that. The one time my prayers were answered. I had just got my coffee, the usual spot and my usual drink. My routine was pretty regular, anyone could figure it out. It never occurred to me that someone might be following me. But they were. I stopped at an ATM to grab some cash, stepped to the corner to cross the street and was met by a car. Two men grabbed me and dragged me in, I didn’t see their faces. They drove for bit, tying me up and blindfolding me as they drove. The car stopped after a while and they put me in the cold dark trunk. I was terrified. What was happening?

It was a horrific scene. As Gavin pulled over, he felt a knot tighten in his stomach; he knew this was going to be bad. The sounds of screaming and sirens filled the air, creating an eeriness he didn't like. The intersection was a chaotic mess, the expected aftermath of a serious accident. Gavin struggled to stay focused, his eyes darting across the street at the mangled cars, shaking his head in disbelief. He considered just going home for a moment but couldn't bring himself to leave. He had to stop and help. So, he pulled over.

It was dark, the sun still well below the horizon. Will glanced at the clock; 2 a.m. glowed back at him. Despite his exhaustion, sleep eluded him. His mind clung to the past, memories refusing to loosen their grip, haunting his waking hours. He sighed deeply, turning to his side to face the wall. Shadows danced on the surface, reminiscent of Melissa's graceful steps. He smiled faintly, remembering her twirling with effortless grace, her hair flowing as she moved. Whether there was music or not, she always found a rhythm. The memory brought a bittersweet comfort, lulling him into a fragile sleep. His rest was short-lived. The blaring alarm ripped through the silence, marking the start of another grueling day. Will sat on the edge of the bed, stretching out stiff muscles from the week's relentless training. The barracks buzzed with early movement, fellow trainees already up and getting ready for the day.