Shayla Linden

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2021

Stories (5)

5 Stories

110 karma pts

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“A Black Sheep Among Wolves” by Shayla Linden

Submitted to Contest #79

*Authors note* (TRIGGER WARNING, Themes of violence and abuse.) The sun is a pale yoke in a creamy cloudless sky. As it sets behind the icy mountain peaks, the yoke breaks and nighttime spills over the world. The midnight gem rises and bathes the snow in gentle beams of moon kisses. This is the time when my family and I awaken. We stretch our legs and dig our claws into the frostbitten dirt as we arch our backs. A smile is forced onto our faces as all of us inhale the Sitka Spruce scented air and exhale with a whimpering yawn. I step into ...

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“Jack Of All Trades” by Shayla Linden

Submitted to Contest #78

What do you think about when you see a painting? Jack has been looking at paintings all day at the museum. Their favorites are the abstract ones, created by a beautiful accident. Jack thinks that they could make something like that, no problem. At home Jack takes everything out of their room and covers the carpet and window with tarp. They bought buckets of random paint on the way home. Without a seconds worth of though Jack grabs a bucket of Stormy Blue and splashes it on every corner of the room. They make sure to toss it close to the ceil...

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“An Unordinary Neighbor” by Shayla Linden

Submitted to Contest #78

Skritch, scratch, Skritch, scratch…. It’s three A.M., and I know I should be sleeping. So why am I laying in bed staring at the popcorn ceiling, eyes wide and no closer to feeling drowsy? Skritch, scratch, Skritch, scratch…. I sit up suddenly in my bed and listen intently to the noise outside my door. I count the seconds of silence in my head, like you would do after hearing thunder. Five seconds go by, and I don’t hear a thing. I can see the light under the door frame flickering inconsistently. This old apartment building is so worn down I ...

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“Trust Me You'll Love It!” by Shayla Linden

Submitted to Contest #78

Oh, woe is me. I am the epitome of sorrow, despair…insert sad adjective here and that is what I am. My life holds no meaning of influence or inspiration. Suck me into the vortex of darkness so that I may forever sleep undisturbed. My blanket is mercilessly torn off of my depressed self and I’m flicked in the forehead by my friend Marcus Williams. “Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get up already, it’s noon-thirty!” Marcus grabs my crumbled jeans off the floor and tosses them at my head. They hit me in the face and then my arms go to ...

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“I See Things Differently ” by Shayla Linden

Submitted to Contest #77

My legs constrict into my lap on the chair by the window. In a position familiar to the unborn lifestyle I once knew, inside the womb of a mother I’ve never known. I don’t take comfort in hugging my knees to my chest, nor the cup of hot chocolate hovering near my parted lips. The comfort I seek lies beyond the window, hiding in the drifting snow. The rest of the world has been gobbled up by the hungry ebony sky. Yet the snow dances bravely in the winter wind, defying the evenings craving for nothingness. The snow isn’t simply snow in my eyes...

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Author bio

Looking to finally put myself out there. I got nothing to lose and a whole lot to write. Don't be afraid to give criticism, I'm looking to improve my writing that's why I'm here. I'll try to respond to comments as I like a little back and forth conversation.