Madeleine Hays

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2020

Stories (3)

3 Stories

65 karma pts

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“Soulmates of the Unconventional Kind” by Madeleine Hays

Submitted to Contest #67

“It ends tomorrow,” James says, as though I’ve been able to think of anything else for the past two days. “It does,” I say, sinking into the bed. “Shame, this resort bed is so much more comfortable than my own.” He laughs. “Yeah. It’s huge too.” He pauses and takes a breath before continuing. “Do you think it’s a shame that we’ve been living together for a month and the part we’ll miss most is the beds? That we didn’t actually… fall in love?” I give him a sideways glance. “Do you?” He laughs. “Not really. Perhaps in another life.” “Good. I d...

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“Dear Future Descendant” by Madeleine Hays

Submitted to Contest #57

No one in my family has gotten married for at least the past five generations, but probably more. Now, this may sound weird, which I understand completely. Most of the time, it’s that everyone in the family is expected to get married, someone decides not to, how scandalous, etc. But my family has never been one for conventional. I suppose this legacy began with my great-great-grandmother, Lydia. Back in World War One, it wasn’t so uncommon for women to remain unmarried for a little while since all the men were off dying around the world. B...

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“The Second Staircase Conversation” by Madeleine Hays

Submitted to Contest #55

The last time she asked to talk to me like this, it didn’t go well. We’re sitting underneath the stairwell at school. The walls by the landings are covered in flyers held up by blue tape, the kind that’s almost paper and doesn’t get stuck to surfaces as easily as others. The ground is covered in stains from God-only-knows-what. The yellow paint on the edge of every step is peeling off. A few years ago, they painted all the “hazards” with the same garish shade of bright yellow. The next day, the former third member of our former trio promptl...

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Author bio

she/her || bi aceflux || CA I'm a reader, writer, swimmer, and violin player. My favorite books are Red White & Royal Blue, One of Us is Lying, The Secret History, and To Kill a Mockingbird. If you like my stories here, check out some of my other short stories and poems: https://maddiehays.wixsite.com/thewritingraven Have a great day lovely people :)