Sam Ackman

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2021

Stories (16)

16 Stories

442 karma pts

?

“A Clouded View” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #92

Your eyes fly open as your heart flutters. The room is so dark you can’t see the phone you are scrambling to pick up. A harsh light shows you that you slept in. You whip off the cozy blankets and are greeted by frigid air. As you walk over to the wall you stub your toe. Swearing loudly you finally flick on a light. Those new black-out curtains are a bit too much! Must have missed setting my alarm. No time for a run, I’ll barely make it to work on time. Your stomach plummets as you think o...

Read story

“Escape” by Sam Ackman

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #91

Standing on the edge of the ship, Alan could feel the cold spray of the ocean on his cheeks, the wind tug on his long hair, and the warm rays from an open sun on his face. The calls of other sailors were carried on the wind to Alan’s ears.“Land Ho!”The excitement started to buzz among the -“Larry and John! If you wish to remain in the library you will have this debate another time!” the woman behind the desk said, glaring at two boys sitting at a table with cards between them. Alan shoved his bookmark in his book, closed...

Read story

“Breath In” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #90

She sat with her belongings stuffed in a bag beside her, swaying gently from side to side with the movement of the train, staring out the window. The train stops, doors open. The great exchange of people. Conversations buzz. Doors close. Jackline looks out over the city as the train zips along. A million speckled lights multiplied by the rain droplets building up on the window. She watched as the droplet came together and streaked down the window, matching the tracks down her chee...

Read story

“Poor Silly Souls” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #88

The younger the mind, the easier it can be used for the will of others. Those poor silly souls. * Eleanor looked at her reflection in the mirror. The round almond eyes were perfectly framed by long curled brown hair. Her plump red lips parted as she pulled in a steady breath, raising the intricate blue and silver necklace across her chest. A small button nose finished off her face, lightly decorated by freckles across her cheeks. All her life Eleanor had been told she was gifted by the god of beauty, a rare gift, ...

Read story

“Different People” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #87

Balor opened his eyes to the first rays of morning light trickling in and the soft melodies of the birds, and dread filled his senses. His stomach rolled over several times and his chest felt heavy. It is here. He heard clatters and movements from the floor below him. Curse these elves, why must they thrive in such an energetically mischievous day. Pranks are an embarrassment to the pranked, disrespectful. A few louder clunks from below and Balor gripped his puffy feather filled blanket tightly and...

Read story

“What is best for you” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #86

A door closed and Ash looked up at the long haired Oliver who just walked in. “Hey Oli, you have rounds tonight don’t you? I really need to get out and stretch my legs.” Oliver hung up his sweater and although not facing him, Ash could feel the eye roll. “Why are you so obsessed with going out there? You’re the only one who likes going out and who refuses to use drones for your rounds.” “So what you’re saying is ‘Yes, I do have rounds and would love to let you go in my stead my dear Ash’ right?” Ash said with a face growing...

Read story

“New Generations” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #85

“Where are you going, kiddo?” “I’m going out,” Sadie replied. “I have that project.” “Didn’t you do that last night?” “It’s for two weeks, I’m only on night three.” “The neighborhood won’t thank you for your troubles. Garbage grows in this part of town; pick some up and more just pops up in its place.” Sadie lifted an eyebrow, “It must come from somewhere. It’s people who make garbage.” “Well aren’t you smart for a ten year old,” she smirked. “You’d think my big sister would know more,” Sadie grinned back Sadie pulled on her coat...

Read story

“Touch” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #84

In the nights she dreamed of being a child, playing at the park. Sun kissing her face, laughter and yells from others filling the air, a breeze playing with her long curls. A shriek of surprise would escape her as the boy that was it jumped up onto her level and both kids would go off running along the platforms grinning. He would reach out with his hand as she whipped down the slide, his fingertips just missing her hair. The feeling of her heart breaking would bring her up to consciousness, wishing she could go back ...

Read story

“Water Creatures and Flints” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #83

The sun shone down, leaving a dazzling light show across the waves as they rolled her closer to the only bit of land visible in the wide expanse. Ness’s limbs seared as the ascend to the sandy shore returned her weight to her feet, wet cloak tugging her down. Turning back she saw the billowing black clouds rising up into the sky - a ship no more. A gurgle of a giggle escaped her as she soaked in her freedom, no longer a captive used for another's will. She crawled onto the shore, her limbs shaking, and lay down ...

Read story

“Ripples” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #82

John sat on a hard, uneven log, staring into the crackling flickering flames in front of him. He sat here as dinner was prepared and as the sun dipped down below the trees. He sat here after the others turned in for the night - he could see the dancing shadows on their stagnant forms, wrapped up in bed rolls like sausages. There has to be something I can do differently tomorrow. John sat on the log, his eyes open through the late hours, foot tapping incessantly. He brought up his hands and covered his face, as i...

Read story

“A New Chapter” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #81

Emma pulled on freshly cleaned pants, checked her hair in the mirror again, popped out her earrings and tried on the blue ones. Curse these people I call friends, she thought, why are they so determined I meet new people. Picking up her book, the smooth worn surface under her fingers, she tucked it away in her purse and stopped, ears tuned for noise. Detecting only some music a few rooms over, she poked her head out into the kitchen. Looking around she saw no one else and smiled. Swiftly tiptoeing along, she qui...

Read story

“The Same as Every Other Day” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #80

The day began the same as every day before. The sun broke free from the edge of the world, light racing down the mountains, chasing away the shadows of night. The rays spread through the valley, calling forth all the colours into the day. When it reached the aqueous surfaces it shone out in bursts of sparkling stars. The wind was the same as it has always been, following the sun’s rays, an ever obedient second act. Rousing from its slumber, the breeze built up, causing a rippling dance of vege...

Read story

“The Flora Singer” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #79

Lilly wasn’t quite sure what she was. Her village would call her a witch but she didn’t like that word. Witches were burned. She didn’t think it fit anyway, so she called herself a Singer. Being a woman now, she figured she was old enough to name her kind, whoever else it might include. Walking along her well worn path through the trees, she listened to the soft singing of birds symphonize with the low hum of insects. The damp smell of moss tickled her nose as she came upon the small clearing. ...

Read story

“To Move a River” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #78

How does one person move a river? It’s force continuously pushing, crashing along the easiest path to flow down, wearing down obstacles in its way. Her heart fluttered like a butterfly trying to escape as she eyed up the black, solid door in front of her with an air of determination. With lips pressed tightly together, she walked into the room where she did not belong and she had no interest in being. Opening the door, the burst of babbling conversations rose to her ears and her eyes squinted as bright lights cut in shar...

Read story

“Before” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #77

Joel’s alarm went off the same time it had all the mornings before, but familiarity halted there. This last month had been covered over by a dark, suffocating haze. Numb, hazy late nights and stinging memories haunted him. He was happy before. Before it happened. Before she handed back the ring he gave her. Before she packed up and walked out the door. Before she took away all his plans for their future. The days were cheerful and sunny before, and now everything was dark. Joel rolled over s...

Read story

Author bio

Updated in May Hello fine folks on Reedsy. I’ve had an idea for a novel follow me around for many months now and I plan to attempt to form it up. Will be reducing my focus on short stories to try this new adventure. If you’d like me to read a story or if you’re interested in working together on novels just leave me a comment and we can swap emails or such. Have most wonderful days!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #91

Escape – read story