Riley B.

“Lights Out” by Riley B.

“Can we watch one more episode, Dad? Please?” Jared stared at his son, deciding whether or not to give in to the pleas. He wanted to keep watching himself, but not because of the content. His mind was elsewhere; a dark place he didn’t like visiting. It was their first night without Janie. After their argument last night, she left the boys to fend for themselves. Jared had woken up in the early hours of the morning to Janie packing her things. She had told Jared she was heading to her mother’s house for a bit. He asked her how long a “bit” ...

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“Wish” by Riley B.

“I’ve never realized how small your mouth is.” “Just throw it. I totally got this one.” Jade adjusted in the booth, raising her arm to a ninety-degree angle. After making a slight adjustment to the right, she released the chocolate malt ball into the air. The small candy flew with a high arc, making its way towards the target. “Perfect!” said Kara, adjusting a bit to the left to accommodate her friend’s throw. She felt the Whopper plop onto her tongue, closing her mouth quickly this time to prevent a repeat of the last failed attempt. “Bo...

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“Guardians” by Riley B.

The rock skittered across the pavement, finding its resting place along the curb. Seconds later, another rock found its home a few feet down.  My sneakers continued to send rocks to their new home as I made my way to the downtown cafe. It was a cafe I was very familiar with, visiting it every weekend. Though there seemed to be millions of cafes in this city, my favorite had always been Gus’s. It wasn’t the cleanest cafe and the “U” on the neon sign had blown out, but I considered it the comfiest. The worn-down booth seating, the autogr...

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“The Smiling Man” by Riley B.

The salty wind whipped my hair around as I made my way down the rocky path. One of the locals suggested that I check out the cave below my rental by taking the overgrown trail behind the house, so I decided to make the trip before getting too settled in for the evening. My retreat to the small coastal town in Maine was meant to be an opportunity to focus on my book. The deadline for finishing my novel was looming over my head, and I was getting tired of the constant bombardment of emails from my publisher asking if I was going to be able to ...

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“Isolation” by Riley B.

“I don’t know what to tell him, Mal” Nancy said, shaking her head for the hundredth time that day. “He doesn’t listen to reason. I swear it’s worse than talking to a brick wall.” Nancy stirred her hot chocolate, attempting to cool it down to a drinkable temperature. Tapping her fingers on top of the small, brown dining room table, she waited anxiously for Malorie’s response.  “I...I’m not really sure what to tell you, Nanc’. But I do think you should come to my house. I’m not sure why you went to the cabin. I don’t think that’s a good...

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“Positive Patty” by Riley B.

The small, pink alarm clock chirped with great purpose, awaking Patty from blissful slumber. Radiating through her flowery room was golden sunlight, greeting Patty with its warm kisses. What a wonderful day it will be, thought Patty; for you see, it was her first day being a Junior in High School.  Patty’s bathroom had flowers much like her bedroom, and she patted each one on the head as she strolled in. She turned on the shower after calling them by name, singing pleasantly as she went on her way. The water so warm seeped right to her...

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“In My Mind” by Riley B.

Submitted to Contest #105

Note - Suicidal Elements The red light of the alarm clock blares in my black room, but it hasn’t had my attention for the last several hours. Studying the ceiling has become my new pastime. My eyes stare at the white drywall looming above me, willing it to come crashing down. If only, I thought. It’d be the perfect excuse to miss work tomorrow. They don’t need me anyway, I’d only be getting in everyone’s way like I always do.  4:00 A.M. Two hours until I need to get up so I can make it to work on time. I slam my fist against the nei...

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“A Forgotten Spark” by Riley B.

Submitted to Contest #104

“C’mon Jake, don’t bail on us again. You haven’t shown up the last three times. We’re worried about you, man.” My friend’s voice crackled through my phone, reaching my half-attentive ears.  “Yeah Pat, I’ll do my best. I’m busy with stuff, so no promises.” “Not good enough, Jake. Tell me right now you’ll be here. Promise me, dude. None of this half-committed crap. We’ve had this planned for months, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to make it.” “Alright, fine. Sure, I’ll be there.” “Promise me, Jake.” “I promise.” The state...

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“Old Houses” by Riley B.

Submitted to Contest #103

Old Houses “Guys, check out this weird picture.” “Is it a picture of your mom?” JD snarked, making his way over to his hunched-over friend. “Shut up, man. It’s probably a picture of your mom with how ugly this thing is.” Benson wiped off what dust he could on the old Polaroid picture before handing it over to his friend.   “Hey guys, it’s getting late. We should probably head out here soon. I think we’ve been here long enough.” Max’s voice came out higher and even more nasally than it normally was. Benson and JD rolled their...

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“Foggy Meadows” by Riley B.

Submitted to Contest #102

Foggy Meadows It’s hard coming to a small town. At least, that’s what I’ve heard people say. I can’t speak any truth to the saying since I’ve lived my whole life in Foggy Meadows. As far as tiny towns in Rhode Island go, it’s probably the tiniest. It’s known for one thing: fishing. I’ve fished here with my father my entire life. A solid seventeen years. We raise a garden and catch our food, so there’s never really been a need to leave. We go to Foggy Meadow’s pitiful market three times a week to sell what we catch. In matters of actual U....

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