Allen Dorf

“Step Out” by Allen Dorf

Another day and again I am in the same room. Sure, there’s a bookcase, tv, laptop, even a treadmill… but beyond that is nothing but plastic. Plastic that my very life depended on… or so my parents told me. I don’t remember the name of it but the most basic explanation is that I am “immunocompromised.” A single germ could kill me… and that’s why everything has to be disinfected and sterilized before it even gets into my “bubble” of a room. But even with that my parents still have to put on yellow hazmat suits just to be with me. Here in my...

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“A Little Help” by Allen Dorf

Every so often I find myself looking back. Back to those seemingly legendary “good old days” where I was a kid and my parents took care of me. To my high school days when I realized my dream of becoming an artist… but then coming back to the reality that I didn’t put any effort in honing my craft or style until NOW. The relief I felt from finding my dream was apparently so great… I didn’t feel like actually practicing. Now in my thirties I at least felt like practicing and even had an idea of what my style is like. That said, practicing w...

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“The End of Zelnoss” by Allen Dorf

Submitted to Contest #105

For Len it very much seemed like the end. There he was, on the outskirts of Zelnoss, digging his own grave as two thugs were holding him at gunpoint. Him, an orphan thief no more than 10… all because he got “too nosy.” However, he could not help it. His father was murdered and he was just a maker of Bags of Holding. Forced to live on the streets and steal to survive. Asking anyone and everyone if they knew anything about his father… and this time one of the gangs felt he was asking too many questions… he wasn’t even sure if the gang kille...

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“A Little Alchemy” by Allen Dorf

Submitted to Contest #104

“So… are you coming?” I saw Josh text me. I had been dreading this question for the past week. Why? Because it was an invitation… to a party. Sure, I was 16… a sophomore… I’m supposed to be all “raging hormones and wanting to have fun” … but parties just weren’t my thing…I hate crowds… I don’t drink (hell, kids our age aren’t even supposed to… but do it anyway like it’s some kind of secret club)… I don’t do drugs (again… we’re NOT supposed to even do these)… in the looks department I was “okay” (somewhere between “ugly” ...

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“Walpurgis Touch” by Allen Dorf

Submitted to Contest #103

If you should find this letter, then that means I was not around to get rid of it. My name is Gavin Krier and I have had… a “time” … I guess is what you could call it. All the same, I intend to leave thisletter in case my “experiment” does not work out. What you’re about to read will sound downright bonkers but I will write what I have experienced all the same… and as best I can. Even I find this whole thing insane… but even so… this is what happened to me…Three years ago, I found a new job and quit drinking my fa...

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“The Furukawa Diaries” by Allen Dorf

Submitted to Contest #102

To whosoever finds this diary I just want to first say that I, Furukawa Shiki, am not a stalker. What follows is my diary as well as some observations of an individual I chanced upon as I was looking out my window. Being sickly as I am that is one of the few things I am able to do here in Koiwa. Even more so as I learned over the years that Koiwa is more a place to “live” and not a place to “stay.” Anyway, the fol...

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“Peace Offering” by Allen Dorf

Submitted to Contest #100

Peace OfferingThe two were fighting once again. Phenius of the Zweihander and Garv of the Scimitar. Two legendary warriors of the kingdoms of Logozoros and Hemla. So powerful, and unorthodox, were these two that they would end up separated from their enemies every time they faced each other in battle. Their kingdoms had been at war with each other for 300 no signs of stopping. As such, today was another such fight between these two… and it now took them five miles away from where their actual armi...

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“Alaph” by Allen Dorf

The Ritual Site, the people from the village, a figure in black, and a fire that enveloped everyone. It was because of these images in my dream, or I guess “nightmare” would be better, that I awoke in cold sweat and tears. Right as I did, mother came in, surprised to see me awake, and said: “Oh my, you must have been eager for today’s festivities. This is the first time you’ve awoken on your own,...

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