Lila Evans

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2025

Stories (10)

10 Stories

253 karma pts

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“Unspoken” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #290

The buzz of his phone on the nightstand pulled Ben from sleep.For a second, he just lay there, blinking at the ceiling, willing it to stop. But it didn’t. His hand fumbled for the phone, and when he saw the name on the screen – Chief Cable – he exhaled slowly, already knowing what was coming. He answered in a low voice. “Yeah.” “There’s been a stabbing. Hospital’s a mess. You’re the only one answering. Get here now.” Ben swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his face. “On my way.” He glanced back at Claire, curled under the blanke...

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“The Second Shift” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #289

The reverse of a superhero – going in more, and coming out less.Chris Harper straightened his tie in the mirror of the dimly lit bathroom, the sharp lines of his charcoal suit crisp even under the flickering fluorescent light. He exhaled through his nose, rolled his shoulders back, and then, with practiced efficiency, loosened the knot and shrugged off his jacket. This was the part of the day he hated most. With careful deliberation, he folded his suit, placing it inside a garment bag he hung on the back of the stall door. The white button-d...

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“RIP Rico” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #289

[Note, this story falls within the horror genre; while there is not specific gore or violence, it may be assumed. There is also mild language. Proceed at your own risk.] I never liked Janice. She was the kind of teacher who corrected your grammar in the break room, the type who sent mass emails about “the ongoing issue of stolen lunches” like we were in a corporate thriller instead of a poorly funded high school. If you were late submitting your lesson plans, she’d remind you. Twice. In bold. One time she told me the only good new teacher w...

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“The Day the Words Got Loose” by Lila Evans

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #288

The rain began, a relief after a long, dry August. As if signaling the end of summer’s lazy days, the sky turned gray, and the first drops fell with a soft pitter-patter, carrying the fresh scent of wet earth. At first, it was soothing. But the rain kept coming. The parched ground, hardened into baked clay, rejected the offering. As the storms raged, water pooled on lawns, sidewalks turned to rivers, and gutters gurgled, whispering secrets as they carried the flood away. The rain began to seep into every nook and cranny of the old homes. It ...

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“#KipRunsFast” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #287

Here’s the truth: this gear is nothing without me. My legs, my mind, my talent—that’s what makes the magic happen. Sorry to everyone who bought the same shoes thinking they’d run like me. They won’t. #KipAndOnlyKip #WahoosAreTheFuture #KipRunsFast. These are the types of posts Kip Hoffbloom posted – along with a perfectly curated flat lay of his gear, with a trophy in the corner for motivation, and his lucky blue Brooks hat. One could imagine him posting, quickly exiting out, and waiting for his phone to chirp out notifications. Kip was trai...

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“A Cup of Tea” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #287

Each evening, I end my day with a cup of tea. As the tea steeps, and the hot water takes on the color of the leaves, the day develops before me, like a polaroid picture. In the quiet of the sleeping house, the vibrating energy that jars my mind softens to a low hum, and I sit and unwind. It is in these moments that regret begins to blossom, shame at not being able to capture this calm when my children are awake. The remorse I feel for counting down the minutes until they go to sleep, to get to this place of peace. Questions of why I cannot f...

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“Tim the Bookie” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #286

I try to keep to myself at work. I don’t like small talk, and I don’t especially like the people I work with. Each day is the same – write a list, complete my tasks, and check them off. Most people know this, and they tend to let me be. Everyone, that is, except for Tim. I should’ve known better when I realized I was the last one in the office – the last one aside from Tim. Tim leaned against the desk, fiddling with the replacement iPad he'd brought for one of the students. The fluorescent lights above flickered faintly, their hum blend...

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“Thanks for Taking Me Along” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #285

I wanted to thank you for taking me along on that trip. After sitting alone for so long, I never imagined I’d get out to the lake one more time. I was just going through my photos, and I still cannot get over how “picture perfect” the entire trip was. Do you know what my favorite day was? The one when you caught that musky with your dad and Tommy. It had been a day full of sun, fun, and unfortunately, not a lot of fish thus far. No matter though. As the sun rose over the lake that day, I felt your familiar grip once again, steady...

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“My Favorite Santa” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #284

When I arrive home, it is already dark. But, I am greeted by row upon row of Santas, all shapes and sizes, filling our front yard. Merry Christmas, I think, my tired eyes inspecting them as I pass by. I slowly take the steps up to my back door, careful to avoid the ice that reformed after a sunny afternoon. I have left the light on, because know one wants to come home to a dark home. And, I have the dog to look out for. After I let him out, I hang up my coat, and put my keys in the dish by the door. I start a fire in the fireplace, and settl...

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“Treasure Hunters” by Lila Evans

Submitted to Contest #283

Christmas is hard. Divorce is hard. Christmas when your parents are divorced is hard. It’s the gift no one asked for. It’s a dance no one rehearsed, but everyone is expected to know. There’s the shuffling between houses and the hurried transitions on icy driveways. Schedules have to be coordinated with precision: Mom’s on Christmas Eve until 9 AM sharp Christmas morning, Dad’s for Christmas Day, and back to Mom’s for the night—if the weather doesn’t interfere or the gatherings don’t run too long. For Ethan, this year promised to be no differ...

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Author bio

I give people the benefit of the doubt; I write what I think really happened. Busy mom and administrator; I have always been an avid reader, and it is my 2025 resolution to write more. We all have a story to tell -- and I've enjoyed writing them thus far!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #288

The Day the Words Got Loose – read story