Joshua Petty

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2024

Stories (7)

7 Stories

114 karma pts

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“Wristwatch of Perfect Timing” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #269

I had to think real hard on this as I wasn't quite real yet when it happened, but his eyes were drawn by the narrow parabola of the peppermint's arc. His breath had caught and his eyes gleamed when the little candy was caught expertly in a laugh by a woman with dark hair, a round face, and eyes displaying a jubilant and kind soul. He was Chris and she, we'd eventually discover, was Monica. She had smiled back at her friends after catching the red and white candy and then saw Chris's goofy look, and her joy had grown into a toothy smile. Then...

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“A Jealous God” by Joshua Petty

I stood from the uncomfortable stone bench of the narrow transept and watched the exhausted peasantry shuffle out, a strangely familiar scene. Their long worn weariness had been eased by the sermon and the desiccated hand displayed prominently at the alter. The light from the stain glass mosaic of the crucifixion flashed through the withered slit in the palm, an occasional reminder of the weight it carried for us all. Supposedly. I returned a wave from a young boy in a faded burgundy tunic and straightened my shoulders wishing I'd had a chan...

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“Faith in a Storm” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #267

Alice hunkered closer to the rocky overhang, grimacing as a fresh torrent of rain washed down her back. She checked her cartridge belt again- wet ammo wouldn't stop this storm. The hair on the back of her neck rose, tingling, and she dropped into the gravelly mud, slamming her hands over her ears as a furious streak of lightning shattered the cliff side and swept away two wagon teams with a roar louder than any ordinance. Alice swept her sopping hair aside and looked at William prone beside her, missing when things had been simpler and lying...

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“Rapture” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #266

Everything was poised perfectly. A cornucopia of inspiration surrounded Cassidy Flemming, and yet he stood, seized, with the sharp tingling smell of white spirits burning his nose, the bright white canvas burning his eyes, and the warm reassuring weight of the paintbrush burning his heart with its betrayal. Cassidy threw the brush down with disgust, rocking the small table beside the easel. He hadn't been able to paint anything in months so here he was surrounded by all the required elements for the ritual with the Conduit. He looked over th...

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“Live a Little” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #265

The grand carriage waited poised, its elegant woodwork, four black horses, and delicate label, Queen Marie’s NOLA Ghost Tours, out of place against the dirty, plaster smothered brick wall and rusted iron gate separating the living from the dead. A confident young woman leaned against it, matching the angle of the sign post proclaiming the corner of Basin and Conti streets, and watched me approach with bright eyes. She took a puff of her slender vape and smiled as she warmly took my hand in both of hers. Her top hat and vest matched the elega...

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“Bachelor's Buttons” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #264

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today…wait, that's not my line! A lot of you know me, but for those that don't, I'm Charlie Jorgenson and I'm the Best Man, at least today, but usually the best is our Max. I can see some frantic panic going around the crowd there, since I'm speaking from the altar here, and we have yet to see the bride or groom. There’s only minutes until the ceremony is supposed to start, but before you get too worried, there is still going to be a wedding today! “I have to admit, I am scrambling a bit here. I re...

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“Shades of Gray” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #263

A standard roll of 35 mm black and white film holds 36 shots. He twists the lens, defining the repetitive strings of chilies marching along the tent's edge from the minutiae of the crowds milling through the Hero’s Day festival behind them. Click. “Property of Aaron Corvide” printed in stark, black, all-capital typeface on the glossy white label facing the crowd on his left. Someone tripped, tried desperately to avoid falling, and failed. Click. Aaron suppressed his grin. He saw a preppy teenager palm some jewelry at another booth. Click. Th...

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Author bio

I am a new father to a beautiful baby girl and I have been inspired to post some of my stories here. I am an avid reader and love to explore fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. I work as an engineer and have many other hobbies besides reading and writing, including crafting, cosplay, and gaming. I have loved creative writing since I was little and over the last few years it has been mostly expressed as plot threads for tabletop rpg games. I stumbled across some writing contests and thought it would be a great opportunity to get some feedback on my work. I'm looking forward to reading other stories, learning as much as possible, and writing a bunch more!