Kevin Alphatooni

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2022

Stories (24)

24 Stories

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“Boundaries” by Kevin Alphatooni

The wind howled and the storm crept its way across the sky, thunder cracking as it neared. I staggered away from it as fast as I could, clutching my bloodied side. The tall pines surrounding me rocked back and forth in the rough wind. It was dangerous to be caught outside during a summer storm, especially in this region of Dunamis where the cold mountain winds mixed with the convective valley heat, creating super storm...

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“The Eyes of the Moon” by Kevin Alphatooni

There are some nights when you can lay your head down at the end of the day and drift off to sleep rather comfortably. Your pillow cradles your head ever so snugly, extra soft after a long day, putting the mind at ease. I can’t say I remember the last time I had one of those nights. For the past five years, I’ve tossed and turned, limbs restless while my hands claw at the sheets, grasping for something just out of reach....

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“When to Toast with Coke” by Kevin Alphatooni

A bitter cold swept through Richmond, the coldest it had been in a decade, and Jerry Richardson, at the ripe age of 68, walked home alone after an 8 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight service. Arms crossed and knees aching, he scowled beneath his tightly-wound scarf. “This is gonna suck,” he mumbled. The wind howled and Jerry held himself tighter, shivering beneath his thick jacket. Though many didn’t show up thi...

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“George's Great Journey” by Kevin Alphatooni

“Okay, George. You be good!” The shout echoed through the house, its haunting message turning my blood to ice. I leaped off the couch and dashed to the entry hall. Where the heck was he going now? I rounded the corner, almost slipping as I skidded across the hardwood floor. My owner waited for me in the open doorway, the fragrant smells of the outside world wafting their way inside.  ...

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“The Serpent of Pride” by Kevin Alphatooni

“Well if that’s how you feel, THEN THERE’S THE DOOR!”  My words cut through her like a jagged blade. Her blue eyes widened, horrified by its bluntness. Even I was surprised about the way it came out. So forceful.  “You’re a cold-hearted jerk, Allen,” Darlene cried as she ran away from me, “I don’t even know what I saw in you.” A tide of fresh anger swelled within me, urging me to retort her claim b...

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“Birds Eye View ” by Kevin Alphatooni

“You’re finally going to take me there?” Peter asked. “Yup,” Dennis said with a nod.   The two sat high up in the branches of an old redwood tree. Out toward the horizon, the silhouette of a city loomed, the tall skyscrapers veiled by a thick morning haze. Peter eyed it, curiously. He had always been told the city was a dangerous place, however, he was now of the age where he was expected to make the jou...

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“Fly with the Eagle” by Kevin Alphatooni

The wind blew, frigid and sharp. My sweat-stained shirt took the brunt of the chill but a cold shiver still electrified down my skin. The sensation was oddly calming. I took in the cool air and opened my eyes. Small wispy clouds drifted high above, casting their shadows onto the forested landscape below. Mountains bulged from the rolling terrain. A mix of fall colors blanketed the horizon, filling my mind with a nostalgi...

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“Paved with Good Intentions” by Kevin Alphatooni

“I’ve got a plan,” said Mr. Robinson. All eyes were on him as the candlelight fixtures - spaced regularly along the walls - flickered with an artificial glow. Those that stood around the room seemed to share nervous energy. The only ones who looked calm were the four who sat in leather-bound chairs arranged in a semi-circle and facing a beautifully-carved, oak desk. Despite the massive amount of individual power ...

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“The Carving” by Kevin Alphatooni

I twirled the knife in my hand, the sharp blade reflecting the dancing flames of the candlelight. Then, with a devilish grin, I stabbed. The blade pierced the hard exterior of the pumpkin and easily slid through the soft flesh. A euphoric feeling crawled up my arm, washing over me - making my smile widen. Keeping a tight grip, I moved the blade in and out, cutting a perfect circle around the stem; each movement purposefu...

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“Children of the Dark” by Kevin Alphatooni

Shadows moved beyond the glass, their features difficult to delineate from the surrounding darkness. Unable to take my eyes off of them, I strained myself to see what they were doing. What were they up to? What were they going to do next? They danced and swirled about, forming their own, unpredictable saga. I barely noticed the static noise coming from the intercom above the door behind me, but it was there, amp...

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“Holey Hell” by Kevin Alphatooni

“Ramirez!” I hissed, “Keep your eyes open!” Ramirez jerked awake and then lazily lifted his head off the butt of his M16A4 rifle.  “Sorry Jones,” he said, “It’s just so damn comfy outside.”  “Maybe for you. I’m sweating bullets over here.” I bent over and shoved the tip of my collapsible shovel into the hardened, mostly clay, dirt at the bottom of my fighting hole. The humidity had reached...

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“I'll Never Desert You” by Kevin Alphatooni

My eyes fluttered open at the first light of day. Grayish hues scattered across the dawn-lit sky, the ambient rays of the rising sun peaking over the distant horizon, and beaming down trace amounts of warmth to a cold desert. I sat up and watched it for a bit, my eyes blinking lazily while I tried to find the energy to get myself up. I wished I could stay, lay on the soft grass, and enjoy the full extent of the ...

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“The Cost of Living ” by Kevin Alphatooni

The name’s Xander, and let's just say I make a business out of helping others. They come to me, sick, weary, and wanting, and I make their wretched lives better—much better than what they could do on their own accord. You see, I got powers that can grant most wishes, and people like that about me. They seek out my office in the basement of a no-name, dirty back-alley bar—frequented by those with not...

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“Home Grown Dilemma” by Kevin Alphatooni

There’s something about the Carolina sunrise that makes people stop, look, and appreciate nature’s beauty by observing the diverse colors painted in the sky. Not AJ. Just as he was starting his shift, he received a call about a disturbance in the boonies and nothing ever good happened out in the boonies. After filling his stainless-steel tumbler with fresh coffee, he hopped in his patrol car and drove out to investigate....

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“Tough Love” by Kevin Alphatooni

This week, on The Lucky Seven! The lovely Veronica goes on seven blind dates with seven different suitors. These lucky bachelors have four hours to wow Veronica with a combination of flare, character, and creativity. We’ve already seen what six of them had to offer and now we are down to our final contestant. Will this be the one? Or has someone else already stolen Veronica’s heart? Let’s find out on this final episo...

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Author bio

Just a man on a journey to explore the depths of his own imagination. https://alphatooni.substack.com/