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Steven Bari

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2024

Stories (5)

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1 Followers

2 Following

5 Stories

29 karma pts

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This Lady Drives like a Man

Steven Bari

Submitted to Contest #302

Did you know old wood is really sharp? Neither did I, until my cheek was gored on the side of a boat. Picture it: Sicily, 1987. I was six years old, playing tag or some Italian variant. It was evening, sometime after dinner during our "passagiata" or walk-after-dinner. My mom sat on a bench along the water, talking to her friends, while I chased the trajectories of little Italian children, with whom I couldn't communicate. What was rules of this game? Was this even a game? Boh, che ne saccio.I ran up and down the cobblestone street in the li...

7 likes

The Gray Citadel Approaches

Steven Bari

The parsecs of grass fluttered against the winds, as it rolled over the hills. Along the river Auer, the waters crashed along the banks in waves, dredging and tearing the earth into the rough, watery deep. The sky watched over, solid baby blue, and remained calm. This was an ill omen, thought the mystic."We must run."The young protege lifted his attention from his training scroll. "Master, what is--""RUN!" bellowed the mystic as his legs pulled him toward the cave opening he called his temple. The protege rose from his knoll and followed his...

0 likes

Interrogation in Joliet

Steven Bari

Submitted to Contest #280

Content warning: Strong language and themes or references to violence, genocide, and death."You do know you're the clone, don't you?".....""Dr Malloy? did you hear wh--""I heard. and I know.""Oh. Well, that moves the conversation forward! With that settled, do you know where the real Malloy is?""No.""Sorry?""No. I don't know where he is.""...I don't think you understand what I am asking.""Then try asking the question you want to ask! Or untie me, and maybe induce some goodwill.""...It is my understanding that all of Dr Malloy's clones were ...

2 likes

I thought Torture was Illegal: My time in front of the Community Board

Steven Bari

Even with a negroni in my hand, I was not prepared to deal with Community Board 22A. Via Zoom, I watched as a group of thirty people I never met before take turns whipping personal insults at me. Mean, hurtful things. Wild crazy conspiracies. And one guy who outright called me a failure.Tried to apologize and contextualize their assertions, even the flat the falsehoods. But, by the end, three hours later, I was a defensive ball of wrathful anger.I don't when I stopped drinking that night, but I know when it started.At around 6:30pm, I opened...

0 likes

Midnight Rendezvous

Steven Bari

Sabine turned to the loud noise at the window behind her sofa.Bonk!Peering over the back of the Ethan Allen leather love seat, she gazed out through the single pane of glass. Outside was a bucolic evening along the urban cul-de-sac. Wind bristled the resilient leaves on the trees and no one was on standing fallen along the pavement.There was no one outside. No one near her third story window.Sabine returned her book and some semblance of peace.But as she focused on the words printed before her, thoughts of blurred across letters, making them...

0 likes