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Hannah Lynn

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2023

Stories (93)
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179 Followers
106 Following

93 Stories

3394 karma pts

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Have a Nice Day?

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

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...

13 likes 2 comments 2
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Mrs. Jackson's Pumpkin Pie

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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Mac and Cheese and Muffin Mix

Shortlisted for Contest #226 ⭐️

The line was already forming as Margaret pulled into the parking lot of the small, unmarked building tucked into the residential neighborhood. The usual characters were front and center waiting at the locked door.  “Good morning,” she called out, juggling several brown paper bags, careful to keep her keys on hand to unlock the pantry. “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!” She was met with smiles and cheerful holiday greetings. Those closest to the door shuffled to the side allowing the older woman to pass. “Please stay...

34 likes 13 comments 13
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Mirror of Truth

Submitted to Contest #225

Antique stores trigger memories of my grandparents’ kitchen. There was that white cabinet in the corner of the room that held my curiosity but never allowed me entry. Had I been older or less of an introvert I would have asked to see inside rather than just looking at it wistfully. I suddenly felt a sadness at the missed opportunity of my grandfather sharing with me stories of his antiques and how he bought and sold them.The bells jingled as I pushed my way in the day before Thanksgiving. Would the shop be crowded with cu...

17 likes 5 comments 5
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Vanity Mirror

Submitted to Contest #225

“Good morning, Sunshine. Another day, another dollar. Are you ready for the insanity?” She leaned into the mirror studying her reflection. “Wow, you look exhausted,” she told herself.***“Hey!” MI Jane got defensive. No sooner did the words come out of her mouth than she felt the pressure of her supervisor’s hand on her shoulder. Just the slightest bit of a squeeze and then release. Enough to make the point. She was out of turn. Her job was Mirror Image Jane, nothing more, nothing less.***Jane...

11 likes 2 comments 2
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Reflections of Motherhood

Submitted to Contest #225

“Happy Birthday, Mommy!” Startled out of a deep sleep, Julia woke to the twins jumping on the bed like two little monkeys. “Get over here.”  She smiled, reaching out for the children. As they tumbled on top of her with their hugs and kisses, she had to laugh. It was a good way to start her birthday. “Are we going to the carnival, Mommy?” “Did you think about it? Can we go?” “Can we, Mommy, can we?” The questions came at her in rapid fire succession. She felt the exhaustion and slight headache lingering fr...

15 likes 8 comments 8
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The Other Version

Submitted to Contest #225

She sat on the edge of the bed looking at the sleeping child. Her cheeks were rosy from the summer day, her hair tousled about her face. She looked happy, peaceful. She once again examined her feelings towards this child, her child. She cared for her, perhaps even loved her.  The child would be taken care of, continuing down the path that had been so carefully arranged. With the evidence of high intelligence and increasing self-confidence there was no doubt that she would continue to thrive.  She was ca...

13 likes 3 comments 3
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Hush Little Baby

“I can’t sleep, Mama.” Feeling the rustling of the bed sheets behind me I knew my mother had heard my despair and climbed into bed with me. She comforted me, being the big spoon and allowing me, her youngest child, to be the little spoon. “It’s ok, love. I’m here.” Her voice fluttered into my ears. “I’m scared, Mama.” With my eyes glued to the baby monitor I confessed my deepest fears. “I’m lost. She deserves better.” “All new mothers feel like this.” “Even you?” I couldn’t imagine my mother feeli...

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The Appointment

Submitted to Contest #224

He was feeling particularly miserable that day. Who wanted to get up before dawn for that appointment? What had the world turned into? It had been building over the years little by little, another rule, another regulation, another appointment. Who did these people think they were trying to control every single aspect of our lives? Where did it end?  Guzzling down his morning coffee he grimaced as the bitterness hit his empty stomach. What if he just decided not to go? Returning to the crumpled bed sh...

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Essy 37 Head of State

Submitted to Contest #224

I wasn’t chosen to pull the trigger but would do so had my number been called. Surprisingly after all the years of despair and decline we had kept the tradition of the weekly lottery. Each week the country tuned in to hear the cheery voice announce the winning numbers. Unknown to the public, the first number called last week determined who would do the deed. If no one had an exact match, whoever was closest was tagged it, the one to assassinate the dictator. We had little time to waste and a lot of moving pieces as the co...

8 likes 4 comments 4
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Through the Steel Door

Submitted to Contest #224

There it was just as expected, on time as if set with an alarm clock. The 4:00 am door opened after being closed and bolted all day while she sat at her writing desk. She wasn’t surprised in the least. Trying to gain access between chores and appointments had proven to be impossible. Changing gears, new perspectives and fresh starts were all futile efforts. That massive door was held shut with an invisible combination lock; the right sequence of numbers unknown to her. At 4:00 am it slid open, but more than slid open,...

9 likes 2 comments 2
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Change of Plans

Submitted to Contest #223

“Shot of Jack Daniels.” “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” “Did I ask what you think, or did I ask for a shot?” “Bitch,” the bartender mumbled under his breath loud enough for me to hear. He was right. I was being a bitch, in one of those moods where nothing felt quite right. The agitation was getting worse day by day, had been building for months. Looking back, the entire semester was a shit show of anxiety.  “What’s your problem?” Gen grabbed another handful of stale pretzels, grimacing, but eating them...

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Beneath the Lobby

Submitted to Contest #223

My stomach lurched in perfect rhythm with the elevator’s herky-jerky ride down to the lobby. I held my cart for dear life praying that I wouldn’t see an encore performance of last night’s shots of liquid courage. Those books didn’t deserve the misfortune of that mess, they were innocent little stories just waiting to go back to their homes assigned to them by the Dewey Decimal System. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes in an actual cold sweat. Please let me get through this shift. Four hours isn’t asking too much. ...

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I Am Going To The Mountaintop With You

Submitted to Contest #222

“Sitting at the lake I felt the peace settle in, the long awaited trip was here. Settling into the cushions with the view of the mountains directly across I searched my mind for the concept. My ad was due upon returning to the city and I was zapped, burnt out, overworked, and running on empty.”I looked at Nicole and smiled. “Thanks again for getting me this gig. She’s amazing.”“Yeah, right.” There was a tone in her voice I hadn’t expected. I darted a look at her. Did she look annoyed? It was hard to te...

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