Kevin Marlow

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2021

Stories (11)

11 Stories

384 karma pts

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“Dweely the Terrahort” by Kevin Marlow

Shuffling across the barren steppes of Grittengrak, Dweely, a Terrahort of meager standing, was cooling off from a difficult day of sweaty manual labor on the farms of Snooleysnak. His thoughts never ventured far from his basal ganglia. The flat front of the forehead on Terrahorts was evidence of poorly evolved frontal lobes. Menial tasks were their curse. Higher level mental executive functioning was handled by the Anannaki, a subterranean race that depended on the Terrahorts for their strong backs and weak minds.Dweely...

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“Children of Elohim” by Kevin Marlow

“Can you fetch some water from the creek?”“Sure. Where's the bucket?”“The steel one with the good handle is by the fire pit.”“I'll be back in a few minutes.” The walk to the stream was beaten down to a smooth brown clay path that felt cool on my bare feet. Leaving my moccasins in our makeshift dwelling I enjoyed the mud in the stream bed squishing between my toes.Wading into the knee deep crystal clear water I used a ladle made from a gourd to fill the bucket with fre...

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“The Stygian Lovers” by Kevin Marlow

“Will you please get up and help with our son?” My wife was frustrated and I was dead tired. I had slept, but the dream seemed so real, I wondered if I really rested. “And don't forget Sunday is November 1st, All Saints Day, we are supposed to go to church with your Grandma.” The urgency hit me and I jumped out of bed. I realized I only had two more days, or I would have to wait another year.“Where is Silas?”“In his room, still in his pajamas.”“I'll get him dressed and drop ...

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“The Curse of Vladhaven” by Kevin Marlow

“This is my worst nightmare.” The constable muttered as he walked up to the massive oak door, two men-at-arms flanking him, their pole axes adorned with flowing purple and green silk flags, hand embroidered with the Earl of Vladhaven's Crest.The crisp autumn wind was biting into them as the sun burned orange and lavender, setting behind the jagged peaks of the Dagiss mountain range. Drawing in a tired breath, he darted an anxious look at the guards before grabbing the lion head, iron door knocker.THUNK!...

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“Epilogue - This is the One I Choose” by Kevin Marlow

{CW : Mental Illness}It was the last thought I had. Maybe if I had a child it would not have to be like this. Oh well, it's all in motion now. When someone commits to things the way I do, there is no room in your life for friends or family.Family. Mine was the laboratory full of chimpanzees that we used to test our treatments. We gave them names, implants, euthanasia. I liked Sally, the way she grinned at me with her yellow teeth when I jabbed needles in her arm. She was like me, she knew how to handle pain.

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“Justice in Time” by Kevin Marlow

“Something is on the radar. Skip, come look at this.” Dirk toggled from the radar to the thermal imaging camera. The dreadnaught was tearing through the burnt and dusty sky five hundred feet above the scorched earth of the wasteland.“It looks like a buggy on fire. Run a scan and try to identify what type of vehicle.” The fire was a brilliant white blur on the com screen.“Negative, I think the CPU is already toast.” The conflagration had burned up any evidence of the buggy's origins.“Ke...

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“Greenhorn Graveyard Gift” by Kevin Marlow

{CW:Strong Language}“You know why they call it the graveyard shift?” I had activated my device to message her. Third shift could be so boring.“Humor me.” Jessie had yet to prep for bed. I was hoping for a video chat while she changed into her pajamas.“After you have been at it awhile you wish you were dead.” I said with a chuckle. She knew I was being sarcastic. This was the easiest job I ever had. 'Working midnight shift' had been much better than the repetitive stress of the factory ...

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“Utopia Underground” by Kevin Marlow

The shaft is unforgiving. Grinding into the night, the machine sounds slice into the skull. Hardened steel drill bits on the head pulverizing the bedrock vibrate the platform. The sounds are shock waves battering your bones. Burnt rock dust smells like the devil's pitchfork. Powdered bits of stone clog the mask, making breathing difficult. When asked about work the reply is always, 'I'm not in hell yet but I'm trying to get there as fast as I can.'Vertical drilling has many unique challenges. Removing the rock dust produ...

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“Dead to Dust” by Kevin Marlow

The ethereal shapes swirling in the waves of dust in the air were mesmerizing. Shapes like tongues of fire and billowing clouds, painted the burnt orange sky a hazy gray. I had replaced my tinted ultraviolet goggles with a clear lens model and the strange world of Terradorn took on a new dimension.The mask beeped. I put it on after a warning erupted from the device. It was the second warning, indicating the ninety second window one had to seek shelter from the dust storm.There were shelter-in-place pods...

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“The Third Hand” by Kevin Marlow

“Time to wake up my pretties.” A man's voice boomed out over a room filled with rows and rows of cots. Slowly the bodies occupying those beds started stirring. The man who spoke was dressed in a white lab coat, hair neatly trimmed short, streaked with gray. A chrome pair of bifocals was perched above a clean shaven face. As the people were waking up, the man began his instructions.“There is a drug port taped to your arm. Don't touch or try to remove it. You will need it for your final inoculation before you get released. Next to yo...

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“After the Cleansing” by Kevin Marlow

The dreadnaught thundering overhead drowned out her voice.“What did you say?” I leaned in close, raising my voice.“It's nothing. Maybe we can talk again tomorrow after you leave manufacturing.” Jessie grazed her hand through my hair as she pulled away, leaning into the buffeting wind as she turned and walked away.I tossed up the hood on my gamma coat and headed back to my quarters. The dry wind was tearing at me. It was ridiculously hot for the season. Sweat crawled down my nose and cheeks, salting my cracked lips. Di...

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