Ryan Smith

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2020

Stories (9)

9 Stories

163 karma pts

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“Lottery of the 30s” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #234

It was only four hours until Luke Harlon’s final birthday. At least, that’s what he told himself. He always prepared for the worst, even if the chances were always only one percent that getting your code selected actually happened. He sat alone on his worn, gray couch and stared at the television. The soundbar’s audio reverberated around the minimally decorated apartment with an upbeat ad for an exercise bike. L...

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“The Destroyer” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #206

The sedan carrying the double date eased into the parking spot. It might be the gentlest part of Grant’s day. His nerves were palpable. Adrenaline coursed through his body like ants slowly gnawing away at his stomach before making their way to his heart and throat. They hadn’t even entered the park yet. The torrid mixture of his anxiety and the August sun beating on the concrete beneath hi...

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“The Recruit” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #77

It was officially seven seconds past the hour. I knew that not because I was counting or watching the clock, but the room was so silent that I felt the tick of the paper-thin clock hand as it began its journey for the 19th time that frozen January day. One of the worst parts about winter is the sun being around for no more than a cold, visible breath, if at all. At what had then become 7 p.m. a...

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“What She Left Unsaid” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #68

It festered with him for the better part of a decade, but Lucas had finally had enough. His time in college was almost up. Even though that made him an “adult,” he was about to actually be an “adult” with “responsibilities.” So dammit, it was time to start acting like one. His hand-me-down car was parked on the top of Valley Crest’s tallest hill; it was the closest thing to a skyscraper hi...

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“Clipped Wings” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #57

The cockpit might be claustrophobic to some, but to Neil it was theatre seating for an IMAX view of the world. As a pilot for British Airways, hundreds of thousands of passengers entrust their lives to him every year.  He understood that responsibility and took it to heart every time he clipped on his wings, put on his hat, and buckled his seatbelt.  Staring out into the thin, wispy afternoon sky, he couldn’t help but fe...

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“The Persecution of Harra Lorton” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #55

Rain dancing around her umbrella to the tune of the evening’s gale-force wind, Pamela began to question if accepting Jolie’s invitation was the right move for her Tuesday night as she entered the darkened meeting space in the dilapidated building. Being new to the town of Warlow, she struggled to make friends in the unnervingly tight-knit community.  She moved there for a new job a month prior while knowi...

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“The Last Call to Yellow Brook” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #51

Mike shimmied out of the backseat of the Ford Focus with a nod of thanks to Harold the Lyft driver, who was now almost a Ben Franklin wealthier after bringing him from the airport terminal to the dilapidated curb now at his feet. His duffle bag, containing enough items to get through the 24-36 hours of his stay, was slung over his left shoulder as he faced his immediate future. “Well,” he said aloud to hi...

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“Memory of the Scar” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #50

Cal laid on his side next to Aubrey on top of the furrowed sheets. He stared at her, gently smiling, as everything in the room remained silent while his eyes met hers to carry on the conversation. A gentle, “What?” came out of Aubrey with a laugh at a decibel level that competed with pins on floors.  “Nothing,” Cal responds with a smile. And in that moment, he genuinely means it, his ow...

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“Date Night in Ohio” by Ryan Smith

Submitted to Contest #23

The fervent movement of Trevor’s eyes gave the impression that he was seated on a witness stand. Taillights. Flurries.Zero bars.Taillights.A mortaring, fluffy monsoon. Zero bars.Shit.    He had hoped that he could fill the momentary deafening silence with the noise of his thumb scrolling social media. No such luck. His 2006 Toyota Corolla was a worn, red speck in the multicolored vehicle mosh pit, creating a Jackson Pollack original on the sn...

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Author bio

Public relations professional who tries to be more creative now and then. Thanks for reading!