Redd Herring

“Wolf Trap” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #99

“Great to see you again, man!” Keith smiled and held his arms out wide. “Glad you could get here for the class reunion.”“You too! Wow, our twenty-year reunion. Been way too long,” Rob gave his old friend a hug. “What the hell have you been up to?” He sat on an old wooden spool on Keith’s back patio. “Damn, you still have this thing?” He laughed and patted the side of the spool.“Of course!” Keith handed Rob a beer from the cooler. “I can’t get rid of it.”“Because no one wants it?”“Nah, man. Because it’s a classic.” Keith sat on a swing that w...

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“The Exam Room (The Search – Part 3)” by Redd Herring

“I could just kill you,” she places the lantern on the floor. He nods and leans his head back against the wall. “Don’t really want to. Too messy, and I don’t get no information that way.” She reaches into her pack and rolls a plastic bottle of water across the room. It stops against his leg.Can’t remember the last time I saw bottled water. He reaches for it, but the pain in his shoulder is too much. He leans back, breath coming in ragged gasps. He looks at her pleadingly. She shakes her head.“That breathin’ sounds pretty bad.” She rolls anot...

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“The Sting of Betting” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #86

“You sure?” Landon looked concerned. “You really don’t have to go through with this.” He scanned the tables and shook his head. “Yes, a bet is a bet!” Alvin bellowed, but he had a fairly worried look, too. Who bets on that? He was beginning to believe his mother. Maybe he was a degenerate gambler. He adjusted the beer on the table and took a deep breath. The crowd of about two hundred on the hill was getting restless. They wanted action. A man wearing a fur hat and a Speedo yelled, “Get on with it! Let’s see some eating!” Everyone cheered. A...

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“The City (The Search – Part 2)” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. He scans for movement. It wants to kill me. He takes another look at the crumbling building. He cannot see anyone, or anything, but that is no guarantee. He waits behind the dune, just to be certain. He knows he should not be here. No choice. The sun crawls higher. He unzips his pack, checking his inventory for the third time – dried lizard, flashlight, knife, net, four water jugs. He is more prepared this time – better at finding lizards and water. I need to find some meds, and some batteries would be nice....

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“The Search” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #84

He moves across the sand at a snail’s pace. Energy conservation is the key. No one should be in the direct sun at this time of day, but it is the only time they are out – and he is hungry. It’s been three days. He checks his water. Maybe he has enough, if he is careful. If I find water, then I’ll find them. He adjusts his head wrap and scans the horizon. The mountains seem to be only about a mile away, but he knows better. If he turns back now, he can make it to the shelter before he falls from heat stroke – but he will still be hungry. He p...

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“Whiskey, Diet Coke, Two Dollars, and a Pistol” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #83

This is a true story. I have not done this on an island yet, but the story is true.Trigger Warning: Suicide (not graphic)The moonlight showed the way as I guided the little boat to the beach. I stepped out and was surprised – the water was warm. I guess I expected it to be cold this time of year. I dragged the boat up on the sand and walked in a streak of light along the water’s edge.This is as good a place as any. I dropped down and took a long breath. The salt air felt so different in my Texas lungs. I opened the backpack, fished for my ph...

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“The Cold Shoulder” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #82

“That’s the last one,” Trevor placed the box on the countertop. “I guess I had more than I thought.” “No worries,” Leslie smiled. She pointed to his phone, “Let me set you up.” He handed it over and Leslie began downloading an app. “We can start unpacking while it downloads, then I’ll get you on the smart home network.” “Thanks,” he said, opening a box filled with clothes. “Where do you want me to put my stuff?” Leslie pointed down the hallway, “The guest bedroom has a nice closet.” He frowned. “Don’t get upset. You’re not going to be living...

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“The Institute Has A Solution” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #80

Christelle felt the push notification and glanced at her wrist implant.IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. ALL CITIZENS YOUR ATTENTION IS REQUIRED.She stopped filling containers so she could see the announcement. The far wall near the office lit up, and the machinery slowly came to a halt. All workers in the plant turned to the screen.A woman with ice-blue eyes came into view. She addressed the audience. “The overpopulation crisis remains one of our most urgent issues. The Institute has a solution. Information will be released on your feed within the ne...

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“Family Reunion” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #79

“How much longer?” Hunter held the door handle to keep from sliding out of the seat. The truck lurched, flinging him toward the dash. He threw his hands up to brace himself, but he no longer had a grip on the door. Down on the floorboard he went.“Pothole!” Codey yelled. He threw his head back laughing.“Hilarious,” he glared at Codey and pulled himself up onto the seat. “This thing is a hazard, man! You never heard of a seatbelt?”“Way before this girl’s time,” he patted the dash. “She’s a classic.”“She’s a death trap! You should get rid of so...

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“Diversion” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #78

“How do I convince you?” Elwyn poured more wine and slid the glass across the table, groaning as he shuffled toward the fireplace.“I doubt you can, but you seem to try every time we talk,” Alaina answered, taking a sip and closing her eyes. Despite everything, this is still the calmest place in the universe. “Why do you try so hard to change my mind?”“Everyone needs a diversion, something to occupy the mind – especially us. Oh, this fire!” he was poking at the logs, trying to coax the flames back to life. “You would think I could get it righ...

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