Catherine MacKenzie

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2020

Stories (8)

8 Stories

340 karma pts

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“Once More With Feeling” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #83

I exited the plane with a smile a large breath of fresh air. Looking around I took notice of the blue skies, the palm trees, and the singing, colorful birds chirping on their branches. I had needed this vacation more than I ever would admit to myself, and after months of talking myself in and out of actually taking it, here I am. I had never contemplated taking a vacation on my own, having always someone to enjoy the free time with. I put those thoughts away, breathed in another big breath of island air and walked on. I boo...

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“Three Little Birds” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #51

The street was empty this early in the morning. At these just post-sunrise moments of the day where most are still sleeping, or still at their homes getting ready for the day's agenda to play out, I walked the sidewalk as the day got brighter. I kept my head firmly down, watching my feet slowly trespass the sidewalk that led me to my work. The air was cool, brisk with impending winter. The wind picked up and I saw the evidence of the chill displayed in gooseflesh up my arms. I didn't bother putting on a coat this morning. I wish I could feel...

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“Moonlight Reflections” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #50

Jaxsen stood on a dock that looked out upon a small lake. The party behind him raged on and it wasn’t until about half an hour ago that he was able to sneak away from the blaring music, alcohol and pot smoke and the abundance of college graduates in attendance. Jaxsen leaned against the wooden railing, the smoke from his blunt dissipating in the light spring breeze. He knew Basil was in the house, probably still tearing up the dance floor with Bailey. Jaxsen smiled at the tho...

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“Stay (pt2)” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #49

There was something in Jack’s eyes that Daniel didn’t understand as he spoke those words, nor did he know how to decipher the sadness that resounded within his chocolate colored eyes. Instead of speaking further, Daniel watched Jack hit the call button to alert the doctor he was awake. He watched Jack’s face, the tightness around his eyes and shoulders. The expression that took residence as he looked Daniel over. “Oh, Danny, I’m so sorry,” he whispered as he took Daniel’s hand. “I never meant for this to happen.” “What did happen, Jac...

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“Stay” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #49

The room in which he sat was burned with activity. People zipped by in the hustle and bustle of the busy time-slot, but he saw none of it. His hands supported his head, the heels of his hands digging into his eye sockets, though it didn’t stop the tears leaking, dripping slowly down his arms.As he sat the noise blurred out until he could no longer hear it, his mind slipping further into the recent past.“Don’t do this, Jack,” he pleaded, his voice breaking with the swelling of a myriad of emotions, ready to take him under as the wave finally ...

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“Fire” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #48

The flames climbed higher along his body, his screams dying as he chokes on the smoke before he collapses in a heap of dead, charred flesh, still smoking even after the flames die. The flames seemed to cease with his heartbeat, snuffing out as abruptly as they began. The remaining screams of his young lover and newlywed wife, echoed in the air, carried on with the wind. Birds flew overhead. The crowd that had gathered as the poor bastard burned looked on in horror at what they had just witnessed. Some of them lost their stomachs. Others pres...

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“Worth the World” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #47

Bailey looked to her left from the television at the knock that sounded at her door. She looked to her right where I sat next to her and shrugged, standing up to answer the door. She wasn’t pleased that you were the one who stood on the other side. “Please, Bailey, let me talk to him,” you beg, skipping casualties altogether. “He doesn’t want to talk to you, Erik. That’s why he’s been staying here all week. That’s why he turned off his phone.” Bailey looked at you with daggers in her eyes. She was angry at the careless hurt you caused ...

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“Sweet Boy” by Catherine MacKenzie

Submitted to Contest #44

The road hummed underneath my tires as they burned up the road. Finding a clear spot on the shoulder, I pulled over, my eyes no longer able to view past the tears blurring my vision. My chest ached and I screamed with the force of my breaking sobs, his little screams echoing through my head, playing in movie-like fashion against my closed lids, I remembered… We were laughing before I told him I had to go to work. His blue, little boy eyes shi...

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Author bio

I'm originally from Houston Texas and am currently residing in Illinois with my wife and our son. I've written most of my life and enjoy it immensely. I have two books available and am working on the third one. Feel free to comment and like. I'll answer every comment.