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Benjamin Clay

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2020

Stories (25)

Comments

Library

161 Followers

70 Following

25 Stories

604 karma pts

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The Human Factor

Submitted to Contest #305

The double doors slid open along their tracks as he stepped out into a volley of flashing lights and a chorus of voices. Tugging at his tie and collar, he cleared his throat while approaching the podium at the edge of the stage.Motioning with his hands for the crowd to hush, he pulled small cards from his jacket pocket. “Welcome, all, thank you for coming.”Brahm paused, squinting as the stage lights flared in his eyes. Pouring a glass of water from a pitcher on a nearby table, Brahm observed the crowd as they shifted in anticipation.“I came ...

1 like

Collateral

Submitted to Contest #304

Casey kicks the swivel. Activating the ship’s directional thrusters as he hits 1,114 km. His ship shudders beneath the G's pushing on the chassis. The mask attached to his helmet pumps a cocktail of O2 and other chemicals called mist, keeping him conscious. “Catching up to Raule in third place as he blazes into his second lap, Casey punches it, blasting into the tunnel at record speeds.” The announcer, Misha, cheers from the safety of his booth, clutching the mic like it’s the only thing keeping him grounded. “Leaving Raule in the dust, taki...

5 likes

Dead Weight

Submitted to Contest #300

Hanging from a rope laced through an open window in the roof, Selene lowers herself down to the concrete floor two stories below. Unhooking from the line, she looks up against the rain to the bag of tools as it descends like a pendulum, swinging back and forth against its own weight until she can grab hold and help guide it the rest of the way.Dragging the bag away from the rope, Selene moves out of the way for Leo as he plummets from the ceiling like a stone. Barely slowing himself, Leo leans forward and tucks his legs in before hitting the...

4 likes

Surge, Dawn of the new Era

Submitted to Contest #102

Part 5 of an on going series. Read the comments below to see links to the other chapters. Seconds shift to minutes, minutes turn to hours. Time stretches, twists and slows for both men. Surge still floating in the air wraps his fingers around the edges of intangible electricity. Gripping the bolt of lightning. Edgar appears like Zeus himself shining against the purple/blue flashes of light. Descending from the heavens to smite the revived Titan Quake from raising an army by his side. Quake forgets himself in the moment as his eyes fill wi...

13 likes

Strawman

Submitted to Contest #101

Splashing water on my face I look at myself in the mirror. “Come on. You can fucking do this. Fucking do it. It’s all a part of the show. The show most go on.”Grabbing a single razor blade from the medicine cabinet. I pop the top of my vial and pour a little powder atop my counter. Sift it into a straight line, lean down, close one nostril and snort every microscopic grain straight into my brain. Knocking my head back with a second deep sniff it hits. Shaking my head around for a beat, I lean back into the mirror. Checking my teeth for anyth...

9 likes

Sparks

Submitted to Contest #100

With a deep sigh, Derick unlocks the front door and walks inside trying to hide tired eyes with a rigid statue like smile. Closing the door behind him. Derick throws his coat on the couch and drops his briefcase behind against the wall. Kicking his shoes off, he lets out another sigh and calls out. “I’m home. How was your day…?” Derick trails off seeing neither Paul or dinner waiting for him.Instead, a single note awaits him. Resting underneath a small paperweight shaped like a flower. The weight always served as a proper reminder of their l...

10 likes

Surge, Resistance

Submitted to Contest #80

Part four of an ongoing series, read the comments for more information.“Is it on?”“Yeah, we’re live in five, four, three…” Henry says holding the camera steady, he waves his fingers, two. One and points at the Linda.”Straightening her jacket and patting dirt from her blouse. Linda clears her throat and speaks into the microphone held in her left hand. “This is the emergency response news team coming to you live at Centurion prison. Just moments ago, a massive burst of energy came from some strange devices placed in the ground by Quake. Neith...

12 likes

The Rise of Quake

Submitted to Contest #51

Within days of having gained his powers. Quake has begun wreaking havoc upon the inhabitants of Centurion city. Assaulting banks, science facilities, and police stations. He's killing anyone who get's in his way. Quake has been declared an enemy of the public. A military response is brewing alongside the fear of the public, and for good reason. Surge, the cities mysterious protector has been nowhere to be seen since the villainous Quake's appearance.Speaking softly over the off sync beeping of the heart and oxygen monitors shoved on top of t...

27 likes

Perfect Fit

Submitted to Contest #50

“Mom. I can't believe it. I think he's going to dump me tonight.” “Now, now. Calm down Kelly. I'm sure it's nothing like that.” “He said. He wanted to take me out one last time as his girlfriend.” “Oh.” “What does that mean? Oh? That's not good. This isn't good. Oh...no. I knew it. I told you he's planning on dumping me tonight.” “Okay. It's going to be fine. You don't have to worry. Kelly?” “Yeah mom?” “You should dump him first.” “What the hell? No. I don't want to loose him at all...” “Well...Have you talked to him about this?” ...

21 likes

The Official Praise of Bob

Submitted to Contest #50

With a light tap against Mr. McCormik's office door. Gob pushes it forward an inch asking. “Hey, Mr. McCormik? Is this uh. Is this a good time?”With a friendly smile Mr. McCormik gestures for Gob to take a seat. “Why. Sure thing Gob. Would you mind closing the door behind you?”“Oh. Not at all.” God says shutting it behind him. Walking a few steps inside. Gob really takes in the scenery of the office from the 40th floor. He stares at the golf clubs in the corner of the room and the coffee cup used for practice. He picks up a framed picture of...

19 likes

Batch Hatch Hardo and the Amazing Race

Submitted to Contest #50

  Zipping up his all black racers jacket. Batch Hatch Hardo puts on his leather racing gloves, pulling each one as tight as possible before fastening the wrist straps. Wrapping extra tape around the open wrist to protect the skin and joint in case of a crash. Batch gives each wrist a firm slap. Sliding his wool sock covered feet into thick black boots he gives them a zip and pulls each buckle strap firm and tight. An extra layer of tape around the knee joints and elbows before the pads come on and he's ready for his helmet. The sleek al...

15 likes

The Main Attraction

Submitted to Contest #50

 Okay. Tonight's the night. I've done this a million times before. So what's different? The lions are locked away tight. They've even been fed recently for their upcoming act. So...it's not that. Could it be the chimpanzees? It wouldn't be the first time they escaped into the rafters or worse. No? Okay. What could it be? I can't put my finger on it but...Henry comes out from the first ring, his clown makeup half washed away from spritzer. He walks past snapping his fingers in my face. “Hey. You can't be standing around like that. You kn...

19 likes

Golden Valley Treasure

Submitted to Contest #50

Stepping outside into his old backyard at night. Harold closes the sliding glass door behind him. Shutting out the sounds of chatting guests, clacking plates, clicking cups, and smacking lips. Loosing his black tie, desperate for air. Harold's feet crunch their way through the snow slipping out of sight against the side of the house. Pulling the last cigarette out of his pack with a lighter. Harold sparks up a flame and inhales burning an ember into the tip. Putting the lighter away, he fiddles with the empty cigarette box running his finger...

19 likes

Little Bits

Submitted to Contest #49

“He's late again.”“Come on, Jerry. He's not that bad.”“I don't know why you insist on bringing him with us everywhere we go.”“He seems sad...you know. Like he could just use some friends.”Staring through the fencing to the abandoned factory laying in wait for them. Jerry spins about flustered. “No. He doesn't need any friends. He's weird, and weirdos are left alone for a reason. You remember Casey Becker right?”Shifting his feet in the mixture of dirt and sand lining the fence. Aaron looks uncomfortable, almost pale at the mention of her nam...

21 likes

Mission Success

Submitted to Contest #49

Italian loafers clack against the empty walkway of Parizska street. Street lamps light the way as Frankie peaks over his shoulder. Pale and sweating bullets. Frankie steps inside a phone booth in old town. Closing the doors shut behind him. Frankie puts his back against the phone while pulling at the black tie of his suit. Taking deep breaths to calm himself, he looks around the street through the glass of the booth. “You're okay. It's okay Frankie boy. You can get through this just like everything else.” Flipping around, Frankie rips at t...

13 likes