Cindy Calder

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (75)

75 Stories

1707 karma pts

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“A Box of Forgiveness” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #275

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes Science leads us to the conclusion the capacity for forgiveness may also be a facet of our nature although we are often inclined to unforgiveness. Forgiveness and the lack thereof can each be a double-edged sword, both leaving deep scars. Herein lies a story of forgiveness, gifted when it was previously thought too late to attain – a double-edged sword melded into liquid amidst the hottest of fires. Forgiveness can be powerful enough to free one’...

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“La Mort des Apparences (The Death of Appearances)” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #275

“I feel like I’m running out of time,” Jacques said with the utmost conviction, concern etched across his brow. “How can you say that, Jacques? You and I have plenty of time,” Zelda, his fiancé responded as she reached to touch his arm. Lovingly, she caressed his forearm in an attempt to assure his despondency was from nothing more than the gloomy, rainy weather filling the Parisian streets. “We have plenty of time to do all the things you want, dear. In a month, we’ll be married. We are young and on the precipice of so many possibilities, s...

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“Remember” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #275

The air hangs hot and humid, reaching nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweat trickles beneath your clothing as you move along. Just in front of you, a beautiful black cat wanders along the dusty pathways as though guiding you toward your final destination. You wonder if the cat knows what secrets lie herein, and secretly name him Quetzalcoatl. You stifle a laugh. Yes, the name’s more Aztec than Mayan but still, this cat looks so majestic as he moves, the name just seems to fit. The wind unexpectedly rustles through the trees as though the god...

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“Buried Secrets ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #275

Gabriela had known ever since she’d moved into the house a week earlier she wasn’t alone. The home she had purchased was an old one and one she was sure was packed with memories of many. This fact, among many, only added sustenance to her being an empath and a bit of a conduit for spirits. Gabriela could not only sense the emotions of living humans but was also able to receive an understanding of feelings emitted by souls on the other side. It was nothing new and something she’d experienced early in her life since the age of five, a gif...

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“Fated Encounter: El Dia de Muertos” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #275

It was November 2nd, the last day of El Dia de Muertos. Carmen Maria Isabella Sande Junquera entered the cathedral, pausing to dip her fingers in the holy water basin and bow to the crucifix while crossing herself. Candles lit the cathedral as far as she could see, their lights bouncing off the massive 24-karat décor. Though it was dimly lit, Carmen observed the church appeared to be vacant. Where was everyone? This was abuela’s funeral mass and her Abuelita had known more than half the town. It was unthinkable ...

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“The Old Hag” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #274

I have always been inclined to fear the unknown which is found in the darkness, both as a child and then later in my years as a grown adult. Such an inclination was most likely the direct result of my mother’s dabbling in the supernatural and paranormal while I was a very young child. I can easily recall my nights spent in bed when I was a child, lying with eyes wide open as I surveyed the room to be sure no other was there with me and praying for sleep to overcome my restless body and come quickly. The real creature of fear, however, with a...

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“Dark Obsession” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #274

Discreetly, in the shadow of the crescent moon’s light, he followed her, his footsteps cloaked in fine Italian leather as he moved silently over walkways. So obscure was he, even on a moonlight night, she had as of yet taken no notice even though he had followed her for nigh more than a month. He was captivated, undeniably drawn, like a moth to the flame, though she threatened to engulf him in the blaze of her fire. The tantalizing scent she carried encompassed both his sleep-infused days and the long nights of voracious hunger. He feared th...

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“Fated Shadows” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #274

Fate is resourceful and ever hidden in the shadows. The thought encompassed Jean-Luc as his dark eyes deepened to pools of black, clearly reflecting the anticipation he felt as he awaited Adrienne's arrival. The night was unseasonably warm for February. Though Adrienne had not yet danced, her face behind the mask was finely misted with perspiration while beads of sweat rolled between her breasts. All because of the "eighteenth century attire, just as Angelique had specified for tonight's invitation. Adrienne sighed, fanning herself with...

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“A Personal Account of an Earring's Journey to the Other Side” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #274

How can I find the words? It was infinitely worth millions, an enlightenment in an otherwise ordinary existence – an escape into fantasy or an abundance of things derived from an unimaginable realm. In an experience unlike any other, it was thus, my journey began. The night was ordinary, much like any other, but dark and quiet with an ominous foreboding of something otherworldly in the air. My mistress slept in her ornate antique bed with only the smallest sliver of moonlight to illuminate the room. Unable to rest, I lay on the mahogany...

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“Obsession in Darkness” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #272

Discreetly, in the shadow of the crescent moon’s light, he followed her, his footsteps cloaked in fine Italian leather as he moved silently over the walkways. So obscure was he even on a moonlight night, she had, as of yet, taken no notice even though he had followed her for well more than a month. He was undeniably drawn, like a moth to the flame, though she threatened to engulf him in her fire. The tantalizing scent she carried encompassed both his sleep infused days and voracious, hungry nights. He feared there would be no escaping the ar...

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“The Gleaning of Hindsight” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #272

"Did you hear that?" Aoife spoke to no one but herself for she lived alone. "Do you hear the rush of wind and see the glorious purple-hued clouds? Hear the lightness of flower petals as they fall from the billowed softness like whispers of dreams, caught by the dew laden grass? Oh, but this night, I wish...." Aoife's voice drifted off, her attention focused on the skies.This evening was no different than any other. Each midnight, without fail, the purple clouds appeared to blush painted, dark skies. With their arrival also came the delicate ...

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“The Man in the Trench Coat” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #271

This bright and early morning was no different than any other. As usual, Tessa had chosen to spend it by returning to the same café, situated just four blocks from her lofty flat in West London, and drinking the usual cup of Americano coffee. She sat, for the most part, unnoticed in a corner of cozy café, which was just as she preferred whilst she struggled to pen a continuance of her book on a laptop. The ongoing novel was a mix betwixt fantasy and futuristic genres – the two that had always intrigued her own interests. Her attemp...

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“The Trench Coat” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #271

This bright and early morning was no different than any other. As usual, Tessa had chosen to spend it by returning to the same café, situated just four blocks from her lofty flat in West London, and drinking the usual cup of Americano coffee. She sat, for the most part, unnoticed in a corner of cozy café, which was just as she preferred whilst she struggled to pen a continuance of her book on a laptop. The ongoing novel was a mix betwixt fantasy and futuristic genres – the two that had always intrigued her own interests. Her attempt at said ...

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“The Highlander” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #271

This bright and early morning was no different than any other. As usual, Tessa had chosen to spend it by returning to the same café, situated just four blocks from her lofty flat in West London, and drinking the usual cup of Americano coffee. She sat, for the most part, unnoticed in a corner of cozy café, which was just as she preferred whilst she struggled to pen a continuance of her book on a laptop. The ongoing novel was a mix betwixt fantasy and futuristic genres – the two that had always intrigued her own interests. Her attempt at said ...

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“The Sustaining River” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #270

Amelia had lived on the river as long as she could remember. The home had been her great-grandfather’s home before it had become her grandfather’s and then eventually passed down to her father. Now it was her home, and the love she felt for it was immeasurable. Not only was there a sentimentality in the home itself, there was a depth of calmness and reassurance from the surging, winding river that ran past it and far beyond, providing a serenity as well as sustenance from its waters for all who resided therein. The cabin’s furnishings were s...

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Author bio

From Charleston, SC. "I am still learning." Michelangelo