Alyce King

“The Unknown Manuscript.” by Alyce King

Submitted to Contest #251

I was rifling through the paperwork at speed whilst the rain battered the windows. Keep, maybe, throw. Keep, maybe, throw. Maybe, throw, throw, throw, keep, throw. Suddenly, I had cramp in my foot so stretched my legs out and tried not to roll around in pain and disturb my carefully piled piles of paperwork. How long had I been sitting here? Breathe in, hold, breathe out. I started to google ‘how to get rid of cramp’ when it started to subside. I had a feeling someone was watching me, you know, that sixth sense we sometimes have when it feel...

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“The Plan” by Alyce King

Submitted to Contest #242

‘’For goodness sake, come on, you can’t be serious?’’ she questioned him. He had been telling them all about the lady who passed today and peered over her sunglasses at him, and winked. ‘’I am serious, I saw her do it!’’ he cried. ‘’You’ll have a job,’’ she hushed under her breath, ‘’Mr no eyes, and anyway why was she wearing sunglasses indoors?!’’ The rest of the room fell about laughing, she smiled knowingly, they were still more favoured towards her, than him.She was proud of her looks; tidy hair under scarves, no need for lipstick as her...

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“The Note” by Alyce King

Submitted to Contest #240

She was standing on the street corner, waiting to cross the main road. She hated living here. The cars whizzed past, a harsh breeze against her skin, that smell of fuel through her nostrils. It settled around her feet, and it wasn't until the man next to her nudged her and said, ''think you dropped something,'' that she noticed it. She bent down to pick it up, knowing full well she hadn't 'dropped something' as she hadn't been carrying anything, as her fingertips grazed the surface, it took off, blowing in the direction she was going, yet do...

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“A Leaf From Above” by Alyce King

Submitted to Contest #239

As I stand under the falling leaves, I remember the times when I was a lot younger, that I believed in magic and spells. How I used to pretend to put spells on my teddies and dolls, and turn them into different toys. I watched the pack of cards change before my eyes, and didn’t know there was a way to do it. It was magic and I loved it. I loved that time of childhood - anything could happen and I could make anything happen, I could change the world, my little world. But today, I was standing under a tall beech tree, its leaves falling and ge...

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“The Silent Retreat” by Alyce King

This week was meant to be relaxing, rejuvenating and refreshing.  For the mind, body and soul. You came here when life got too busy, too much, too noisy. The aim was, you just be; you just be present, you just be yourself, you just be silent. The Silent Retreat.  We arrived Monday at twelve noon. We all bobbed in through the doors like soldiers, there are fourteen of us, which sounds a lot, but when nobody talks, it’s like being alone, even with that many people around you. We arrived, got our room key from the silent receptionist,...

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“The Disaster Proposal” by Alyce King

The memory itself is cringe-worthy - it punches me in the stomach every time I catch myself thinking back. I was on such a high horse, nervous, but so confident, surely I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think she’d agree? As I stand here getting a sweet, takeaway caramel hot chocolate, it springs back into my mind like a lightning bolt. And, as quick as it comes, it leaves. It leaves me stuck, about to put my card to the reader to pay, I stop. About to move down the line to wait, I stop. And about to say thank you to the barista, I stop. Not...

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“Service, please” by Alyce King

Submitted to Contest #207

Service, please. Those two words I never thought I'd actually say. Of course, I dreamed that I would, but I didn't think I actually would!!  It’s a Thursday evening in June, mid service and we have over thirty covers currently, with more orders stamping out of the machine as I speak. Most guests are having two courses, which is great, great for business but great for use in the kitchen also. Those who come, make the effort of dressing nicely, and then have one course, I just don’t see the point! Why would you go to that effort, travel c...

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