Martin Maynard

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (17)

17 Stories

402 karma pts

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“Footsteps and Faces at the Prescott House” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #274

The Footsteps at Prescott HouseIt’s funny how you can go your whole life not believing in something—until you experience it yourself. I never thought much about ghosts or demons. To me, they were just the kind of stories people told to get a rise out of others, or maybe to scare themselves for fun. I used to roll my eyes at that stuff. But one night, in an old abandoned house out in the Midwest, that all changed. It started like any other weekend adventure. My friend Josh and I had been to Prescott House once before. We’d heard all the rumor...

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“The Sisters of Truth” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #269

The Sisters of TruthSensitivity Warning - Mild Sexual Violence Mentioned Edward Hale sat across from Detective Verena Jones in the cold, sterile interrogation room, his posture too casual, too calm for a man in his situation. His fingers tapped lightly against the metal table, a small, measured beat that gave away more than his steady voice ever could. His eyes, though polite and attentive, showed frustration. Verena knew he wasn’t the type to break easily. She could feel the tension between his words and carefully chosen pauses.Verena shift...

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“Marianne's Vengeance: Dark Thoughts” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

This is a Fan-Fic story from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility Marianne's Vengeance: Dark ThoughtsMarianne walked briskly, her steps firm and purposeful as she moved through the lush countryside surrounding the Palmers' estate. Her mind, usually so full of romantic reveries and poetic musings, was now consumed by a dark storm of anger and betrayal. Each step seemed to echo the tumult within her soul, her heart beating in rhythm with the fierce determination that propelled her forward.How could he? How could Willoughby, whom she had trusted...

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“The Fallen's Plea” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

The Fallen’s PleaThe celestial courts of Heaven were a sight to behold, bathed in divine light so pure and overwhelming that it was hard to look directly at it without feeling a surge of reverence. Angels sang in harmonious choirs, their voices weaving an ethereal symphony that seemed to float on the very air. Their sounds were a testament to the eternal glory and peace that filled this sacred realm. The presence of God was everywhere, a palpable force that imbued every corner with an essence of unwavering love and justice.Amidst this celest...

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“Fairness and Freedom” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

Fairness and Freedom Trigger Warning: Contains acts of war. We both stand in the clearing, staring at each other. I'm struck motionless by the suddenness of seeing him in front of me. His fear-stricken eyes mirror my shock. We recognize each other immediately—not the person, but the uniform. Neither of us has our guns at the ready. I hold mine by the stock, pointing it to the ground. He grasps his, white-knuckled, pointing it to his left, his fingers nowhere near the trigger. The slightest movement by one would send the other swinging the g...

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“The Naked Truth” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

The Naked TruthGinny got out of her 1978 Ford Fairmont and opened the front door. As she stepped inside, the sound of classical music greeted her, its soft strains emanating from the far side of the house. The dim glow of candles flickered from the living room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. She knew exactly what that meant. She took off her coat and walked down the entry hall, removing her shoes and blouse before stepping into the living room. There, on the area rug, lay her husband, Dane, naked with his eyes closed. Ginny's nerves b...

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“Transitions in Silence” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

Transitions in SilenceI’m sitting on my bed, holding a broken piece of wood from the neck of my acoustic guitar, contemplating a lot of different thoughts. Nothing is going as planned in my life. After this last week, especially Thursday night, my whole life seems very different.As I rub my palm against the smooth, six-inch piece of wood, I think about what happened this last week. I’ve been in Burnith, Kansas for almost six months. I came here for work, and my time is almost up. In one week, I will be leaving to go back home. My father, Nat...

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“Grace and Guile; or, the Adventures of the Shadow and Fox” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #254

Grace and Guile; or, the Adventures of the Shadow and Fox As I descended the grand staircase in my midnight blue ball gown, I inwardly commended my discreet modifications, which rendered the gown far more comfortable than those of the vapid and affected ladies around me. These women, with their simpering smiles and ostentatious gowns, fluttered about in a vexatious manner. Their garrulous chatter grated on my nerves, making me grateful for the small adjustments I had made to my attire.Instead of the usual baleen that provided structure to my...

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“No Second Wasted” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #253

Trigger Warning: This story contains graphic depictions of medical procedures, descriptions of serious injuries, and scenes of intense medical emergencies. Reader discretion is advised.The emergency room buzzed with frenetic energy. Nurses dashed between beds, attending to patients with everything from minor scrapes to severe injuries. The air was filled with the sounds of beeping monitors, the murmur of voices, and the occasional cry of pain. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh, sterile glow over the scene, accentuating the urgency that pul...

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“Becoming the Phantom” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #253

Lucas Mercer was more than just a magician in the small town of Everwood; he was a legend. His performances were the highlight of every local festival, birthday party, and community event. Known for his charismatic smile and mysterious aura, Lucas could make the most skeptical audience believe in magic. His tricks seemed to defy the laws of physics and logic. Objects vanished and reappeared in impossible places, he escaped from locked containers in seconds, and his illusions left even seasoned professionals scratching their heads.What the to...

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“The Burning Past” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #252

Elizabeth Walker stood on the porch of her charming, two-story house in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana. The evening sun cast a warm, golden glow over the neatly trimmed lawns and picket fences, but Elizabeth couldn’t shake the chill that settled in her bones. She brushed a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, glancing nervously down the quiet street.Inside the house, Allen Foster, her boyfriend and the town’s Police Chief, was helping his daughter, Anne, with her homework at the kitchen table. Allen’s broad shoulders and calm demeanor...

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“Blackwood's Yew Farm” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #252

Jenna wiped sweat from her forehead and surveyed the cluttered living room. Boxes labeled Kitchen, Bedroom, Studio Equipment were scattered around. The high ceilings and dusty crown molding had a haunting charm perfect for her next YouTube series.“Alright, guys,” Jenna said, adjusting her camera. “Welcome to Blackwood’s Yew Farm, a place so haunted it’s been empty for years! But you know me, here to bust some myths and find the truth.”Jenna panned the camera around, capturing B-roll footage. “The plan is to document everything,” she said, mo...

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“Infernal Antics: Office Hours” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #243

Demon Range, also known as D. Range, tapped away at his keyboard, a mischievous glint in his eye as he crafted his latest response to an unsuspecting user. This user, like them all, thought he was given commands to an AI bot at ChatGPT. The unhinged D. Range relished knowing that the users on the other side would certainly not be using their computers to access AI if they knew who they really spoke with. The glow of Range’s screen created flickering shadows across his desk, cluttered with mementos of confusion and chaos."Ah, another satisfie...

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“A Delicate Balance” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #241

In the softly lit room that served as Dr. Leslie Harper's office, a space adorned with calming artwork and shelves filled with psychology texts, the first meeting was about to commence. Dr. Harper observed the young girl across from her. Emma, a sixteen-year-old child, with her carefully poised demeanor that seemed almost out of place in the youthful casualness of her jeans and sweater."Emma," Dr. Harper began, her voice imbued with the warmth that had comforted countless others before, "I understand this is a challenging time for you. Would...

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“The Keeper's Requiem” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #240

As I watched the storm gather, a sense of unease took hold. It was different from the usual respect I held for the sea's changing moods. The sky seemed to churn with a restless energy. The ever-changing cloud formations painted a foreboding picture over the horizon with each grotesque shape. The lighthouse, my solitary refuge and steadfast companion, stood tall against the encroaching gloom. Its light was the very essence of a beacon of constancy in the tumultuous dance of nature. For years, I had been the keeper of this lighthouse. A job ve...

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Author bio

Martin is a former English professor and Learning and Development professional. He has been called an amazing father by two little people and a very nice person by some random person on the street.