Michael Martin

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2021

Stories (26)

26 Stories

1040 karma pts

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“Can't Miss It” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #106

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”The voice that came through his phone's speakers sounded so different than Emily’s did just minutes ago when she'd asked to watch Minecraft videos. How had she changed so much in just a few short years? Emily was only 3 then, her hair was shoulder length. Sharon had put it up in pigtails that morning. They bounced along with Emily as she implored him to wake up.He was glued to the small screen, replaying the video from four Father’s Days ago. How had he forgotten about that yellow flower dress? ...

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“Chipilly Ridge, 1918” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #105

Note: this is based on the true events of August 9th, 1919, in Chipilly, France.*****“Medic! Medic! LT’s down, get your ass over here!”Despite the constant drumroll of machine gun rounds zipping over our heads, I heard the call loud and clear. I looked over to the section of the hastily dug trench where Lieutenant Johnson was barking out orders from just moments before. The only things visible were the fresh speckles of blood and brains on the greyish brown dirt that formed the back wall of his trench.The platoon commander was gone. Our...

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“If Loving You is Wrong” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #104

“Are you coming tonight?”Her alluring voice played through the phone, a siren call of smooth, sweet promises laced with unspoken dangers. A drug, one that got my heart high and my brain numb. My mind, at least its more moral aspects, screamed at me to stop before things turned physical.I’d stopped listening to that part of my psyche weeks ago.“I’m thinking about it. She knows what time to expect me, but I can tell her I hit traffic.”My chest felt like a black hole, an intense weight resting on it that sucked the air from my lu...

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“Ketchup and Mustard Initials” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #102

I took each step slowly as if the four steps to the pulpit were a barrier between the past I’d always known and a future that I wasn't ready to face. My feet seemed afraid to cross that threshold, each step growing increasingly steeper to climb if in no other place than my heart. They’re all waiting on you, I thought. Get a move on. I’d rehearsed time and time again and thought I was ready. There seemed a disconnect between my physical self and my mind, though, a chasm between the image I maintained in my mind's eye and t...

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“Shots” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #101

Trigger warning: alcohol addiction The leather of the basketball made a satisfying swish as it sailed perfectly through the hoop, making no contact with the metal rim. Marcus whipped both hands towards Coach Martin, ready to take the next free throw. “How many is that, Coach?” “Number 100. That was your last shot.” Finally! Hitting 100 free throws before leaving the gym always hit Marcus harder than anyone else. The center of his semi-professional team, he never had to shoot from more than two or three feet from the bas...

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“Cooking for Gordon” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #101

Kyle stared at the two prep cooks, wide-eyed and speechless. “Tonight? Gordon Ramsay is coming tonight? And you're just now telling me?”“Your uncle told us not to,” Joey said. “Said you would freak out if you knew.”“Of course I would freak out! It’s Gordon friggin’ Ramsay! And he’s gonna expect the food to be terrible..." The restaurants on Kitchen Nightmares are supposed to be terrible. The food is expected to be disgusting. Why did Uncle John invite the show when the restaurant was flourishing?Kyle shook his head. "Damni...

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“Dinner with the Dead” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #100

The grey door in front of Lester was far too unassuming for what existed on the other side. An assistant - Jamie, according to his nametag - played tour guide for the teen, rambling in his most excited voice about the wonders of cognitive storage technology. None of it registered; Lester could only stare at the door. What would it be like meeting an actual dead person? What would this Curtis guy be like?Jamie finished reading the factoids off his notecards then opened the door. He ushered Lester inside a small room that had a recta...

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“Whisked Away” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #99

The bumpy section of highway pulled Michael from his sleep, the last of the four boys to wake up in the backseat of the tiny Volkswagon Golf. Lifting his head from his windowsill pillow, he saw the sun peeking just above the pine trees off the side of Interstate 77.Michael didn’t remember falling asleep in the car. “Where are we going?” “Just taking a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa.” That was the only explanation he would get from his parents. He didn’t press.He whispered to his older brother, “Randy, where are we g...

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“Bloodthirsty” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #99

The last of the scattered beams from First Sunset would bring about Second Sunrise soon enough. Those rays turn the rocky terrain, typically grey and bleak, to a rather ominous shade of crimson. It's fitting, as I'm out for blood. And I plan to get it from this thing laying on the ground, fresh hematoma on its head and a gash in its right front leg. I didn't cause the gash, it had that before I caught up to it. The lump was all me though.Are the guttural sounds an attempt to plead for its life? I have no idea. We don't speak the sa...

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“What Is This?” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #97

What is this? It must be strange, seeing something for the very first time. Stranger still when you consider that the little girl should have seen it countless times before that day. What went through her young mind when she first gazed upon the night sky, unable to name the bright circle or the thousands of sparkling lights but fascinated nonetheless by their beauty? What is this, she thought to herself. She reached out with her tiny fingers, eager to touch the bright circle. Her longest finger was ...

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“Forget About It” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #96

The piercing sound of the hotel alarm clock jolted Mark awake. This was the first morning of his new life in the little town of Pine Creek. The drive here was long, and he was worn out when he arrived in town. – so much so that he couldn’t even recall arriving at the hotel or checking in. Mark chuckled to himself, feeling lucky he’d made it without passing out at the wheel. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took a moment to consider the crazy notion of moving across the country for a job. With the economy the way it was, thou...

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Author bio

Single father to an incredible 12-year old daughter. Army veteran who's parachuted out of airplanes at least 75 times. Trained in military intelligence and worked for a variety of government agencies. Certified project manager and instructor. Now officially a data scientist as well. Oh, and I'm also a writer in my free time (what little I have).

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #212

Wrong Address – read story