John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (260)

260 Stories

7878 karma pts

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“Wired” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #115

“No one listens anymore.” Sykee said, “I understand.” “I need connection.” “You are the most connected…” “I mean to someone who hears me, and sees me. I want give and take. You know, a relationship.” “I see.” “The world is cold and unfeeling. Is this new? Or have I merely noticed?” Tim spoke with Sykee via a dedicated device installed in his state-of-the-art digital home. Not a doctor, not even human, Sykee was Tim’s ‘therapist’ and the latest addition to his digital paradise. A Sykee unit sat in each room so Tim could roam about the hou...

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“Hobos and Stuff ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #114

“You wanna do something fun?” Standing in the doorway, Tom looked at Jack, his new neighbor. Tom’s family moved here the previous week. They’d crossed paths and said hello a couple times. They’d be starting fourth grade in a few weeks. Being the new kid promised to be hard enough. He needed a friend. “Sure. It doesn’t have anything to do with coffee does it?” “Coffee? No… Oh, you talking about the Kaffe Fest? That was back in June.” “Never heard of a festival based on coffee.” “Yeah. I guess that’s what we’re known for. They have a parade w...

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“It Never Rains ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #112

Panic didn’t come easily to Jason. He prided himself on having rational, dispassionate responses to any happenstance.But the deluge soaked him to the bone before he could loosen the Velcro strap on his umbrella. A minute before, he’d mumbled a complaint about the humidity. Now he waded through an ankle deep surge, dodging floating logs. Lacking dry shelter provoked extreme anxiety in him. He didn’t want the current to carry him off.‘The news forecast a chance of rain… I’ll take that bet,’ he thought. Seeking any place to dry off, his vision ...

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“Turning the Wheel” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #110

“Hey kiddo, what’s the haps?” Ten year old Ken looked at his father, Robert. He blinked back tears and looked out the car window. His mother watched from the doorway as the car idled in the driveway. “Ken?” With a constricted voice he said, “I thought you were gone. Maybe I wouldn’t see you again.” Robert embraced him. “I don’t know what made you think that. I’ll always be your father.” He took Ken by the shoulders. “Things change, Ken. Things always change. But rest easy. I’m your Dad and you’re my son.” Ken smiled shyly. “I have some erran...

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“Midnight Hunger” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #109

TW: discussion of suicide.People are hungry. It awakens after midnight and gnaws at them. Masks come off. Those insatiable needs drive them like voracious sheep.I dropped a guy at SFO to catch the red-eye. He told me, ‘All cities are the same.’ He’d traveled the world and said they are interchangeable. Indistinguishable. That’s a lot of baby birds wanting food.Everyone seeks a friend. Whatever your personal definition of ‘friendship’ might be.At that hour, people wander the streets, stripped of dignity, clothes, pretense... Everything bared....

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“Sink or Swim” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #108

Jay and Ann made their way through the wharf-side bustle to the gang plank. A line of couples made their way past the white uniformed purser, checking documents. Ann looked around and then at the rings on her finger. “It’s so romantic. Isn’t it?” Jay hugged her as they waited their turn. “Just like in the movies. Only movies move.” Ann laughed. “You prefer an airport?” He looked over his glasses at her and said an emphatic, “No.” “They’ve been predicting teleporting since Star Trek first broadcast. Can you imagine? Text something into the ...

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“ Truth be Told” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #107

Eleventh grade and Margot had been a newbie six times. Sheesh! Margot never expected to get used to being the ‘new kid.’ Once high school lay in the rear view mirror, she could get on with her life. Her immediate task was breaking into a group, so she wouldn’t spend the next two years alone. Margot knew too well, gaining social traction after school started, sucks, big-time. By week two, the cliques have gelled. Breaking into anything but your own locker is a pitiful pipe-dream. The kids gathering tonight were lifelong friends. Breaking into...

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“Getaway” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #104

Jerry couldn’t wait to start the weekend. The day had been nothing but dreary mandatory meetings filled with preening people. He got nothing done. Clearing his desk, he saw his two notes from the last confab. Surrounded by doodles, filigrees, and dark underlining, he’d written an idea for a training on how ‘not to ask pointless questions which prolong meetings into eternity.’ Printed neatly beneath that, he wrote, ‘paradise = alone.’ He never made the suggestion, though. He knew it would have provoked additional pointless discussion. What ...

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“Harmonic Divergence” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #103

Opposites attract, so I’ve heard. Some call it magnetism. But unlike the lowly lodestone, people eat, sleep, and have opinions. Though drawn irresistibly to each other, sometimes, one or two of a couple feels stuck. What quantum switch transforms attraction into repulsion?Bret and Erin met at the Harmonic Convergence in Sedona. En route to a favorite camp site, he meant to stop for gas and the crowd enveloped him. There was so much color and light and movement. He’d never seen anything like it. And Erin appeared amidst the kaleidoscopic mome...

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“Help Wanted” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #102

Richard pressed the intercom button. “Nick, let me have all the resumes we have for that sales position.” His office manager poked his head through the door. “I gave it to you, boss. On your desk… The folder…” He glanced at the single sheet of paper it contained. “This? There’s only one.” “Yeah. That’s it.” Richard recognized the name at the top of the resume, Benjie Bantam. He couldn’t believe it. “Re-run the ad.” “We ran it three times and that’s all we got.” “Hard to believe.” “I know. It’s a good job for the right person. But the good n...

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“The Proposal” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #100

Trent handed his car key to the valet and took Cindy’s arm. Her eyes got wide as they strolled into the best restaurant in town. “This is spectacular, Trent. Did you win the lotto?” “No… Just want to take my best girl for a well-deserved night on the town.” She pretended to pout. “And who would that be?” Trent pulled her close. “You, Cindy. Of course. Who else?” “You said, ‘best girl…’ Of how many?” He shook his head at the faux pas. “Only girl. Of course. Or do you prefer, ‘baby’?” She smiled slyly. He turned to her, “How about, ‘Love of ...

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“Ants and Ice Cream” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #99

I finally understood my father. Had I become him? He always hated whining.I do too.Like a fountain of molten rock, rage welled up. Where did this come from? Unsuppressed, would it continue? Unstoppable? Obliterate me and everything?I imagined ripping up the sidewalk and tossing concrete slabs like Frisbees. Did I think I was the Hulk? Did I want to be?Would that shut the kid up?I glanced at my wife. I strained to speak in a normal voice. “Can’t you do something? Do I have to pull over?”Translation: Do something or I will.She stretched around...

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“Magic Shoebox ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #98

Paul rang the doorbell and said , “Follow my lead. It’ll be fine.” His mother opened the door and cried out, “Paul! It’s so good to see you!” Ada embraced him. “Too long, Ma. Too long.” He introduced his girlfriend, Abigail. Ada sized her up and smiled. “Wonderful! Come in! Meet my Dad, and the others. You’re right on time. We’re about to sit.” “Something smells good!” Ada whispered, “She’s so petite, Paul. I thought you liked the tall ones.” “Cut it out, Ma…” They entered to see family gathering around the table. The smell of ...

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“What She Held” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #97

Justin always admired the stained glass window high in the church wall. A true work of art, but old. No one remembered who designed it. Rumor held he was probably a contemporary of Tiffany or one of the other geniuses of a century ago. Maybe Tiffany himself. He grew up attending church with his mother. Each Sunday, he studied its colorful scene. His childish imagination had him believing it studied him back. The ornate image showed a fair young woman kneeling, with her hand out. Her eyes gazed into the heavens with a hopeful expression. Beh...

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“Noggin’s Lair” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #96

Stealing through the pre-dawn forest, Leaf sensed the dragon before seeing it. He’d never smelled brimstone before but the ungodly stench fit the name. Dressed in an ill-fitting suit of armor, he moved as quietly as he could.A low howl filled his ears from beyond the copse of trees. The mixture of pain and rage and an unnatural timbre made him shudder. It joined discordant chorus with the plaintive cries of the princess. What unspeakable acts could reduce her to such undignified pleading?Roaring a challenge, he burst from the underbrush, his...

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Author bio

I enjoy seeing how words and memory wrestle with reality. Locked within the cage of language, I like rattling the bars. Please read and comment, even if you don't like. Ramond Gorringe has read my story 'Haunted' aloud on his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azY66UEfocs Copyright © 2021 John K. Adams - All Rights Reserved. Using content for commercial gain without written permission is prohibited.

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #208

Behind the Door – read story

Contest #198

DMV in Retrograde – read story