The Ink Well Highlights Magazine # 222

_{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 August 4 to August 10/2025.

Featured Author: @lailawrites ## [ Don't Sweat It ]( https://peakd.com/@lailawrites/don-t-sweat-it )  _{[Image generated using Google ImageFX ]( )}

> Mr. Graham appeared smaller in the bed now, with all of the machines and monitors around him. His skin was pale but his eyes were alert when Kamila approached. "There's my nurse," he said, his voice raspy from the breathing tube. "I heard you helped save my life." "I didn't do anything," Kamila started to say, but Bethany caught her eye and slightly shook her head. "Don't sweat it, kid. You did fine." @lailawrites 

Featured Author: @nachomolina2 ## [ Mixed feelings ]( https://peakd.com/@nachomolina2/creative-nonfiction-sentimientos-encontrados-oror-mixed-feelings-eng-spn)  _{[Unsplash ]( https://unsplash.com/es/fotos/cama-de-hospital-blanca-y-negra-eMeyGD9oQXo )}

>Behind the glass. In a corner of the neonatal room. In a small transparent crib, I saw a child, a baby, looking at me smiling, making small movements with his hands as if trying to reach me. That tender creature filled me with joy! >He didn't take his eyes off the bouquet of gladioli, as if he knew they were for him. That's how I understood the indescribable symptoms and emotions one feels when becoming a "father" for the first time. @nachomolina2 

Featured Author: @theypungboy ## [ In Lagos, Time Is the Real Hostage ]( https://peakd.com/@theypungboy/in-lagos-time-is-the-real-hostage-ctf )  _{[Pixabay ]( https://pixabay.com/photos/bus-people-transport-city-urban-7995858/ )}

>The woman, unfazed, adjusted her gele and looked out the window like she was on vacation. “Madam, you no dey fear?” the student with the phone asked. She smiled. “My pikin dey wait for me for Yaba market. This driver is going to drop me there. All of you, follow and enjoy the ride.” And then, just before Yaba, the twist came. @theypungboy 

Featured Author: @marsdave ## [ Breaking Chains Of Expectations: A Daughters Desire For Freedom. ]( https://peakd.com/@marsdave/breaking-chains-of-expectations-a-daughters-desire-for-freedom )  _{[ image generated using Meta AI.]( )}

>Well, I didn’t understand then, and my mind never went there. Not long after, I realized watbit was, why haven't I thought about this all this while, something that's within my reach, something that would let Baba release me more easily.... I wished the Adewale’s family would come by again, and God heard my prayers, they came by some weeks later and by then....I was more than ready. @marsdave 

Featured Author: @zerah ## [ Voluntary Hostage ]( https://peakd.com/@zerah/voluntary-hostage )  _{[Pixabay ]( https://pixabay.com/photos/phone-iphone-mobile-green-8594571/ )}

>But by the time I was done, I realised I still had a long time to go without my phone. My hands began to itch, and my brain longed for my phone. For the trending gist online. I fought myself to stay cool. I wasn't going to fall for it and prove to Chike and Anita that I was truly a hostage to my phone. Besides, they were monitoring me closely this time. By afternoon, I was already muttering to myself. “What if someone’s calling me?” “Stop talking to yourself,” Anita said from her room. "I can hear you. Resist that urge." @zerah  @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]( https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-106), [107](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-107),[108](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-108), [109]( https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-109), [110]( https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-110), [111]( https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-111), [112](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-112), [113](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-113), [114](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-114), [115]( https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-115), [116](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-115-rygp7m), [117](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-117), [118](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-118), [119](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-119), [120](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-120), [121](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-121), [122](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-121-s0lhi7-hive-170798), [123](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-123), [124](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-124), [125](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-125), [126](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-126), [127](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-127), [128](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-128),[129](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-129),[130](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-130), [131](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-131),[132](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-132),[133](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-133),[134](https://peakd.com/publish?edit=theinkwell%2Fthe-ink-well-highlights-magazine-133-s4zt51), [135](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-135), [136](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-136), [138](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-138), [139](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-139),[140](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-140), [141](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-141), [142](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-142), [143](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-143), [144](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-144), [145](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-145), [146](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-146),[147](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-147), [148](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-148), [149](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-highlights-magazine-149), [150](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwel