Josh T

“The Scrutator chapter 2” by Josh T

“It’s mine and you can’t have it!” shrieked a shrill voice.Paige gasped as she pushed herself off the desk blinking away the sleep still fogging her brain. She hastily wiped the drool from her chin as she looked around. It was late, the tall necks of the street lights outside cast a dirty yellow light that filled the room. Turning toward the station entrance she found the source of the yelling. A young man in handcuffs was being booked. The night officer, Jason, or “J” as most people called him, had a pile of the man’s things on the counter...

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“Disconnected Errands” by Josh T

Day 1, hour 1:Ryan sighed as he leaned out from behind the lanky women standing in front of him, trying to catch a glimpse of the front of the line. “What is taking so long?” He grumbled. He counted the bodies between him and the registers, eight. Then he counted again, checking to see how many were staring at their phones, again eight. Screams from a child strapped into a cart near the front of the line caught his attention. The child’s arms were wiggling, fingers opening and closing as she leaned toward the towers of candy s...

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“The Scrutator” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #183

Josie stood over the body, adrenaline coursing through her veins.  He’s just a kid, she thought as she bent down to check for a pulse. Satisfied the boy was still breathing, she took a step back and wiped the sweat from her forehead, trying to process what had just happened.  She had been assigned that morning to patrol a neighborhood nicknamed “the castle”. A three-square-mile block of perfectly manicured homes and businesses, it had earned the nickname because of the fortress-like walls that surrounded most of its wealthy inhabit...

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“Karen” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #182

Karen tried not to move. She had been dreaming of being swept off her feet by a handsome dark-haired man in a tuxedo, when the loud screeching of her home alarm tore him from her. That was the least of her worries now, for there was someone in her room! She could hear them talking, clear as day. “How did that not wake her?” asked a high-pitched voice. “That would have startled an elephant!” “You're right,” replied a slower gravelly voice, “that usually works like a charm.” The gravelly voice sounded older and oddly familiar, but Karen was to...

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“Tungsten Mine” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #181

Aaron paused, breathing heavily as he scratched the itch on his chest. The small red envelope felt unnatural in his breast pocket. He still hadn’t opened it, he wasn’t sure he ever could. He had intentionally left it lying on the nightstand, but his wife had run after him making sure he brought it along.  Meg had been surprised when he told her about his plans for the 3-day trip alone into the cascade mountains. Hell, he had surprised himself. He wasn’t the fit college athlete he once was. At 45, and some 30 pounds heavier, he resemble...

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“The Spitting Caves” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #180

Drew watched as the small silver coin twisted through the air. It looked almost orange as its polished sides caught the reflection of the afternoon sun over the turquoise-blue ocean behind him. Across from him, a tanned shirtless boy stood, his eyes glued to the coin. A bead of sweat was making its way down his forehead. Drew smiled, it was nice to see him panic a little.   It had been a simple bet. Heads and Drew jumped, Tails and the other boy would. Drew almost felt bad, knowing what he did about the unexplainable influence he h...

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“Masquerade ” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #179

England, 1852“Olivia!” Her uncle's harsh whisper echoed down the stairs, as he tried not to wake his wife and three sleeping daughters.Olivia slipped quietly out of bed and into her hand-me-down dress. “Coming Uncle,” she whispered, feeling her way up the cold stairs.A half-melted candle illuminated a small, fat man, hunched over an old ledger, quill pen in hand.“Mr. Greely was short nearly two pounds on yesterday's payment,” he fumed.“That can’t be,” said Olivia, “I checked that payment my—”“It will come out of your pay,” he interrupted, cl...

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“Christmas Bonus” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #178

Howard loathed the buildup that the end of the year brought with it. The jolly “Merry Christmas” greetings from strangers, the decorations and smells that took over all the stores, he even despised the Christmas tree sellers who seemed to invade every empty lot in the small town where he lived. For him, every peppermint latte and brightly colored bulb flooded his mind with memories of his wife, Anna. Memories that stung so much he wanted nothing to do with the holidays.He could usually avoid most of the holiday cheer. He would stock up on fo...

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