John K Adams

“The Tracker Tracked” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #177

Eager to start, I scanned the trail through the trees and up the mountain. The weather was cool, but clear. Over years, I learned to plan my hikes meticulously. Somehow, I forget the single, essential item. Everyone insists I should never travel solo. Too many things can go wrong. A misstep can be deadly. Hiking with a buddy only makes sense. But solitude draws me. I love it. A buddy is an iffy variable. Hiking with the wrong person challenges my reasons for going at all. If I wanted chit chat, I wouldn’t be scaling a mountain, by myself, ...

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“Liquid Courage” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #176

CW: mentions of date rape“Here you go, sis. S’later.”Julian pulled over and stopped at the café where Shelby worked.“Aurora’s my friend, Jules. Get real. We could hang out. Get acquainted. See if you like her.”“I’m already in love with her, Shel.”She grinned. “So, you love her cute little mole…?”He gasped. “Wait. She has a mole? Like a pet?”Selby stared in disbelief. “No idiot. She has a whole flock of them. On a ranch up north.”“What?”“On her lip. The mole on her lip. A beauty mark. I don’t believe you.”~Julian followed Shelby in. He watche...

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“A Squirrel’s Tale (Based on a true story)” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #176

‘Furry tailed rat.’ He called me that. To my face. The nerve. Doesn’t know me from a rat? Rats aren’t even the same genus. What a dope. What a tailless freak. He should be so lucky. I showed him. Yes, I did. Look! A squirrel! Oh, that’s Squiggy. What a name. My nephew. Next tree over. Missus and I’ve got babies. Up our tree top home. Always hungry. Feed ‘em. Up in the nest. Hidden atop the ancient oak. Acorns everywhere. Never enough. Eat some myself. Tasty! Humans look down on squirrels. We’re not dumb. They’re dumb. Oh, because my atten...

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“Eye of the Beholder” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #175

They looked like mugshots. And those were the best. Others looked like morgue post-mortems. June Tandy pointed to her first-grade daughter’s school portrait. In it, the girl looked like a refugee from a carnival freak show. “She’s six. What were you thinking? How do you do that to a six-year-old?” She stared darts at Carter Lee, the photographer. “The camera doesn’t lie…” Exasperated, June looked for support to Kirby Hudson, the principal, and to Oscar Pedersen. Principal Hudson responded. “You do understand, June, uhm… Mrs. Tandy, that Mr....

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“Haven’t Lived…” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #174

 “As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.” ― Albert Einstein Artie Fischer began his day convinced he was on the cusp of something big. The theoretical physicist had focused on his pet research project for months. A breakthrough so close, it lay in tasting range. Those months passed, one season blurring into another. Artie scarcely knew the time of day. Eating had no priority. His team worked non-stop. They’d say, ‘I’ll sleep when I’m d...

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“Dust Collectors” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #173

“You don’t get it, Fie. I don’t want anything.” Shoppers pushed by. Oblivious to his surroundings, Owen stood between shelves stacked high with Christmas décor. Looking exasperated, Fiona pointed to their surroundings. “Wake up!” He mimicked her and ended with an exaggerated yawn. “I have what I need.” He shook his head. “Look at this crap. Kitsch, kitsch, kitsch… Could have cornered the glitter market.” Fiona held up a gnarly gnome leaning on a candy cane. “Here, Owen. This is so cute! How can you resist?” “No more dust collectors. Simpli...

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“Cinderella – the Untold Story” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #172

“Not bad, Cindy… Actually, pretty good.” Cinderella hummed while admiring her reflection in the mirror. Preparing for the ball, she turned to see the dress from every angle. She’d filched it, piecemeal, from her stepsisters, and Eve, her stepmother. The outfit came together like something from a catalogue. She looked great. An advantage to being at everyone’s peck and scratch, free access to closets-full of rarely worn (if ever!) clothing and jewelry. ‘Eve’ was short for Evil. Her stepsisters’ names were Moonshine, and Starlight. Cinderella...

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“Have You Met Me? ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #171

Between gigs, I found myself in a foreign country, free to discover what I’d never seen. Enjoying the sounds and smells of an urban marketplace, I sampled exotic food at different stalls. The people were friendly. They smiled while describing their wares. But I didn’t know the language. It sounded like chatter. I spotted a fellow American approaching. His head bobbed over the sea of humanity. I often encountered countrymen when traveling abroad. Careful to avoid fast friendships, I’d found developing trust demands an investment of time. But...

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“You’re Kidding” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #170

“I have a plan.” Roach looked up when Martin spoke. The din of shouting men echoed constantly off the prison’s concrete and metal surfaces. Whispers would be lost. “To escape?” “You crazy? I’m getting out in an hour. Why escape?” Roach sighed. “I hope you don’t mind my saying, but you can get impatient…” Martin paused. He didn’t want to feed his friend’s delusion. “Urgency demands action, Roach. That doesn’t mean I’m impatient. You could catch fire and take a nap.” A sense of déjà vu washed over Roach. “…Your plan? Going on vacation?” Marti...

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“The Monster Under the Bed” by John K Adams

On entering the kitchen, Josh sniffed the air and began to dance. “Are those my favorites?” His mother, Sarah, smiled. “Are chocolate chip cookies your favorite?” “You know they are. Yes!” He punched up in victory. “But not now. They’re for your party at school.” Josh pouted. “By the way, you pick a costume?” “Not yet…” She sang, “I have some ideas…” Exhibiting tremendous nonchalance, he sidled over to the cooling tray and slipped two cookies onto a napkin. Sarah feigned ignorance but called to him as he sauntered out. “Those are for after...

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“I Spy” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #168

My Dad says I’m paranoid. I think that’s like someone who’s connected to the paranormal. Like on my favorite shows. I like sci-fi. Those stories are so interesting. They feel real. Not like day-to-day life, which gets kind of tedious sometimes. And boring. You never know what adventure will happen in sci-fi. Add a splash of fantasy and all bets are off. Literally, what’s going to come through that door? For instance, you can’t believe where I am right now. Sometimes Dad takes me on business trips with him. Every few weeks he travels from New...

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“In Plain Sight” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #167

The front-page headline read, ‘Local Man Gains Sight.’ Psychologist, Dr. Isaac, looked at the wall clock. This man and his family were due momentarily. He planned to see them without charging his usual fee. Dr. Isaac believed therapy should not be a rich man’s luxury. To him, seeing clients ‘pro bono’ came with the territory. The family in his waiting room were unusual. Though clean, the father’s rumpled suit looked as if it had been pulled from the trunk of a car. His wife, Margaret, carried herself regally in her flowered housedress. In hi...

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“The Quitter’s Killer Smile” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #166

“I quit.” Rico watched Alma from across the table. “Did I say that aloud?” She swirled her wine glass and sipped with smiling eyes. “You’re so beautiful…” He let his eyes well up. She hung on his words. “Thank you, Rico. You’re sweet.” ‘It’s the same old thing. Nothing wrong with her. Always me…’ He leaned in. They touched glasses. “Happy we could meet tonight. Need to tell you something, though.” She looked concerned. “It’s nothing about you. I need to warn you, I’m damaged goods.” She scoffed. “You’re joking, right? You’re beautiful.” Ri...

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“Farewell to Knuckle Falls ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #164

The rock and roll star, Croesus Skye (birth name Albert), earned his nickname for his string of gold records. His music speaks to almost everyone. Critics take the perspective that if his music is popular, how good can it be? What could millions of fans know that the critics don’t? What are his bonafides? Even Mozart had formal training. Where is this guy from? Are idiot savants a real thing? Fans are not mystified by his world-wide popularity. Throngs meet him at airports and concerts. But Croesus employs no security guards to run interfer...

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“Eat What You Kill” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #163

Eugene sat on the dock and watched mayflies dance across the calm water’s surface. He’d never seen anything like it. They looked like fairytale figures, only real. ‘How fun to float so lightly. Not even a ripple.’ A disturbance from beneath and a mayfly vanished. It shocked Eugene. ‘Who knows what lurks down there?’ Of course, being seven, Eugene thought in emotions more than in carefully chosen words. This morning’s ‘never before’ experiences tracked mainly between awe and bliss. His father, Cal, was taking Eugene on his first fishing trip....

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