Menu

Prompts

Directory Contests Magazine FAQ

Apps

reedsymarketplace

Hire professionals for your project

reedsyblog

Advice, insights and news

reedsylearning

Online publishing courses

reedsylive

Free publishing webinars

reedsydiscovery

Launch your book in style

Bestseller Podcast Book Cover Art Success Stories

Tools

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Directory

Contests

Magazine

FAQ

Leah Murphy

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (6)

Comments

Library

3 Followers

0 Following

6 Stories

136 karma pts

?

Number 12

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #121

Miller flipped through the presentation binder without reading it, his anger evident. “These are the same results as last week, Number 12. What are you trying to accomplish again?” “I told you yesterday sir, at the meeting” he replied meekly. His boss stopped turning the pages and glanced up at the technician incredulously. He did his best to maintain eye contact, but as Miller’s stare grew harder he had to glance at the floor. There was no denying he was an intimidating presence, but really that’s all there is. He’s a military man, not a ...

8 likes

Trees

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #117

**Warning: Coarse Language** Outskirts of Salem Town, Massachusetts. 1694 A brutal February wind rattled the front door of the lonely farmhouse. Small wisps of cool air wafting in through the thin walls tested the warmth of the dull fire burning. The sisters dined on salt pork stew in an awkward silence. “Abigail, the trial-” “Enough about the trial, Mary. There is no evidence.” “But it did not go well, it’s only a matter of time before-” “I said enough about the damned trial.” Abigail glared at her sister across the tabl...

15 likes

Cafe

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #113

She awoke face down on the floor of a department store, and looked around in a daze. A coffee shop was to her left, scattered clothes hung in a mess on her right. She forced herself to her feet and entered the shop. It was full of teenagers. They had pushed the tables into large groups, and threw things at each other laughing; even the baristas had joined. She walked towards the counter with heavy feet, trying to catch the barista’s attention; she was a heavily pregnant teen and plastered with cheap, colorful makeup. The teen looked at the d...

12 likes

The Garden

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #97

Ellie never wanted to move. It was a lovely house in a friendly neighborhood, and she hated it. Change never brought her good things. The moving truck had been delayed, furthering her distaste. All she had was a sleeping bag, a thin blanket, and a soft sweater she used as a pillow. Her parents tried to lift her spirits by calling it “indoor camping”, but nothing could sway Ellie’s stubbornness. A thunderstorm loomed over the neighborhood their first night in the house. The roof creaked and protested under the weight of the storm. The un...

9 likes

An Unexpected Guest

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #96

The room reeked of desolation and loneliness. Thin, dusty rays of sunlight filtered through the gossamer curtains and fell gently on the dated carpet, a sea of faded ivory. Light coloured baseboards held strong and flat against the wall. Faded damask wallpaper peeled away from sections of the white plaster walls, the previous owner’s attempt at further decorating the space. The paintings had been removed and placed on the floor, leaning against the wall and covered in sheets. Ornate crown moulding encircled the ceiling, hand carved olive bra...

8 likes

Erik

Leah Murphy

Submitted to Contest #95

The rain pounded against his blistering hands, cooling the fresh sores. It was hard to breathe; his asthma was pushing his lungs to their extreme, making him force deep painful gasps of air and water droplets. His boots sank into the soft mud as he dug the rusty spade deeper into farm soil. The wood handle stabbed his fingers with small splinters, the shaft threatening to snap at any moment. He heard the barn door creak open in the distance and saw his father trudging across the field, his face twisted into a scowl. He only needed to d...

11 likes