Scott Taylor

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2023

Stories (54)

54 Stories

1292 karma pts

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“A Brush of Colour, A Stroke of Courage Or, The Rainbow Beyond the Fear” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #292

Once upon a time, a girl named Amy lived in a quaint village. While washing the dishes, she saw her stepmother sitting in her rocking chair by the radio as its crackling voice warned of 'monsters lurking in the forest' and 'dangers beyond the village.' The radio's glowing knobs seemed to pulse ominously. Amy shivered, her stepmother's fearful whispers echoing in her ears. The radio's voice was soothing yet insidious, weaving tales of terror that settled in listeners' minds like a fog. When Amy stared too long at its glowing knobs, she felt h...

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“The Prophecy of Shadows” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #291

The air crackles with unnatural energy the moment I step into this place, as if the veil between worlds is thinning just for me. Shadows twist and writhe along the wooded path, their cold, unseen eyes tracking my every move. The whispers in the wind and the flicker of the dying fire speak of secret-hidden truths that send a shiver down my spine. Each step toward the old mansion feels like stepping deeper into the unknown, where the line between the living and the dead vanishes. No one else sees it; they say I'm imagining things and need to c...

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“Through the Veil of Time” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #289

A confidently posed bronze statue of General Gerald Musgrave stood in Applewood's square. His outstretched hand beckoned the townsfolk to remember their savior. Nearby, Emma watched him, frozen, notebook in her lap. She idolized her grandfather. To her, he was more than a man.The general wasn't a savior in the biblical sense but a savior in the economic sense. He stopped the highway from being built miles away from the town, ensuring that travelers would never exit to shop the many stores and shops that lined the town's streets. Shirley's vo...

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“In The Wake Of Love” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #288

In the silent depths of that fog-shrouded night, when the moon's pale light barely pierced the veil, I asked my beloved Lily the question that would change our lives forever. A month at sea, in a small boat tossed about by the merciless waves, would test the very limits of our endurance and love."Lily," I said, breaking the heavy silence, "are you sure you want to go on this journey with me?" The stars twinkled as if sharing in her anticipation.She turned to me, her eyes steady and unwavering as the stars above. "Jack," she replied, her voic...

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“The Doomsday Paradox” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #286

The night the world ended began with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional drip of water and the distant chirp of a cricket. As the internet went down, an unnerving silence replaced the hiss of static from my ham radio. Then, a chilling, inhuman voice whispered nearby. I ignored the media's pre-war frenzy and the public's stockpiling until now. My ham radio was my sanity's anchor—until a night of terrifying sounds replaced the static. My desire to flee the chaos likely spread to other global radio operators whom I contacted via rad...

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“Just As I Am” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #285

I left my tiny room, the television noise from the hallway too much to bear. I went to the courtyard, where three old picnic tables stood amidst a garden of weeds. The old folks from the retirement home sat there, smoking their cigarettes. The yard was surrounded by windows, each one a cold, unblinking eye. Inside the rooms, the dying lay. The air was heavy with the scent of sickness and despair. Another Sunday. Maybe the family would come by after church, to do their duty and keep their guilt at bay. I'd been taken from my home, surrounded...

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“Silent Reaper” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #284

Audits were my personal hell, a solitary descent into a fluorescent-lit nightmare where each buzzing light made me feel like a target. I glided through the silent offices like a phantom in a graveyard, the air thick with the unspoken dread and hushed whispers of terrified employees. Their fear was a chilling presence, but this job—despite the staff's loathing—was a step up from my dark past. Once known as the Silent Reaper, a special forces assassin who carried out targeted killings, I now found myself navigating a different kind of danger, ...

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“Thank You, Jesus, for Cancelled Flights” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #283

As the snow swirled outside the airport windows, two strangers found themselves stranded together, their holiday plans grounded by the relentless winter storm. Little did they know their unexpected meeting would lead to a journey that would change their lives forever. Cold crept in from every corner around the chair where I had been sitting for several hours. When the screen flickered ‘canceled,’ I let out an expletive overheard by a lady engrossed in something on her phone. At some point, I knew I'd have to call my agent and concoct a belie...

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“The Fire Within” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #282

The Fire Within "I'm really sorry," Emily said the moment Michael opened the door. Her large brown eyes shimmered with unshed tears against the backdrop of her golden locks.Michael hesitated, his jaw tightening as he stared at her. "Can we talk?" she asked, her voice soft and pleading.Still hurting from the breakup, Michael stepped aside and invited her in. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, mirroring the turmoil in her heart. She sat across from Michael, their eyes locked in an unspoken battle of hurt and longing. Emil...

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“The Witch Who Came to Christmas” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #281

The town lay wrapped in Christmas's warm, glowing embrace, its streets alive with the mingling scents of pine, cinnamon, and wood smoke. Snowflakes danced like tiny crystal messengers in the flickering light of decorated trees while the sounds of bells and carolers wove through the air like a spell. It was a season of traditions, of joy and togetherness, yet beneath the soft hum of holiday cheer lingered the shadow of a recent tragedy—a loss so profound it seemed to cling to the snow-covered rooftops, refusing to melt away. And as laughter s...

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“The Truth Beneath the Blood” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #278

The room smelled of antiseptic and regret, a sterile prison where the sun dared not penetrate the heavy drapes. As the machines beeped their monotonous dirge, I sat in the corner, watching my father drift between worlds—one foot still planted in the realm of the living, the other teetering on the precipice of whatever lay beyond. He was a shell of the man who had once chased me through the yard, laughter echoing like gunfire. Now, all that remained was a gaunt face, pale and waxen, and a voice that trembled like a leaf in a winter wind.“Jake...

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“Shattered Certainties” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #276

The universe had always been a place of cold, hard truths. Being an engineer and a committed agnostic, I had always rejected the idea of a higher power, considering it merely wishful thinking. It wasn’t until I faced an unplanned physics experiment regarding inelastic collisions that changed my mind. Like many people, I imagined death as a permanent, dreamless sleep. I was self-sufficient and content with my life. Where my beliefs started is simple. I grew up hearing about how poor my father’s family was and how his mother would give m...

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“Brushstrokes of Betrayal” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #274

While waiting for the curator, Peter stood transfixed in the museum; his gaze locked onto a painting that seemed to vibrate with an eerie energy. A light from above focused on the painting, seemingly bringing her to life, while the rest of the area around him seemed dark and mysterious. The girl within the frame stared back at him with a haunting blend of sorrow and yearning, her eyes pulling him in like a siren's call. He felt a strange connection to the magic of the art that somehow breathed life into the scene before him. “I see you found...

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“Nudist’s Haven” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #272

Storms had damaged the road with potholes and washouts. Heavy rains had ravaged the earth, making the drive treacherous. Each jolt of the car reminded her of nature reclaiming its territory. Many years had passed since Sarah last visited the remote cabin. On her last visit, a bear tore down the clothesline, angering her granny. Her Grandmother had threatened to make a rug out of that bear if he came back around. It was now hers, a gift from her grandmother. Memories of her grandmother and the cabin flooded her as she neared the white split r...

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“Raisins and Almonds” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #271

The petite librarian strolled through the park, entranced by the hauntingly familiar tune that floated through the crisp autumn air. As she turned towards the source, her steps faltered, captivated by the enchanting melody of a guitar. A rugged man, with hair wild and untamed, strummed a tune from a lullaby. The song he played transported her to peaceful nights, where her mother's voice would lull her to sleep despite the stark differences between then and now. The choice to play an old Yiddish Lullaby struck her as peculiar yet heartwarming...

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Author bio

As a passionate wordsmith and imaginative storyteller, I have been captivated by the power of the written word since childhood. From crafting fantastical worlds to breathing life into compelling characters, my creative journey has evolved through various artistic endeavors, each offering a unique outlet for expressing my ideas and emotions. Seeking inspiration from the serene tranquility of the countryside, I find solace in the simple pleasures of nature – leisurely strolls through the forest, the gentle touch of moss beneath my feet, and the invigorating scent of pine. These moments of quiet contemplation ignite my creativity and serve as the foundation for my writing. Driven by an insatiable passion for storytelling, I have honed my craft over the years, embracing the challenges of self-publishing and immersing myself in the intricacies of the literary landscape. As a thriving community of writers, I take great pride in fostering a supportive environment where fellow authors can connect, share their work, and receive valuable feedback. With several novels published and many more in the works, I am excited to continue my creative journey and share my stories with readers like you. I hope my words will inspire and captivate you, just as they have captivated me. For further inquiries, please feel free to reach out to me at staylor823@gmail.com.