Steffen Lettau

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2022

Stories (32)

32 Stories

761 karma pts

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“Remake” by Steffen Lettau

Chelsea Bonifade was a dirty-blonde, hazel-eyed, nervous wreck. There was no Shakespearian way to put it; a sneeze had the girl run for cover like a live grenade was tossed in her direction. She found solace in books, and yet she would see a library as too crowded for her comfort. If being an introvert could be mathematically cubed in real life, it would be her. A hall of mirrors stood before her, each...

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“The Lieutenant's Trial” by Steffen Lettau

Lieutenant Stark Denmark opened his eyes from his dreamless slumber and noted the time of day: five hundred hours. First light was barely breaking over the horizon, and he knew he had another hour to present himself before the court. It was his trial, after all. It could very well be his last.The uniform was cleaned, pressed, and awaiting his return. The black shoes were already shined and waxed, smelling like they had not been worn before. He grimaced; those bastards did it again! Menial tasks like keeping his clothes c...

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“Abraham's Dream” by Steffen Lettau

His house was so quiet. Strange, he thought. At this time, not long after the crack of dawn, his younger children would be running around and giving the attendants a heart attack as he would be swarmed by a couple assistants with messages of importance. There would be breakfast coming up from the kitchen and through his bedroom doors, provided that the children didn't accidentally knock it over again. Even his wife would join in the fray, yelling at the boys to knock off the horseplay while keeping an ear on the daily hustle.

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“Non...fiction?” by Steffen Lettau

SHHHHHHHH! ...I think someone's listening. Who, you ask? Wait, you ask, how did I know that you would ask? Are you obvious, or am I a mind reader? No, my friend, it is neither. And both. Now, that sounds confusing, but bear with me. I might seem like a character in this short story, and you would be right. But you could also see me as a person, and you ...

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“The Psycho's Revelation” by Steffen Lettau

"Trender's Orphanage. If you aren't familiar with it, that's because it is basically wiped from the media. Hard as they could, though, those fools could not wipe away the blood...or tears." The six-foot-seven-inch lady looked down upon the white-haired boy, a metal staff as his only protection held in his lap. She conceded to his intrepidness, and so kept her custom goalie stick-styled blade down. She...

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“Clarksdale Curse” by Steffen Lettau

Author's note: All ideologies are welcome to enjoy this fictional work. You ever heard the joke about the atheist who made a deal with the Devil? Let's just say he had a hell of a time. All kidding aside, I fear retaliation for telling this story, but I need to warn you all to stay away from the crossroads at the U.S Routes 61 and 49. Yes, in Mississippi. Yes, the same plac...

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“Atrición's Planned Holiday” by Steffen Lettau

Author's note: These characters are from another series of stories that I am working on; hopefully, the context won't lead to too much confusion. Also, a fair warning of sexual violence as well as regular (and irregular) violence. Birth. Childhood. Life itself. All of these, and what was to follow, were struggles for any normal human being. Atrición envied those normal human beings. For starters,...

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“Painted Grey Part 2” by Steffen Lettau

Author's note: I am utilizing the word "vacation" as more of a metaphor in this story, albeit one that involves bonds. "An automaton, Tholan! Imagine, an actual walking artifact of the last war of the world!" "Yes, Merchen, it's all amazing, but automatons are walking weapons! We need to assess this anomaly, and we either subdue or destroy it." "Destroy-ah!" ...

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“Painted Grey, Part 1” by Steffen Lettau

What did the mines have, if anything? Where did the ores go? Were there still ultrantulas roaming about that place? Thoughts like this had put Tholan back on the path to answer questions that the community reechoed. Today, it was literal; he was granted leave by Garrold to check the mines, maybe see if there was anything to salvage there for the people. He made sure that Lindia was comfortable before ...

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“Your Friend from Afar” by Steffen Lettau

Author's note: This story contains injuries, traumatic events, and mental insanity.10/14/1911Dear Jon Cannington,How are you? This is Jacques Leroux, from Bordeaux in France. It has been a long time since we played as children, and I reminisce of our good times. Granted, you did have a hard life in that desert, along with your father and mother conducting their "business", but I prayed that your life has gotten better now that you are an adult. There is so much to share with you, ever since my fa...

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“The Dark Files of Lazarus: Fee or Favor” by Steffen Lettau

June 13th, 2041MODERN-AGE DOCTOR FRANKENSTEINWARNING! THIS PERSON IS STILL AT LARGE! IF APPROACHED BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE A DOCTOR, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AND NOTIFY AUTHORITIES! DO NOT ENGAGE! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND BY YOURSELF! HE IS WANTED FOR BLACKMAIL, COERCION, EXTORTION, AND SUSPICION OF MURDER!Harrold Lars Bonman, writer of Lazarus InsightThat was my article from five months ago. It was the most eye-catching headl...

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“Rilestone: A Day with Kit” by Steffen Lettau

He peeked around the corners of his bed. No one. He peeked around the corners of the closet. No one. He peeked around the entire room before peeking outside the door. No one. Where was Kit? Rilestone was a bit worried. He had sworn to his dad that he would not let Kit out of his sight, specifically anywhere around the house. They kept a r...

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“Painted Black” by Steffen Lettau

Construction took some urging but, given the curiosity spreading to the people, they pitched in however they could. Husbands and fathers gathered wood from the trees, creating the walls and the roof of the shack. Wives and mothers, including Lindia, gathered what they could for pitch as to keep the inside relatively warm. Children brought both sides food and water. Two days, and the shack itself was completed, with o...

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“Rilestone and the Narrating Angel” by Steffen Lettau

Rilestone Jian Silver had just woken up, shaking off the strange dreams of visions from his waking moments merged with images yet to be explored, but he has not gone to such places or times just yet. He blinked several times, tilting his head left and right as if a peculiar sound had caught his attention. He shook his head, stood up...and tilted his head again. His eyes, gifts from his father that could pierce the vei...

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“Painted Yellow” by Steffen Lettau

Amongst Tholan's friends, Trentil was the most excited for a "last hunt", albeit the most nervous. He actually came over to Tholan's home and, after knocking until Tholan answered in mild miffiness, Trentil invited him with a few other males for a personal hunt:"Tholan, friend, how are you?"Tholan inhaled, allowing the miffiness to dissipate. "Good.""Nice, nice, is Lindia home?""She is assisting Garrold; they're brainstorming for future festivities."...

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Author bio

Endure, and move forward.