Eric Hyzer

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2020

Stories (9)

9 Stories

231 karma pts

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“Darkness Is the Absence of Light” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #92

“You can become anything you want”; that’s what her mother had always said. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, but when you’re living on food stamps and have a child going to bed hungry more nights than not, that’s what you say. However, Beth knew better—had back then, too, but hadn’t wanted to hurt her mother’s feelings.Life’s a bitch then you die.“Yeah, baby,” she intoned, “you’re so damn good.” Some thirtysomething guy with a potbelly and lousy breath was on top of her. Beth studied the meticulous heart tattooed on his ri...

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“Reading is Fun” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #91

The Philip Noyer Library in Lexington closed indefinitely after the incident because management needed time to clean blood from the shelves, tables, carpet, etc. Moreover, a local college student Michael Cook was taken into custody by police for the murder of the librarian, Brad Umstead. These are purely the facts.However, there are rumors something more ominous transpired on the afternoon of April 17. Some individuals even speculate a malevolent force had haunted the library since its founder, Philip Noyer (local millionaire and n...

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“Why Not?” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #89

They say divorce, moving, job loss, and death are the most stressful life events, and Todd Kent could relate because he had experienced them all; however, sitting behind the wheel of the U-Haul truck, gazing at his new residence through a bug-spattered windshield, he didn’t feel stressed but relieved. A sensation he supposed touched on inappropriate and disconcerting, considering the circumstances.“It looked better online,” he said aloud. The 1950s ranch house—fifteen miles out of Lexington, KY—had powder blue shutters, discolored shingles, ...

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“The Ladder of Success” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #88

“False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.”—Socrates“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”—Friedrich NietzscheStanding in their ostentatious kitchen, Brad Underwood’s memory was addled: had he told his wife he was working late so he could sleep with Jessica or had he told his boss he had to leave early so he could sleep with Pam—or maybe vice versa?“You reek of Jack Daniels,” Tina said, placing a large plate of leftovers into the microwave. She slammed the s...

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“Hello Stranger” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #49

She appeared perfectly normal at first glance; then, I asked what she did for a living. “Mostly, I murder people,” the woman said. Okay, I thought, this lady is batshit crazy. Sure, she’s a looker with her long, blonde hair and sell-your-soul-to-the-devil eyes, but still . . . nuttier than a fruitcake. However, my bus wouldn’t be here for another thirty-five minutes. So, I say, “That sounds really interesting.” “If you don’t mind, may I enquire as to your name?” Now, I might not be the brightest lightbulb in the package, but my mothe...

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“Happenstance” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #38

Jason Crawford was fortunate enough to have the entire complex to himself, a situation he would never have envisioned in his wildest dreams. Sure, once the overhyped COVID-19 fiasco ended, people would flock to the recently constructed Robin’s Nest Apartments—LUXURY LIVING IN THE HEART OF BRIER CREEK, according to the oversized banner displayed at the entrance. Nevertheless, for the moment, his third-floor dwelling was the only unit occupied.But between the virus restrictions, the fact that he worked from home, and the highly addictive Uber ...

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“Spring Fling” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #35

Karen Sutton’s boyfriend, Michael Ross (a.k.a. Mike), had broken up with her the day after Halloween because he no longer wanted to be “tied down in a relationship.” Karen thought it was just a pleasant way of saying he preferred to date a slut—instead of someone who aspired to save herself for marriage. And no, she wasn’t some stick-in-the-mud Christian hell-bent on preserving her chastity; however, she had never forgotten her mother’s words of advice on her sixteenth birthday: If a man can get the milk for free, why would he purchase ...

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“The Perfect Family” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #34

“I’m bored,” Tina said, her thirteen-year-old face expressionless. “How long we gotta stay in this house?” She leaned against the refrigerator. “I miss Massachusetts.”Karen Miller sighed, placed her hands on her hips, and said, “Sweetheart, we move every year, you know that. And how many times do I have to keep explaining to you about the damn virus situation?”“But this is stupid.”“Until the virus shit is under control, we have to avoid unnecessary interaction with other individuals, understand? We don’t want people to ask questions, right?”...

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“Dinner Date” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #32

Dinner DatebyEric HyzerMaintaining a stable relationship, especially a romantic one, can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when one member of the partnership possesses . . . let’s say, unique characteristics, preserving that bond can be particularly challenging.“Hello, darling,” Paul said, handing her a bouquet of vibrant purple and yellow flowers.Aurora Cummins smiled, her face was bright and lively. “Thank you, sweetheart.” She took a whiff of the earthy aroma. “Daises, my favorite.”“Sorry, I’m late.”“Don’t be silly,” she s...

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Author bio

IT professional and writer that loves all things horror.