Bettina Karpathian

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020

Stories (97)

97 Stories

1720 karma pts

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“The Gated Community” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #45

Hello! I hope you didn’t have any trouble at the gatehouse. I did call to let them know you were coming. I like your hair. Is that style what you young people call dreadlocks? We don’t see that much here, so the guard might have been a little concerned. So, you’re studying scientology? Oh, sociology! You’re doing research on why people choose to live in gated golfing communities? That is so nice. Come and sit down and we can chat. Annie, dear, could you bring the tea to the sitting room, por favor? Her name is really ...

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“Farewell to Ghosts” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #44

The hissing and chugging of the engine made it almost impossible to hear as passengers surged to and from the train. People craned towards each other, lipreading and gesturing. Civilians threaded their way through the groups of soldiers and sailors, some jostling and joking, others weary and silent. Everyone seemed to be clad in shades of grey, blending with the gloomy miasma of steam and smoke, pale faces momentarily illuminated as they passed under the weak lights before disappearing into the chilly dusk. There were joyful reunions and som...

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“Lost Baby” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #43

Ruby slipped as she was descending the ladder and cursed as a graceful arc of splatters landed on the floor from the wet paint brush. For the umpteenth time she wished she hadn’t listened when Eric told her that it was a great idea to fix up this old house, but he was nothing if not persuasive. Those house flippers on reality television with their glossy hair and white teeth made home restoration look much easier than it was in real life. As she was on her knees wiping up the mess, Eric appeared, his guitar case slung on hi...

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“Secrets” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #42

Linda walked up to the nurses’ station, bracing herself.“Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Paul Harrington. I’m his daughter. I was told he’s been in an accident?”.“Ah, yes.” The nurse scanned the screen in front of her. “May I see some ID, please?”Linda handed over her driver’s license. The nurse looked at Linda as if about to say something, then stopped herself.“He’s in surgery. Please have a seat in the waiting room. We’ll alert you when he’s in recovery.” She handed Linda a buzzer. “Linda! Sorry I just missed you in the parking lot. How’s your ...

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“The Wolven ” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #41

It had been a beautiful spring morning when they set off. Now icy needles of rain from a sudden late spring storm stung Madrigar’s face as she struggled up the narrow, muddy path. Clammy fog rolling down the mountainside reduced her vision to a few yards. Pebbles bounced off into grey silence below as she slipped. Groping along the slick rockface with her fingertips, she suddenly fell into emptiness, landing hard on her knees. Recovering her breath, she realized she was in a small cave. Grateful to be out of the bitin...

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“Starlight” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #39

Where the purple silhouette of the mountains met the horizon, the sky was faded gold. It blended up into dusky, red-streaked orange and jade green and faded into the deep ink blue of night. The darkness of the balcony was blocked out with bright yellow rectangles of light from the patio windows behind her. Diane could hear soft music and muted conversation. Out here no one could see her consignment shop dress. She stared enraptured as a shimmering canopy of stars appeared. Evie’s voice broke into her reverie.“Big sis, where are you? What’re ...

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“The Door” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #38

I love my wife and would never do anything to hurt her. Since she disappeared, I don’t think anyone believes me. It all started with the house. It was a fixer upper. I work full-time in construction. Fixing up is the last thing I want to do when I get home, but Kitty’s bipolar and had just started to get better after her most recent bout of depression. Her taking an interest in something was so brilliant that I went along with it. We moved in. When I got home the next evening, she was waiting for me, brandishing a flashlight...

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Author bio

I am a retired nurse, originally from Scotland. My husband is Greek and we divide our time between the USA, Greece and Scotland. I like reading, writing, drawing, travel and animals.

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #134

Green Gremlins – read story

Contest #114

The Bake Sale – read story