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Henry Riddle

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2021

Stories (39)

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39 Stories

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With Great Stability Comes Great Accountability

Henry Riddle

“There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change.”-John F Kennedy 1962-60 years before the rise of TyrannoCorp*67 years laterJohn's can wheezed louder than he would've preferred. The gust of winds had vanished in the city, amplifying the noise they were making. In its place, an uncomfortable stillness choked and clung to the city like a python waiting to lunge at any sound or movement.John's gaze twitched to and fro, making sure his friend was checking the perimeter. As he looked back at their work he could barley co...

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A Dying Breed

Henry Riddle

My patience was wearing thin. I had quite possibly a million things more useful and reliving than taking a long walk to the shore, but they insisted.When I got to my computer after a quick lunch, I found nothing to do, and there was barely an hour before my mom hollered for me and Maya. It was time to get a move on to the beach, the palace of my mom; her favorite place in the world. And once she decided she'd have enough attention to satisfy herself, we'd get takeout.At least, I wasn't the one paying for once this year. You'd think she'd pre...

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Principle, Strategy, and Tactics

Henry Riddle

Principle: A fundamental truth serving as the foundation of a system of beliefs or reasoning. Strategy: A plan of attack or policy designed to accomplish a goalTactic: an action taken to achieve a specific end. ⎈The breeze of the open night air. Accompanied by the faint honks of cars.I continue joggin' till I reach the curb, there I grasp the stoplight pole and pant. Hand ovr fist exhale of relief and intake of panic. They scream from behind me. That's my cue. I keep on running.Shit, I knew this was a stupid idea. I look down at th...

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The Crucible Of Pain

Henry Riddle

It had been a long time since he was dragged into literal hell; that much he was sure of. There was nothing he could do. He was always told not to fear the pain of death, or the terror awaiting in whatever afterlife he was destined for. But those lessons came from men who clearly matured in far more tolerable circumstances. This was worse than hell.Excruciating as this situation was for Urgot, death seemed to be a reluctant mercy for the men down here, in the Dredge. In the Undercity, there was barley enough to go around for the citizens, bu...

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They're Just Words

Henry Riddle

ACT 1: I rubbed the back of my neck but it didn't help. This was a feeling that would not be dismissed so easily. I began to think that I was hyperventilating at this sight, but that was a conclusion too soon to arrive at. She wasn't wearing anything exceptional or expensive, but something latched me. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't stop staring at her.It took me an entire minute before I realized I had looked away, left the building to my Honda, and now held the sleek handle that I already gave a futile tug. Click, went my car ke...

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Not In Kabul

Henry Riddle

July 22 1979 Jesus, I thought my third day at the tavern would be a relief, but then I had to reluctantly force myself to go there after I couldn't bear my apartment. It has been a couple of months since we've settled in what may very well become our new home. But for how long? The aftertaste of the spirit sucking migration had still not been cured. Not even a bottle of Ale is enough to keep my worries and fears at bay. It is a shame. My baba promised me before, that I could join him and the boys at Beroohz's for my first drink. Bu...

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It All Broke Down

Henry Riddle

Jake inquired about where his daughter’s adventurousness took her, but she seemed hesitant. This was among the countless school days she burst through their moderately priced Condo complex at the hour of 6 with hardly a hello. Jake had his suspicions of her whereabouts and explanations, but this time he insisted on knowing. She told him that she was busy at the school and meeting up with Anthony. Jake knew about her relationship with the boy for some time now, but what bothered him more was Quinn keeping her actions at after-school hour...

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Overdosage

Henry Riddle

"I'm going to stop you there. If memory serves, you came over as my guest. I invited you here, a bit subtly, but nonetheless. So if you're going to sit here and let us yap away at each other for the next fucking 10 minutes or so, I think this should start with you. So I ask, why are you here?" "Okay then. I'm here because my friend, David, over there is looking for a partner and he needs my support. Of course I've been introducing him to my friends, but they all just talk to him for his jokes. Of course, because he's The Funny Dude. Now...

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Glass of Your Opinion

Henry Riddle

Muted Radiance is the verbal manifestation of my thoughts when she passed through the crowd. I saw her in that Blue Morilee Strap dress that seemed far more conservative than the other outrageous styles that made up the prom's menagerie.I couldn't understand why it was that she caught my eye, but David suggested it was because of the same reason she caught everyone else's. "Wanna know my cup of opinion? She came her to sabotage this whole operation, man. She's a fucking time bomb.""Still, should I go talk to her? I mean, it's been 10 minutes...

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Poker Face

Henry Riddle

The alarm blared as the mechanism on the steel door slid back the metal bars from the wall. Jack pulled on the stainless bar, which felt heavier than he was used to, to reveal the room. As the door silently swung back to lock behind him with another clunk, no further noise was made. That is, until a muffled laugh came from the other end of the room from where Jack stood. Clutching the documents in his hands, Jack strode confidently to the table, metal like the room, but didn't sit. The man sitting under the lamp light was hunched ...

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Satisfied

Henry Riddle

The rain continued to drizzle and intensify. The pellets hit the ground with a force that echoed like bullets raining from artillery mini guns. The sky itself turned dirty white, leaving spectators to wonder whether it had removed the clouds, or was covered by one unreachable blanket. Underneath the rented canopies that bordered the estate, it seemed like all us guests were trapped inside a prison of perpetual water. "I can't bear this anymore. I'm going, whether anyone likes it or not." Said one guest, who I nearly mistook for Hil...

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Wishes Can't Die, Grit Can

Henry Riddle

You read somewhere that money is the most valuable thing a person can have. That's not true. People are. Then again, it really depends on what type of people you're talking about. Of course this also varied based on how serious you were. For you, all it took was a firm grasp of details and a bunch of green. Nice, clever, susceptible, delicate. Whatever qualities came with your client, as long as they had enough green, they were useful to you. Others, of course, were far more serious and humanity was a burden they dispelled early in...

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Dear Will

Henry Riddle

Prologue Will was surprised that they forgot his birthday. No one had even mentioned it to him. But he never complained to anyone, even his mom. Everyone here had secrets that were possibly best made known, but much to his relief, no one moved their pieces. Ironically, today was eventual for his friends, not himself. Eleven had been publicly bullied by one of her classmates on the first day of Spring Break. It was at the Rink O Mania, her first time, and was mocked by Angela's gang and bombarded with jeer, scorn, and a cup of coffee. Mike,...

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The Zoomer and The Boys

Henry Riddle

Hawkins Indiana (Present)December 1985Max skated away from school as quickly as she could during the hour of three stroke. It was a command signal to the students at Hawkins High to seize whatever pleasures awaited them this Christmas break. Not having to worry about a parent or a parked ride waiting, she simply set her ornate gray skateboard on the asphalt and kicked. Kicked the drudgery and routine that high school had set for her to the wind. Seemed like she was doing that with everything in her life.As she skated along a road skirted wit...

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Don't Blame Me

Henry Riddle

My life needed renewal, that much was certain, even if it meant leaving Rico. I have been restrained in this relationship that escalates without consequence. Regardless of the consequences, I had to dump the bastard some way or another. After weeks of thinking about talking about acting, I could remain this way no more. He still thinks I didn't buy him enough cokes yesterday, after he asked me to buy 6 packs of beer. When do I say enough is enough? I cannot say.I looked around at the apartment. A rusting hellhole that only the most slothful ...

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