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Douglas Render

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2024

Stories (7)

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7 Stories

125 karma pts

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A DIALOGUE AT THE EDGE OF DAWN

Submitted to Contest #312

The room is quiet. Pale morning light drips through the blinds, casting faint stripes across the old man’s quilt. The clock on the wall ticks softly, counting down the final hours of another life. The old man lies still, floating between the thin veil of dreams and waking—a space he has come to know well. His chest rises and falls with the weight of years. A whisper, as if from within the walls of the universe, brushes against his ear.ENTITY:Good morning. I have guided and protected you from the shadows all your days, but I still do not unde...

8 likes

The boy who froze time

Submitted to Contest #311

Everyone thought Luca was just another quiet kid sitting near the chemistry class window, doodling strange symbols in his notebook. But the truth was far stranger—Luca could pause time.Not rewind. Not fast-forward. Just stop it cold.The moment it first happened, he was ten. A car skidded off the road toward his dog, and in a panic, Luca screamed "Chronostasis!" and everything froze. Leaves hung in the air. The car hovered above the ground mid-spin. And his dog just stood there, unaware, tail wagging, safe.He never told anyone. Luca did not k...

15 likes

Into the Heliosphere - The God Particle Expedition

Submitted to Contest #306

May 13th, 2050 I will attempt to recreate yesterday’s events, though uncertain I can truly convey what we experienced. The day began at 0700. A quiet, somber atmosphere enveloped the galley as the team gathered for breakfast. Each member sat lost in thought, contemplating their role in the upcoming experiment. Anticipation and worry were etched on their faces. Some had been part of the Hadro project before, witnessing failures and the loss of colleagues in the pursuit to understand the universe. Others harbored doubts about the existence of...

1 like

I remember our first summer vacation

Submitted to Contest #285

There can be no better place for a family of eight children to grow up than a small Midwest country town. Summers were filled with running in the hills, playing baseball with the neighborhood kids, or inventing games to play in Grandpa's five-acre field. Never alone, having a brother to keep one company enhanced life.  One of the biggest challenges for our large family was economics. Dad worked two jobs to make ends meet, while Mom's hands were constantly full, keeping up with eight children—seven boys and one girl. Even the most p...

6 likes

A Bargain for Redemption

Submitted to Contest #255

Lyle lived in a quiet fishing village surrounded by beautiful waterways. He had the largest, most opulent home in the village. The grounds were perfectly manicured by migrants hustling from the border to work for pennies. Known for his shrewdness in business and his silver tongue, he had built a prosperous life for himself but also made many enemies and committed countless sins in his relentless pursuit of wealth and power. As Lyle aged, fearing for his soul, Europa, his guardian angel, began to infuse images of eternal damnation into his d...

5 likes

Cupt galeatum - the man who could pause time

Submitted to Contest #253

Flora Flores and her family welcomed her newborn son, Louis Antonio Flores, on August 6, 1948. Maria Santos, the local Curandero (medicine woman) with great spiritual healing powers, was present during Louis’ birth. As the doctor took the child from the mother, he turned and gave him to Maria for a blessing. Holding the child, she looked down at Louis and saw a Caput galeatum (veil) encompassing his face. She screeched with excitement, chanting incantations and jumping in celebration. She began to shake as she felt his spiritual powers emana...

12 likes

Sophia's Wish

Submitted to Contest #252

SOPHIA’S WISH On a chilly autumn evening, the small town of Crooked Creek buzzed with excitement. The annual Winter Harvest Fair was in full swing, and people of all ages in this small farming community filled the town square. Each reveling in the festive atmosphere. The children’s voices could be heard screeching with joy as they rode the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and other exciting rides. Stalls brimmed with homemade goods, apple, and cherry pies, and corn on the cob. The smell of barbecue filled the fair-goers nostrils. The scent of r...

8 likes