Hannah Polis

“Investigations” by Hannah Polis

After quitting her job, Natalie will drive to the airport. She will ask the lady at the ticket counter for a seat on the plane leaving for London Heathrow, and the lady will name a price that Natalie will pay without flinching before she receives the ticket with her name on it. The line at the security will be short because it is a weekday in April, and soon, Natalie will nod politely at the other passengers while searching for her seat on the plane. She will sit by a window looking out at the airport building before watching the pastel clou...

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“Price and Value” by Hannah Polis

Marcus started asking for money when they were halfway through the main course. Madison could tell he had planned what to say, maybe even jotted down the words on a piece of paper before coming to the restaurant – “You know, this time it’ll be different. I have a much better understanding of the business side of it now,” he said. He had put down his fork and knife and looked up at them with an assuring smile that showcased the crinkles around his eyes. Madison leaned back into her chair and took a sip of white wine, then carefully moved the ...

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“Smoke” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #246

The children were chasing along the banks of the river, their feet kicking up the dirt that had settled along the edges. It hadn’t rained in weeks now, and the scorching July sun had made the water vanish, leaving behind only dust and rocks in the river’s empty bed. The heat of the summer rested like a heavy blanket over the small town. It was Annie who ran ahead of the others, her long blonde hair trailing behind her, her laughter loud and high-pitched. “Bet you can’t catch me!” She jumped over a rock and fleetingly glanced over her shoulde...

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“The Human Touch” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #213

The story is dramatic, with a protagonist full of aching desire in a scene filled with suspense and obstacles. The conflict is lingering beneath the surface, not yet visible to the naked eye, but so close that it could burst out at any moment, changing all narrative parameters, culminating in the final plot twist. The reader is left breathless by the pace of the events, turning the pages with glassy eyes, the light from their bedside lamp a single warm circle on the wall as they dive into the pages. It is late at night, but the beautifully c...

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“Kaleidoscopes” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #212

We are getting married, and you are invited!Tamara Eloise Murphy & Frederic Webster27th May 2024Please RSVP by December 1st. Dear Henry,I’d love for you to be there :)Tammy Dear Tamara, We haven’t talked for a long time, and I admit, I was surprised when I found your invitation in the mail this morning. I honestly didn’t think you’d ever speak to me again after what happened at the five-year reunion last summer. You were angry with me the morning after, I could tell because you didn’t stay for breakfast, and the ...

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“Inheritance” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #209

Ben didn’t sleep well the night before accepting the inheritance. The morning was grey, rainy, and windy, and the raindrops ran down the car’s windshield, mingling and untangling in endless patterns. He sat behind the wheel, unremittingly fidgeting with the key in his hand as he stared out into the gloominess of the city. The trees hung with the weight of the rain, and the few people who were out on the streets were hidden behind brightly patterned umbrellas that covered their faces. It was still early, the clock on the dashboard showed 7:40...

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“Where there's a Will, there's a Way.” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #57

I left my 100th birthday party to go upstairs to my bedroom and write my will. It wasn’t that the party had been a complete disaster, but after a century of procrastination, I felt that it was now time to pick up a pen. My hip cracked suspiciously as I climbed up the stairs, and I would have been worried that somebody heard the creaking of the wooden floorboards, but the animate chatter, conversation and laugher in the living room downstairs drowned out every other noise in the house. The bedroom door was open, I hadn’t bothered to close it ...

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“Losing Cecilia” by Hannah Polis

Submitted to Contest #56

Cecilia came running towards me as soon as I got out of the car. The driveway wasn’t paved, but she ran over the pebbles so fast that didn’t seem to notice the little stings under her bare feet. „Mel! You’re here!“ she cried as I kneeled down to hug her, and she eagerly swung her little arms around my neck. The heat from her tiny body radiated against mine, as if she had soaked up the sun all morning. „Of course I’m here,“ I whispered in her ear and kissed her on the head between the braids. Her light hair smelled like wind, and sun, and the...

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