Jahson Clarke

“The Human Race” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #256

 Running water and clanking of plates cut through the morning tension. “Finish your oatmeal Martim. All of it!” Martim's mother, Camilla, said from the kitchen. She walked to the calendar on the fridge and circled the 15th, trailed by red X's. The clacking of dress shoes shuffling down the steps made Martim look up from his bowl. “Kate is almost ready, what’s with the sad face Camila?” His father, Antonio, said. “This is a cakewalk for him, you know this. Stop worrying, Martim getting last place is impossible.” “Any paren...

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“Adaline's Joy” by Jahson Clarke

The sharp penetrating dinging of a bell, followed by the rustle and bustle of book bags flying over shoulders made Adaline exhale in relief. The School day finished, but her day just started. Kids jogged up and down the hallways. Dismissal always looked like a disturbed ant colony of freshmen. Adaline waited patiently with various groups for buses. She analyzed the sectors: the cool kids, the jokesters, and the loners. Adaline was the latter; Not all the time, of course, Jayla kept her company and conjured up a conversation. Jayla knew how t...

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“Table for Three” by Jahson Clarke

“Keep the change,” I said, grabbing the plastic bag protecting my cheap vodka. The bag was good at hiding my impurities. I didn’t need societal eyes preying—not tonight. A blaring bell came from the store entrance…someone walked in. A middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a black trench coat; His coat, drenched, and his dress shoes squeaked a silly tune. Our eyes met, and I gave him the nod. The what's-up-all-is-well nod. The type of nod that registers your talking to a human, considering today’s glued-to-the-screen society. I was awaitin...

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“Circuit” by Jahson Clarke

 “Do you think he’s hiding something?” said a voice projecting through the car's stereo.“Maybe…another girl could be in the picture, I’m hoping that taking this trip to see him will bring us closer” I mutter.I glanced up at my GPS.Shit.I almost missed my turn. I decelerated and turned onto a narrow road, that was hugged by majestic trees and foliage. The midnight sky was a deep backdrop riddled with white specs, the treelines forged eerie shadows that shielded the road from the half-moon gleam. My headlights became beacons of warm light...

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“Simon Says” by Jahson Clarke

 Claire grabbed the last chilled Rolling Rock out of the side of the fridge. She snooped around the spacious kitchen, moving away from the rowdy voices from the living room area. Claire placed the cold bottle on the pristine marble counter and gazed at the fancy chandeliers with dangling accents. Her curiosity held her hand and led her into a wide Victorian-styled hallway. Each carving was intricate and complementary to the surrounding ornate details. The oak was smooth to the touch and maintained a glossy appearance under the inviting ...

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“Intruder” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #244

“That day was the worst, I remember Matthew spreading the rumor that I bit his tongue while kissing.” “I mean…you did bite his tongue, Jen.”“You know it was by acci…” I was on the cusp of flipping to the next page of photographs in the album, but something made my eyes divert. “You there Jen?”I was stumped beyond comprehension. The current high school banter became an annoying buzz in my ear. “Hey, I’m going to call you back Emma.” She knew I wasn’t going to call her back. I just needed to focus on what I was looking at. Every...

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“Dog's Best Friend” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #243

“Watch this, he learned this last week…go ahead Rex.” “woof ” Rex barked. I slid a silver bowl across the wooden floor. “What breed is he?” said Allen.“He’s a mixed breed” I responded while patting the top of Rex’s head with my paw. Rex dropped to his elbows and lowered his head, nibbling on the bowl of cereal. Allen examined the body of Rex.“Sheesh, how tall is he?” “ He’s Six feet on the dot—he’s very healthy and strong.”“Lucky you, my human is pretty short. I want to purchase a new one but the wife wouldn’t approv...

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“Flowers For Martha” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #239

 “Andrew! Andrew! Wake up it’s raining Daisies and Daffodils,” a chipper voice shouted.    Fourteen-year-old Andrew rubbed his eyes and mosied himself towards the balmy window. He squinted as a warm glare of sunlight radiated across his upper body. When his sleepy eyes came into focus they experienced nature's bliss. The emerald green grass outside cushioned a shower of lovely flowers floating down. It was an oasis of tranquility, considering it was raining sandals early in the week.  “You should go pick flowers ...

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“Letters To The Other Side” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #234

Entry One   8/23/2012   Time isn’t on my side these days and I don’t blame it. I wouldn’t befriend a man like me either. Red splotched tissue paper inhabited my trashcan for months. I ignored the bloody coughs and now I’m here. Alone. In a small room, with faded- -blue walls, and annoying beeps. A sixty-three-year-old man with lung cancer, approximately one week to live, and a spillage of guilt. No one to mop it up. I severed most of my relationships with family after you passed. My nephew is the only person that c...

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“Everywhere You Go” by Jahson Clarke

  Nathan winced as the sludge flowed down his back and zig zagged towards his chin. The putrid concoction: of milk, applesauce, and carrots slicked his hair to the side and made the perpetrators visible. Their malicious laughs evoked various emotions out of those that witnessed the horrific, but all too familiar scene. Behind many of those fake laughs were kids that were glad that it wasn’t them, glad that god didn’t choose them to be the brainiacs of the high school. “Loser, next time give us the answers faster, we barely finished...

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“The Pawn” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #223

 I guess every dog has its day held some merit. After all, my life did a 180 and gave me the thrill I’ve been yearning for since the sandbox.  The college experience was a puzzle, everyone had their own piece in making the experience. I hated the jagged one I got. A studious student who was carrying group projects,getting used by girls for homework answers; but was god awful socially.The few friends I had were from the chess club, a group of outsiders with the goal of being more than pawns in life. I fit right in. Thomas was the...

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“Dry Tears” by Jahson Clarke

Five, slow dreadful years. That's how long it’s been since my departure from the “good” life. My vessel long gone after accompanying the seabed and becoming a snack for the creatures that lurked in the darkness. The brake line on my hectic life was cut and I began speeding into oncoming traffic. Drugs, forgotten birthdays and Vegas stripper escapades had it’s way with me. Heavy on the Vegas strippers. My fast life finally made contact with death and came to a halt. Peer pressure is a bitch isn’t it?  “I bet you won’t jump in”, is a...

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“Unheard cries” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #117

CW: Strong Language The feeling of being unwanted is heart wrenching, but being a ghost is unfathomable. Liam stood by the purring work truck that hugged the shoulder of the road. On both sides of the road stood tall majestic trees and stretches of brush. Liam awaited approval to open the passenger door. He saw the upper part of a silhouette in the truck nod and heard the clicking sound followed by the windows being manually rolled down. The full moon revealed a scruffy old man with a devious smile.  “What happened to ya kid, you ...

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“Closer To Home” by Jahson Clarke

CW: Strong languageLosing faith in humanity is justifiable... unless you had no faith to begin with.My life surrendered to the demons of the war. Night terrors left me making trips involuntarily to my dresser, occasionally tripping over dress shoes and boxes on the floor. Reliving nightmares over and over again in hopes they would become after thoughts, but only awakening to sweat blotched T’s.   A constant vibration near my head woke me, another on and off night of sleep left my mental in shambles. I turned off my phone alarm...

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“When it rains it pours” by Jahson Clarke

Submitted to Contest #112

CW: Strong language “So, should I end this relationship on the phone or in person? Dylan said. I saw him Jess. I saw a beard before those tinted windows rolled up and don’t give me the oh that was my dealer bullshit…you fucking kissed him.” Little ticking sounds seized the 99’ Ford Mustang. Rain. It started off subtle and slowly gained traction; the midnight skies hiding each droplet, while the streetlights pointed them out like suspects. Dylan admired the rain, each drop surrounded him and created closure; however, he hated the circ...

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