Jeff Duke

“You're not Raquel Welch” by Jeff Duke

They are coming again! I try hiding in a dark place, but they find me. They want to take me upstairs to where the worst form of evil lives. The elderly woman must be a witch who embodies evil. She feeds on people she lures into this house. Why did I listen to her invitation? The house in slightly run down. Creeks, groans, feeling you are being watched accompany your every move. It is a three-story structure with her occupying the top floor. She has helpers to get you upstairs for her to feed. I discover I am not the only one lured here. Out ...

0 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“I stopped submitting” by Jeff Duke

 I went fourteen to fifteen months without submitting a story to the contest. The reason? It’s Monday morning and I sit in a chair in a cancer infusion center. There is nothing more life changing than to hear the words, “You have advanced Mucinous Adenocarcinomas. Without starting chemo, you’ll be dead in six months.” I didn’t realize how sick I was. It is scary to be on the downhill slide toward dying. My first reaction? Eating the forbidden diet, starting with chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and a biscuit. I will cover this with...

0 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Blaze of Bloodshed” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #199

Chapter one “I’ve got to write in a new genre,” Markus said. “I think I will go for a walk,” he called to his wife. It was early evening as he left through the front door. The night felt crisp. It seemed the temperature was just right. The windows reflected a beautiful sky at sunset. The trees silhouetted against the late evening sky speared upward as ghosts gently swaying in the breeze. Mother nature had done it again. What was on his mind the most of late was changing the genre he wrote. He had long been writing fantasy and action thrill...

8 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“The Labyrinth” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #197

Chapter one The Creator lost the beauty of the surroundings, the lush foliage with the bonus of every flower imaginable, in his/her mood. Rarely seen in this bad mood, the arch angels stood helpless as the Creator walked in circles, waving His hands, and talking loud and profusely. “How did they end up there? That dimension has the worst monsters and a clue, but not the first one.” “We haven't arranged the clues in any order. The one there is just one clue. They cannot decipher them unless one has all four together. Someone stole the b...

7 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“"Helen"...My first attempt at comedy. Please comment and help me grow” by Jeff Duke

At long last,she thought. Red markings on the calendar from months ago foretold this night. “Helen’s night” covered the calendar block for this night in big red letters. The night was chosen because it assured her husband’s absence for his bowling night.She sent her son to a friend’s house for the night. She made sure the son went far enough away making it difficult for an unexpected return home. The house belonged to her. For her first task, she silenced the T.V. She stood in front of the T.V. enjoying this rare moment of sweet silence. As ...

0 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Unsinkable Molly” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #118

In the highest level of heaven, sat a throne made of light which emanated light reaching all corners of creation. The one who sat on this throne bore the name of “Ancient One.” Through this light, the Ancient One could see all of creation to work with it. On this day, the Ancient One sat there looking down on the earth with a concerned facial expression.  An angel who stood next to Him asked, “Something wrong Lord?” Speaking to the angel, He said, “Tonight I feel an angst coming from the planet that is screaming loud compared ...

9 likes 0 comments 0

Read story

“Come the Rain” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #112

The general looked down the long lines of his troops in formation for battle. They looked ready for battle. He looked across at the enemy troops loosely set in an attack formation. The enemy looked like a mob more than an army. Yet their reputation for destructive violence was unequaled. Thousands of soldiers on both sides of the field faced each other preparing to wage war.  “Why do these things happen? Why are we lined up today to kill as many of the enemy as possible” asked the general? “We were at peace till these people decided the...

7 likes 2 comments 2

Read story

“Two choices” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #95

 She rebelled at the title of treasure hunter. She held the title of archeologist. She even taught a class on archeology at a local community college. Why did they call her a treasure hunter? Because she did not want to waste her time on digging for years for a few bobbles. She searched for artifacts worth her time and efforts. That is where she stood today.   Months spent in libraries digging through ancient manuscripts accomplished little. Traveling to read ancient journals and interview people who tried did more. Prolonged ...

10 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“Episode one” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #89

“Good grief, pilgrims coming up the trail. Do not they know there’s three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Now I must move the portable satellite dish and hide my ear buds,” the wise man grumbled. Life on the mountaintop became monotonous. Because pilgrims never varied in their questions. Monks compensated with WIFI. “Oh, great wise man, what is the meaning of life?” they would ask. I am tempted to tell them to invest the money they spent coming in the stock market or a saving account, but that would deprive me of the tip money. I use th...

6 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“The Painting ” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #88

During days long past, Bertrand lived alone in a manor house outside a quaint country town. Bertrand stood handsome, tall, wealthy, and strong. Living alone was not his choice. Many said he drove women away being so possessive because of jealousy. His only marriage lasted a few years before she took their son and ran away with another man. Since she left, he reached the point of isolation. Settling into a routine at home, he spent his days inside minding the house and the staff. He tried to learn painting but failed. His attempts to learn ma...

8 likes 0 comments 0

Read story