John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (261)

261 Stories

7884 karma pts

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“Absolute Zero ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #227

‘Where’s global warming when you need it?’ Toby stared out the trailer window at the bleak, icy landscape. Icicles arrayed like glistening fangs hung from the eaves. It was snowing. How many weeks had passed with no sunshine at all? Too many. Even inside, he could see his breath. The space heater never kept up. The walls were cold. Everything changed so fast. No one knew the trigger. Experts spun theories off non-stop finger pointing. But the hot air didn’t make a dent. Cold was the new norm. Just prior, it had been unseasonably warm. News ...

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“What the Mirror Wants” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #225

“What’s wrong with me? Do I even exist?” Selma gazed at her reflection in the medicine cabinet mirror. Her irises contracted as she peered into her pupils. “Anybody home?” She chuckled. ‘Of course, I exist. I blink; therefore, I am…’ But somedays she struggled to own that even to herself. Remembering her college biology class, ‘I’m alive. I move and breathe. God knows I excrete…’ It is one thing to choose anonymity. Quite another to feel ignored. Even a dismissal requires recognition of the banished. No unicorn ever felt dismissed. But for S...

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“The Point of no Return” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #224

Allen boarded the plane, stowed his carry-on and found his seat. The interminable layover, now ended, allowed him to relax. Dusk settled over the airport. He hated taking the red-eye, but this was his last chance to go where he’d never wanted to go. The P.A. squawked. “Ladies and gentlemen, there will be a brief delay before take-off. Please exit the plane. You can leave your carry-on luggage but take anything you may need with you.” A loud groan erupted from the passengers. A stewardess murmured something about ‘mechanical trouble’ to a st...

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“Mighty Pen” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #223

Moving down the student union cafeteria queue, Kermit couldn’t help but notice her. They slid their trays mechanically along the stainless-steel counter. Slide. Stop. Repeat. He watched her careful choices and precise manner of organizing food on the tray, so nothing touched. Being a journalism major, spotting telling details was his mind-set. When he accidentally bumped his tray into hers, she shot him a warning look. Her mane of tight blond curls took a moment to settle. He couldn’t place her despite her distinctive look. Kermit apologize...

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“In the Box” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #222

Riding the elevator up, Ernest dried his palms on his shirt. ‘Is it me? Or is it always this difficult?’It had been years. They never communicated. Would his father even be there? He almost stopped his ascent into the forbidden zone.Elevators terrified him. Could anyone design a better place to make one feel isolated and alone? Ernest hoped not.Except for the slight rocking, and hissing from the vent, there was no sense of movement. Claustrophobia hovered.The floors ticked by. The elevator slowed and stopped at the penthouse. The doors slid ...

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“Cold Feet” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #221

I watched Helen, my wife, my widow, drift through the house each day, like smoke wafting from an extinguished candle. I could relate. But what could I do? I was the ‘dearly departed’ whose passing sapped the juice from Helen’s life. That’s right. What could I do? How do I explain my being here at all? Neither here nor there, in or out… A presence within the absence. It’s admittedly hard to describe. Those poor souls who think they’re taking the short cut out… They arrive when the party’s just starting. Who knew? Even thinking you’re ...

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“What Glitters” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #219

“I feel like I’m living in a goldfish bowl,” said Sharky, the goldfish. He looked anxiously about. “You are living in a goldfish bowl.” Marina, the mermaid, suppressed her cute smile. They’d had this conversation before. She was Sharky’s beautiful best friend. He always found her lolling on the rock in the shipwreck’s shadow. Sharky gave her a look. “I don’t get it… What is a goldfish bowl, anyway? I thought it was a figure of speech.” “It’s like… well, you know…” She shrugged her bare shoulders and smoothed her hair. She thought she knew ...

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“Should I Ever Forget ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #218

Ray thought ‘fanciful’ would impress Willow for their first date. Set up by a friend, they’d only spoken by phone. Once in the restaurant, he reconsidered. Willow was visibly uncomfortable in the whimsical surroundings. Playing it safe would have been better strategy. The waiter dressed as the Mad Hatter took it too far. Unless the trajectory made a radical shift, it would be their last date. Though they raced through dinner, neither had other plans. Presenting their best faces, and keeping vulnerabilities well disguised, they became carica...

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“Speak Now ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #216

Anticipation swirled about the church. No one remembered the last time it had filled to capacity. This would be no ordinary wedding, if there ever is such a thing. Not merely a gathering of family and friends, this was a major social event for the town and the state. People came from all over. Half the church contained people hoping to see the celebrities, whom they had never met. Local news trucks had parked outside. Two hometown luminaries were planning to wed. Tommy Carlson, the groom, was this year’s L.A. Dodgers’ number one draft pick....

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“Haunted ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #215

They had her kneel on the bare floor. Allie pulled the hood off her head and looked around. Three shadowy figures stood before her in the dimly lit room.Jason said, “Boo!”“Of course, Jason. I knew you had to be part of it. Where’s your goalie mask?”Diego pointed at him. “He forgot!”The three boys standing over her burst into laughter.Allie said, “Not wearing it doesn’t help you. Don’t leave home without it.”She and Jason dated briefly in their junior year. But his insecurity and immaturity formed a toxic gumbo.When they first led her in she ...

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“The Barter ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #215

‘Moby is dead.’ Jacob stared at his goldfish floating in its bowl. Tears streamed down his face. He was six. He’d heard the word ‘death’ mentioned on TV, but this was real. Searing pain cut through his world. ‘How can this be?’ His mother, Joanna, came to his bedroom door. She understood his sorrow and tried to console her young son. “But why, Mom? Why?” “I’m sorry Jake. Some things can’t be explained.” She thought, ‘Especially when you don’t understand.’ Joanna stroked Jacob’s hair, cooed loving phrases and offered to help lay Moby to r...

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“What You Wish For” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #214

Jack lugged the picnic basket up the path toward the overlook. He called back to Melody, his girlfriend, “Hurry, Jill! The sun’ll be setting…” “Jack, please don’t call me Jill. How many times…?” Melody sighed. They found level ground. Jack spread the blanket, placed the basket and stepped over to look at the valley lit by the late summer sun. Leaves would soon turn. Melody stepped beside him and took his hand. They caught their breath while enjoying the view. “What a magnificent day.” “I’m sorry it’s our last together. The perfect e...

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“Are You For Real?” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #213

TW: People in conflict over mistakes made.Arne entered the meet up club where he planned to meet Gloria. Her text said she’d be wearing a white Gardenia to more easily identify her. ‘Meet ups’ are an informal version of the blind date. They allow singles to get acquainted and pursue deeper connections.Almost immediately, Arne saw a problem. Across the dimly lit room, he saw two women with Gardenias. Either would make him look good. One wore a Gardenia in her hair. She had a model’s figure, but was too slim for Arne’s tastes.She stood near th...

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“Fan Mail Flames” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #212

Ira Stanford told his assistant, “Seen it all.” He’d glanced at the fan letter for about five seconds. “A rubber stamp would suffice to answer most of these scribbles.” He tossed the letter onto the stack. “Yes. Answer them, but you’re not Miss Lonely-hearts, Shane. More important things on your plate.” Shane Delacroix was relieved he needn’t answer each fan letter in depth. Ira said. “Did you book those flights next week? And hotels? How about the press? Anyone meeting me at the airport? Any talk shows? Radio? TV? Cable?” Shane answered ea...

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“Burning” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #211

Larry smelled pine smoke. He smiled at the thought of Andre, his brother, ‘Sipping brandy before the fire. What a life. Finally settled into his niche…’ Walking toward the study, warm, shifting light shone off the walls. He stepped into the doorway to see Andre sitting on the hearth, feeding papers into rising flames. Stacks of paper leaned against each other. Larry said, “What’s up? Andre looked haunted. “You’ve got to help me, man.” “You want a sandwich?” Larry worked in catering. Andre fed the fire. “No. I can’t do this anymore. I’ll go...

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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