J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

“Study Buddy” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Submitted to Contest #182

The piercing shrill filled the air, stabbing Meg’s ears like crochet needles. Pressing her palms against her ears, she screamed to the heavens.  “Seriously?! Again?!” She bolted from the couch and ran down the hall, bashing her extended elbow against the wall as she went. She didn’t care—all that mattered was the noise. The white box lay flush against the wall by the front door. Meg quickly flipped open the panel, wailed on the number pad, hit the star key. The terrible sound, like a massive bird shrieking in rage, continued its sym...

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“A Walk Down Nature Lane” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Gabby checked her phone again and cursed. There was still no reply. She’d only been gone five minutes—why hadn’t they waited for her? As she whirled around, scanning the area, some shaggy-looking grownup with a backpack bumped her shoulder. “Watch it!” they said harshly as they passed. “You watch it, creep!” is what Gabby wanted to say, but didn’t. For all she knew the guy was crazy and she didn’t want to chance it. Luckily, Scruffy-Man didn’t knock her cotton candy askew. Gabby took a bite from it and checked her phone again. The last m...

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“Fun News” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Submitted to Contest #162

Dad’s made his world-famous lasagna tonight, and that means something’s up. He gives me a long stare after setting an extra-big piece on my plate. “You alright, Clay? You look a little green under the gills.” “I’m fine, Pop,” I reply, though I can’t meet his eyes.  He smiles, ruffles my hair, and takes his place at the head of the table. “C’mon, everyone, there’s plenty to go around!” The giant slab of noodles, sauce, and cheese is calling my name, but my stomach is too swishy to do anything about it. The last time Dad made lasagna ...

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“From the Ashes” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Submitted to Contest #161

It took Curt forever to figure out how to pull his TV away from the wall, and the cords were so tight that they kept coming undone as he worked. He cursed and panted, the agony in his back at a solid seven. All this bending and wrenching was a young man’s game, and he hadn’t been a young man for a long time.  “You’re not gonna have a heart attack, are you?” Abra, his daughter, was slumped on the sofa. Her thick-black eyeliner, dark clothes and purple-streaked hair made her look like an extra in a Slop Bucket music video, not that she’...

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“The Flip-Side” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Submitted to Contest #160

FOOTAGE RECOVERED FROM THE FILES OF EDENCO’S  DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, DATED 7-23.  Click. A red light reading “ON AIR” glows overhead. A tall man with a green blazer and blonde hair sits at a leather chair, a large set of tan headphones resting atop his head.  “KDLR 103FM’s Leo Green comin’ at you live from the ivory tower.  “Record high temps again today, folks. It’s a scorcher at one-hundred-and twenty-one degrees. No precipitation in sight, which is a good thing. High of 140 with a low of 87.  “Stay inside i...

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“Six Little Words” by J.L. (Jesse) DuRona

Submitted to Contest #159

Six Little Words J.L. DuRona “Just take it and walk away.” That’s what he says.  Take it.  Walk away.  In that order. Six little words.  And I do. I take it and walked away. Finn Walters smiles as he slaps “it,” the “object,” into my upturned palm. The clamminess of his sweaty hand lingers on it like dog slobber.  “Good choice, spod,” Finn says. He learned that word last week on some TV show, and now everyone, from classmates to teachers, was a spod. At least it wasn’t just me; sometimes it’s good to not ...

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