Welcome back to another Question of the Week here at The Confusing Middle! As always, the questions come from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions, and this week we're leaving the restaurant behind. If you've been here for the last two weeks, you've earned it. We've spent enough time in that dining room. This week, … Continue reading Question of the Week #496
history
Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act III
This is an unofficial work of fan fiction. Indiana Jones, Short Round, and related characters are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. This story is shared for entertainment purposes only and no commercial claim is made. Act Three: The Dragon's Eye The monastery had no name that appeared on any map Li had consulted, which was … Continue reading Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act III
Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act II
This is an unofficial work of fan fiction. Indiana Jones, Short Round, and related characters are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. This story is shared for entertainment purposes only and no commercial claim is made. Act Two: Into Occupied China The river vessel was called the Dongting Plum and it smelled powerfully of fish, engine … Continue reading Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act II
Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act I
I rewatched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom recently, and somewhere between the mine cars and the Thuggee cult, I found myself stuck on a question I'd never really considered before: whatever happened to Short Round? He's one of the more memorable sidekicks in the Indiana Jones films, but he never appears in anything … Continue reading Short Round and the Dragon’s Eye – Act I
C – The Cold War Victory Earth
Welcome to the April A to Z Blogging Challenge! Every year, bloggers from around the world commit to posting every day in April (except Sundays), working through the alphabet one letter at a time. This year, I'm visiting twenty-six fictional alternate Earths — worlds that diverged from our own at some crucial moment and became … Continue reading C – The Cold War Victory Earth
The Scribe’s Paradox
Brother Thomas had been copying manuscripts in the scriptorium of Glastonbury Abbey for seventeen years, and in all that time, he had never once questioned the steady rhythm of his days. Dawn prayers, breakfast of bread and ale, then hours bent over vellum with his quill, carefully reproducing the words of Saint Augustine or chronicling … Continue reading The Scribe’s Paradox
What If Lincoln Had Lived?
In 2025, we mark 160 years since the end of the American Civil War—a brutal conflict that defined, divided, and ultimately reshaped our nation. It’s also been 160 years since the tragic night when Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, was struck down at Ford’s Theatre, just days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. For … Continue reading What If Lincoln Had Lived?
Beneath: An Explorer’s Tale
"What's up, Seekers! Logan Chase here, coming at you from—" Logan checked his GPS and frowned at the screen. "Somewhere in the Yucatán Peninsula, I think. GPS is spotty, but that's all part of the adventure!" He adjusted his headlamp and positioned the GoPro on his helmet for a better angle. The red recording light … Continue reading Beneath: An Explorer’s Tale
The Hollow Lands
Author's Note: This story explores an alternate history where the Black Death of 1347-1351 killed approximately 90% of Europe's population, rather than the roughly one-third estimated in our actual historical timeline. This devastating divergence from our history creates a world where European civilization nearly collapses completely, forever altering the course of global development and preventing … Continue reading The Hollow Lands
Blogmas the Twenty Second
It's that time of year again! The time when we dust off our vocal cords, gather 'round the piano (or Spotify playlist), and belt out our favorite Christmas carols. But have you ever stopped to think about the stories behind these beloved holiday tunes? Well, grab a mug of hot cocoa and get ready to … Continue reading Blogmas the Twenty Second
The Confusing Middle 