Renika Anand

“Everyone But Me” by Renika Anand

Last night, I slept like a child. I had not heard the rain fall, or feel the sun rise. It was the type of sleep that you have after a tiring but happy day. It was the type of sleep that left you joyful and excited in the morning. When I woke up, the day was quiet and warm. I sat up in my bed, yawned and rested my chin on the windowsill next to my bed. The city had sprawled itself out over the small tropical island like a lazy, gray bird. The earthy smell of damp soil baking in the sun wafted up to greet me. The sky was crisp, blue and clea...

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“Fish” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #78

      The lady next to me was staring, but not actually staring. She was looking at me through the corner of her eyes with darting glances, just quick enough that I would not catch her in the act. I shifted the large Tupperware container on my lap to block the view, but that only made it easier for people on the other side to stare. For the hundredth time in my half hour journey, I wished that I had booked a cab instead. That way, I would not have to sit in a smelly train filled with annoyingly inquisitive peopl...

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“Fortress of Memories” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #77

   I was sitting in front of the winter cabin. The silvery moon slowly drowned under the thick clouds, taking his stars with him. The air had begun to grow warmer so that the thin layer of snow which usually fell over the night became muddy slush by sunrise. I looked at my palms and watched the orange firelight dance on its creases. My grandfather had once told me that the line which ran from the bottom of my hand up to my middle finger was my fate line. My fate line, I observed, was broken in the middle.    The...

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“Orphan's Inheritance ” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #72

The lazy sun bathed the wet grass in its golden light. It was a bright morning, with clear blue skies as far as the eyes could see. I breathed in the fresh air and stared at the sight of emptiness before me. I guess there was one good thing about being locked up alone in a huge mansion in the middle of nowhere; you had peace.Just about a week ago, I was standing at my front door in my decent apartment staring at an unfamiliar man’s face and wondering whether I should let him in or call the police.“Please Miss Emerson, I have my card and all ...

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“Innocent Eyes” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #67

His lifeless body floated atop the water. His betrayed eyes called for revenge. His long, beautiful life had been ended so meaninglessly. So cruelly. I wanted to do something for him. I wanted to bring justice to his death. But alas! There was nothing I could do without evidence. I had watched his murder, unable to stop it, unable to react. The shock and horror had frozen me in place. It was Thomas. Thomas had killed my friend. I had always been suspicious of his increasingly constant visits to my home. But the detective had taken a liking t...

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“Rich Dreams” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #66

The sky was heavy and grey. It reminded Emma of the ugly sweater that her Grandmother had made for her last Christmas. It had ended up in her closet amongst the pile of stuff that she would never wear but couldn’t throw away without hurting someone’s feelings.A cool morning breeze made its way through the window, swirled through the kitchen and brought Emma a delicious smell of coffee, maple syrup and petrichor. She sat at the table, fiddling with her watch and tapping her heels nervously on the tiled, white floor. Today was the day. The day...

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“Nightmare in a Graveyard” by Renika Anand

Submitted to Contest #65

23:10 hours“What on earth is wrong with you?” Lindsay sat up in her bed glaring at the girl lying next to her.“Come on, Lindsay! Its Halloween. We never do anything fun. Just this once. Please?”“Reed, it’s freezing outside. Besides, if braces sees us, you know quite well that she’s going to report us to Ms. Winter.”Braces was an irritable seventeen-year-old who was put in charge of watching the orphanage kids for the day, since Ms. Winter had gone to look after her sick mother.Reed sniffed and turned over. Lindsay sighed. “Sometimes I really...

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