M Daly

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2019

Stories (8)

8 Stories

370 karma pts

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“Of Inconsequence” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #84

‘Can you tell me what day of the week it is, Mr Sedgwick?’ The young woman in the white coat asks me. Again. ‘Yes. You asked me yesterday, and yesterday I told you it was Tuesday. But you said it wasn’t. You said it was Monday and I said that that couldn’t be true because the day before you had asked me what day it was and I had told you it was Monday.’ I can actually feel my blood pressure rising. These professionals talk to the rest of us like we’ve a black hole where a brain should be. ‘It’s Wednesday.’ I say confidently. Doctor Wha...

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“Violent Regret” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #58

It’s said that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. So what does doing the same thing over and over again and receiving progressively worse results define? Stupidity maybe. Just stop doing that thing. But when you’re in that life, it isn’t always as easy as ‘just stopping’.I’m in the back of the car, next to Skins, Kit’s driving and we’re just cruising round this fancy neighbourhood that’s like 5, 6 minutes from the estate and Skins is talking some shit next to me, like he’s try...

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“Coffee Break” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #56

I stood in line at my local coffee shop, rehearsing my lines over and over in my head. Black Americano please. Black Americano please. Black Americano please.It’s an order I’ve made every day for the last two and a half years. An order I’m now making for the 913th time, yet still I can’t help but rehearse for my big line. As the queue died down and I approached the counter, I immediately recognised the barista. Shit. I caught his eye and he immediately snatched away his glance, instead turning his attention to the floor. He didn’t raise...

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“Otherside ” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #55

“Hey… HEY!” Stephen whispers, and then shouts. “Hey, you, Mike. Yeah you. Come here.” He motions Mike over to join him at his table. Mike obliges, his game of dominos with Jean, or, rather, versus Jean can wait. He’ll finishing kicking her butt in a moment.Mike sits opposite Stephen on the round formica table in one of the five plastic seats that are attached to the table at its stem.“Can you keep a secret?” Stephen whispers, his expression is grave but his eyes are wild.“Um. I’m not sure really. Probably. I think it would depend what it was...

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“Catchphrase of a Killer” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #54

I’m staring down the scope of my rifle, a wooden target is positioned just over a kilometre away. I inhale deeply and steady myself, my finger pressed lightly on the trigger. Ready. “arrivederci… which is goodbye in another language. Italian, I think. And now you’re, erm, goodbye!” I say before firing my shot and watching the bullet sink into the bullseye of the target. I turn to my mentor, Rico, expectantly. He is shaking his head in disappointment. “I’m not fooling around with you, Hugo. If you can’t master the art of the catchphrase b...

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“The End of Summer” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #53

I’m driving home from Daniel’s house, a goodbye party before I head off to University, if three people sat in a bedroom can be classed as a party. I felt too drunk to drive so I did couple of lines of coke before I got in the car. Daniel and Trisha were indifferent to my leaving for college, they didn’t even say bye when I left. I park the car outside my father’s house and smoke a joint before I get out. My throat is still numb from the cocaine but it improves the sensation I feel when drawing the smoke back into my lungs. I hold it there ...

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“The Call” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #52

I got the call. 13 days and 4 hours ago. I was due to go 6 days ago but they couldn’t find me. I thought they might go ahead without me, find someone else. But they didn’t. I’m in a dull room waiting for my safety briefing.Did you know that the Ancient Greeks began the tradition of putting candles in birthday cakes? They would bake a round honey cake and stick candles all over it as an offering to the mood Goddess, Artemis. The cake symbolised the moon and the candles the moonlight. Stick a candle in the moon on your birthday. Weird how trad...

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“The Time Traveller” by M Daly

Submitted to Contest #16

I have been obsessed with the future for my entire life. I yearn for a time when the roads will be filled with the near silent hum of electric motors, driverless vesicles transporting their load to and from high rises in the city. A time when hospital waiting times are reduced to the time it takes a diagnostic tool to scan your body and dispense the appropriate medication. And a time when any material good would be available almost instantaneously, at the touch of a button.I have read that all of these things may well be achievable in the ne...

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Author bio

Outlier.