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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020
Submitted to Contest #93
“I-I can’t.” Susie could barely choke out the words as tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry.” She rushed out of the room and went upstairs. The sound of the bedroom door slamming echoed throughout the, now silent, house. Nick heard a couple of people clear their throats uncomfortably and the sound of people awkwardly shuffling their feet. If they could have, everyone would have probably bolted from the room like Susie did. But they didn’t. They were frozen in place, waiting to see what Nick would do next. Slowly, he got off his knee and ba...
TW: violence Gina stared into her closet. The clothes were packed so close together that she could barely tell one item from another, but that wasn’t why she was having trouble deciding what to wear. The truth was, she didn’t know how to dress without him. She always planned her outfits around him. His tastes, his moods, his temper. When was the last time she could wear a cute pair of heels and not be called a slut? When was the last time she could wear makeup without someone passive-aggressively asking who she was trying to impress? ...
Submitted to Contest #89
Penelope’s First Day Home: Seth insisted on carrying everything into the house. He looked more like some lumbering luggage monster than a new dad, but maybe this is how new dads are supposed to look. He fumbled with the lock on the apartment for a minute before the door swung open. He dumped the bags at the doorway and turned towards me, smiling. “M’ladies,” he said, gesturing grandly for us to come inside. I smiled and rolled my eyes. I looked down at Penelope, sleeping in her carrier. It was the only thing he let me carry and I th...
Submitted to Contest #88
A long time ago, deep in the old forest, there was a small village. The villagers lived a simple life. The men set off in the early morning to do their daily labors, the women stayed home to cook and clean, and the children spent their days playing and exploring the forest. Though many of the villagers were quite content with their simple lives, one was not. Young Hans was a boy of only ten. Though his life was comfortable, he found the monotony of the small village quite boring. Hans was a very naughty boy, and would often play tri...
Submitted to Contest #63
The crisp morning air bit at my cheeks gently. It wouldn't be too long before it became a full-on winter breeze. The tips of my fingers were painfully numb. Maybe I should have worn my gloves today. I saw my sanctuary from the cold up ahead, the coffee shop. However, as I approached, that sanctuary quickly turned into a chamber of torment. I watched as Mike began to hang a poster in the window. The picture on it stared at me ominously. As he saw me he gave a sad, empty smile. No, it couldn’t be. I rushed inside. “Lisa! Please, tell m...
By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The dark smoke billowed from the fire pit like a welcoming chimney from a cozy cottage. The ashes floated up and danced in the cool autumn breeze. The smoky smell filled my body and made me feel warm from the inside out, cleansing me of the evening chill. I hoped the fire could cleanse me of him too. I watched as Jenny poked the leaves around with an old, broken rake handle. The fire roared powerfully. It was ready. She smiled and bounced over when she saw me. “Is this the last of it?...
Submitted to Contest #62
The students were whispering excitedly in line. Teachers stood at the sidelines, beaming proudly at the soon-to-be graduates. Graduation was next week. It was the school’s tradition that each graduating class would bury a time capsule. After ten years, they held a reunion, the main event was digging up the class’ capsule and going through everything inside. Everything. Which is how I knew they’d find my journal. I was almost giddy at the thought of revenge. The idea struck me when they announced the capsule at the beginning of the year. I c...
Submitted to Contest #60
Greg glanced around at the guests laughing and talking. The party was going pretty well considering the circumstances. Was an apocalyptic wasteland the best place for a luau? Maybe not, but they were making it work. Besides, it looked like everyone was having fun. An old radio crackled on one of the tables. Only the faintest traces of music could be heard on it, probably the last radio station in existence. Still, everyone was dancing as if the music was blaring. They’d all managed to make mock Hawaiian shirts by rubbing some old clothes wi...
Feed. Feed. Feed. The words echoed inside Dead’s skull. He didn’t know what they meant. He only knew that they compelled him to move forward, to follow the strange but familiar scent through the empty wasteland. Dead didn’t know why. Dead didn’t know a lot of things anymore. A shriek filled the air. Dead glanced in its direction. Two more of his kind had cornered food. A weak-looking, old one. Dead watched as the others dug their nails and teeth into its flesh, blood spilled onto the dirt. The barren land drank it as if hoping to res...
Submitted to Contest #58
Frankie ran to the back door excitedly. His small silhouette was bouncing in the moonlight. “Come on, Mommy!” He cried excitedly. “Daddy’s almost done with the tent.” He raced outside. He looked like a shadow running across the lawn. It almost seemed surreal. Who knew a blackout could make everything seem so different? Tim was across the lawn, hammering the lasts of the tent posts into the ground. In the moonlight, I could see him smiling my way. It wasn’t a bad idea, camping out in the backyard, I just wish he didn’t suggest ...
The rough stone bit into my hand. I glanced around nervously. No one else was here, no one would see. I took a deep breath. One shot. I would only take one shot at it. If I missed, then I’d give up. I lifted the rock and aimed it at the power box high on the post. I hurled it with all my might. The heavy thud of rock on metal was quickly followed by a blast of light and an electrical popping sound. I covered my head with my hands to protect myself from the shower of sparks. The streetlights flickered wildly, then went out all at once. I hea...
Submitted to Contest #57
Trigger warning: suicide All assets should be distributed as dictated in this will without exception or appeal. These are the final wishes of Jennifer P. Nelson as witnessed by barrister Morris S. Rothstein. Jenny signed her name grandly at the bottom of the document. Morris shook his head as she slid the document over to him. He picked it up and flipped through the pages, giving a deep sigh. “Jen, are you sure about this?” He asked. “Once this is officiated, if anything happens to you, then we can’t-” “This is what I want,” she said ...
“Hey, Bubbles!” Dave shouted to the guy across campus. The guy looked towards us and raised his hand in acknowledgment before continuing on his way. I looked at Dave, confused. “Bubbles?” I said. “What? You don’t know Bubbles?” He asked. I shook my head. “You should talk to him. He’s a great guy. Makes one hell of a snowcone.” “Okay, but why is he called ‘Bubbles’ exactly?” Dave smirked. “Go ask him. Trust me, it’s a good story.” It didn’t seem like he was going to give me any more information, so I didn’t bother asking. I glanced at t...
Submitted to Contest #56
To be a mother. To carry a life inside of you for nine months. To care for it, to nurture it, to watch it grow. How could it be possible to feel absolutely nothing once it’s born? That was my problem though. Joshua cooed in his crib at that moment. I looked down at him. Why didn’t I feel the way I was supposed to about him? I didn’t hate him, not even a little, but I didn’t love him either. Where was that overwhelming feeling of maternal love and adoration that I was supposed to have? Why wasn’t I connecting to him the way I was suppo...
The old, wooden bench felt rough beneath my palms. The room was quiet. No one really had anything to say. It was obvious none of us wanted to be here. “Jacob Jenson!” A voice called from the hallway. The poor boy a couple seats down stood up shakily. He looked like he was about to start crying. Someone came from the hallway to help him outside. He resisted, but barely. He’d all but given up at this point. I shook my head as he walked away. “They just keep gettin’ younger and younger here, don’t they?” A voice next to me asked. I tu...
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