The Ink Well Highlights Magazine # 188

_{Image modified using a picture by Becca Clark from Pixabay}

This periodic magazine highlights a small selection of short stories posted to The Ink Well community that stood out and were awarded a Curie vote. Thank you to all authors in The Ink Well for sharing your creative work!

Important Note

We are showcasing authors who have contributed well-written and edited stories, have read and commented on the work of other authors and comply with all of the community rules posted on our home page. These activities help our community thrive.

The following are just a few of our favorite stories from December 6 to December 12 /2024.

Featured Author: @popurri ## [ Our first game ](https://peakd.com/@popurri/our-first-game-engesp )  _{[ Pixabay ](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/equipo-equipo-de-baloncesto-de-chicas-1474506/ )}

> We were both very nervous. I saw the players very tall, and they were playing with a lot of pressure to take the ball away from us. But when I started to play I was no longer afraid, and I did what I had learned... I played as a team. >And in a moment that I still remember very clearly, when the ball was passed to me near the goal and I threw it into the corner of the red rectangle on the backboard, as I had learned not to miss, the ball bounced from there into the basket. I felt a push. It had been the tall player with the glasses, but she couldn't stop me from making the two points, and she also committed a foul. >At that moment, I felt extremely happy. I had made my first basket. And I had taken a free throw and made it. @popurri 

Featured Author: @osomar357 ## [ Between gifts, shadows and spells of terror]( https://peakd.com/@osomar357/fiction-between-gifts-shadows-and)  _{[Pixabay]( https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/ai-generado-ni%C3%B1o-regalo-susto-8447426/ )}

> After a while, Laura was overcome by sleep. But she woke up scared, she felt like screaming, but she couldn't, something didn't allow it, and she saw how a deformed and frightening shadow, reflecting through the moonlight, on the wall of her room, appeared, approached her bed and began to pull her by the feet, drawing her into the darkest part of the shadow. >Laura, at that moment, began to pray and mentally say all the prayers that she knew, and after a few seconds, which for her was a huge time, she was able to move and start screaming in a desperate way. Laura's sister came into the room, turned on the light, and got a Laura, hysterical, terrified and full of fear. @osomar357 

Featured Author: @amarachi22 ## [ LETTING GO ](https://peakd.com/@amarachi22/letting-go)  _{[ Image generated using Meta AI ]( )}

> "I didn't have the courage to do it in person, but I hope you like it. From my heart to yours. >Your secret crush," it said. >I went on to open the secret gift, and behold, it was a beautiful gold necklace with intricate designs. I loved it. My curiosity Curiosity got the better of me, and I strove every day to unravel my secret crush. The day I finally found out who he was, we were at the school garden alone, and he confessed his feelings for me. I was so happy because I also felt the same, and that's how we started. @amarachi22 

Featured Author: @gabmr ## [ It Was Another Santa ](https://peakd.com/@gabmr/it-was-another-santa )  _{[ Pixabay ]( https://pixabay.com/photos/fire-flame-flames-heart-heat-hot-166421/)}

> Irving came to realize who it was by the time half the house was in pieces. >“You're...you're the witch I visited last night. I just asked you to give me a love like the ones in the Christmas movies,” he explained. >And, here I am, your Christmas in advance for life!” replied Lavissa before pouncing on Irving with a Machiavellian expression. >Against a corner of his own house, tachycardic and helpless, that's how Irving thought his life would end. However, a stampede of men broke down the front door and lit up the scene both literal and metaphorically. @gabmr 

Featured Author: @nancybriti1 ## [ The face of faith ](https://peakd.com/@nancybriti1/creative-nonfiction-the-face-of-faith-el-rostro-de-la-fe-eng-esp )  _{[ Pixabay ]( https://pixabay.com/es/illustrations/ai-generado-mujer-rostro-flores-8559584/ )}

> A week ago she came in with a hemorrhage. We have to do a biopsy to see what she has and to be able to operate. But as long as she is bleeding they can't do the biopsy and no matter how much medication they have given her, the bleeding won't stop". >She listened and then like an angel, she assured: >"Tomorrow we are going to do the biopsy. Just pray to God that tomorrow morning you wake up without bleeding. I will come at 7 a.m. just for that. What's more, since it's nothing, I'm the one who will operate on you when the test results come back. Have faith,” she said in a kind voice and left. @nancybriti1 

Featured Author: @nathy33 ## [ At last I found myself ](https://peakd.com/@nathy33/at-last-i-found-myself-engesp )  _{[Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/beb%C3%A9-chico-ni%C3%B1o-linda-familia-72224/)}

> can't deny that those words made me feel guilty and some people nearby made comments about things that happened to acquaintances of theirs for dyeing their hair. Of course, after that I decided not to dye my hair. > For a long time I let myself go and let others decide what was good or not good for me, for the sake of not doing things wrong. But when my son turned 2 years old I didn't recognize myself anymore, I lost myself. I could not even say what my favorite food was, read a book or a story, which was my passion before, but everyone said that as a mother I should stop wasting my time, so I did not read anymore, I did not leave the house either, I thought @nathy33  @jayna , @gracielaacevedo , @yaziris , @itsostylish , @samsmith1971, and @agmoore p.s. You can see the past magazines here: [1](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-march-25-2021), [2](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-april-1-2021), [3](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-april-10-2021), [4](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-april-17-2021), [5](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-april-24-2021), [6](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-may-1-2021), [7](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-may-9-2021), [8](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-may-16-2021), [9](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-may-23-2021), [10](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-may-30-2021), [11](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-june-6-2021), [12](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-june-13-2021), [13](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-13-june-20-2021), [14](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-14-and-announcement-june-29-2021), [15](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-15-and-weekly-top-commenters-july-5-2021), [16](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-16-and-weekly-top-commenters-july-12-2021), [17](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-17-and-top-commenter-recognition-august-15-2021), [18](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-18-and-top-commenter-recognition-august-22-2021), [19](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-19-and-top-commenter-recognition-august-29-2021), [20](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-20-and-top-commenter-recognition-september-5-2021), [21](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-21-and-top-commenter-recognition-september-12-2021), [22](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-22),[23](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-23), [24](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-24), [25](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-25), [26](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-26), [27](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-27), [28](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-28), [29](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-29), [30](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-30), [31](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-31), [32](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-32), [33](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-33), [34](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-34), [35](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-35), [36](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-36), [37](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-37), [38](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-37-r67be3), [39](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-39), [40](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-40), [41](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-41), [42](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-42), [43](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-43), [44](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-44), [45](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-45), [46](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-46-r98a9r),[47](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-47), [48](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-48), [49](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-49), [50](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-50), [51](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-51), [52](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-52), [53](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-53), [54](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-54), [55](https://peakd.com/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-55), [56](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-56), [57](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-57), [58](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-58), [59](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-59), [60](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-60), [61](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-61), [62](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-62), [63](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-63), [64](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-64), [65](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-65), [66](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-66), [67](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-67),[68](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-68), [69](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-69), [70](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-70), [71](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-71), [72](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-72), [73](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-73), [74](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-74), [75]( https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-75), [76](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-76), [77](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-77), [78](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-76-rkraog-hive-170798), [79](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-79), [80](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-80), [81](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-81), [82](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-82), [83](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-83), [84](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-84), [85](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-85), [86](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-86), [87](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-87), [88](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-88), [89](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-89), [90](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-90), [91](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-91), [92](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-92), [93](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-93), [94](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-94), [95](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-95), [96](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-96), [97](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-97), [98](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-98), [99](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-99), [100](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-100), [101](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-101), [102](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-102), [103](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-103), [104](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-104), [105](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-105), [106]( 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