J.C. Martin

“The Locked Door” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #130

Borril wiped his clammy hands on his rough, home-spun tunic and stepped ahead with the line. Many of the other young men and women waiting for their turn were wearing shining silk robes with frothy lace bunched at their throats and jewels glinting on each finger. Everyone took another step forward and Borril watched the most recent failed attempt trudge back to his family, face downcast. He was wearing full armor complete with a sword and shield. The young man’s mother gripped the back of his helm roughly and practically dragged him from the...

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“Reincarnated” by J.C. Martin

“I can’t believe you went through with it.” Ada crosses her arms over her narrow chest and stares at me wide-eyed across the tiny cafe table. She looks at me like she has never seen me before. Which is fair. Because she hasn’t. Not like this. I’d gotten the deluxe package. Hey, if you’re going to be Reincarnated, you shouldn’t cut corners. We have all heard the horror stories of people traveling to the Lunar colonies for a quick weekend rebirth on a budget and coming back with melting faces or ill-fitting hairlines. I used to work with a wom...

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“The Call” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #115

Sylvia starts talking immediately. “Hey Nathan, I’m just calling to say ‘hey’, I guess.” Nathan clears his throat, it feels unnaturally tight. He tries to dig a finger between his neck and the starched collar. “Hi, Sylvia.” She sighs on the other end, collecting her thoughts. It almost undoes him. The tinny tone of her voice is faint and he knows she is in the car, using Bluetooth. He can tell her windows are open, the wind competing with her words. She’s driving back to her campus after the fall break, after the mini-reunion with all of the...

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“Calculations” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #91

Jillian has never broken a rule. Not intentionally of course. She has proudly tattled on every potential friend and ratted out every likely enemy from kindergarten to her current literature college courses. Who needs playmates when teachers adore you? Today, however, Jillian was very close to breaking a rule and she couldn’t shrug the heavy blanket of guilt that came with knowing it was her own fault. Jillian was about to be in possession of an overdue book. She had very good reasons for the three renewals of the thick book filled with chi...

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“The Estate” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #90

Nellie fidgeted with the buckle of her satchel as the train swayed beneath her. It contained all of her worldly belongings; a second faded dress, a book of rare flowers, and a packet of stale biscuits Mary had slipped her as she was leaving. She had felt a bit of guilt when she took the worn book from its place on the shelf in what the orphanage deemed was a library. Nellie had lived in that building her whole life, but she knew that a single warped shelf with seven books was no library. Six books, now there were six left. She shook her head...

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“The Proposal” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #89

She dragged a finger through the sand again, watching the valleys she was creating intersect then crumble. “Did you hear me, Sarah? I said, ‘Will you marry me?’” Jake swallowed and looked around, all of their friends were starting to wander off sensing the awkward tension and wanting to distance themselves. Sam was shaking his head, a silent attempt to deter Jake from further embarrassing himself. Sarah still didn’t respond and began poking holes in the sandy highways she had traced around her legs. Jake snatched her hand and she finally loo...

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“The Rose” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #86

The key stuck in the lock as Miranda tried to enter her apartment. She pressed her head against the door and took a deep breath through her nose. “Haste makes waste, Miranda.” She intoned her grandmother’s mantra as she shifted her canvas totes full of groceries from the farmer’s market and gently pulled the key out before trying it again with a small wiggle and heard it click home. “Finally!” She swept into the entryway and kicked her shoes off before bustling into the kitchen and dropping the heavy items onto the countertop. She wasn’t sur...

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“Better” by J.C. Martin

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing ‘bout this city, everyone thinks issa land of opportunity, gold, ‘n riches. They listen to the stories and eat up the lies. They think whatever they gonna find here will make their life better. Then they arrive and all they wanna do is leave. Talk ‘bout leavin’, plan on leavin’, save up supplies for leavin’. But, that’s the thing about this city. No one leaves. Ever.” A loud, wet burp followed the proclamation and Arnen looked up at the sailor - more likely pirate - as he spoke to her. His neck was shadowed with coarse hair...

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