Grow up!

A short literary story about imagination, authority, and the quiet violence of growing up “successful.”

You probably learned this lesson early. That imagination is childish.
That stories are distractions.
That practical people don’t daydream. Somewhere along the way, something vital was taken—taken deliberately—and you were told it was for your own good.

Contraband is a short story about that moment.

Not the fantasy itself.
The moment it was taken away.

This Story Is:

A 5-minute read
Literary, not genre pulp
For readers who grew up loving stories—and were told to stop

This Story Is Not:

Self-help
Motivational content
A political rant
A children’s story

J.J Mercury writes literary dark fantasy and modern myth.His stories explore imagination, faith, power, and the cost of becoming “reasonable.”
If you’ve ever felt haunted by the life you didn’t choose,
this story is for you.