J.B. Redel

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2023

Stories (25)

25 Stories

484 karma pts

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“Skadi, The Hidden Healer” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #261

“Skadi!” The shrill cry, accompanied by a pounding knock on the door, jolted Alya from her concentration. She pushed back from her workstation and quickly stepped across the small clinic to open the door. Gabriella, the town's baker, stood at the base of the stairs leading from the street above. She was a kind older woman known for her loose lips and penchant for gossip.“It’s little Georgy! He fell, and I think his arm is broken!”Alya noticed the small boy huddling behind Gabriella. He was no older than ten, and tears mingled with snot as th...

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“The Last Passenger” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #260

“The train is about to depart. Please keep your belongings with you at all times.” Roland dropped heavily into an empty bench seat just inside the sliding doors. His aching feet protested the past half-hour he had spent standing and waiting for the midnight train. Though the seat was hard plastic topped with a thin layer of cheap padding, it might as well have been memory foam for as good as it felt. His bruised feet pulsed, his knees ached, his stomach pinched with hunger, and his head pounded its ever-present ache. His wallet was as empty ...

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“The Voice” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #255

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains mentions of the following:Gun violenceStrong languageMental Health Reader discretion is advised. ****** “This is it. My life is over.” Calm down. “Don’t tell me to calm down! It’s your fault we’re in this mess!” Don’t put all the blame on me. I wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger. “So what? You were the one who told me to do it!” Oh, don’t try to act innocent. You wanted to kill that bastard as much as I did. In fact, it took hardly any convincing at all for you to– “Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! Because...

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“Ironwood” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #255

The crunching of gravel beneath a single pair of boots broke the haunting silence enveloping Ironwood. Dazed, Emily walked the empty streets of her hometown. Abandoned houses stood quiet, like frozen sentinels over their yards and driveways. Cars dotted the roads, their drivers absent. Yards of weeds crowded the spaces between houses where once-manicured lawns had graced their homes and neighbors. Though numb to the sight around her, one that she had slowly become accustomed to over the past few months, a cold pit of despair settled deep wit...

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“Before the Flood” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #254

“We have found the individual behind the rebel organization calling themselves ‘The Flood.’ His name is Miguel. Last name is unknown.”The lights in the small briefing room dimmed as a projector hummed to life. An image appeared on the blank wall behind the Harmony Division Officer. The image was of a man in his late twenties. His black hair was cut short at this nape but left long on top. His clothes were the typical style of civilians: black pants with a white shirt and gray overcoat. If not for the hairstyle, he would pass for any average ...

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“Obsession's Muse” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #251

“Detective! Over here!” Markus sighed into the plastic lid of his gas station coffee. He was on his third cup of the burnt liquid and was still waiting for the caffeine to kick in. He’d been at this for nearly twenty years. What did he have to show for it? A one-page resume and a ridiculous nickname. He should be considered a damn veteran at this point, but what did they call him instead? No-Luck-Chuck. The “no-luck” part made sense, but “Chuck?” His name wasn’t even Chuck! “What’s the story, Dent?” Markus asked in a way of gr...

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“Madman's Knowledge ” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #251

Legend tells of an ancient library, a treasure trove of knowledge, lost to the world in the wake of a near-apocalyptic disaster. This cataclysm, which triggered every natural catastrophe imaginable, left humanity reeling. Six hundred years later, we still struggle to rebuild what was lost. Each race holds theories on what caused these disasters, from enraged gods to prophetic warnings. Wars ravaged the surviving countries, each blaming the other for angering the deities responsible for such devastation. And amidst this chaos, the library of ...

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“Echoes of Madness” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #246

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains mentions of the following:Physical violence, gore, and abuseSuicide or self-harmMental health “Well, this is clearly haunted.” “Mikail!” Katlynn reached around her husband’s back to lightly whack her son on the back of his head. “Knock that off.” “Momma,” Kalli called from where she stood next to the van, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around Lucky’s neck. The poor golden retriever was dying to run around and explore, yet stood dutifully still to allow the six-year-old to cling to her for support. “Is it ...

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“Chiaroscuro of the Heart” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #242

ALEXBold strokes of vibrant color popped forth from a flat black background. The colors swirled, crossed, and cut back, all without blending. Each stroke was individual, its own being, yet part of the whole, only complete when combined with the rest. The painting was beautiful. Masterful, even. But what does it mean? What was their motivation? Alex thought to himself as he stared at the painting. The placard under the spotlighted painting stated the piece was titled Influx. He stepped away from the piece, even more confused.He...

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“The Midnight Sonata” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #242

Marcel's patience began to wane after thirty-six hours of being confined to an eight-by-four box. His joints ached, begging for the freedom to stretch. He hoped the delivery would come sooner than scheduled, as he was now dangerously low on his meager water and food supply. Also… he didn’t know how much longer he could stand the smell of dust and chemicals emanating from the other body with which he shared the small space. Marcel cursed as the box suddenly lurched, jostling him and causing the body to fall onto him. Gagging, he gently p...

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“Sword of Honor, Shield of Lies” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #241

Alrick stared in horror as sounds faded and his vision tunneled. What did a soldier do when the one he pledged his loyalty to used it to incite a war?~*~Alrick, Paladin Commander, strode down the stone corridors of the palace, his metal-clad boots and armor clacking with each step. At the end of the corridor, he pushed a pair of double doors open on silent hinges. His position allowed him to enter the royal study without permission or proper introduction, a privilege granted to very few.Four men turned at Alrick’s arrival, two of whom wore C...

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“Liberty's Fortune” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #240

Striding into his quarters, Morgan paused just before passing the threshold. Elena stood across the small space, her figure illuminated by the swaying lantern hanging from the low ceiling. She leaned over the top of his small wooden desk, fists supporting her weight on either side of an old piece of parchment sprawled across the desk's surface and held in place by rocks of varying sizes. Her features were obscured by her long black curls, which had slid over her shoulders and nearly brushed the surface of his desk. Though he couldn’t see her...

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“The Demon Within” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #238

The force of the door slamming shut caused Karina to startle in her chair, the chains connecting her wrist and ankle cuffs clinking loudly against the metal rings holding her in place. With an audible huff, a large, cleanly shaved man in a crisp black suit sat heavily in the chair across the small metal table from her. His dark brown eyes were as hard as the rest of his features. He didn’t even try to hide his disdain for her as he tossed a folder on the table between them. She had just enough time to notice her name stamped across the top b...

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“Hope's Haven” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #238

“Vic, you can’t seriously be considering this.”Victor didn’t respond to her, already lost to his own thoughts. Scenarios ran through his mind, each with its own outcome and list of risks, as well as possible profits.“He’s already lost in his own head. You know what that means?” The low octave of Doc’s voice reverberated off of the metal table’s surface, leaving ripples in the tin cups of water sitting forgotten before the crew. Doc sighed heavily before leaning back is his seat, his heavy boots clanking loudly on the table as he propped them...

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“For You” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #237

“Get down!”Seraphina dropped to the muddy forest floor before the last of Alistair’s warning rang out through the night air. A dull thud sounded above her; the shadow shrouded handle of a night blade embedded in the bark of the tree she had stood against only a moment before. The blade disappeared in a hiss of smoke as she shoved to her feet and lunged through the darkness in the direction of Alistair’s voice.“Over here!” As usual, he seemed to know her intentions. Somehow knowing he would be there, she extended her hand into the darkness ar...

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Author bio

I was born into a dual-military family and spent the majority of my childhood traveling around the world. By day, I am a Navy Paralegal. By night, I pursue my degree in Creative Writing, participate in writing contests, and work on my next book! A lot of these short stories have been expanded and included in my most recent anthology, Wyrds of Wonder. Find out more at https://j-b-redel.com!

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #219

Subconcious Convictions – read story

Contest #219

Watchers – read story