Kaitlyn Wadsworth

“Clash of the Siblings” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #246

Caution: horrific details of a birth that goes wrong.Katy heard a bone-chilling scream followed by wails. Her twelve-year-old daughter Suzie ran inside."It's OK, Mum. We were playing a game on the trampoline, that's all.""Eddie has hurt himself?""Yes, as usual. He'll be alright."Katy ran out to check on her son in the backyard. Ten-year-old Eddie wept, cradling one arm as he sat in the middle of the trampoline.“Suzie did it,” he blubbered."I'm sure it was an accident."His bottom lip curled down, and he shook his head. Tears trickled like wat...

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“La Luna - A Grand Night Out” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #245

My name is Lynley, and I am eleven. I am interested in all things biological and scientific.My mother calls me her difficult child. The one who quickly gets distracted or left behind, examining ants on a trail, a spider forming a web, or some other exciting phenomenon. The world around us contains an abundance of interesting plants, insects, and creatures. I like checking them out.I am sitting in a tree, watching a tiny caterpillar measure the leaf he travels over. “Inch worm, inch worm . . .” Stretching out his front legs, creeping his stic...

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“The Coraline Factor” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #244

As Vikky walked down the paths leading to the school’s quadrangle, other students moved aside or stopped what they were doing to look at her. Her black hair bobbed, her skirt swished, but her footsteps seemed to glide. Laura and Faye trotted behind her.As they approached where the blood-nosed boys wrestled each other with the ferocity of alligator lizards, Vikky let out a loud wolf whistle, making everyone else turn around. She raised her hands together and widened them out in a gesture demanding that the spectators move aside. They parted l...

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“DEJA VU” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #243

Five bone dice crumbled to dust before their eyes.“What was that?” Thom’s mouth gaped.Silence descended. No insect or bird sounds. Then it started; the earth beneath them vibrated, then shook perceptibly. The three looked at each other.“I don’t like this,” said Victoria.“I think you should both leave the Island. Who knows what will happen? I’ll have to stay,” said Marcus.“What about the others?” she said.“They’ll fend for themselves,” said Thom. “There is the boat and a plane if they decide to go. This dilemma will distract them. What will y...

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“The Expression of Love” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #242

Stuart Kerr entered the Dallas Museum of Art and pretended to look at the exhibits. A crime had been committed. If he could only spot some clues. Later, he intended to look at the camera footage of the display being set up. This would pinpoint if the criminal act occurred offsite or during the early stages. For now, he looked for any missed detail others overlooked as they perused the entries. So far, nothing seemed out of place. Since February 2022, the Museum’s management team has been preparing to run a competition. They chose examples of...

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“Abby and the Fugitives” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #241

Abagail sought solace in her sitting room and worried over the latest servant foible. Likely, her husband, Nabal, would hear about it, overreact, and explode. She sighed and thought about the many dramas she had averted by intervening in the nick of time. Her husband behaved like a wild bull in a field of wheat, for the most part. He had never suspected any betrayal on her part to date.She asked one of her maids to give the servant a signed letter, which provided an out. Permission for him to immediately ‘visit a sick mother’ in his hometown...

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“Where the Wind Blows” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #240

A warm breeze brushed over my exposed skin one balmy evening as I lay in my spa. As the air heats up due to the sun, the air and evaporated moisture rise, leaving a deficit. This needs to be filled, and colder air rushes in as wind. On this occasion, I had no complaints.I luxuriated in my spa, overlooking my beautifully landscaped back garden. My mind wandered back to when we decided to sell our house. After a couple of years of hard work and expense, we had finally refurbished it into a saleable state. My name is Katrina. We wante...

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“The Longest Promise” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #239

The Redemption had been transported to the beach where Victoria and her father, Marcus, had left many decades before. Over the years, this west English coastline had changed, though it still sported rugged cliffs and a rocky shoreline. Victoria and Marcus sailed away in their 35 ft. Sirius yacht, for their Island.Where they thought it to be, from their memories, may have been wrong. It had taken two months initially. Indeed, in a modern yacht, the trip should be shorter. They realized their initial idea of sailing away t...

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“Hank, The Cat Contingency” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #238

My name is Cynthia. I am the Personal Manager at my work. I hire, fire, and pay the staff's wages at the Salvador Hotel. It is of average size with 200 bedrooms, varying in size and quality. We need an extensive variety of staff to care for the guests, especially at peak times. Right now, is a relatively quiet time. Some staff have left, and we haven’t needed to replace them.I have a husband, Kevin, and two sons. My husband is a highly qualified electrician. Harry is in his first year at High School, while Jeremy is only ten and still at Pri...

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“A Problem Proposal” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

I hadn’t stopped smiling. Especially when I saw my Valentine's Day flowers in a vase on the kitchen table. The flowers came in pinks and purples, with the lilies still in bud. Once they opened, the stamins would need removal because I am allergic to the pollen. I hadn’t had time to get anything for Tom. It had been enough that I went out with him for lunch, our first proper date. After much thought, I decided to buy him a tie as he said he did wear suits. After all this time alone, It seemed strange to think of gifts for a man.However, I had...

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“Unromantic Overtures” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #237

It is said that to be truly happy, one needs someone to love, something worthwhile to do, and something to hope for.Someone to love. Check. My sonSomething worthwhile to do. Check. Nothing more rewarding than bringing up my son.Something to hope for. Check. Hope springs eternal. My son has ADHD, diagnosed at age 5. He survived early childhood. He could still end up dead by accident, or at my exasperated hands, or turn out to be a delinquent who ends up in prison, like his father.My friend, Analiese, came over when we first moved to her city ...

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“The Invitation” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #236

Marcus Trent seated himself in the Taxi. He had his overnight bag with him.“Can you take me to 1445 Ross Avenue, please. Amli Fountain Place”The taxi driver headed off down the road. The early morning rush had dissipated, and Marcus didn’t anticipate any hold-ups as he settled for a less stressful ride than when he first arrived in Dallas.He hated being in the city. The wide-open spaces surrounding the Ranch where he lived suited him better.It surprised him when his daughter Victoria invit...

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“The Man Who Ran Away” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #235

Caution: mention of torture and cruelty. How would you react if introduced to a potential roommate or flat mate who promptly told you lots of negative things about himself? Top marks for honesty, but no one would choose to live with someone who is rebellious and will not do as he is asked, who whinges and whines when things don’t go his way and even wants to die when a situation gets unpleasant, who i...

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“My Resolute Resolve” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #233

Caution. This story is about an alcoholic and her struggles.Exactly when it began in 2023, I can't remember. My dear wee cat Socks went missing on October 5th. This happened first.I posted pictures and details around the neighborhood for someone to contact me if they found him dead or alive. No one replied or knew anything. I coped well at the time, but after several weeks of waiting for him to turn up, I accepted that he couldn't, or wouldn't, be coming home.I missed him. I gave away ...

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“No Thanks to Our Crazy Family” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #226

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real experiences or people is coincidental and reproduced with mega poetic license. My name is Maria. I am the baby of our family. The first four siblings form the four oldest. Seven years are between me and my next older sister, and fourteen years between me and my oldest sister. I am still attending High School, whereas the others are married.One sister, Katie, used to live in England with her husband. Once she became pregnant, her husband Finn relent...

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