Rachel Macmorran

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (8)

8 Stories

348 karma pts

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“Cheater” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #76

“That’s it for today, people. Remember, I need 5,000 words parsing an element of symbolism in chapters 11-12 by Wednesday’s class, please. Ms. Baker, can I speak to you for a moment?”“What’s up, Doc?”“Amusing. I wondered if you had chosen a theme for your essay this week?”“Actually, I have already finished a rough draft.”“Oh, have you? I see. It’s just that I always enjoy your insights, and I had a particular thesis that I would be interested to see you work with.”“Well, I really like what I’ve got going now.”“Doubtless. It’s just that, as a...

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“The Butterfly Effect” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #72

Derek Vlinder was utterly content. Aside from a brief hormonal phase in his teenage years while his therapeuticals had been getting dialed in, he had been utterly content his entire life. He had graduated from law school a few years ago and landed a rewarding job at a firm that specialized in international environmental protection. He recently purchased a small but stylish converted warehouse condo in a vibrant part of the city. He had the support and companionship of a solid group of long-time friends. Everything was on schedule. He had bee...

7 comments 7
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“Hope” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #70

“It’s over, now. Hush. It’s all over, they are gone,” he murmured into her hair. Epimetheus gathered her onto his lap and used the edge of his toga to wipe her tears. He gently held his fragile mortal wife as she trembled with fear and horror. Oh, poor Pandora! These human vessels could not bear so much suffering, surely? She began to shake her head convulsively, denying her own thoughts as regret and guilt washed over her. He felt wretched, himself. If only he could have saved her this pain! Her eyes were still squeezed shut tight ag...

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“For a Taste of Terra” by Rachel Macmorran

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #67

“Captain, I’m afraid I have some bad news from the Supply Officer.” The First Lieutenant stood at attention, eyes fixed on the main view screen, while a single drop of nervous sweat trickled down his hairline. Captain Adamu absently reached for the demitasse of espresso centered on the tray that the Lieutenant held in slightly trembling hands. She took a small sip. The crema was rich, the espresso perfection, as it should be, since the beans came from her own family’s plantation and roastery on Earth. She tossed back the remainder and return...

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“Cauldron” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #65

In Spring, Mother Earth begins her exhalation, breathing warmth and energy into all living things. Sap rises, leaves unfurl, flowers waft their sweet essence to tempt passing pollinators, mated pairs begin to rebuild their nests, jackets are left at home and shoulders are bared. In Summer, all is replete. Vines are heavy with fruit, grasses bend under the weight of their grains, spindly fawns prance and run, fledglings proudly soar, browned skin glistens with sweat. But at Samhain, Mother Earth begins to inhale, drawing all back to herself. ...

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“Seal Rock School” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #64

I stood on the dock sending last-minute texts to my friends and trying to ignore the three adults. My parents’ lawyer, Mr. Black, lifted an umbrella to shield the woman who had introduced herself as Maren Canfield, Dean of Students at Seal Rock School. She finished signing the custody papers and returned the clipboard to Mr. Black. She appeared a no-nonsense woman, with a buzz cut, no jewelry or makeup, and a rain jacket bearing the logo of my new home: an elaborate S.R.S. Her voice was incongruously high and simpering as she called, “I...

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“Bitter Fruit” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #63

We woke before Lauds, when the sun was barely tinting the eastern horizon with a hint of green. Our ragged blankets were cooling quickly as my mother was already moving about the hut, preparing for our day’s work. The air was sharp with the bite of autumn and a layer of dew coated the dirt floor. I snuggled deeper into our nest, but my mother nudged me with her foot. Reluctantly, I rose and tied on my shoes. The baby cried piteously as he was briefly exposed to the cold while my mother changed his swaddling cloths. He was hungry again, ...

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“A Suitor for Angeline” by Rachel Macmorran

Submitted to Contest #61

Angeline cursed the fate that required her to seek employment. Through no fault of her own, her parents had discontinued her allowance when she was only eighteen, and she had not yet found a suitable husband. In the three wretched years since then, she began to despair she never would, and dreaded the prospect of becoming an old maid. She took work briefly as a governess, hoping to make beneficial social connections, but found the children to be overly excitable, loud, and even profane. They refused to treat her with the proper respect, and ...

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Author bio

I am always thankful for insightful criticism. I appreciate your feedback!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #67
For a Taste of Terra – read story