by Cherise Papa | Mar 26, 2025 | Flash Fiction, Paranormal
My eyes snapped open to the darkness of my oversized coffin. The air tasted stale, cold. My arm was outstretched across cold sheets, an abandoned pillow. Jessica. My fingers grasped at the unlocked latch, the lid lifting to reveal an empty room. I stalked from...
by Cherise Papa | Mar 13, 2025 | Life, Teaching
Today was bittersweet. This past year, I developed and taught an online, specialty character creation course for high school students. Four mini-courses of four classes each. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but also the most magical. Each class...
by Cherise Papa | Jan 1, 2025 | Fantasy, Flash Fiction
Happy New Year! A weather-worn piano awaits in the center of overgrown portals, moss and vines obscuring the stone bases. My throat dries. No one had warned me music was the key to the portals, only constantly reminding me that I was the chosen one, that I was...
by Cherise Papa | Dec 31, 2024 | Goals, Life
This year was hard, and I didn’t achieve any of my personal goals. But there were a few amazing things to celebrate, and I’ve tried to spend some time focusing on them instead of mourning what I didn’t do. So here are the few things I did manage this...
by Cherise Papa | Dec 25, 2024 | Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Paranormal
Turns out I wrote for the wrong prompt, so here is the story for the right one! Deep beneath the snow, where only cold darkness reigns, time stands still. My body is too numb to shiver, and I only feel unending pain. Focus, I remind myself. I chose to be...
by Cherise Papa | Dec 25, 2024 | Fantasy, Flash Fiction
A tingle warmed the back of my neck despite winter’s bitter wind, and I tensed instantly. Snow blanketed the empty fields surrounding me, but an abandoned-looking barn set deep in distant trees caught my eye. Inhaling deeply, I tapped into my senses, seeking for...
by Cherise Papa | Aug 22, 2024 | Life, Teaching
As summer winds to an end, I wanted to announce the cool things I have going on this fall and school year. First off, I’m teaching a new course series at Homeschool Connections for teens, that I got to develop and create all on my own. It’ll feature...
by Cherise Papa | Aug 21, 2024 | Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Romance
With a single hand, the traveler adjusted his long hair to ensure his pointed ears were covered. In his other hand, he cradled the last two bites of a pastry, delicate flakes clinging to his palm. Need to devour the remnants itched at the back of his throat, but he...
by Cherise Papa | Aug 14, 2024 | Flash Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
His cold hands ghosted over her bare shoulders as Elizabeth stared into the old mirror, only her reflection gazing back. “This dress,” the vampire groaned, “it will be my undoing.” Her lips quirked in a small smile, despite the ball of...
by Cherise Papa | Aug 7, 2024 | Fantasy, Flash Fiction
Shouting rumbled through the walls below, and the boy lazily stuck a bookmark into his comic book and tossed it on his bed. The shouting grew louder, and rushed footsteps ascended the stairs. One breath, two breaths. The boy’s bedroom door slammed open. His...
