Aeris Walker

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2022

Stories (25)

25 Stories

3849 karma pts

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“Pants are Optional” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #166

Be honest with yourself; you have a problem. You spent all those years saving and planning and preparing for the moment when, come that first Monday morning, you could ignore the hour and roll over and sleep until only your aching bones could force you from your bed. Now, you have nowhere to be. You can enjoy the sunrise from the patio chair on your back porch instead of squinting into it from the backed-up line of morning traffic. You can brew fresh coffee and drink it while it’s hot in a fragile, ceramic mug—a mug not intended ...

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“"William Raymond Lawson, Is That You?"” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #164

Old Mr. Bill was long gone from this world when a neighbor finally found him, slumped in his chair with a cat curled at his feet. The poor woman didn’t expect to find him dead, though at his age, no one should've assumed he'd live much longer, but the shock of his death was nearly overshadowed by what she found in his home: an overwhelming and astonishing volume of artwork. Paintings hung on almost every square inch of the walls, some on simple canvases, others in gilded frames. They lined both sides of the hallway and the stairwell leading ...

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“A Barren Wasteland ” by Aeris Walker

Submitted to Contest #160

Content Warning: Mild foul languageThe paper product aisle is a barren wasteland. All of it, desecrated by desperate, panicked consumers. Every square of toilet paper, every sheet of facial tissue, every quilted fiber of paper towel has been snatched up and hoarded by greedy, overreacting defecators. Even the vehicle interior polishing wipes have vanished from the shelves. The absurdity is unparalleled; now I’ll have to try another store.I can think of no logical reason why there should be such a drought of toilet-tissue. The product has nev...

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“If I Let You” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #159

If I let you touch her, will you please be gentle? Just squeeze her little foot, rub her hand, feel her soft head. Look, she’s smiling; she likes you.If I let you hold her, will you please stop pouting? Here, come sit on the couch. Be gentle, not too tight—hold her head up. She’s new and little, and you must be careful. This is your sister; she lives here now, and I know she’s going to love you.If I bring you your own blanket, would you please stop crying? Here, I’ll wrap it around your shoulders, all soft and warm. And here’s a hat for your...

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“The Perfect Couple” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #157

She thinks she wants him, but really, she needs me. He doesn’t appreciate her like I do, won’t love her like I could. She is blind to his control, but I want to free her from it. For her—for us. So we can be together.We will be together.***It is week one of filming. The chosen few arrive on set with glossy hair, and bright smiles, and a suitcase bulging with only their best—the most flattering colors, the sexiest silhouettes; they are here to find love as the world is watching.Overcaffeinated producers greet each participant and assign them ...

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“Kindred Souls” by Aeris Walker

Submitted to Contest #155

Content Warning: Mild foul language, gore, death.Skin sagged on his bones like melting wax. A chunk of flesh had pulled away from his bicep and hung like a red tongue. Deep lacerations on his shoulder revealed gashes of congealed blood and tissue. Fitzgerald Nicholas Bartleby, Jerry, as he was known in life, sat on a bench, watching children laugh and squeal as they chased each other across the unnaturally verdant Astroturf of the local playground. Jerry came each morning and chose the same wrought-iron bench in the center of the park; it wa...

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“Foretold in Smoke” by Aeris Walker

🏆 Winner of Contest #152

Content Warning: Mild foul languageMarie S. 5/5 Stars Vivienne is incredible! My life has completely changed since my visit. It’s like a light came on and she’s somehow unlocked all this hidden potential. She’s the best, seriously just go. Call today!Bradley J. 5/5Worth every penny. Highly recommend.Kevin R. 5/5 StarsI never thought I’d come to a place like this, but when I was at an all-time low, I just needed someone to tell me if life was worth sticking around for. I wanted to know if it ever got better. Vivienne made me believe that it w...

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“A Lifetime of Love” by Aeris Walker

Submitted to Contest #147

His sticky hands snag my fur, but I don’t mind.Ben’s room has transformed into an island, and I am stranded at the base of an erupting volcano. The rug is lava, this cardboard box my vessel. I’ve been bound by the ruthless one-armed tyrannosaurus rex who has cast me in this shoddy boat and left me to fate. It is sinking, lower and lower into the molten rock.“Oh no!” My boy voices my need for rescue with a falsetto squeal. “Help me, someone help me!” Ben maneuvers my head so it appears I’m yelling.My boat is tipping; I am inches from the bubb...

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“A Tempestuous Mind” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

I fear I am unwell.My startling outburst last evening must have confirmed this for you, and it will come as no surprise to anyone if you choose to put me away. I heard the viscount committed his own wife for a much lesser offense; the poor woman allegedly exhibited a fit of rage over tangled embroidery thread. Describing her behavior as “unnerving and volatile,” his assessment was damning enough to secure her future behind a stone-walled asylum. Though I dare never mention where my loyalties lie in the matter, I feel quite sympathetic toward...

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“What You Don't See” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #144

I am your wedding photographer. I see it all.Decadent guests arrive in clusters. Heads turn and take in the grounds, the décor. Women fawn over flowers and dresses. Children fight to break away from grownups’ grips.The deep hum of a cello hushes all chatter. Tuxedo-clad men line the stage, shifting and fidgeting. The groom watches the door and wrings his hands.Music crescendos and the audience stands. A confection of white appears, a spray of roses bloom at its center. Chiffon rustles as an angel glides toward a man. Dewy eyes are mesmerized...

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Author bio

Reader. Writer. American. Wife. Mother. Student. Always. Caffeinated. Thanks for stopping by and reading my stories; I genuinely appreciate it! I've taken down many of my old stories to revise, recycle, or remove entirely from the digital world, but if you are interested in reading more, my favorites have all been published in a collection of short stories! https://www.amazon.com/Song-Forest-Collection-Short-Stories/dp/B0C4NHR2W1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684860102&sr=1-1 Copyright © 2023 Aeris Walker All Rights Reserved. Using content without permission is prohibited.

Winning 3 stories 🏆

Contest #192

Strawberry Jam Under the Sea – read story

Contest #181

Out of Place on the Appalachian Trail – read story

Contest #152

Foretold in Smoke – read story

Shortlisted 8 stories ⭐️

Contest #215

Under a Dying Sun – read story

Contest #209

Some Kind of Goldilocks – read story

Contest #166

Pants are Optional – read story

Contest #164

"William Raymond Lawson, Is That You?" – read story

Contest #159

If I Let You – read story