Daniel Roueche

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2020

Stories (14)

14 Stories

504 karma pts

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“Penance” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #169

The sweat drips down my head, burns my eyes, and plasters my shirt. I use a dirty rag to wipe it up. It’s no use. I shove the rag into my pocket.I’ve been at it for at least three hours already, but you wouldn’t know that from my lack of progress. There’s barely a dimple in the hardened earth. It doesn’t want to be disturbed.My hands blister, my arms sag, and my lungs are ready to burst. But I have to keep going. I heft the shovel and slam it down. A dirt clod clatters away and rolls a few inches.I keep at it.Another hour of fighting against...

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“A Mediocre Conversation” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #137

“They call me Einstein,” Henry says. “That’s great, my boy! What a compliment,” Albert replies. “They say it when I miss a math problem or stumble over my words or forget to wear pants. It’s humiliating!” “What’s humiliating?” “When they call me Einstein. I just said that.” “Oh, I thought you were referring to the pants. Funny story, that happened to me once too. So, it was right after I moved to America—” “I wish I could just disappear.” “That is physically impossible, son. We are made of matter and matter can’t just go away.” “You ...

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“This is Lame” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #118

“What’s this about? I ask Shawn.“I can’t explain. Just follow me,” he says. We walk out to the alley behind my dad’s restaurant. It smells like grease and rotten vegetables and cat feces. A pleasant combination.“But why out here?” I complain.“We need privacy.”“We could literally go anywhere else.” “Will you stop? We’re already here. Deal with it,” he says. “I promise it’ll be worth it.” I sigh. This is typical Shawn behavior. Overly excited about everything. I’m almost positive it won’t be worth it. Shawn has a way of aggrandizing ...

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“The Kids from the Woods” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #117

“Where’re your parents at?” Brendon asked the small boy standing in front of him. The boy, who couldn’t be any older than seven, looked at him like Brendon was speaking a foreign language. “You lost?” he asked. The boy remained a statue. His tiny frame barely visible through the large trees of the forest. ...

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“Coup d'état” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #97

It’s late. Or early, depending on whether you’ve slept or not. Zander feels like he hasn’t slept at all. Of course, that’s an exaggeration. He’s slept at least 7 hours, fell into REM multiple times, and now lies in bed semi-conscious.His alarm will go off soon and he’ll have to get to work.This could be the start to a long day.But his stomach churns. He wants to pass out, but he had a dream about a donut mansion and now his mind runs in circles imagining creeping down to the kitchen to get a taste. A taste of those moist, sugary, cream-fille...

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“I See Everything” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #82

“Let me know how those feel,” Dr. Crowe says. I pry my eye open, using my thumb and forefinger to keep the lids apart. With my free hand, I guide the contact onto my pupil. My eye fights to close, but I force it open as the contact brushes against the curve. I blink furiously until the lens settles. Then I repeat the process with the other one. I wore contacts years ago, but they bothered my eyes so much, I gave up. I thought I’d always be a glasses guy, but this new technology is supposed to revolutionize eyesight. The ads promise “a seam...

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“Take My Hand” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #75

Spirit Number: 815 Gender: Male Age: 92 years old Name: Clarence “Take my hand,” I say. A tiny man named Clarence gives me the uncertain look I see every day. His eyes furrow, mouth hangs open as though he wants to say something. “Don’t try to speak yet. It takes a few minutes, but it’ll come back to you.” He stares at my hand for a second, then takes it. An inaudible sigh escapes his lips as his shoulders slump down into a noticeable curve. “It can be a bit jarring at first, b...

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“All That's Missing is a Pear Tree” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #73

December 22nd The doorbell rings, gnawing on my ears. I just need to remove that thing. It’s not like anyone comes to visit. Nor do I want them to. Ring. Who could that be? Mom and Dad? Doubtful. They’ve never come to visit. Jake? He’s too busy with his new wife to even remember his younger brother. Friends? I’d need some first. Ring. I scramble my way out of the recliner. “Coming!” I yell. Knock. Knock. Knock. Ring. Knock. Knock. Knock. Ring. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.&...

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“What Did I Do?” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #72

Blank. Empty. I don’t know who I am. I don’t know where I am. It’s cold. And wet. A steady throbbing, like someone continually pounding my head with a fist, makes me flinch. I try to stand, but my legs ache as though they’ve been asleep and are coming out of hibernation. I feel nauseated. Bile races its way up through my throat. I vomit. And vomit some more. The gore smacks against a brick wall. Looking around, I realize I’m in an alleyway. Blackened snow piles up along the walls. ...

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“Welcome Home” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #68

It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. The door was that same olive green she’d hated as a little girl. The roof hung down over the red brick like a thick eyebrow. It always reminded her of the look her father gave her when he disapproved of her. Low and angry. The windows glared down at Gwen, daring her to come in. Her mind screamed at her to stay away. But she couldn’t. She felt she needed to go back, and not only because her therapist explained that facing childhood...

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“Pokie” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #67

“This is amazing!” Louis yelled as he flung his body in a messy flip through the air. His form was atrocious, but he hung in the air seemingly forever. “I feel like I can fly!” Luka replied, spinning unbelievably slow into a 1080; his body disappearing behind the glare of the late afternoon sunshine. They leaped toward each other, exchanged high fives, and floated back down to the dusty turquoise surface of Tirkizan. Their feet barely made footprints as they landed. “We should just stay here! I could get used to this low ...

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“The Pains of Success” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #66

November 6th My Sweet Lizzy Love, I miss you so much it hurts. And the kids, man, my heart aches not seeing their little faces smiling up at me! You’re on my mind constantly and I long for you to be with me again. This week has been one I’ll never forget. It’s felt like a year wrapped in a week, wrapped in forever—not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. It’s just a thing, and that may be all right. I barely even know where I am right now. I think I’m in Dallas, but maybe that was yesterday. :) Anywa...

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“To Die is a Great Adventure” by Daniel Roueche

Submitted to Contest #65

I’m dead. And I don’t mean I’ve-done-something-so-horrible-my-parents-are-going-to-kill-me-dead. I mean, I’m literally dead. Like my physical body is rotting in a grave. I think. I still haven’t been able to find it, but that’s not the point. The point is, I’m not alive anymore, but I’m not going to let that stop me from living. You know? So, I’m making the best of it. That’s why I’ve brought my little brother, Carter, along with me on my first Halloween adventure without a pulse. Just so you know, Carter isn’t dea...

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“My Zoey” by Daniel Roueche

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #64

I wrap her tiny body in my arms. A snot bubble around her nose bursts as she sneezes gently into my sleeve. I bundle her up in her sleeper and place her in her crib. She fusses when I set her down, but within a few minutes, she relaxes into a slow, rhythmic breathing. Standing over the crib, I smile. It’s been a long day filled with baby boogies, watery eyes, and sick crying. I haven’t been able to calm her all day, but these quiet moments where I can just watch my beautiful baby girl are worth it. The butterflies in...

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Author bio

My horror story “My Zoey” was shortlisted! You might enjoy checking it out. Or not. Whatevs. I have also started doing voiceovers of my stories. You can check them out on danielhasavoice.com or by following my podcast: Short Stories Big Adventures on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Skyler Woods also created an awesome audio version of “My Zoey.” Follow this link to check it out and subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/QNqV65m-ITk And if you have a Wattpad account, check me out @iamdanno. I post stories there that don’t fit into any prompts on Reedsy. I hope you enjoy my little efforts at entertaining you.

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #64

My Zoey – read story