Episode 2: WHAT LIVES BENEATH THE HOUSE I did not die that night. I wished I had. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I felt was cold deep, biting cold that entered my bones. My body was trapped, squeezed tightly, unable to move. The smell hit me next. Rot. Damp soil. Blood. I realized with horror that I was buried alive. The earth pressed against my chest, my mouth filled with sand...

For centuries, Africa has been home to rich cultures, advanced kingdoms, vibrant trade systems, and diverse civilizations. But the arrival of colonial powers drastically altered the continent’s path of development. While some may argue that colonialism introduced certain modern systems, the long-term effects on Africa’s growth, identity, and independence were overwhelmingly...

The Day I Hid to See the Truth I used to think I knew everything about my daughter. My name is Olivia Carter, and for two years after my divorce, it had been just Lily and me in our quiet Massachusetts home. She was thirteen bright, responsible, the kind of child teachers praised and neighbors smiled at. I told myself we were okay. That I was doing enough. Then my neighbor spoke up. One...

Dark fiber, also known as unlit fiber, refers to unused or underutilized optical fiber cables that have been laid underground but are not yet activated with network equipment to carry data traffic. Originally installed by telecommunication companies during the dot-com boom, dark fiber was meant to address the anticipated surge in internet usage. However, much of the infrastructure remained...

  If love truly announces itself, then gossip announces it louder. I didn’t realize people were watching us until they started talking. At first, it was playful jokes from fellow teachers. Then it became whispers, glances, and knowing smiles. Anytime Daniel and I laughed together or stood too close, I could feel eyes following us. One afternoon, a bold pupil asked, “Madam...