Darvico Ulmeli

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (103)

103 Stories

3327 karma pts

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“THE FISH WHO CRIED SHARK” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #282

"I'm sorry," Max whispered, his voice barely more than a ripple as it blended into the gentle lapping of waves against Coral Cove's broken reef. His dulled and patchy golden scales caught the faint gleam of sunlight that filtered through the water, a pale shadow of their once-held brilliance. He floated motionless, the usual flick of his fins absent, as if the energy to move had drained away with the collapse of his world.Once a vibrant labyrinth of twisting coral spires and shimmering anemones, Coral Cove was now a shattered skeleton. Chunk...

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“THE BITTER TYPEWRITER” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #282

Milo Rydell had always believed in the power of words and his unparalleled talent for misusing them.So, when the ancient typewriter arrived on his doorstep, wrapped in paper that looked suspiciously like a foreclosure notice, he thought, Finally, the universe recognizes my genius. Sure, it smelled like moldy books and bad decisions, but who cared? Great art often started with questionable origins. He signed for the package without hesitation, ignoring the delivery man's muttered warning:"Return policy's a bit... complicated."Milo didn't both...

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“CURSED QUILLS AND COFFEE STAINS” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #281

"Why are we in the coffee shop, Darvico? I don't even like coffee shops.""Me neither, Reed. But never mind that. I'm writing the book, Reed.""Really? What's it about?""It starts with 'Be careful what you wish for.'""Oh, groundbreaking. Truly. No one's ever used that phrase before.""Sarcasm noted, but hear me out.""Do I have a choice?""No. It's about this guy who...""Wait, let me guess. He makes a wish, but it goes awry, leading to hilarity."Fine, Reed. If you hate it so much, why are you even here?""Because you dragged me here, Darvico. And ...

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“THE PUPPET’S HEART” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #281

The nights are the hardest.By day, sunlight streams through the narrow gaps between thatched rooftops, casting golden pools on the uneven cobblestones of the village. The boys dart across the streets, their bare feet slapping against the stones with careless abandon. Their laughter swirls in the air, a melody that dances on the wind, brushing past me but never quite settling in my hollow chest. They are so alive, their movements fluid and unrestrained, as if their very existence is music - limbs like pliant willow branches, bending but never...

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“THE HORIZON IS FLAT, AND SO ARE MY HOPES” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #280

Hello, Steve, it's me.Ralph, why are you calling me at - hold on, let me check the time - two in the morning?Because I was up thinking, and I realized something important. This can't wait.This had better not be another one of your flat Earth rants.It's not a rant, Steve. It's a logical discussion about the truth.The truth is that you think the Earth is flat.Not think. Know. The Earth is flat, Steve; deep down, you know it too.Here we go.Answer me this. If the Earth is spinning at a thousand miles per hour, why don't we feel it?Because we're ...

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“Undead and Underappreciated” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #279

My name is Mortimer Crane. I was 34 when I died. Brown hair, average height, pale blue eyes, and skin that now looks like someone microwaved it in plastic wrap. In life, I was wallpaper - bland, scuffed, and probably a bit mildewed. The kind of guy you'd forget was in the room until you needed to lean on something. In death? Still wallpaper, just a little more… peely. I wasn't unique. I didn't save lives or invent anything. I didn't have big dreams or a larger-than-life personality. My biggest accomplishment was alphabetizing a filing cabine...

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“ELIM CHIVOLUDARS MEMOIRS – SOLITUDE” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #279

Does it ever sink in your gut, cold and unrelenting, when you're sure you're right, but every sign points to you being wrong? It's not just a feeling; it's a slow, gnawing unease, like the faint creak of wood beneath your feet, warning of an unseen collapse. And yet, you push forward despite the bitter taste of doubt on your tongue. The air around you feels heavy and damp, almost suffocating, as if every step is a struggle to move through invisible quicksand. Those who stand in your way don't even realize they're blocking you. They mistaken...

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“LAUGH OUT LOUD: DEATHBED DIARIES” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #278

Opening Scene:(The stage bathes in an ominous glow, pulsating with a kaleidoscope of neon lights. Tombstones scattered across the set flicker to life with words like "Secrets Never Rest" and “Confessions From Beyond." Thick fog rolls across the floor, curling around the glowing props like ghostly fingers, as an eerie, remixed version of Another One Bites the Dust pumps through the speakers, warped into a chilling tune. The atmosphere screams macabre spectacle. Suddenly, from the swirling mist, Morty Mirth appears — a skeleton host with razor...

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“The Mirror’s Lament” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #277

They call me “Magic.” They call me “Wise.” They call me the voice of truth. But they never ask what I am or what I want. For centuries, I have been nothing more than a cursed pane of silver, bound to reflect what the world demands of me. I have no name, no face of my own — only the echoes of a hundred queens who stood before me, whispering their fears into the void. Each one sought the same answer. Am I beautiful? Am I worthy? Am I the fairest of them all? The answer is never mine to give. I am a mirror, not a judge. The truth I speak comes ...

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“How I Met And Married Your Mother” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #276

Dear Mila Elena & Bjanka,"How I Met Your Mother."Remember that show on TV? Well, my story might be even more awkward! Before I begin, let me just say this: I know what I'm about to tell you sounds a bit crazy, maybe even too strange to believe, but I promise it's all true.I met your mother...on Facebook.Yes, I know how it sounds. But before you laugh, let me explain.Back then, Facebook was still new - a place where people could find new friends, join random groups, and feel part of something bigger. I didn't know many people, so I joined...

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“THE GRUMPY HITCHHIKER” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #275

I hate cats. There, I said it. They're furry, lazy, and think they're too good for the rest of us. And you know what? They get away with it because people think they're cute. I, however, am not so easily fooled. Cats are little emperors, rulers with invisible crowns who seem to think the world revolves around them. I can't stand them. So why, you ask, was I following one? Why did I skitter behind this black ball of arrogance, kicking up dust and muttering under my breath? Well, better late than never, right? Let me tell you how I ended up...

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“NINE LIVES EMERGENCY SERVICE” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #275

A chilly gust swept through the foggy alley, carrying the distinct scent of "you're about to regret this." Like "panicked floated," I hovered through the shadows, ducking behind dumpsters, clinging to walls, and praying Death's Reaper would lose interest in this undead goose chase. Time was running out, and each second felt like it brought the scythe closer to my neck."Oh, for the love of the Underworld, stop hiding and come quietly!" Death's voice boomed, the tone holding the same level of annoyance you'd expect from a DMV clerk with a 4 p....

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“SHADOWS OF THE STORYBOOK” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #274

"Beware the shadows of tales once told, For within their whispers, darkness unfolds. The paths to innocence are lined with dread. In forgotten pages, monsters are fed."Dr. Henrietta Jacqal had always been pulled toward the forbidden, a fascination that thrummed within her like a heartbeat, tightening its hold with each discovery. Every ancient, unfiltered fairy tale added a layer to her hidden world, where the innocent met their doom in dark forests, and witches bore teeth as sharp as knives.Her collection was vast; stacks of brittle, yellow...

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“THE SHADOW WITHIN” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #274

"The parts of ourselves that we fear the most haunt us, not ghosts.""I need help, doctor. ""What do you think about Brian?""…""Brian?""Hurting her.""Your wife?""Yes. I don't want to. But it's there. Just… there.""Do you think you're dangerous, Brian?" "…""Brian?""What does it matter? The thoughts come anyway.""It matters because you're here, asking for help. Do you know why these thoughts come, Brian?""No. They're just... there.""They're just there?""Always. I don't invite the thoughts. I just... can't stop them.""What exactly are these...

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“DON'T TELL ANYONE ” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #273

October 11.It keeps following me. All the time. I've been feeling it for days now - this eerie sensation of being watched. This morning, an envelope slipped under my door. No name, no return address. Just a single line written in red ink: "Come to the garden on Elm at midnight. Don't be late."My first thought was that it was a prank, maybe a mistake. But deep down, I knew it wasn't. I felt that same strange, heavy sensation in my chest - the feeling of being watched. Whoever's been following me wants me to come to this meeting.I should ignor...

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Author bio

I'm a 45-year-old storyteller, actor, and comedian. I've been weaving tales since I was a little five-year-old dreamer. You know, the kind who'd grab a pen and start scribbling away in a notebook, lost in a world of imagination. Life wasn't always a cakewalk for me; I've faced my fair share of struggles, navigating the challenges of poverty. Despite the odds stacked against me, I've poured my heart and soul into writing. Nine books so far, each a labor of love, even though none have made it to the shelves yet. But hey, I'm not giving up. Join me in exploring the realms of imagination, laughter, and introspection—because, in the end, the stories we tell define us.