GRACE LARSON

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2020

Stories (11)

11 Stories

362 karma pts

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“What It Would Be” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #77

He had never seen snow, but he knew what it would be like.  If he closed his eyes against the drab, grey sameness of the landscape about his house, and pushed back the stale, heavy air, suffocating under decades of use, he could see the world as it must once have been. He could see how the sky would roll up, puckering with soft heaps of cloud, gradually growing bulkier and larger. He could feel the cold, clear bite of wind on his cheeks, washing away the stagnant air he had breathed so long, imagine raising his arms and letting the win...

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“Silent Night” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #76

“Uncle Alb! I’m so glad you’re here - step right in.” The portly, heavily mustached figure of Uncle Albert stepped into the house, closely followed by his thin, shrew-faced wife, Aunt Matilda. “Vera, my dear! So good to see you again -” He bent over and kissed her heartily on the cheek. Vera smiled and kissed him back before turning to the snow-covered figure of her aunt. “Aunt Matilda - let me help you with your things. Just started snowing?” “Obviously - the ground’s hardly covered. And I’m not so old I need help taking off my things....

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“Simpler Beauties” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #73

There is an awful moment after every performance when one’s feelings fall from euphoria into depression. In the moment of the performance, under the transforming brilliance of the spotlights, everything seems sharp and clear and powerful. Wave after wave of vibrant joy at being alive sweeps through every gesture, every expression. Every step is charged with energy and exuberance, every thought is an intoxicating pleasure.To come back to ordinary life is almost torture. After the colors of the stage, everything seems washed out. After da...

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“Scales (Part 2 of 'One Word')” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #70

Shock rippled out over my relatives’ faces. I glanced around at their horrified expressions, already seeing the signs of rejection that were brewing under their normally kindly faces. They didn’t understand just yet - they were questioning if they had heard me correctly, if it was not simply a bad dream. A soft murmur swelled and broke over the stunned silence. They were turning to each other now, asking if they had heard the same thing. They would turn on me in a moment, demanding to know what I meant- Up until now, I had avoided looking in...

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“One Word” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #69

Only 3 hours of freedom left.I sighed and squinted into the setting sun. Its warm rays fell over the town stretching out beneath me, blurring the sharp edges of the buildings and illuminating the dusty streets with its soft, ruddy light. It looked almost peaceful in that moment - the constant bustle and clatter of the streets could not be heard from my lonely perch on the mountain. It was easy to forget up here, in the still, clear air, the constant chaos of the town that would overwhelm me as soon as I descended. It was easy to forget the w...

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“Out of a Solitary Planet” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #69

  When I was a child, time always seemed to slow down before Christmas. I remember how the days seemed to drag then, filled with waiting, and hoping, and waiting again. Then too, there was the suspense - this might be the year Santa doesn’t come, I probably shouldn’t have hit my sister, etc. But my small fears were always swallowed up in the overwhelming joy of Christmas morning.  I always woke up before my sister, in the cold, pale hour before dawn when no one else in the house was yet awake. I remember how I used to lie in bed a ...

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“Synchronous” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #68

The sky is fading from black to grey when I quietly open the door and slip outside into the chilly morning. The air, sharp with the tang of the sea, comes rushing up my nostrils, stinging them with its salty fragrance. I breathe in deeply, sucking after the cool air like water. It is deep and fresh and buoyant, soaked in memories of cool sands, white mists and breaking waves. I start down the path to the beach, the crash and slap of the waves becoming louder as I draw near. Just before rounding the bend, I pause, savoring the antic...

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“Out of a Nightmare” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #67

Falling, through a delirious tangle of dreams, vanishing like smoke, unsubstantial, unreal and indescribably strange. The world suddenly becoming focused and clear-cut as my steps turn onto a familiar road. The sun is dancing over the pavement, beautiful in the golden light, but my stomach clenches. I have been here before.  I walk on, and an alleyway suddenly looms to my right, deep and dark and cavernous. I hesitate, but my feet pull me into the alley before I can stop them. My eyes adjust to the half-light, and I see an endless tunn...

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“At the Edge of the Cliff” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #66

The sun burned down on my sweat-streaked face as I sprinted around the corner and began the last lap up the mountain. The boy beside me was clearly as tired as myself; his face was flushed dark red and he was breathing heavily, yet he kept on with the same determination. Darn it, would he ever fall behind? All the other kids had dropped out long ago, yet this one kept on. This could present a problem. I put on an extra burst of speed, although all my muscles seem to shriek in protest. I was gasping with the effort now, sweat pouring down my...

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“A Halloween Party” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #65

Bertha sighed and fidgeted with the invitation in her hand. All week she had debated coming to this annual Halloween party for witches, and now she almost wished she hadn’t. It was too late now, though. She impatiently rocked back and forth on her heels, looking for her friend, Lily. Lily had said she would meet her outside the house so they could go into the party together, but if she didn’t show up soon Bertha was going to look a complete fool.  She glanced back at the house and tried to reassure herself that there was nothing out o...

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“Giving Back” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #63

It had been ten minutes, perhaps longer.  The man shifted impatiently and glanced at his watch. Yes, ten minutes. And still no sign of his drink. Well, what could you expect? The cafe was clearly swamped. He should have come earlier, not now. He had forgotten, this time was always busy. He craned his neck over the waves of people, flowing and humming and shifting in a dizzying pattern, trying to see the counter. No small pumpkin spice latte with coconut milk and natural sweetener. Yes, there were other drinks there; he could see them,...

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