Nona Yobis

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2023

Stories (14)

14 Stories

476 karma pts

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“The Monster Within” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #197

It’s happening again. Please, God, no, not again. Why did he have to say what he said, and do what he did? The choice is not mine, and I have no part in what is unfolding, or what is about to ensue. I feel myself slipping away, deep into the abyss of my mind, unable to speak, unable to control the rise of the monster residing within. My triggers are many, and my assets are few, and the hideous beast is unleashed upon a soft and unsuspecting world. It strikes at the closest target at hand, closest to heart. Words lik...

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“The Gamble” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #196

The poker chip feels cold and smooth in my hand as I nervously roll it around in my sweaty palm. All around me, people crowd the tables where people lay down their chips and take their chance at rolling the dice. The room is filled with anxious souls awaiting their fate, each one hoping to leave a winner. Several tables occupy the dank, low-lit space, which has an inexplicable layer of smokey fog blanketing my line of sight. I elbow my way in to stand at the edge of one of the tables, just in time to see someone turn in their chip an...

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“Be the Change” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #195

On paper, there was no good decision. Every choice that lay in front of Tara either led to someone getting violent, someone being further abused, or someone getting fired. None of the choices resulted in actual resolution, and as she realized this the familiar knot filled her stomach, threatening the preexisting ulcer that flared up when stress graced her with its presence. Sitting amid the stacks of superfluous case files and overly pedantic training manuals, Tara slowly sank into her chair, hoping to disappear as seamlessly...

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“The Town with No Teeth” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #193

There once was a town, not much known for ordeals, of people who had no teeth for their meals. No teeth for smiles or piles of food, no teeth to display their feelings or moods. It was quite a sad scene, these toothless folk, whose lives had all but gone up in smoke. Oh, they hadn’t always been toothless. At one time, everyone had a set of white teeth, strong chomping teeth, chewing gnawing teeth. Teeth to eat steak, and for veggies and fruit, teeth to eat cheeses while on their commute. And their teeth lo...

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“True Treasure” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #192

Alyssa clutched her leather satchel close as she stood frozen in the sea of faces. There had to be thousands of people inside the convention center, with just as many standing outside, waiting to be let in. It was more than the entire town population. Where did they all come from, and how did so many people have family antiques to show off? She began to feel as though maybe she shouldn’t have come, and that her piece was not worthy of the famous national television program. When leaving the house that morning, she had felt much more con...

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“Grandfather Clock” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #192

I cleaned the grandfather clock today, just as she asked. I polished the frame and wiped the glass door. I dusted the pendulum and the weights,and used the step ladder to dust the top, too, making sure to check every square inch of its surfaces for potential filth. But it wasn’t enough. It’s never enough for her. “Now the pendulum’s crooked, what did you do?” “How did you miss that smudge right there?” “I asked you to do one simple task…” I swear if it weren’t for the oxygen tank and the cancer engulfing her insides, she’d stand right ...

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“Deep Breaths” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #191

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. In, out, 1, 2, 3, 4. Smell the roses, blow out the candle. Focus on the sound and feel of the breath as it enters and exits the body. It’s just the grocery store. Everyone goes to the grocery store. It’s not a big deal. Just go inside, get what you need, and get out. Deep breaths. 1,2,3,4. Focus. Focus. Sitting in the car in the parking lot for 27 minutes gripping the steering wheel is not going to fulfill the shopping list. Entertaining the gut-wrenching terror of being a...

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“The Replica” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #190

Droplets of paint flick onto the floor as the brush moves along the canvas. A concentrated expression covers my face, and the tip of my tongue sticks out the side of my mouth as I focus on my work. Every detail needs to be perfect, just so, exactly like the original. My hand quivers under the pressure, and in one unintentional motion I accidentally spread the paint 1/10th of an inch too far in the wrong direction. Dammit. I sigh, grabbing the edge of the half completed canvas and tossing it into the piles with the rest of my failur...

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“The Loneliest Journey” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #189

The sun disappears within the canopy of leaves above me, the gentle sway of the branches a betrayal of what lies ahead. I drudge on with feet as heavy as lead, as countless people before me have done. I have heard that most people can make it through the darkest part of this wood and come out the other side. Most. Others are not so lucky, succumbing to the dark, foreboding loneliness, losing themselves along the way. If this were a journey of choice, then it would be chosen by no one. But I have no choice but to press forward. If I stop,...

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“Drug of Choice” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #188

They’re all the same. At first, you feel invincible, at one with the universe, so Zen that you’re certain you’ve found Enlightenment. The high reaches to the stratosphere, and the feeling is so warm and calming, it’s like being engulfed in the very essence of love itself. But it doesn’t last. I’ve tried so hard to find the perfect drug, but no matter what I try, I can’t find one that gives me a lasting high. I’m not picky, either.I’ve gone to several different dealers, traveled the world searching for the next promise of ...

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“Chester” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #187

The soft trill of the bell above the door echoes through the shelter, and my whole body stiffens. It’s 10:00AM on a Wednesday, which means that Mrs. Melbourne is here for her routine visit. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I can be sure of her melodramatic presence, with her cloud of emotional theatrics trailing behind her. It’s not that she is a particularly bad person, or that she is cruel to the cats under my care here at my rescue, Feline Feelin’ Fine. But it is difficult to entertain any other adoptions while she carries on in ...

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“Manic Menagerie” by Nona Yobis

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #185

It’s 4 AM, and the alarm is set for 6. But I am awake anyways, my brain wired despite a lack of sleep. I decide to get up and begin my morning routine. Every morning, I take time to examine the pieces of my menagerie. It really sets the tone for my day. I cannot do anything else before looking at each one individually. I check my pocket to find them all there, as they always are.First, I examine Perfectionism, and hold it close to my chest. I love it. I need it. It makes me feel whole. It reminds me that I cannot drop a single item in m...

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“A Mile In Someone's Shoes” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #184

*This story includes strong language, and includes themes of panic and being trapped*“Are you ready? We have everything set for the procedure.”I looked down at the pamphlet in my hands, then back up at the nurse. “Sure, just give me a few minutes to pump myself up.”She flashed me a clinical smile. “That’s fine. I know it’s an intimidating decision, and the ECT program isn’t for everyone. You take your time, and be sure it’s what you want.” The nurse bustled out the door and down the hall, her non-skid shoes squeaking as she walked. Left...

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“A Matter of Life and Death” by Nona Yobis

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

At the edge of a dying forest stood Death, a shadow, tall and gray, mysterious and ominous. The forest had recently been the victim of fire, which ravaged its plant and animal life. Death moved along slowly, touching trees as he went, causing them to lose their remaining leaves and fall to ashes. He came across a fallen sparrow whose feathers had been scorched by the flames. Bending down gently, Death whispered, “Come with me and be free.” The little sparrow raised its weary head, looked up at him and sang a weak song, as it recogn...

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Author bio

Nona has been writing her entire life, but only recently began sharing it with others again. She is a part-time mental health therapist who enjoys the quiet life which rural living provides. She enjoys the company of her small flock of feather-footed miniature dinosaurs, among other livestock. Be sure to check out her Facebook page for updates on other writings that are in the works: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089858148148 You can also find her current serialized novel on Kindle Vella: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BSFLFNXN Nona has recently begun audio recording her stories as well. Check them out on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@nonayobis

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #185

Manic Menagerie – read story

Contest #183

A Matter of Life and Death – read story