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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2021
The sun was still low in the sky when the bus began its winding journey through the hills of Manipur. The road was narrow, flanked by lush greenery that clung to the sides of steep inclines. Inside, the bus was a tapestry of different cultures, as the Global Outreach Team (GO Team) from Nazareth Hills Baptist College of California settled into their seats. Ted, a wiry student from the Philippines with a ready smile, adjusted the strap of his backpack and looked around. He recognized a few faces from class but had never really talked to ...
The chaos at Terminal 7 began with a single ripple. A collective murmur spread as the flight information screens flickered, displaying garbled characters before settling on the dreaded word: CANCELED. Every destination, every airline—nothing was spared. The virus unleashed by the hacktivist group The Silence had worked its way into the global aviation system, grounding planes at major hubs worldwide. Hour 1: The News Breaks At Gate 22, a woman in a sharp business suit stared in disbelief at her phone. Carol had an important presentation in C...
Aparna Sharma stared out of the airplane window, her eyes tracing the patterns of clouds below, white puffs suspended against an endless blue sky. She had never seen the world from this height before. In fact, she had never traveled this far from home. Chennai was all she had known her entire life—its vibrant streets, the scent of jasmine in the air, the sounds of bustling markets, and the comforting familiarity of family and friends. But now, that chapter of her life was closing, and a new one was about to begin in a city she had only read ...
**Chapter 1: The Lore Hunter’s Lair** Liam O’Connell, an Irish vampire with piercing green eyes and a sly grin, paced the small cell he shared with a gruff werewolf named Declan “Deacon” O’Leary. Deacon’s broad shoulders and muscular build filled most of the space. His icy blue eyes flashed with irritation as he watched Liam’s restless movements. The two had been captured during their visit to Henderson, Nevada, where they had inadvertently crossed paths. Liam was in Henderson to oversee plans for the Las Vegas branch of his pub, The Old Fen...
The dusty streets of Jerusalem were teeming with people, more so than usual. Pilgrims flocked from every corner of the land for Passover, bringing with them offerings and sacrifices, bustling markets, and a cacophony of voices that rose like a never-ending tide. From my elevated position, I, Caiaphas, watched the scene below with a furrowed brow. My concern wasn't just for the chaos of the crowds, but for the figure who had become the center of attention—the Nazarene, Jesus.I had first heard of Jesus through whispers, then rumors, and finall...
Birth and Early LifeGaius Augustus was born in 42 BCE in the heart of Rome to a prestigious family. His father, Lucius Augustus, was a respected senator, and his mother, Octavia, was a distant relative of Julius Caesar. The family name carried immense weight, and Gaius grew up in the midst of wealth and influence.From a young age, Gaius showed exceptional promise. He was educated by the finest tutors in Rome, mastering rhetoric, philosophy, and the arts of war. His father, proud of his son's achievements, groomed him for a future in politics...
Waves crashed gently against the white sandy shores of Oahu's North Shore as the sun began its descent into the vast Pacific Ocean. The sky was ablaze with brilliant hues of orange and pink, a breathtaking canvas that nature painted anew each evening. Amidst this picturesque scene, a lone figure stood at the water's edge, his feet sinking into the cool, damp sand with each step. Jack Robinson, a seasoned marine biologist, had come to this very beach countless times before, but tonight felt different. A sense of unease had been gnawing at him...
"Attention students, faculty and staff. This is an urgent announcement regarding the extreme heatwave impacting our campus..." Ryan shifted in his creaky desk chair, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow as the voice over the building's PA system crackled to life. He looked around the stuffy classroom - sunlight streamed through the windows, amplifying the stifling heat. Students were fanning themselves with notebooks, some had even loosened their ties in a vain attempt to catch a breeze. "...Due to record high temperatures reaching 115...
It was supposed to be the summer vacation they would never forget, and it was—but not for the reasons they had hoped. Six friends: Pierre, the charismatic son of immigrants dubbed "Monsieur LaFayette" for his diplomatic finesse; Natalia, the quiet artist with a penchant for daydreaming; the Galveston brothers, Joel and Jesse James, as inseparable as they were unpredictable; Connor, the absent-minded inventor who always seemed a little lost in thought; and Katrina, the adventurous spirit with a love for the outdoors. The plan was simple: a we...
It was the hottest day of the year, and the air felt heavy and suffocating in the small town of Pine Valley. The sun beat down mercilessly, turning every surface into a sizzling frying pan. The streets were deserted, save for the occasional car rolling by with windows tightly shut and air conditioning blasting. But inside the old, slightly worn-out house on Maple Street, a group of six friends were determined to make the best of the oppressive heat. Connor, the ever-imaginative one with a flair for the dramatic, sprawled out on the living ro...
The blood red sun dipped below the craggy peaks of the Fellmarch Mountains, casting long shadows across the valley where the exiled King Leander's army was encamped. The night watchmen were taking up their posts, their torches flickering in the chill mountain wind. Around the campfires gathered Leander's most loyal knights - a ragtag brotherhood forged in the fires of war and bound by unbreakable oaths. First among them was the gallant Sir Rian of the Hall, his imposing figure unmistakable even in the fading light. His broadsword hung heavy ...
The crisp autumn breeze carried the scent of change through the air, hinting at the impending arrival of winter. Lance inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar aroma that signaled a new chapter in his life. As he made his way across the well-trodden path leading to the university campus, his thoughts drifted to Jennifer, the girl who had captured his heart with her radiant smile and infectious laughter. Jennifer's presence had been a constant in Lance's life since they were children, their bond forged through countless adventures and shared sec...
In the year 5090, the world had settled into an uneasy silence. From the polar ice caps to the equatorial jungles, every nation adhered to the uniform decree that had reshaped civilization: the One-Child Policy. The decision, made centuries ago in the midst of an unprecedented population crisis, had long since evolved from a policy into an unspoken creed. To utter the words “sibling,” “sister,” or “brother” was to court annihilation. The edicts had erased these terms from every language and context. In the city of Arcadia, a sprawling ...
CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains scenes of war, injury, blood, and nearly certain death. The sun was a blazing furnace, hanging high over the desolate streets of Fallujah. Dust coated every surface, and the air shimmered with heat. Peter, Matt, Chris, Gus, and John, five best friends and members of the same platoon, moved cautiously through the narrow alleyways, their senses on high alert. It was supposed to be a routine patrol, but in a place like this, routine was a fickle concept. "We’re almost through," Peter said, his voice ...
TRIGGER WARNING: This story is about three deaths. There is a mention of gang violence, a heart attack, and a car bomb.The office of Seabrook Viking News had always been a bustling hub of activity, but today, it was eerily quiet. Sam Ihle and his wife, Jodie Williams-Ihle, had just returned from their 2 1/2-week honeymoon, their radiant smiles a stark contrast to the somber mood that had settled over the newsroom. The first death at Viking News came as a shock to everyone.Julio Vasquez, a crime reporter known for his daring investigations, h...
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