Michael Martin

“Pew-Pew Shoes” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #214

The scraping of the whisk against the sides of the mixing bowl was almost loud enough to mask the thud of a package being dumped at the front door. Not even the apathy of online retail deliveries could shake Brian’s excitement – and relief – when he realized that the sneakers he’d bought for Olivia had arrived in time for her first day of first grade. It was one of the very few benefits of his wife Casey being out of town for work: Brian could get away with buying Olivia the shoes she really wanted, the ones with the light-up soles. His...

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“Wrong Address” by Michael Martin

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #212

He just wanted George to shut his big mouth; Johnny had no idea what it would lead to. A postman cracking codes and chasing Communists in the middle of Nebraska? It was the stuff of cheap dime novels, not his life. At least, it wasn't supposed to be. George had just returned from his delivery route, walking in just after Margaret shut the door behind her. Johnny’s ear-to-ear smile disappeared the moment he heard the creak of the old post office’s wooden door just after she'd left. Couldn’t even enjoy it for a minute, he thought. At best...

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“What Happens in the Woods...” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #211

--------------------What do you want me to do then, tell my boss to fuck off when he tells me to stay late???Damien2:37 PM --------------------You told me you were getting out of work early today. Now all of a sudden you need to stay until God knows when?!Jess2:37 PM --------------------You've GOT to be shitting me right now. Seriously, Jess? Still??Damien2:38 PM--------------------Damien noticed the swaying blonde hair approaching in his rearview mirror and wondered if Valentina would actually be as gorgeous as her profile pics suggest...

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“Nature's Call” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #210

The woods were alive with the sounds of nature, birds conversing with each other while families of squirrels argued over nothing and everything. The chorus surrounded her with the comfort of normalcy - each chirp, bleat, and chitter signaling the absence of danger. Annie knew she could let her guard down since her furry neighbors never did.That afternoon, though, she was so preoccupied with digging the mud from the gaps between her toes that the alarmed call of a blue jay in the woods almost escaped her notice. She would’ve missed it, had it...

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“Asmo” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #207

“Yeah, get her a blanket or something; she’s probably just fiending. Thanks, Kerry.” John pulled the door shut behind him and stepped into the windowless interrogation room. He strode to the only three pieces of furniture in the otherwise barren room, a metal table and two chairs, and sat across from Asmo.“Well, Mr. David Asmodeus, I just had a very interesting conversation with a former assistant of yours.” “Oh, really?” Asmo’s cherubic face, which had grown a five o’clock shadow since arriving the day before, remained u...

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“Petrichor” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #206

The thunderstorms that drenched New Babel all afternoon abated briefly just as Marcus led his wife through the parking lot of the King David Hotel, giving way to a cool, damp night. The tiny puddles formed in the asphalt of the parking lot caught glimpses of the rays coming from the hotel’s lights, each mini reflection adding to blended array of lights to create a dreamlike atmosphere. He took in a deep breath, the air refreshing as if the rains had washed away the sins of the world and everything was new. The evening was as close to perfect...

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“On the Dwarven Trail” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #204

The wolf howl echoed off the jagged walls of the ravine, accompanying the creaking wagon wheels with a haunting chorus of deep notes and soft yips. The howls followed the solitary wagon ever since it departed that morning to catch the wagon train that had to leave them behind the day before.When the echoes subsided, Thordar prodded at their elf guide again. “Can you tell 'em to give it a rest?”Sylfaen’s face, ever statuesque and emotionless, never shifted. “What do you mean, master dwarf?”Thordar grumbled. The elf possessed the ven...

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“Deductions of a Bartender” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #201

“I think that’s a good idea, Tommy, hurry on home to Betty and the kids. It’d be better to face up to her now.” Tommy sighed. “Yeah, you right man. It’s gon’ be a couple nights on the couch, but I’ll get past it.” He took the credit card from Shawn’s outstretched hand, returning it to the empty slot in his wallet and turned to leave. “Thanks again for all your help, man. You real easy to talk to, man. S’good to meet you.” Shawn smiled. Success. “It was good to meet you too. Hopefully next time we see you in...

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“The Sip” by Michael Martin

The hiss and POP of the Yuengling’s cap is audible over the sounds of some teenager butchering Wonderwall at open mic night behind me and half-drunken stoners jockeying for the bartender’s attention. If the drunk kids bother her, though, Sherri never lets on. She just slides the bottle in front of me and moves to the next customer. Finally.  There’s not much to look forward these days, but that first sip after a long work week is about the closest thing to heaven. Given my self-imposed limitation of abstinence during the work...

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“The Locked Door” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #130

He gripped the doorknob, the cold brass sending a chill through his small hand. He turned his wrist, not surprised to hear the click that always accompanied the knob’s premature halt. Well, the door always clicked now. It didn't before... but he could hardly remember a time when the knob was able to rotate past this point.Was there ever a time when this door opened? The doorknob stopped at exactly the same spot when he rotated it left and when he rotated it to the right. He didn’t react; he no longer reacted. He no longer crie...

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“In His Hands” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #117

Everything was ready for the ritual… everything except me. He would soon fix that. The sensation of his hand sliding to the base of my neck wakes me from a deep slumber. He cradles my head, his fingers wrapping around the back of my neck as he’s done many times before. A gentle squeeze later, he has me exactly where he wants me. How I’ve longed for his embrace. His hands are home, they’re safety incarnate – like reinforced walls, impenetrable. I’m where I belong. It’s time again, isn’t it? I’m yours to command. Use me. My...

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“The Chase” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #112

The raindrops that collected between the arcing swipes of Beth’s windshield wipers blurred the lights on the four-lane highway; red lights from brakes and the traffic signal streaked across the dark glass. Her breaths were shallow and quick; her eyes danced back and forth between the car braking in front of her and the rearview mirror. The large Ram pickup was so close that its headlights only showed as an intense glow at the bottom of her rear window. She could even make out the silhouette of its driver.James. Her husband. Well... one way o...

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“Promoted” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #110

Why was Rick calling again? It had only been 30 minutes since Ed’s last check-in.Work could wait; Ed swiped Ignore on the cracked screen of his old phone. “Alright Danny, let’s…” Where was his son? Ed whipped his head around, looking from one end of the massive roadside truck stop to the other. “Honey, where’s Danny?”“He was right h-” His wife, Ivana, paused as she turned to face the candy aisle that Danny ran down just moments before. “Uh, Danny? Danny?!” A moment of silence followed, one that stretched to...

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“Parasite” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #108

He found himself in front of the box again. Brian didn’t recall lowering the stairs to the attic. He hadn’t noticed his feet carrying him down the path his footsteps had created in the dust and insulation-covered planks. Navigating the clothes, decorations, and knickknacks - strewn about the attic floor during his impassioned rush to find the box in the moments after she’d walked out the door – didn’t register to him anymore. Yet, here he was again. Staring at the half-empty box that contained one struggling heart, his he...

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“Reunited” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #107

“It’s for you, sir. They found Katie.”Special Agent John Lanton snatched the phone from the deputy’s hands. “Is she there? Is she at the barn?”A hesitant voice came through the line. “Yes, yes sir. She’s here, but she’s refusing to cooperate. She said she’ll only come out when her Daddy gets here.”A smile spread across John’s face without him realizing it. They’d found her. After all this time, they’re truly found her. Not only that, but she refused to see anyone but him. She was finally comi...

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