Marian Reiley

“Echoalia” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #101

TW: violent killing "Don't go in there," Connor mumbled. His caretaker, Katrina, was going nuts. "What do you mean 'don't go in there'?" Katrina asked.   "Don't go in there," Connor said more emphatically. Katrina had cared for Connor for the past two years. He had schizophrenia and moderate autism and his family had just given up on him.   Katrina was his live in home care aide. She liked this sweet but strange middle aged man, but sometimes he could be irritating. "Connor," she prompted. "Where am I supposed to stay out of?" &nbs...

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“Regina's Revenge ” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #100

Regina "The Vagina" Manning had never been invited to or thrown any parties in high-school. Why she would've hosted a dinner party just before Greenville High's class of '11's ten year reunion was anybody's guess. Chelsea frowned as she re-read the invitation aloud. "You are cordially invited to a special dinner at the home of Regina Manning," she quoted. "Dinner will be served at 6:30pm RSVP by May 10th 2021." Chelsea pursed her rose pink lips as she turned to face her husband, Chad. "She must've sent this to the wrong address," sh...

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“Unsettled” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #91

"Don't forget to lock up when you're done Agnes," Doris nagged. Doris was the head librarian for Green Creek County. "I know," Agnes said. "I've been here a week. You can trust me." She heard Doris leave through the public entrance. Once she finished scanning the new books into the catalog, Agnes didn't plan on lingering. She'd heard rumors about strange things happening here after dark. "You're...not..." an indistinct whisper muttered. Agnes looked up from the hard bound volume she had been applying a bar code to. "Is someone there?" Ag...

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“The Forest Girl” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #86

Laila had always been able to talk to the creatures in Hazewood. It freaked the people in her village out. Balley Gorm, the name the people called the gathering of stone huts where Laila had been born, was on the edge of Hazewood. They wanted nothing to do with the forest and thought anyone who went there was mad or cursed. Laila spent most of her time there. As soon as she could walk, Laila wandered towards the voices she heard in the forest. "Come and see me!" Some called. "I'm over here!" Howled others. "Where did I hide those acor...

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“Scrags” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #85

"That's the thing about this city," Scrags said. "There's so many gullable fools here! I've got enough marks to last me half a century." Oliver rolled his eyes as he regarded his scruffy companion. "So what?" Oliver said. "You keep scamming people either the gangsters or coppers are gonna get you. It's a dangerous game you're playing." Scrags reached across the restaurant table to pat his youger brother on the arm. "Oliver," he said. "You've always looked out for me. But you don't seem to remember I've been around the block a couple mor...

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“Artfull Singularity” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #82

The sigularity had been achieved a decade ago. Artificial intelligence had become as smart and self aware as their human counterparts. No one expected the androids to develop personalities and dreams of their own. Aria had worked hard all through her undergrad years and was finally having her first exhibition in New York University's gallery. Four years of learning what the Renesance Masters, Cubists, Fauvists and others had brought to the art world. Tonight her paintings were about to put Aria in the spotlight. "Are you ready?" Profess...

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“Burgandy Barney” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #79

Tears clouded the once proud pirate's vision. Mary or Burgundy Barny as she had called herself, had terrorized the seas for years. Now that was all over because of her jealous greedy brother. John had marooned his sister on some desolate hot island with narry a soul in sight. It hadn't been enough to humilate her, John hadn't even given back her deep red greatcoat to cover herself. She was alone now in the humid air on the beach of some tropical island. Mary relived her past as she searched for a fresh water source. It wasn't that she w...

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“Paula The Undead” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #78

"PLEASE ENTER YOUR INVITATION CODE," the Kiosk prompted Paula. She scrounged through her pockets for the now crumpled mailer she had recieved a week ago. She did a small victory dance before entering the printed numbers and letters. "M...O...R...B...I...D...4...2." Paula mumbled to herself as she used the touch screen console. "WELCOME PAULA RODGERS." The automated system intoned. Taking a few deep breaths, Paula wondered what everyone else would think of her makeup and costume. She had spent all the time since recieving her invite prepa...

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“Chatroom To Hanging” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #76

Deez_guns21: What up party people?! Lolz14: Yeet! Lets get this New Year started off right! Marzipan_F13nd: Woot! FoxyLuv18: Only one way to celebrate! I wanna get some hot lip action and maybe something else! If you know what I mean! ; ) Deez_guns21: Aww yeah! Wait, I'm only into chicks. FoxyLuv18, you a chick? FoxyLuv18: Hellz yeah! Marzipan_F13nd: Bro! This chat just got real! Please nobody start sending dick pics! If my mom walks in here and sees that shiz I'ma gonna be grounded for life! Lolz14: For realzy Foxy and Guns ke...

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“Brain wave” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #75

"All I remember is being in the middle of that road where I was found," the patient insisted. The attending physician looked up from his portable work station. "I see; so you can't remember anything but your name?" He asked. "No, all I know is my name: Alison," she said. The doctor typed for a little bit. "Well your tests don't show anything wrong with you," he said. "Are you sure you don't know why you were outside Grange Army Base?" Alison was feeling irritated. The florescent lights in the ER flickered. "No!" She said. "We've been o...

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“Futile Counting” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #74

Krissa used a large rock to mark another talley on the wall of the cave. She had woken up there nearly three weeks ago. She didn't know what had brought her to this dank hole in the mountain but she had been trapped there for the last eightteen days. It had all started when she had decided to go camping in Rogue River, Oregon. Krissa had always liked the outdoors and was using up her vacation days before they expired. She figured a little time in the woods was a perfect way to detox from her paralegal job in Seatle. Krissa had no troub...

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“Christmas Geese” by Marian Reiley

"I don't know what you got in those carriers;" Ken warned. "But I hope you realize I'm not fond of animals, Uncle Dirk." Dirk smiled beneath his gristled whiskers. "Aw, C'mon my boy!" He cajoled. "I bought these special for you and your wife's first Christmas together!" Ken's uncle knealt down and undid the latches on both pet crates. "TA-DA!" Dirk shouted triumphantly. Two large white birds waddled out onto the tile floor of their entryway. "What do you want me to do?" Ken asked. "Break their necks, de-feather, gut and cook them...

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“Starting Over After A Century” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #65

Katerina went over her witness relocation documents again. She found it easier to remember information if she practiced aloud. "Hi, my name is Quin. Johnson." She said. "I'm new to the neighbohood; nice to meet you." Katerina extended a friendly hand to Agent Barnes. He took it and shook it firmly. "Good;" he said. "Just remember to make your introduction smooth and natural. Now, lets run through your cover story. What do you do for work?" "I am night janitor for College of New Jersey. Part time." "What made you move to Erma, New Jer...

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“Family of Secrecy” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #64

"Honestly, Detective Bask, this is why our ancestors changed their name;" Nikolas said. "We didn't want the rumors from Hungary to follow us here!" Detective Bask pulled out his notebook and prepared to write. "Really Mr. Nadasti;" he said. "What rumors would those be?" Outrage made the family patriarch clench his hands against the arm rests of his chair. "Sir I assure you we are fine American citizens!" Nikolas shouted. "My great-great-great grandfather, Frederick Nadasti fought in your civil war! Our family has been making glorious co...

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“Fire and Identity” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire. Great, I thought to myself, this dream again. I sigh and walk down the now blazing street in my neighborhood. I know who I'm looking for and where they'll be. This time I ignore the flaming trees, I know they wont hurt me. She's standing in the middle of the park, long silvery hair dancing in the updrafts from the inferno that surrounds her. The heat smoke and fire don't seem to bother her or char her body. If that isn't weird enough, she's floating six inches ...

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