Hannah Lynn

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2023

Stories (90)

90 Stories

3084 karma pts

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“Control Z” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #234

She had barely made it through the day. The experience of training another new employee was still bitter in her throat, making it difficult to swallow. She procrastinated the start of dinner despite the growling hunger pains beginning to announce themselves. The girl was sweet, she couldn’t take out the mounting frustrations on her. Trying to keep herself detached from the situation, she had repeated the same instructions that she had over the years as the sea of new employees flowed past her. Would this one follo...

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“Psycho Nicole” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #233

“You are a miserable wretch. I am done.”He put on his sweats and went out for a run to clear his head. Dammit. Just halfway down the block and he already felt winded. How long had it been since he went running? He looked down at the gray sweatpants he was wearing, unwashed and picked out of the hamper outside the laundry room. What kind of person takes laundry out of the basket to wear? He had it ass backwards.It was her fault. Nicole. How did this happen to him again? She got under his skin,...

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“Signs From Above” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #232

“Who’s up next?”“We have someone new at station three.”“Stats?”“Fifty-nine year old female. Stress level 8, depression rising quickly threatening 10, suicide risk 2.”“You want to give this one a shot?”“Me?”“Why not you?”“I’m still in training.”“You’re ready. Start with observation.”***“I just can’t do this anymore, I really cannot do this anymore,” Ruth thought for the millionth time. She still heard her boss’s commands in her head. “Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.” Like a woodpecker tapping at her brain. It had taken ...

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“The Sunpeople” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #232

“Come on, let’s get these lines pulled.”Brady checked his watch. “You still want to get this delivery done today?”“I do. They’re waiting for us, and I don’t want to disappoint them. I feel sorry for them in a way.”“Who? The sunpeople? Or the staff having to deal with them?”She sighed. It was a conversation that would no doubt turn into a debate, and she was in no mood. It was almost 10:30 and they only had ninety minutes before the sun came up and her to do list was longer than she would have liked. Sh...

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“Write a Story About Hope” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #231

“Write a story about hope.” That’s my creative writing assignment. I have one week to put together a short story about something that’s been eluding me, slipping away little by little like the warm air from a fireplace escaping through an open window until the room is cold. I wish I had hope. I would love to have hope. To wake up each morning with a smile on my face and a pep in my step instead of heavy eyes and a sense of despair. How can I explain my lack of hope without coming off as melodramatic? I h...

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“Her First Submission” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #231

They were short little tales of approximately 700 words, each having a twist ending similar to the old black and white Twilight Zone series. She remembered watching the marathon every New Year’s Day saying “Just one more” as each episode came to an end and the next about to start. She hoped her stories would have that same effect. “Just one more,” she imagined her readers saying as they flipped to the next story in her collection. That is, if she ever completed her short story collection. She thought of the five c...

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“Ten Seconds” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #231

Ten seconds. That’s all she had. The million people packed into the small space created the perfect storm. She didn’t like crowds, the sea of people pressing up against her from all sides made her uncomfortable. Jeff had been obsessed the past few months, bragging to his business partners and clients that they were flying out to New York to see the ball drop. She was embarrassed every time he announced the staggering rate for their Times Square hotel stay as if somehow it was a good thing, an achievement of some sor...

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“Reasons to Live” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #230

(TW – depression, suicidal thoughts)---Reasons to not kill myself – Dec 22, 19811. It would ruin Christmas for my family.---Reasons to not kill myself – Dec 23, 19811. It would destroy my mother.Even though I once told my mother I was considering killing myself and she didn’t take me seriously, it is still the only reason I can think of to not actually do it. It would destroy her. And she doesn’t deserve that. It does seem a bit pointless to stay alive for the sole purpose of another person who doesn’t ev...

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“It's Over - Over and Over Again” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #229

He sat back in his Lazy Boy chair listening to the crackle of the fire. He closed his eyes thinking, “Damn, life is good.” In a few hours the kids would be arriving for Christmas dinner, the first time the gang was all together in what felt like forever. Click, click, click in walked Marilyn all dressed and ready for the festivities. She looked … well, she looked spectacular. “Honey, is that a new dress? I don’t remember seeing that one before?” He asked, looking at her appreciatively. She sta...

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“Sixteen to Sixty - A Love Story” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #229

I don’t remember why we stopped seeing each other but I do remember that we always went back to each other. And then we got married. But not to each other. And then we had kids. But not with each other. On and off for over thirty years I thought about him. Not in the heat of a fight, not in desperation or regret or longing, just in passing. And I would think he’s thinking of me too. He wouldn’t forget me. It’s not possible. And one day I would see him again and I would tell him I love him. I would s...

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“Chatter at the Market” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #228

Another event in the desert where it’s 100 degrees in the shade and by shade he meant the canopy that he himself had struggled to put up. The website had shown a lot of chatter regarding that food market, so he had submitted his application and rented a booth.It was an annual event, always blistering hot and always packed to the gills. He had been there as a customer many times over the years indulging in the comforting Tex-Mex cuisine, but this was his first time as a vendor. Being a computer programmer by profession and not ...

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“Have a Nice Day?” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #228

Twisting the phone cord around my finger, I didn’t know what to do. I stood still for longer than I would have liked before I decided to dial the number. “You ok?” My mother’s voice sounded breathless as she answered. “Yes. Fine.” I heard her exhale. “Ok. Good.” “I’m just scared.” “Aww I know.” “Can you come over? I’m afraid to be alone.” “Sure. How about I take you to breakfast?” “That sounds great. Thanks!” *** Sitting in the tight booth at IHOP I felt anxious but safer than...

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“Jane, Null and Void” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #227

(TW … mention of assassination, hanging)(Note, can be read on its own or as a continuation of previous story “Essy 37 Head of State” submitted in contest #224)The assassination went off without a hitch, shocking the world and those closest to him who did not see it coming. After years of oppression and cruelty, the freed citizens fled in droves, leaving Washington DC abandoned by all.All except Jane. Jane wandered the empty halls fighting the urge to continue her job which was null and void. The offices sat silently, the phone...

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“Ballerinas in the Moonlight” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #227

“Go back to bed, Miss Amelia darling. You know the rules.”“Who are you?”“You know who I am.”“Tell me.”“I’m your aide,” the stranger said. “Now let’s get you back into bed under your blanket. It’s going to be freezing tonight. Do you have your woolen socks on?”I looked down at my feet. Such ugly socks I had on. Why?“These socks are ugly,” I told the strange lady while getting into bed.She laughed. “Are you going out tonight? Perhaps dancing? The socks are fine. You’ll be nice and warm.” S...

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“Mrs. Jackson's Pumpkin Pie” by Hannah Lynn

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #226

“Come on, we’re going to be late,” she pulled his arm, dragging him along. Yanking his arm away from his sister’s grip, he scowled. “Don’t touch me.” “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, her typical reaction. Luke hated it when people touched him, especially his arms or wrists, always commenting on how skinny he was. “You’re all skin and bones,” they said, making him feel less of a person, even smaller than he actually was if that were even possible. The school nurse had said not to worry, he would grow out of it, would...

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Author bio

Native New Yorker Hannah has returned to her love of writing. She is currently working on her first novel in addition to a collection of short stories. Feedback always welcome! Email: HannahLynnStories@gmail.com

Shortlisted 6 stories ⭐️

Contest #250

Be Like the Purple Flowers – read story

Contest #242

Dancing to the Paintings – read story

Contest #226

Mrs. Jackson's Pumpkin Pie – read story

Contest #226

Mac and Cheese and Muffin Mix – read story

Contest #219

Cell Phone Cell – read story