Michele Duess

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2019

Stories (42)

42 Stories

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“Because it's boring” by Michele Duess

The old man is long-winded. That’s why I don’t ask him anything. Sure, I guess it was my fault. But in my defense the assignment was boring. Write about World War II. What did I know about something that happened seventy years ago and why did I care? So yeah, I kept putting it off. Until Mom found out and freaked out. I told her I didn’t know what to write. “Oh my God, James,” she said. “Why don’t you ask your grandfather for help? He was alive at that time. Or ask anyone, you crazy child?” Like sh...

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“The Bargain” by Michele Duess

June 20th, 2137, the Atlanta underground, 12 AM. We were in a private club and Jim had just offered to sell me for a Blastgon city. I thought he was overpricing me given the time one must spend to get that property. Still, I looked good, or so Jim thought. Instead of humiskin my outside was burnished metal. I had red burning eyes in a skull’s face. Presumably, it was what Louis would want. I personally was displeased with this incarnation.Perhaps Jim thought his price was reasonable. Louis George? Not so much. And his colleagues di...

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“The Haunting” by Michele Duess

I should just ask Sue myself. But then what would I say?Do you remember Mike’s party?I can hear her voice now, the words slurred, but still strong. You mean the one you had in 2000-whatever? I’m lucky I can remember what I did last week. Why did you call me up out of the blue to ask me about this?Because my mother is insane, Sue. And I kinda need to know. I think I screwed up and big time. If I did, I need to apologize. After all, it was no way to treat one of my ...

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“Wishes and Miracles” by Michele Duess

I’m not granting you that ability. Sorry, and all that, but no. Truthfully, I don’t care if you got me out of this lamp. I’m going back in after your three wishes anyway, what’s the difference? Even if you wished for my freedom, which rarely happens. Well, this isn’t some cartoon, so pick something else—fine. But before I do, I’m telling my story. Maybe you’ll think twice. One day a man found this lamp in an antique shop. Let’s call him Tim. Thin, tall, thirtyish. Lived alone and worked as...we’ll say a shopke...

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“For His Safety” by Michele Duess

Warning: depiction of alcoholism, child abuse.The light seemed so dim I could barely see. I stood, gripping the desk’s edge as hard as I could. Am I falling? No, I thought, you are fine. But these conflicts were so bad they affected my balance. What year is this? I know that. It is January 5th, 2125. I did not understand what was happening. I had wo...

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“The Road to Heaven” by Michele Duess

It was fortunate for old George Rube he was already dead. Otherwise, I would've throttled him myself. It would've been justified, trust me. Seriously, what eighty-eight-year-old writes a will and then never signs it?"He wanted to be buried next to my mother," Daniel said to Julia and me. "But I can't. Do you know how much that would cost?" Then he told us as I eyed the signs in the cemetery's parking lot. They said 24-hour surveillance cameras here. This place might not be happy with what we had planne...

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“Char and the Wolf” by Michele Duess

Author’s note: Reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone changed the ecological landscape, according to the park’s website. Everything from the elk, to fauna, to the beavers were affected. That was the basis for this story.Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived on a farm near the woods and she didn’t wear red capes, although she owned one. Char was twelve years old and preferred blue jeans. She also knew how to use a gun, for sometimes coyotes and wild dogs came to the hen’s coop. Her hair was lon...

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“The Swan” by Michele Duess

Once upon a time, there was a swan. And a rather famous one too. You probably know the story, everyone does. What you might not know is the aftermath. Because there always is one. Happily ever after is, at best, a finite place of being. Things change, and trouble comes back. That’s the way of the world. This is what happened to Swan after the end. The one everyone called the most beautiful of them all. Of course, he found a mate, as princes do. She was the one they called Beauty and for good reason. Her feathers we...

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“The Package” by Michele Duess

Looking back, I should’ve known.I shouldn't have gotten involved. But my back was to the wall. It was either do something or be beaten, if not killed. And I warned him about the gift.Let me back up and start at the beginning. I had finished working the carousel at a Christmas lights festival in Stuart, Florida. I’d seen better but it was some money to get me through winter until the start of fair season. I was in my camper hunting for the instant coffee when Tom Blanco banged on the door.“Go away!” I called.<...

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“The Defense” by Michele Duess

 I know I had to be fired, Mr. Dues, but did he have to call the cops?Yeah, yeah, still not sorry. How do I want to plead? Aren’t you the lawyer? Tell the judge...I don’t know. A reaction from the third vaccine affected my mental state. Better, call it an act of civil disobedience. Besides, I didn’t really hurt him. Gadget's lucky I didn’t have a Louisville slugger. Crybaby.Well, I guess you want to hear the story. So, relax as best you can in here. Got a cigarette by any chance? I didn’t use to smoke trust me....

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“My Assignment” by Michele Duess

Three of us stood in a small church just inside Atlanta. Normally I would’ve liked the high white ceiling, the loft for the choir, and organ. Fifty wooden pews lined either side of a walkway to the altar. A statue of Mary stood to the right of the altar, St. Joseph to the left. Stained glass windows should’ve caught the sunlight. But today, it was dark inside, as if the windows had been blinded. Flashlights and candles h...

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“A course of action” by Michele Duess

 Is this 1984?It sure seemed like it. We were in a warehouse. Rows of folding metal chairs, empty metal walls, the place smelling of antiseptic and sweat. People just waiting until a nurse said they were free to go. Except I was there of my own free accord. And my smartphone beeped at me.“What are we doing with this plaster cast?” The text said This was why my jaw aches, I thought. Grinding my teeth. I had left the man explicit directions as to what to do with the cast. I wasn’t in...

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“Michel and the Rose-a Retelling.” by Michele Duess

This would make a great once upon a time story, Michel thought. Except, I’m in it. Maybe the next time someone tells you a place is haunted you’ll believe it, said a voice inside him. If there was a next time which seemed doubtful, considering who was screaming at him right this very moment. All because he’d dared to ask why he’d been captured. “Why are you in this cell?” roared the monster. “Because you stole my flowers!” 

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“The A.I.” by Michele Duess

Look at them, Dave thought.They were like animals, gathering around the water source. Scientists or not, it didn't matter. In this case, the office’s cooler and drinking machine provided nourishment, such as it was. Coffee was hard to come by in the year 2126 but there were substitutes to be had. Dave looked up at bright lights, the white walls. The office was blindingly clean, for dust could ruin the delicate machinery they worked with. He had hoped to slip by his coworkers but unfortunately, that was not to be."Da...

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“The Fire” by Michele Duess

In ten seconds it would be done. Soon, for better or for worse, the fire would be lit.And now, Mary thought, as she splashed the tiniest bit of fluid on the wood, what does this make me?An idiot, that's what. You're his mother. you could stop him. Do you really want him to hurt himself, to prove you right?"Of course not," she muttered."What was that?" Alex asked.Put an end to this."Nothing. Just light the fire.""Okay." Alex picked up the match ...

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