
SHORT STORIES
Every stone carries a story.
Within Margaret Hamlin’s growing fiction universe, each short story introduces a new “Stone” — a young life shaped by prophecy, challenged by doubt, and tested by choices that matter. Inspired by the imagery and themes of the Book of Revelation, these stories explore courage, identity, faith, sacrifice, and the tension between fear and hope in uncertain times.
Each character stands at a crossroads.
Each decision echoes beyond themselves.
Each stone reveals something different about truth, strength, and redemption.
Step into their worlds. Discover who they are. And see how their stories connect.

Tree of Life
In a Nigeria where shadows have teeth, fourteen-year-old Neesha discovers that her talent for being "invisible" isn't just a survival tactic, it’s a supernatural escape into a realm of light. While the terrifying Reapers sweep through villages like tornadoes and the Scorpion Riders steal away everyone she loves, Neesha and her silent brother, Taye, find themselves trapped in the Sambisa Forest under the iron thumb of their cruel Aunt Adisa. But when a mysterious traveler appears, and a forbidden book from her Great Nana begins to reveal its secrets, Neesha must choose between staying buried in a bunker or risking everything to find a legendary Paradise in the Mambilla Mountains. The world as she knows it is ending, but her journey to the Tree of Life is just beginning.

December The Twenty-Fifth
In a future draped in blackness where memories fade like old photographs, fourteen year old Bae lives a life governed by silence and shadows. The green grass is gone and the empty streets are haunted by terrifying Reapers that flash through the sky. Bae struggles to remember the faces of the parents he lost until a mysterious dog leads him into the ruins of a forgotten world. There he meets an old man named Eli who speaks of a forbidden holiday called Christmas and reveals that Bae’s true name is Abraham.
Eli presses a small white stone into Bae’s palm with a final warning to keep it hidden. When the stone begins to glow, it unlocks a vision that challenges everything Bae was told about his past. He must now decide if he will remain a shadow in the high-rise or embrace the dangerous legacy of the Hansels.

Foretoken
Brayden has been trapped for thirty-four days in the Wicklow School of Transformation, a place where rules are strict, beds are lined like soldiers, and freedom feels impossible. When Aideen, a mysterious girl with secrets of her own, appears, Brayden sees a chance to escape and uncover the truth about the world outside.
Between dangerous Caretakers, hidden tunnels, and a city threatened by fire and chaos, every decision could be their last. Can Brayden and Aideen outsmart the forces keeping them captive and survive the night?
Step into Wicklow School and discover a story of courage, trust, and the fight for freedom.

Milagros
Elizabeth and Jesse are still struggling after losing their son, their grief filling the quiet corners of their home. When a mysterious girl named Milagros appears in their backyard, carrying danger, secrets, and a miraculous gift, their world shifts in ways they could never imagine.
Between the threat of strangers, the mysteries of Milagros’ abilities, and the lingering shadow of loss, every choice could change everything. Can Elizabeth and Jesse protect her and find hope amid heartbreak?
Step into Milagros and experience a story of loss, courage, and the unexpected miracles that can arrive when you need them most.

The Knowing
Sai Batista has survived more than most could imagine, locked in a brutal world where the Reformists control everything and freedom is nearly impossible. When a young girl named Alisha is thrown into her cell, battered, terrified, and alone, Sai realizes that saving her might be the only way to save herself.
With corrupt guards, a maze-like facility, and the constant threat of violence, every move could be their last. As they fight to escape, secrets unfold, and the courage they never knew they had is tested to its limits.
Step inside The Knowing and experience a story of survival, hope, and the unexpected bonds that can rise from the darkest places.

Empath
Barnabas “BK” has always had a gift. He can feel what others feel and see what others see, but the streets of Chicago do not forgive weakness. When his young protege Amari witnesses a violent attack, BK must navigate a deadly game of power, betrayal, and revenge.
As pain, fear, and danger ripple through his mind and body, BK realizes that protecting those he loves may demand more than skill. It may demand everything he has. With enemies closing in, a baby brother in peril, and a city that never sleeps, every choice could be his last.
Step into Empath and experience a story of instinct, loyalty, and the weight of a gift that cuts deeper than any weapon.
