D.C. Reed

“State of the art.... When I bought it.” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #236

213243 Finally. I’ve learned better than to yell or curse out loud. The first few times people understand, the next dozen you get looks, after a few hundred you are an outcast, and the thousandth, well, at that point you’ve moved past the place of caring that people think you have leprosy. Only cursing the gods a few thousand times is praiseworthy, considering how many password...

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“A Zero Star Empire” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #218

My husband asked me not to write this. Our conversation started civil before devolving into a gritty symphony of divergence. He believes the review won’t make sense, is personal, and petty. My soul disagrees. To cleanse my conscious, I must forewarn anyone else who dines here. Believe it or not, I normally give positive reviews. When I finish a book, I leave a review. When I go to the dentist, I leav...

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“Merits of Dating Apps” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #199

Stumble. Mumble. Bumble. In that order or all at once, I’m not exactly sure. I stumbled over, over nothing but air from the surprise of locking eyes with the person I had been stealing glances of all night. I mumbled some sort of apology after I bumbled my drink, spilling its contents from both sides of the rim as I attempted to cover my shame in a sip.  “I’m Alex.” “Pat,” I say stupidl...

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“Homer's Tales and Toys” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #176

You could never finish your job here. That is why you have but a single year. Don’t dally or waste. Give haste.  Sara could imagine the script, the curved persuasive letters, etched into her mind one night. When she woke, she was here in a book store. Sara had spent 364 days here and now that it was coming to an end, she wanted nothing more than this stay to go on forever. ...

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“Reuniting With Yourself” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #174

“I can’t believe that you made it. Girl. I mean, I just can’t.”“I know… I know, isn’t it amazing!!!” Is what Claire meant to say with a bounce as her childhood bestie, Gail, smothered her in a hug. Instead, Claire’s arms barely warped around her friend as she rocked with Gail. Awkwardly accepting the hug like she was playing dead in front of a bear. “Well, we’ll have to do something more. You don’t escape. I will be right back.”Gail weaved through the crowd, leaving Clair...

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“Dice” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #170

“I’ve got a plan.”  The table groaned. This wasn’t the first time Clint had a plan. It wouldn’t be the last, but everyone sitting around that table exaggerated their distress at these words. Claire grimaced, Todd shook his head, Jeff and Jenifer both looked away while Amber threw her arms up. Everyone was upset except for Clint and Pat, their Dungeon Master. “What is the plan?” Pat said...

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“280” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #158

The following is part of the official transcript of the People v.s. William Devin Jones. Outside of offending passages, this is how it was transmitted via social media on the day of the trial in accordance to all laws including ADMT 1.6 of the First Amendment which states: To protect the honor and sanctity of truth, debate, and speech, all communications, digital or otherwise, must be communicated in ...

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“The Other Side of Civil” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #153

I would say it started when we were young. Brothers. Destined to fight over anything. To compete over everything. But now, now brotherly conflict seems silly. As I sit here, hiding behind a building, as bullets whizz around me. Brother against brother, wondering how we got here.  Raised on the land. That’s what my dad had always called it. Raised in the great outdoors. The farm. The life. We shot together...

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“Choiceless” by D.C. Reed

You don’t rob a bank every day, but it is always special. The rush of adrenaline. The taste of fear and anticipation, from the patrons and yourself. Everyone wonders the same few things: What’s about to happen? Will help come? Will I make it out of here alive? Those were the questions Samantha asked herself every time her family started one of these.  “Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and Girl. Children of all ...

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“Rest” by D.C. Reed

Submitted to Contest #149

There were no two ways about it. This situation was the worst thing that could have happened. Fired from the tour, gear stolen, and with less than two dollars to her name.  “I should have got the bus ticket… Went home.” That was all Victoria Ash could think to herself. With the benefit of hindsight, that course was obvious. After she was unceremoniously tossed from the band she founded,...

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