Darryl Roberts

“One of these Knights” by Darryl Roberts

Submitted to Contest #192

***language warning***“Just sign here and you’re ready to go sir.” the hotel clerk said. The elderly man took the proffered pen and with a firm, steady hand wrote ‘G.A. Wayne’The clerk glanced down, “Ok, Mr Wayne, will you be paying cash or credit?”“It’s just Wayne these days.” The man’s voice was deep and sonorous, worthy of a Shakespearean actor. He removed a clip of bills from his jacket. “And cash.”“Thank you, sir.” The clerk handed over a keycard. It’s floor number 3 suite 9. And enjoy your stay at the Park Grand.”Wayne nodded and heade...

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“Decision at the Diner” by Darryl Roberts

Submitted to Contest #191

Donnie reclined gloomily in the plastic booth, absentmindedly toying with the froth in the coffee, now cold, that sat on the table.“Been in this dump too many times,” he mused, glancing up at the flickering neon sign proclaimingHAPPY HARBOR DINER - UNLIMITED COFFEE WITH EVERY MEAL!Shifting his weight restlessly, Donnie reflected that the coffee really wasn’t good enough that a person would want more than one cup anyway, unless they were really desperate. Of course, a large amount of the diner’s clientele were definitely desperate, so wh...

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“Killer Ratings” by Darryl Roberts

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #190

The stealth drone hovered over the backyard of the suburban house, its camera zooming in close to its subject.A boy, kneeling on the lawn, in one hand a praying mantis, the other a pair of tweezers. Holding the insect close to his expressionless face, he slowly ripped the legs off the mantis, then once that task was completed, immersed the body in a jar of water that lay on the grass in front of him, until the insect stopped struggling and was still. A thin smile played across the boy’s face.“Hey Dave!” Richie called out across the bustling ...

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“You Can Never Look Back” by Darryl Roberts

## Substance abuse, mental health, language##I awoke to the high pitched screaming of a baby in distress, or hunger, probably both.I had the beginnings of a grade A headache, and the piercing infant’s cry certainly wasn’t doing it any favors.Groggily took in my surroundings. Unfamiliar bedroom, female, sour smell of old sweat and vomit. Beside me on the bed lay a naked woman, red hair straight from a bottle. Sleeping?Shaking her produced no response. Shit. I breathed a sigh of relief as I found a pulse and noted her chest was moving. Passed ...

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“The Farmer and the Fox” by Darryl Roberts

Taro was a poor but hard-working farmer, growing radishes and raising chickens for their eggs, which he would sell at the village market.One day, he set out for the village with a basket full of eggs. Along the road, he heard the sounds of shouting and laughing coming from a thicket.Strange, thought Taro, and went to investigate. He saw a group of youths from the village in a circle kicking and beating a slender white fox. Being a kindhearted soul, who could not bear to see animals in pain, he approached the boys.“Please stop,” he said, “thi...

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“The Cat Burglar” by Darryl Roberts

Submitted to Contest #187

I do believe I am a living oxymoron, a fat cat burglar. When I mentioned this to my criminal colleagues, they just laughed and called me a fat moron, which I find highly impolite, not to mention politically incorrect.Of course, it is well known that some people of the overweight kind can be remarkably agile, and that is how I have managed to ply my trade all these years without being caught even once.As for my underworld companions, they shrugged and told me that everyone gets caught eventually, and that the main reason I haven’t yet is that...

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