Mel Shield

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2020

Stories (5)

5 Stories

176 karma pts

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“Aanya and Tamanna” by Mel Shield

Submitted to Contest #68

Silhouetted by amber beams stretching with the waking January sun, the teeth of the world arose, jagged and uneven, out of the lifting blanket of night. Ablaze with radiant crown the mountains regained their majesty, decreeing a promise of grief to any unwary, or weary, traveller.Aanya, who had wandered half the night across the wintry mountainside, welcomed the delivering orb of warmth and light; her broad ursine head lifted in greeting. Shattered frost rained from her thick brown coat as she shook off the weighted memories of night.'Not mu...

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“A Mother's Love” by Mel Shield

Submitted to Contest #67

Oswald readied himself to spend the night like every other, to sit on his bunk-bed and glare patiently out of his high window into the darkness of the pine woods beyond, to wait for one of the woodland creatures to trigger the lights and spark his imagination. The outside world fascinated him. A world he could see, but never truly touch. During the day he marvelled at the ever-green leaves and the thick grass onto which the pinecones fell. He wondered of their touch, their smell. The only scent familiar to Oswald was that of disin...

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“An Explanation” by Mel Shield

Submitted to Contest #67

Trigger warnings: domestic abuse, rape, suicide To Perry Richards. Not to be opened until the day after your 18th birthday. Happy belated birthday little brother. You're probably burying your head in a bog, bucket or bowl today, rather than sifting through sand for bones. But hey, I hope you're still pursuing that dream of becoming an archaeologist. You big dork. That said, I am so incredibly proud of you, I hope you know that. I always was. I adored your love for learning, th...

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“The Storm Mage's Gambit” by Mel Shield

Submitted to Contest #66

Sensing the faintest compression of the ancient slab under bare foot, Olaria thrust her arms outwards before bringing them tight about herself in a securing embrace. Swirling, yet soundless, a gust of air encircled the young woman, whipping up dust and tearing cobwebs from narrow walls and low ceiling. Like the eye she remained calm, concentrated, as the shielding storm raged on about her, catching the bolt mid-flight. A heartbeat later the obsidian tipped missile’s momentum shifted, casting it away to shatter against a wall. Exhali...

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“Desertion of Frost” by Mel Shield

Submitted to Contest #65

Hoarfrost coated coastal grasses crunched heavily under weary feet. Neither of the men took any delight or satisfaction from the sound, with rhythmic blasts of breath pluming through the air announcing their laboured march. Countless hours they had trekked, plodding along beaten tracks, through wilderness and, most recently, atop the broken cliffs of the North East coast. Fatigued, yet determined, they had continued with no set destination or pit-stop in mind. Until, within the last hour, or so they surmised, moonlight cast a beacon for them...

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Author bio

UK. Father of one. Trying my hand at writing again after almost 15 years. I feel at home in the escape of fantasy, but am trying to explore other avenues, expand on and evoke emotion, and evolve into a more rounded author. Any and all feedback very much appreciated (even if it's just to tell me you didn't like something, and why). I will be happy to read and comment on any of your stories, if asked. All feedback is appreciated, but please try and let me know what you liked (if anything), what you didn't, and any suggestions you may have. Feel free to point out any grammatical errors.