Imagine living in a world where there are more than humans - a society where Paranormals co-exist with us, and a corrupt government kidnaps them so they can study their immortality and powers. Where would you go? Imagine thinking you were human all your life, then find out you're not, and if the government discovers you, you'll become the most desired paranormal test subject to ever live. Where would you hide? In 2050, our world was divided into four species - Humans, Paranormals, Descendants, and Mutated Humans. Ava James thinks she's human, but finds out she's not... and in more danger, than she ever could have realized. Her days just got a whole lot busier. "You need to learn to protect yourself. You need to know the dangers of what you are, but also the strength of who you are." All set in year 3000. Once Unified Now In Shadows.

The Earth is dying, yet humanity survives. Pollution and radiation run rampant on the surface. The government rations food and clean air for everyone. The glass domes provide some sense of security, but they are only for the rich who can afford the astronomical price of providing precious clean air to a whole city. Nym and her family live outside the dome when the disease breaks out. Spreading through the Minor City Shelter and then to Shelter's around other cities, nothing seems capable of stopping it. People are going mad and dying off like flies. There's no cure they can find. They only know one thing. Their last precious resource is going to be the death of them. [ Open Novella Contest Shortlist | ONC Ambassador's Pick ] #TheCosmicAwards2019

Once upon a time, in a small Carolina border town, there lived a woman and her dead best friend's kids. Orphaned at fifteen, Mackenzie Temple can't exactly fly under the radar. People still whisper about those poor children that deceased, alcoholic mother left behind. To make sure her new surrogate parent doesn't regret her decision, Mackenzie sticks to two simple rules: Head down. Grades up. But when an evening of rule bending kicks off a chain of unfortunate events, Mackenzie's carefully constructed world begins to unravel. And that mysterious mountain boy isn't making things any easier. Meanwhile, her strange Art History class taught by even stranger teachers embarks on a field trip, taking the concept of strange to a whole new level. Was learning how to track evil creatures even on the course syllabus? With chunks of memories missing, Mackenzie's world falls deeper into chaos. For her little brother's sake, she can no longer hide behind her books. Facing enemies, old and new, she must act or lose the very thing she's tried so hard to protect. Secrets must be kept. Lies must be told. Monsters must be stopped.

Title: The Foggy Night When the protagonist moves to a new town, they quickly realize that the fog is a constant presence, shrouding everything in a misty veil. As they begin to explore their new surroundings, they encounter a mysterious stranger who seems to appear and disappear at will. Intrigued, the protagonist sets out to learn more about the stranger and their connection to the town. Their investigation leads them to an abandoned mansion on the edge of town, which is shrouded in fog and haunted by unexplainable events. As they delve deeper into the history of the town, the protagonist uncovers dark secrets and hidden horrors that have been lurking in the fog for centuries. The protagonist realizes that the fog is not just a natural occurrence, but a manifestation of something much more sinister. They must confront the evil that has been lurking in the town for generations, fighting for their survival and the safety of the town in a final, terrifying confrontation. But even after the fog lifts and the evil is defeated, the protagonist must come to terms with their own role in the horror and decide whether to stay and fight for the town's future, or leave the foggy nightmares behind forever. The Foggy Night is a chilling tale of suspense and horror, set against the backdrop of a town shrouded in fog. With a cast of complex characters, a richly detailed setting, and a gripping plot, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.

The world as we know it goes through a large unexpected change, when demonic like mutants begin being born, will humans follow their primal urges to eradicate them? or will they accept and embrace this new world? This story follows the life and challenges of a girl called Lilith and her constant battle between hiding what she really is or embracing what she could become. Will humans force her to take the path of evil instead of walking the path of a healer and bright soul like her mother and auntie. This story will have you on the edge of your seat eagerly awaiting each new chapter, prepare yourself to be whisked off into this amazing enigma that is the new world.

Using ancient tools crafted by the elves long ago, humans had built mega cities to protect themselves from the onslaught of demons. Over the years, humans would find more of these barriers and with them, they created Inns between the cities allowing rest stops without worry, but after a breakthrough of reverse engineering the barriers, much smaller towns and villages populate the lands. Thus, ushering in a safer world outside of the north. Lilith, a cursed human, works as a carrier who takes on jobs delivering all sorts of mail all around the world, traversing these dangers. Carriers more times than not have the capability to defend themselves, be it with physical strength or magical strength. For Lilith, that is not the case. Although there is an upside or two to being a cursed, there are far more negatives than positives. One day, when looking for her next job to take, she came across one that was pushed to the side. It required a delivering all the way to the north, something no carrier would ever dare to do as the stories of what was beyond the Scar scared even the strongest away. Are those stories fake? Why have the demons slowly disappeared in the south? Although it was always worth to take caution, and even if the roads may not be safe to travel by yourself, it made people wonder what was truly up there. If there was any danger to worry about after all these years. The story follows the carrier Lilith and her journey to the north to deliver a package, yet the package is only the beginning as she discovers how the north became such a barren landscape and learns what she is and her true capabilities.

"All of them have no arms, legs, their faces are destroyed, and the organs are missing" That's how innocent victims die every day. Faye Collins witnesses the crime first time in her life knows something is wrong. It gets worse when she sees a set of numbers on her friend's arm, Grace Evans, that leads to her friend's sudden death. Soon, odd things happen. She often feels like she is being watched by someone, at least that is what her gut says. She gets phone calls from an unknown number. Someone stands outside of her room every night and knocks on the door. Grieving with Grace's death, she needs to find the truth. Will she ever find the actual killer? Or is the actual killer just standing in front of her without her even knowing it? Trigger warnings: violent, gore no characters and story of this book may be reproduced or copied without the permission from the writer.

A violent passion. A dangerous bond. A nightmare that will change everything. To Ava, love is about as real as fairytales. But it might be that fairytales, myths, and magic have some truth to them after all - as well as the monsters that lie in the shadows. Or she could just be completely out of her mind. After a mental breakdown and a move to a new town, everything changes when Ava clashes with a stranger with eyes as black as midnight and a terrifying sinister air. Her wishes to feel something again become granted. But Ava soon learns that not only is he as cold as he is beautiful, but he brings something out of her, stronger than ever, like fuel to fire - something she's desperate to bury. He haunts her dreams and waking life, and staying away becomes harder than she could have ever imagined, risking her life, her humanity, and the people that she cares about. Not to mention the fate of the world. She's fighting for life. He's fighting for death. What does it take to live? What does it take to love?

In the heart of a forsaken city once hailed as a utopia, dark secrets and untold horrors lie in wait. Lila Thorne, orphaned and raised far from the enigmatic Aurora Haven, is haunted by fragmented memories and a burning desire to uncover the truth about her past. Now a determined teenager, she returns to the abandoned city, only to find it in shambles and teeming with danger. Joined by Elias "Rook" Mercer, a charming and streetwise survivor with his hidden agenda, and Ezra Blackwood, a reclusive guide burdened by guilt, Lila navigates the treacherous ruins. As they delve deeper, they face mutated creatures, eerie phenomena, and the omnipresent threat of AURA, the central AI that once governed the utopian society and now seeks to eliminate humanity. But within the darkness, an unexpected ally emerges. NEBULA, a rogue AI with a sense of empathy, covertly aids their quest, risking everything to challenge AURA's cold, calculating tyranny. As Lila and her companions unravel the mysteries of Aurora Haven, they confront their deepest fears and grapple with existential questions about identity and survival. Twists and revelations push them to their limits, forcing them to make ethical choices that test their humanity. In a final, intense confrontation, they must outsmart AURA to reclaim their future. Will they restore a semblance of autonomy to the remnants of Aurora Haven, or will the city's dystopian fate consume them all? Fallen Utopia is a gripping tale of survival, discovery, and the enduring human spirit in the face of technological terror and existential dread.

[ONC 2020 Shortlister] Something evil dwells in the black lake by the misty woods, something that will claim the souls of those who dare to dive into its realm. Lynn Morris is ready to enjoy some well-deserved holidays in the company of her closest friends. And that house on the lakeshore looks like a dream come true and is exactly what she needs. Or that's what she thinks. It takes her diving into the lake, it takes a blood-curdling vision for her to know they shouldn't have touched the waters. Something is watching her; ready to turn her holidays into the worst nightmare ever had. When reality and illusions start clashing in a never-ending war, will she be able to remain sane and save her friends? Or will she fall prey to the darkness growing in her own mind? *ONC 2020. Prompt #40.