Cecilia L. Maddison

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2021

Stories (10)

10 Stories

1410 karma pts

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“Life After Death” by Cecilia L. Maddison

The rescue plane traced distant contours, circling, seeking, never nearing. Henry searched for a break in the canopy through which to attract attention, but the dense foliage clung and clawed, engulfing him in greenery slick with the jungle’s sweat. From the sky, he was invisible. The faint whirring of the engines taunted him like the whining mosquitos feasting on his blood, stealing him drop by drop from the refuge of his skin.Although last night’s violent storm had cleared, spent after tossing and tumbling the plane fr...

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“Amazing Grace” by Cecilia L. Maddison

**Content Warning: murderous, psychopathic behaviour**“It’s terrifying, Mercy,” says Mrs Stafford, when she finally finds her voice. “It must be taken down.”I don’t understand. It’s a magnificent scene. A vista of 17th century London is stapled across the wall-mounted display board, crammed full of rickety wooden houses cut from corrugated cardboard. Tissue paper tongues of flames engulf the buildings, sending sequined sparks soaring into a soot-black sky. Panic-stricken Londoners flee the in...

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“Promises and Lies” by Cecilia L. Maddison

*Content Warning- Addiction*You’re whispering your promises again, old friend. I’m always listening out for them, all ears for your sly suggestions. You remind me of the warmth waiting in your arms. It’s all mine, you assure me, for a while at least. I see you curled up in each of the gleaming bottles before me on the shelves of the News and Booze store, grinning coyly, reminding me you’ve never failed to take away the pain. You know I’m yours.The bottles clink as I cradle them like babies in my arms an...

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“The Fortune Teller's Daughter” by Cecilia L. Maddison

*Content Warning- reference to murder*“I can see it now, how I’ve been misled, as clear as day. It’s true I killed the fortune teller’s daughter, but she made me do it.”“Is that so?”“I’m a God fearing man, sir. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you I’ve never harmed a person before. Never in my life.”“Indeed.”“Mr Hopkins, I beg you- listen to my account and make right the wrongs that have taken place. Only you can save me from the gallows. I don...

45 comments 45 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Vanishing Act” by Cecilia L. Maddison

Transcription of archived video footage seized from the Cerberus Research Institute:My name’s Joseph Walsh, but most people call me Joe.Are you sure this thing is recording? I’ll try my best to explain everything that’s happened. Not sure I’m going to last much longer though.I suppose it started when I saw the advertisement for paid volunteers. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done a few clinical trials before, but not with Cerberus. The other trials were for drugs like pain killers a...

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“Just Ask for Mercy” by Cecilia L. Maddison

*Content warning- some violence and gore*Something is eating the hostas.It’s a tricky section of the garden- shaded and north-facing- but the foliage thrives under my watchful eye. I ensure it grows lush and verdant, and only I can coax it from sulking in this hot, dry weather. I’m pleased to see the blue-green tones of sieboldiana flourishing beside the golden variegated undulates leaves.I‘m outraged by the pock-marked damage I’ve discovered, and search for the culpr...

136 comments 136 WINNER 🏆

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“Resettlement Notes” by Cecilia L. Maddison

This story contains themes of mental health and reference to sexual abuse.”Don’t forget your pills.”Alan slurps his tea to cool it. Some dribbles down his chin, adding to the damp patch on his chest. His mouth contorts with involuntary lip-smacking and grimacing caused by years of heavy medication.“Your pills,” repeats Agnes, nodding to the small paper cup on the table. She stands next to him, arms crossed over her stout body as she waits, sternly overseeing this regular ritual. Her ey...

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“The Image of You” by Cecilia L. Maddison

I’ll admit it. As you're the second child, there are fewer pictures of you than there are of your brother. Back when parenthood was still a novelty we took pictures of every moment and marked every milestone. By the time you were born we were jaded second-time parents, and although we loved you every bit as much, your life has been less recorded. Many pictures we do have are of you both together; two beaming brothers in one frame.As I scroll back there are enough images to see how you changed year by year, and there...

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“The Coast Road” by Cecilia L. Maddison

We’ll be in the car for a good while, love, so say now if you need the dunny.It’s a lovely spot, Warning Point. Pretty views out over the ocean, but quite a drive along the coast road to get there. If we’re lucky we’ll see the whales migrating past, just like your travel book says. I reckon what they charged you for that book is daylight robbery, but people do like their little souvenirs. You won’t see the whales up close like in those pictures though. Those have been taken from a boat, but they don’t tell you that, do t...

48 comments 48 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Old Soul” by Cecilia L. Maddison

Can you hear me?I remember being reborn a thousand times.In the between-times, and at the very start and end of a life, the memories are strong. I remember the warmth of the sun on my crumpled wings as they unfold for one brilliant bright day of flight. I relive the elation of the chase and the sinking of my teeth into the throat of my prey- what a joy it is to satisfy physical hunger. I recall the agony of being prey, because of course, all things must balance out in the end. My heart has pumped cold b...

150 comments 150 WINNER 🏆

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Author bio

I’m a London based writer and reader. One day I woke up to find all my life’s energy was channelled into my work as a health professional and raising my two beautiful but ever starving teenage sons. So I decided to kindle some creativity still glimmering in a dusty corner of my mind, and here I am.

Winning 2 stories 🏆

Contest #147

Just Ask for Mercy – read story

Contest #140

Old Soul – read story

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #152

The Fortune Teller's Daughter – read story

Contest #143

The Coast Road – read story