John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (265)

265 Stories

8031 karma pts

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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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“Imaginary Friend” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #50

Daisy’s step-father, Gene, kept close tabs on her. He walked up to her as she hosted a tea party in the shade of the big tree at the back of the yard. Her guests were two dolls and a stuffed toy rabbit. “Is that a bug on you?” Gene pointed at Daisy’s shirt. “That’s a pin my Daddy gave me. He called them ‘grown up gifts’.” “You don’t want a bug on your shirt. No matter what you call it. You want people thinking you’re infested?” “No. I’m not infested. What’s infested?” “It’s when bugs lay eggs in your hair. That’s why your mother has t...

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“The Verdict” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #49

“You’re a star.” “I’m not a star.” “Of course you are. Those red snakeskin boots say it all.” The kid ignored the older man sitting across from him. He shuffled through the magazines on the waiting room table. Us. Cosmopolitan. Family Circle. “You here for test results?” The man watched the kid roll his eyes. He rummaged through the worn monthlies on the table. “They never have anything good. What I wouldn’t give for a Popular Mechanics or a Penthouse.” He laughed. The kid slouched into the bench and pulled his iPhone out. Swipe. Swipe. “Let...

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“The Leopard ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #48

The superhero known as Leopard stepped carefully through the undergrowth. With no path to follow he looked through the misty air for broken branches or the acrid smell of scorched bark. Tracking a dragon took experience. Not that hard, once you’ve survived a few, he thought. How do you track something that flies? The question struck him as silly but he didn’t laugh. Too much at stake. An impossibly large bird rose before him. It flapped its broad wings in languorous fashion. Leopard envied the ease with which it maneuvered through the jungl...

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“You” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #47

“You hummed as you retrieved the mail. Part of a normal day’s routine. Or not. You shuffled through the junk and an odd envelope caught your eye. A letter. No one writes anymore. Except me. “Caught you! “Think of me as that song you can’t get out of your head. Can you remember a time when I wasn’t there, simmering in the background? I’m always with you. Even in your sleep. How long has it been? “You didn’t expect to get this. You thought I couldn’t find you. You thought I forgot. “How could I forget? Not you! “Yet you weren’t really ...

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“Altared States” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #46

Bert went over his book notes. This would be the first interview of a series his agent scheduled for Bert for him to promote his magnum opus. This would be Bert’s big break. Or so Manny, his agent, insisted. The travel expenses came out of his advance so he needed a successful tour. Bert couldn’t believe it played out this way. Writing this memoir had been like drawing his own blood every day for six weeks. Exposing his most devastating disappointments and the ensuing recovery took courage. Bert had to believe it. His therapist and agent aff...

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“You Use What Lens?” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #45

Gil entered the photography gallery and smiled at the good turn-out. An unknown entity, no one noticed him. That suited Gil perfectly.He drifted, avoiding eye contact. He wanted to suss out the crowd, to observe unseen. It is what photographers do. At last he could call himself that.Besides Gil, the photographic exhibit featured the work of several local talents. But the photography at this popular semi-annual event, set the scene all the types, the fashionistas, the hipsters, the suits, artistes, the curious and hangers-on. People came to s...

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“Aloha, Good-bye” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #44

Abigail took one last look in the mirror. She saw the person she always knew.Making a little wave with her left hand she said, “Aloha.”The taxi driver honked his horn. Abigail turned and left.Ten minutes before, her Aunt Maryann saw her looking in the mirror.“Abby! Stop staring at yourself. You look fabulous!”Abigail turned to her. “Thanks Auntie. I know. I love this dress.”“It’s your wedding day, Abby. You look worried.”Abigail looked down. “I see a person in that mirror who I’ve known all my life. I don’t know when I’ll see her again. Or i...

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“The Ten Year Window” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #43

Chuck felt his pockets as he approached their front door with his nine-year old son, Sammy. Chuck swore under his breath.He turned to Sammy, “Sorry, kid.”“What happened, Dad?”“My keys. I don’t know. I had them. I’m sure I had them… I thought I had them.”They looked at the imposing door as if it held the answer. It stood impervious to all questions.“Why don’t we keep a spare under the mat?”“Or I could leave it unlocked and save the cost of cutting the key,” Chuck said. “Everyone looks under the mat.”“But…”Chuck gave Sammy a look that shut him...

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“Closing the Circle” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #42

They were at it again. Don felt like running a marathon on a treadmill would be more productive. He never knew what the arguments were about. They went round and round with no finish line in sight.He said, “I don’t care about winning, Joyce. Can’t we resolve this? I don’t even know what this is about.”Joyce sensed Don’s change in attitude. “It’s always the same, Don. You don’t get it.”“That tells me nothing.”Joyce busied herself about the kitchen. “Why don’t you go then? Just go.”Don shook his head. “That’s it? That’s your solution? I should...

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“Werewolf Tells All ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #41

I’m writing this to dispel the many ugly stereotypes about so-called werewolves. Mercenary hacks promote salacious rumors without regard for who gets their tail stepped on. Anyone desiring the truth, please read on.I wish to clarify that what is popularly known as the werewolf actually exists. I prefer the French term Loups-Garous which has a lyrical sound to it, more in keeping with my sense of self. Yes, we exist. And no, this isn’t a shaggy dog story. The negative popular image from over-wrought novels and movies is exaggerated beyo...

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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