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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2024
Submitted to Contest #268
TW: Mentions of abuse, gore, death The little girl smiles up at me trustingly. The gap-toothed grin tugs at my lips, and I tilt them up slightly, though more for the money I'm about to make ransoming the youngest daughter of the Carnelli family back to them than in response to the girl's joy. "Thank you for your help, mister! I'd never be able to do this on my own." Aniela's squeaky voice should grate my nerves, like most children's voices, but it's endearing. In a sort of get rich quick kind of way. "Of course! What kind of monster wo...
Submitted to Contest #267
TW: Car crash, child death, mental health The whimpers stop. I try once again to twist in my seat, to look at the child in the car behind me, but I still can't. The crushed metal still has my legs held in place, and there's only so much I can turn my upper body. It's not enough to see him. "Jackson? Jackson, baby, you have to stay awake, okay? It'll be fine. They'll be here to help us soon, I promise. Sweetie, please talk to me." Silence. I push harder on the remnants of what was once my front bumper. The other car came out of nowhere...
"There's another body on the castle gates." Mellia looked up from the bruised apples she'd been appraising. Bodies hung on the castle gates weren't unusual, but they always elicited a flurry of rumors and curious onlookers. Normally, Mellia wouldn't react to such news at all, especially now, with her impending escape from the city on the horizon. But she hadn't heard from Ivann in two days. And without him, all of her preparations were pointless. But he wouldn't be dumb enough to get himself caught. He couldn't be dumb enough to get himself ...
The dimly lit tavern echoed with the sounds of hurried conversations held in hushed tones. Which wasn't exactly surprising. The king was dead, after all. And the assassin who killed him was still on the loose. The kingdom of Adora perched on the verge of total collapse. Every person in this tavern had their own ideas on how to handle the situation, and Haina was no exception. As the eldest daughter of the Noct family, she was in a unique position of power. Her father was already eyeing the throne, but most of the other nobles were in a ...
Submitted to Contest #266
The satisfying clacking of the keyboard echoes above the upbeat tones of the background video game music I always listen to when I write. The sound brings a slight smile to my lips. Nothing makes me happier than sitting here, listening to the cartoon monster-catching music and making progress on the book that I'll probably never finish, but love working on anyway. Keon knew he needed to get away from Declan as soon as possible. Lyn's brother was dead set on destroying the known worlds by any means necessary. Keon's Gift would make it easier ...
I swing my sword...no, my dagger, towards Princess Acantha. Her golden hair, the same color as my sister's, no, my stepmother's, bounces as she avoids my blow. She smiles, the smirk making me grit my teeth. She's been intentionally grating my nerves since the first time we met. That was one year ago. Or was it a month? A week? Regardless, I dodge her counterattack, then, pressing my dagger to her throat, force her against the closest wall. I frown. Why did I suddenly think this seems cliché? And why am I now the one with my back pressed to t...
Submitted to Contest #265
The thunderous pounding of the waterfall draws my attention. This river flows through the country of Precipa like a major artery, carrying the gift of water and life to the mostly dry desert kingdom. But here, by the river, the ground is lush, and full of life. The air smells like a summer rain, earthy and rich, and the chirping of crickets and the buzzing of insects charges the surroundings with life. Wind whispers through the branches of the nearby willow trees, and I decide this is the perfect place to stop for the night. I've been ...
Submitted to Contest #264
Princess Isorropia would rather stab herself in the heart than get married today. The white and gold dress makes her want to set the room on fire. Or at least set the low-cut, glimmering gown ablaze. But her wants and needs are the least of her concerns. Ogygia needed this alliance, needed for her to marry the crotchety old man known as King Talenic. Even if the thought makes her skin crawl. The thought of his grubby, sticky hands touching her is so repugnant, goosebumps raise along the back of her neck. It's not even his age, nearly fo...
Submitted to Contest #263
TW: This story contains mentions of physical violence, mental health issues, and a cult My breath rattles in my lungs as I try to take a calming breath. My hands fist at my sides. This is it. This is the decision that'll change everything. Or it won't, and I'll be stuck spinning my wheels for the rest of my life. The bruised skin on my back stretches uncomfortably tight as I shuffle on my feet. After today, they'll be no new bruises. No new broken bones, no more punishment for breaking the rules. Whatever the rules were supposed to be. The A...
I circle Eldrid, my sword held high. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve done for the past two years, was for this moment. When it’s just the two of us. He smirks, lifting the scar jutting across his temple closer to his chestnut brown hair. I’d given him that scar on the day I’d discovered his lies. And he’d given me the scar on my chin the same day. His stunning, icy blue eyes hold no trace of the amusement twisting those lips. They rarely did. “Lyria, did you really expect to waltz i...
Submitted to Contest #260
"Are you listening to me, Steele? I swear, sometimes you're the worst for-" I continue to tune my mother out. Yet another lecture on the proper way the prince should act was not high on my list of priorities. My mother puts her hand on my shoulder, finally drawing my attention. "I know you have other things to worry about, son. But these guests are important. When the next Guardian is chosen, it'll signify an era of peace for Kalioss. You know that." I sigh as my mother sears into my soul with her cobalt blue eyes. Eyes she p...
Submitted to Contest #259
They line us up, our hands chained behind our backs. The guards refuse to look us in the eyes. The other prisoners refuse to look up. We're all pretending that today's just another day, that this change in our strict routine is normal. "Weather's nice today, isn't it?" Tomas, my friend, asks from beside me. My eyes sting as I nod. It's been weeks since I'd seen the sun. But maybe they won't pick me today, and I'll get to see the sun again. At least one more time. The crowd before the dais murmurs at Tomas's nonchalant tone. They know w...
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