Paul Grayson

“Changing of the Gear” by Paul Grayson

   I begin my story with the precursor of why I needed to buy a car. In 2021, I was driving a used white Nissan Versa. I have bought the car with cash for around $7,500. When I bought it in 2019, it had around 125,000 miles on the speedometer. It was a good car for me, with the only problem being an absent sun visor on the driver’s side.    It was a warm night in June and I was planning to meet a friend to get drinks. For some reason, he wanted to meet me at my apartment in Sherman Oaks and have me drive hi...

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“Knocked Out of End Zone” by Paul Grayson

Submitted to Contest #252

   Megan crouched down behind the bleachers so she could see him without being seen. Her chest was bounding as she grasped her ample bosom. It was a hot day, and sweat glistened off her forehead down her blouse as she looked at the boy. His name was Mark and she adored him. There was just something about the glint in his eyes when he smiled at her, and the way he said her name when he called to her in the hallway. They both shared the last class of the day, Algebra, and afterwards he would head off to practice. Mark was a star...

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“Ring of Fire” by Paul Grayson

   The sky overhead was deep blue and a beautiful tapestry of orange and yellow colors could be seen on the horizon when a loud siren could be heard as an emergency transit vehicle could be seen barreling through the city. Inside the ambulance lay a disheveled, forlorn old man on a stretcher. The anxious paramedics were checking his vitals as the vehicle came into the loading bay. Doors were swung open callously, as Demetri was quickly transported to the ER. His faint breathing could scarcely be heard through the bustling hall...

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“The Forest Dwellers” by Paul Grayson

Tommy didn’t want to admit it, but he didn’t know exactly where he was. Not in terms of where his life was going, but precisely his location at this very moment. It was around mid day, and the fearless 32 year old was hiking with his best friend Carter. Tommy was single at the moment, and had been feeling anxious to get out and explore after having recently moved out of his home town that he had lived in since he moved back from college six years ago. His days always felt longer and more lackluster since he had moved into his own apartment, ...

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“Stranger than Science Fiction” by Paul Grayson

Submitted to Contest #230

   Mr. Jones could scarcely believe his eyes as his older colleague, a man who shouldn’t have been there, appeared before him in the dimly lit room. It could have been the strong drink in his hand, but he could that the man before him had no scars on his face, no broken bones and no limp in his gait as he strolled into the lounge. The time was half-past seven, and Mr. Jones was just finishing his Irish Coffee. Chris worked at a biogenetic laboratory that conducted animal testing and genetic based testing to discover ways to ma...

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“A Grant from the Family” by Paul Grayson

   Laurence looked through the microscope. Peering through the lens, he could see the mitochondria within the cell of a eukaryote. The miniscule scale of the organelle compared to the fungi was unbelievable when this was what caused the small cell to grow and attain the energy needed for mytosis. It was amazing that alone, the mitochondria has the power to provide enough energy to assist in cell expansion, and in turn the growth of the organism while functioning alone in a controlled environment.    Laurence was...

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“Nightmare in the Office” by Paul Grayson

   The lateness of the hour made Greg’s heart skip a beat as he glanced at his watch while the other hand frantically steered his car through the maze of streets leading to his house. Greg was known for being late. Whether it was for soccer practice, an optometrist appointment or seeing his inlaws, he always lacked the courtesy of a timely arrival. It wasn’t so much that he was unable to thoughtfully manage his time as much as it was his general lack of interest in the things in his life that he considered trivial.  &nbsp...

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“Home Away From Home” by Paul Grayson

When Jon came home that day from school, he remembered thinking it was odd that his mother was already home. The large brown SUV was parked on the cobblestone driveway leading into a tudor home that bespoke of a wealth not seen in the other houses lining the block. Jon walked through the brick tudor arch to enter an expansive front courtyard space that was furnished with the most exquisite fountains and colorful flower beds. On both sides, beautiful tapestries were hung high up on the exterior walls, giving the elusion that the courtyard spa...

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“Realm of the Unknown” by Paul Grayson

Submitted to Contest #177

   It was a bright, sunny day. Clarence peered out the window. All that could be perceived from his eyes was a blank sky reflecting the black face looking out at the vast expanse.     His parents called from downstairs. He turned and went through the threshold. He walked down the stairs into the living room where his parents had been waiting. They were impatient and demanded him to get his bags, annoyed that he was not ready.     The family had been planning a vacation to Stony Ridge Nat...

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