Christopher Katalinas

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2022

Stories (7)

7 Stories

73 karma pts

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“I Was Strong Once” by Christopher Katalinas

Submitted to Contest #166

I was strong once. I still am, but in new ways, and not how I used to be. I can’t decide if I’m happier for it.“The legions know death well,” I say to the assembled demira. “They are its harbingers and its lovers, greeting it with an embrace when it comes. The ground shakes whenever they walk. The sun envies the sparkle on their helms. Every man and woman that make up its ranks fights with the strength of two people—four when surrounded. To fight side by side for the glory of our nation, to stand at the vanguard of the m...

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“The Four Sisters” by Christopher Katalinas

Every story of our childhood begins with, ‘Once upon a time, in a land far, far away.’ For the children now living, this one begins with, ‘Now, upon this moment, in a land you love.’As we speak, four sisters are meeting under a starless sky on a moonless night. They’ve been gathering in this particular glade for as long as anyone can remember, and longer still, until only their mother could recall the exact night of their first council.From the north came the eldest sister, who went by Nix. She was the ...

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“Firewood” by Christopher Katalinas

Submitted to Contest #163

Chop.The wood splits evenly, and to my satisfaction. Each swing results in a log fit for a king’s hearth.Chop.Which is a silly thought. It isn’t like a king cares about what logs go into his fireplace, only that it burns.Chop.But if he did, he’d be pretty damned pleased with my work.Chop.And if he isn’t then I have a whole forest to get more from.Chop.<...

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“A Dinner for Two” by Christopher Katalinas

They begin as they always do. Jordan greets the guests as they come through the door, smiling broadly as she welcomes her colleagues and neighbors to her home. Her husband, Devon, has left to pick up groceries for the party. They have recently moved into the neighborhood, having traveled across the country for Jordan’s new job. They’re using the dinner as an opportunity to make new friends. <...

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“To Speak With Angels” by Christopher Katalinas

I cock my head to the side and pretend I didn’t hear her while readjusting my grip on my groceries.“Don’t do this again, dear. You know how this will end.”I keep walking, turning up the music on my headphones. It doesn’t work. It never does.“She needs help, you know.”“Then go to her,” I say. I’m twenty feet away now. If I go further, she may drop it this time.“You and I are bound.”“I didn’t ask for that.”“Yet it is...

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“A Life Like the Rain” by Christopher Katalinas

Submitted to Contest #160

“It begins with the drums of our father on high, rolling his thrums through the darkening sky. A heartbeat to start all his daughters’ new lives, filling the earth with their jubilant cries.” “He gathered us all in his ballroom of cloud, our bodies of mist and his love so endowed. His shape dwindles stark as we all tumble down, his safety foregone b...

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“Fragments” by Christopher Katalinas

Submitted to Contest #159

[Content Warning: Contains sexual and other mature themes]I’m Buying for the first time today. It doesn’t hurt, or so I’m told.You shouldn’t blame me. I held out for nearly twenty years. But eventually even an interesting life becomes routine. Evidently it hasn’t been interesting enough.I can’t help being nervous on the walk over. I’d Sold before, but I have no idea what to expect from Buying.The prospective Seller waits for...

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Author bio

I'm a deep lover of fantasy, fiction, and poetry. My writing tends to skew speculative and philosophical. I have no accolades, education, or employment history in writing, but I love storytelling with a passion. After 5 years of self-study and work, I finished writing and editing a 200k-word novel. I'd like to prove my skill through online communities such as this one in the hopes of getting it published as is, or as two separate novels. If you enjoy my work then please follow me on twitter as chriswitesnow. Every follow helps. And thanks for reading! I hope I've made you smile along the way :)