John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (260)

260 Stories

7878 karma pts

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“Double, Double, Toil and Lip-gloss” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #65

“I don’t trust her,” announced Glinda. The dull roar of the food court washed over them. Elizabeth frowned, “Why not?” “She’s a witch.” “Aren’t we all? I thought…” “Well, I’m just a wannabe.” “But we’re learning…” “And she’s weird.” “Comes with the territory, if you ask me.” “And too cute.” “Okay… Not that we’re butt ugly…” “Don’t let on... Here she comes.” Madeleine had a rare quality. Girls envied her look, never knowing how she did it. Not merely pretty, she projected genuine warmth and a good-natured spirit not easily copied. She exited...

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“What the Dead Want” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #64

A small moth fluttered about Bobby’s lamp. Surrounded by many unpacked boxes from the recent move, his essentials were in place. His homework covered the westward expansion. The moth persisted. Bobby doubted it came in his stuff. ‘This house is old,’ he thought. ‘Generations ago, pioneer moths traveled across the land, seeking gold dust. They’re now home in this Victorian dump we moved to.’ The ancient house, perfect for Halloween, had not been decorated. There hadn’t even been time to explore it. The moth persisted. Bobby slapped at it to ...

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“Goin' South” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #63

Finch mumbled to himself as he inventoried items for the trip. Polly touched his arm and tilted her head in a question. He said, “Cooper said to get packed. Pack light, he says. This should be a quick trip. Plan to travel light. Half-way around the world? Pack light? Spackle? Pickle? Pecked?” Polly backed away. “Peck, peck, peck. Pecking is in order, sir.” “Why don’t you take a break?” She returned to her desk. Dove leaned over and whispered to her. “Don’t be hard on him, Pol. Cooper thinks he’s king of the roost. He said to travel light b...

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“The Curse” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #62

Becky peeked at the crowd from behind the curtain. Full house. She spotted her parents and her Great Aunt Arana taking their seats. ‘Yes!’ A last minute flurry of activity swirled about. Kids in costume checked props. Techies tested the lights and sound system. The Director stood on stage, still and calm. She checked the last item on her clip-board and marched into the wings. Becky’s first ever acting performance was imminent. Her butterflies were less from anxiety than eagerness to celebrate the best moment of her life. Her debut would be d...

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“Sparky’s Farewell” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #61

‘Get me outta here.’ “Mark! I’m so glad you made it.” Dora gave him a hug while back-kicking the door. She stood back, took him by the shoulders and gave him a little shake. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.” “Well I did, Aunt Dora. Surprised us all.” She masked a smile with her signature frown and gave him an affectionate punch on the arm. “Come on. Have a drink. There are people here, you need to see.” Mark thought, ‘They say funerals are for the living. Who are receptions for? At least no one talks at funerals.’ He looked for familiar faces. ...

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“Apocalypse No” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #60

Uncomprehending, Alex looked down the hazy street. Smoke drifted lazily from the storm drains and cracks in the street. People walked, as if in a dream. No one seemed to have a purpose. Did they await a sign? A flood of humanity vomited from the subway entrance into the bleak, mid-day sun. They walked aimlessly, reaching ground level and forgetting why they’d come. Their motivation appeared to come only from the press of the crowd emerging behind them. The red sky absorbed their shadows. Had their souls been stolen too? Alex looked about h...

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“Stupid Questions” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #59

“Are you that new kid?” “I just moved here. If that’s what you mean.” “That house?” The boy pointed at the house Bill’s parents had bought. Bill nodded. He’d never seen so much grass in his life. They’d moved from the city. He only knew goats ate grass. But there were no goats around. A butterfly danced back and forth between the trees. A crow called from overhead. Beyond their neighborhood, cornfields seemed to go on without end. “What’s your name?” “My friends call me Billy.” “I’m Andy. Want to come over?” “Okay.” Bill followed Andy to ...

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“The Power Outage” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #58

Rick looked into Jill’s eyes. “Once we leave, there’s no turning back.” “Uh huh. Meaning what again?” “We’re off to the wilderness and we’re dependent only on what we can carry with us.” Jill sounded skeptical. “You mean the wilderness out in our back yard?” “Right, ‘til tomorrow. The contractors promised. They need the power off for twenty-four hours to finish.” “And excepting bathroom breaks.” “Of course. We’re not barbarians. Plumbing, yes. Electricity, no… Let’s do a quick inventory and get a move on. Are the kids all packed?” They were...

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“The Master Spider Getter” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #57

Mark tapped on the door. Sylvie opened it while holding her finger up for silence. “Mom is asleep.” “What’s up?” “I told you. I found a spider. I need you to dispose of it.” “That’s it?” She nodded. “You mean this isn’t a cheap ploy to get more time with the love of your life?” Sylvie made a face and pushed him toward her bedroom. She still wore the fancy dress from their date. Mark smiled on entering her sanctum. “I love your room. It’s so inviting…” He sat on the bed and looked at her décor. A framed print by a Pre-Raphaelite painter...

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“Old Acquaintances, Not Forgotten” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #56

Paolo and Claire recognized each other immediately. They only met briefly that one incident, ten years ago. They never met again. As Paulo’s wife, Melissa, introduced him to Tom and Claire, their eyes met. With one intense look, Claire asked him to remain silent about the past. He smiled, “Glad to meet you Claire. And you’re Tom?” Tom took his arm from Claire’s waist and shook hands with Paolo. Tom glanced around and leaned in. “These office get-togethers can be overwhelming. Let’s find a place where we can get acquainted.” They all agr...

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“Squint! Do you trust me?” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #55

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? What the hell is summer, anyway? It sounded like words to Germ, but the random string of sounds made no sense. Write a logarithm. Transmit some useful information. He wondered, how can I remember something with no context? Several days ago, his friend Welt, pulled him aside. Welt spoke so quietly, Germ needed to lean in to hear. Welt whispered, “Remember it. Tell no one. Got it?” “Okay, sure. Why tell anyone? It makes no sense, why would anyone care?” Welt demonstrated an intricate handshake. ...

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“Hurt People Hurt” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #54

James expected never to see Olive again. And there she stood, looking like yesterday, making coffee for a friend of Bill’s. She gave him a passing glance and looked away. But her face changed as only James would see. Even after so many years she still had that glimmer of a smile betraying her thoughts. She spoke without looking at him. “Well if it ain’t Mr. Big Stuff. Even the cat wouldn’t touch you. Put on a few pounds, you lanky s.o.b?” She gave him a bright smile. “Good to see you too, Olive. How you been?” “Can’t complain.” She ge...

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“ More to the Story” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #53

Craig stood back, under a tree and watched the interment. A lot of people stood, all dressed up. He rejoiced he hadn’t time to put on a black suit. These people must be suffocating in this heat. He’d missed the funeral due to work. He hated being late. The dead man, Bill, Craig’s little league coach, taught him punctuality. He taught him everything. Now Craig had missed their last work-out. It had been years, but still. Long, straight rows of markers for the many who had passed away ran into the distance. Enough to fill a stadium, he thought...

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“The Clock” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #52

Iris always heard the dead lay down their burdens. Nobody mentions those left behind who must attend to the clean-up. Now that both her parents were gone, the rest could go too. Everything her mother, Mabel, collected over the decades now covered the driveway and front lawn of her house. Iris priced it to sell in this one-day garage sale. No more knick-knacks. She couldn’t shoe-horn one more end table into her home. Mabel had lingered and now it was over. Never a hoarder, she also never threw anything out. She decorated in early hodgepodge...

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“The Past Pulled Forward ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #51

“When do you want to go in?” Mark asked. Zane peered through the gloom at their target. “In a few minutes. Let it get darker. Check our gear.” “I did.” “Do it again. This is one and done. No redo’s.” Mark listed his inventory. They were traveling light – shovel, flashlight, map and duffle bag. “All here, bro.” Zane looked at his younger brother. “You ever been back?” “Not since we moved. What, ten years ago?” “Almost twelve.” “I wouldn’t know it. They changed everything.” Zane nodded. “They ripped out the old house… all the apple tre...

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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