Hannah Lynn

“Hush Little Baby” by Hannah Lynn

“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” by Hannah Lynn

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” by Hannah Lynn

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...

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“Through the Steel Door” by Hannah Lynn

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,...

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“Change of Plans” by Hannah Lynn

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” by Hannah Lynn

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” by Hannah Lynn

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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“My One Day in Bermuda” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #222

“No, no, no,” I screamed helplessly holding onto the wire basket behind me where my carefully packed bag was placed. The street was coming up fast. Too fast. The crowd formed quickly. “Are you okay?” “You’re bleeding.” “Can you walk?”Someone pulled the motor scooter off of me. Why was it that you always see one shoe in the middle of the road after an accident? This time it was my husband’s shoe.“You need to get to a hospital,” a voice from somewhere floated to me.“No. I’m fine.”“Aww, don’t cry.”&n...

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“My Promise To Uncle Nate” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #220

We touched down smoothly with a collective sigh of relief from all passengers on board. I let go of Lu’s hand which up to that moment I hadn’t realized I was holding for dear life. I wouldn’t say I’m a nervous traveler, per se, but accidents do happen. Of course, he was on my mind. Uncle Nate was not a ‘blood relative’ but rather my father’s best friend and while I was growing up we added the title of uncle to his name. He never married, never had kids, I’m not sure why. I do remember him being the first and possib...

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“Tears In The Desert” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #220

“I did the right thing by walking away.”Being alone I obviously didn’t expect an answer, and I continued on with my one-sided conversation.“I mean what he said was totally out of line and he needs to apologize.”I stopped to catch my breath, the adrenaline from the argument wearing off leaving me exhausted. My feet were starting to ache; flip flops were no match for this harsh rocky terrain. Why didn’t I storm off in sneakers or better yet a good sturdy pair of boots? I didn’t plan my grand exit very practically.Adding insult t...

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“Coffee and Stories” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #219

“Hey man, you survived the monsters. Congratulations!” Mr. Abrams slapped me on the back, grabbed my hand, pumping it up and down.“Thanks! To be honest they almost got the better of me on more than one occasion.”“You’re not the only one, trust me. Any one of us can attest to that.” Mr. Abrams waved his arm around the faculty lounge at the rest of the teachers all there to celebrate my retirement.“He’s right,” Ms. Howe joined in the conversation gingerly balancing a slice of cake and assortment of cookies on a flimsy ...

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“Cell Phone Cell” by Hannah Lynn

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #219

Was it worth it? She hardly liked the taste, would probably not even get it down with the knot growing in her stomach reaching up to her throat. She zoomed in on herself. Cute? Could it be cuter. She glanced toward the clock then the door. Two minutes before her interview. Having no idea what the recruiter looked like she took the risk and took another selfie with her Pumpkin Spice Latte, then zoomed in. Yeah. Cuter. She posted it. “Katelyn?” An older woman stood over her, seemingly to ap...

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“Going Up” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #218

(TW .. this story contains references to verbal and emotional abuse.)Wearing her bathing suit and coverup she went into the elevator and hit the round button for her floor. Seeing her reflection in the mirrored walls she smiled. Finally, the long awaited girls’ trip to Cancun was here; five full days of laughter and conversation over food and drinks on the beach. Leaving her friends on their lounge chairs, she ran back up to her room for the forgotten sunscreen.Ding.The doors opened to four faces peering in. “Hola. G...

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“Living The Dream” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #217

“Ya know, Joe’s been pressuring me.”Her mother stopped dead in her tracks and spun around. “Are you serious? What did I tell you about boys? He seemed like a nice kid.”“No, not like that. He is a nice kid. But he wants to come over. He says this isn’t normal and I agree.”“You can invite him over anytime you want. I have no problem with that. Just keep your door open.”“Mom. Get real. I can’t have him here and you know that.”“Well, I’m sorry, darling, but this is how it is. You only have a...

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“Those Eyes” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #217

“Rebecca, would you like to join the others in a card game?” Her gaze shifted from the blue sky through the window to the lady standing over her waiting for an answer. Card game? What was she talking about?  “Rebecca? Hmmm, what do you think? Want to play some rummy?” “No.” She returned her gaze to the bluest of skies letting the voice float away. It was the perfect color, reminding her of that day so long ago. Where was she? Leaning back, legs outstretched holding onto those chains she saw ...

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