A. S.

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2020

Stories (20)

20 Stories

865 karma pts

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“Human” by A. S.

Humans are exhausting.Enough said, right? No need for an explanation, no need to elaborate. Because you agree, don’t you? It must boggle your mind that humans have enough space in their brains to worry about such tiny things. Seriously.Pick one, anyone. They are fanned out like cards in my hands. Parting around my fingers like grains of sand, or clay. I like that though, don’t you? That these humans are so easily molded by someone’s inconsequential opinions that they change who they are? That one. The...

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“brass heavens” by A. S.

Each stolen fragment chips away at the skies. Splicing the brass fabric of the heavens into thin ribbons, allowing light to pass through. Moments later, the slender threads knit themselves together again with the practiced grace of a weaver.  But the memory of universes opening at Rook’s fingertips is fresh, a cellist pulling at the strings, building to a crescendo in his chest. The careful awakening of peering into the dark cavern of his bones, breathing shallowly, waiting. His lips part in a breathless scream, burnin...

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“Dachau” by A. S.

My fingers catch in the angry, matted snarls of my hair, as I struggle to untangle the strands. The curls brush their sweat laden fingers against my cheeks, clearing thin trails against the dirt and grime that has built up. Elbows jab into my sides with every shake and rattle of the cattle car. Each jarring movement sends heavy lidded eyes glancing my way through the fog-like haze that surrounds us.  Hunger claw...

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“Moments” by A. S.

            Your mother’s large eyes meet your own, her gaze filled with warmth that melts the flecks of ice in her stare. Her mouth parts in a wide circle; perfect lips drawn open with the exaggerated shape of a story. Her hands flutter around your face, showing you a small portion of the world that she inhabits. Your eyes are tugged open wide with wonder, holding you perfectly still. You know that the smallest movement could break her trance; send the icy walls crashing down ar...

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“Invictus” by A. S.

Focus Group: 1134Congratulations! Today is the day when you become connected to the WORLD, or world-online-recognition-lock-design. You will never be alone again! Our software is specifically designed to prevent pain and allow you the happiest life possible. So, lean back, relax, because your new life will begin installation in 3… 2… 1… The muted whomp filters through the drug induced, dreamlike haze that fills my mind. Needle-like pain trickles through my ears as the polished...

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“Dia De Los Muertos” by A. S.

The large hickory door looms in my vision, massive and imposing. Small windows bleed light through eye-like holes and the gargoyle knocker bares its teeth. From inside, the faint tone of the doorbell echoes throughout the cavernous rooms. With a deep-throated creak, the door swings open revealing a small, rotund figure.            “Why, hello, Kye!” The mild-mannered old woman adjusts her gingham apron. Small fin...

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“Shattered Refuge” by A. S.

Once they are gone, they never come back. Shattered moonlight drips across the crowded square. Pouring down buildings. Slipping through even the tiniest cracks. Fiery lights flicker up to where the moonlight ends. Trickling from crowded bars and street vendor’s carts. An explosion of multi-colored lights and rhythmic music fill the small square. With all the distraction, it is difficult the notice the sm...

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“Black and White and Red” by A. S.

Dear Lena,I’ve never been very good at writing letters. Or liked writing letters. But this is the easiest way to explain.Your fingers clench and release the pencil formulating how to put the one person who was always there for you, through the inevitable pain. Shouting from high overhead bleeds through the floorboards. Angry steps rain cobwebs and dust on your head, sprinkling silver into your hair; snowing white like the ashes that covered the ground. Heaps of dirty laundry fill the c...

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“Tapped For Error” by A. S.

His rosy-cheeked face peers at the bundle through an excitement induced fog, the thick lenses of his glasses magnifying his eyes to an impossible scale. Fading adrenaline lights his hickory smoke eyes, projecting his confidence to the corners of the room.“Well, that was fun and all… but now that we’ve had our laughs, we need to take it back.” Sweat plasters his snowflake hair to his scalp and he runs his fingers through it, raising it to stand on end.A carefully folded lump sits between us and every few moments he will tear ...

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“Forgotten Stars” by A. S.

The moon hung heavy in the sky that night. Smooth ivory silk that had been draped over a bulb, filtering the sparking, golden glow into something luminescent and unreachable. Stars were scattered throughout, drops of mercury splattered onto a canvas by an artist’s tired brush. The surrounding ink landscape was illustrated in such careful clarity that a single breath threatened to smudge it.             Feather-ti...

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“Beyond the Storm” by A. S.

Iain’s throbbing pulse thunders into his swollen fingertips; tightening the swollen mass of tissue where flesh connected with bone. Ears ring with the shouts of the figures around him. They gather together, moving in perfect synchronization until there is no escape. The largest one brushes his fingers against his lip, baring rat-like teeth in a menacing grin when it comes away bloody. Lightning flashes and illum...

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“Burning Red” by A. S.

The wind shrieked through the weathered branches of the leafless tree. Rattled the greying bones and snapped the weak outstretched fingers. At the tips of each branch, a few resilient leaves tried to hold on. A single rope cut through the dancing patterns in the bark. Under the massive tree, illuminated by the stark contrast of lightning against the night sky, stood a young woman. Her dress billowed against her thin form; the wind whipped thick red hair away from elegant features. The rope around her neck had rubbed the skin raw; the othe...

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“Secrets of the Lost” by A. S.

“Can you keep a secret?” The words tore her life apart like a crochet blanket her grandma once made. Catching on every loose thread and slowly pulling. Pulling until everything she knew unraveled. Moisture cuts through her rain jacket, proving that ten dollars really is too cheap for quality clothing. The soft scent of rain tugs at her consciousness, but she forces it back into the dark recesses of her mind. Tin...

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“Thorns” by A. S.

“Oh my gosh!” Your friend squeals ecstatically as a questionably brilliant idea blooms in her mind. Holding her hands out as if she was trying to capture the perfect picture, she beams and nods firmly. “This will be perfect!” she giggles, cheeks glowing with a rosy haze. You glance at your friend through the reflection of the mirror in front of you, hands clenching momentarily and loosening again.  The urge to q...

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“Paper” by A. S.

Sticky juice trickles down your knuckles, leaving trails of strawberry red in its wake. Your face is stained from the artificial sweetness of your popsicle, the sugary taste still lingers in the corners your lips and in your mouth. The stick sits in your slack hand, every last morsel of flavor pulled from the corpse of a miniature tree. You laugh a little at yourself, but it is quickly silenced. The warm summer air is a...

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Author bio

Don’t die without living first. Strive for anything more than ordinary. Words need to be felt before they are heard. Life is too short to hesitate.