Taylor Arbuckle

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (5)

5 Stories

127 karma pts

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“When the Ash Settles” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #55

Years ago, Edmund was told, passersby would nod to police in the streets. Sometimes wave, or smile. Sometimes, the police would even wave back.Now, uniformed men, carrying heavy automatic weapons and strapped to the teeth in bullet-proof armor, don't even look at Edmund as he shuffles past. Instinct had him tucking his chin into the upturned collar of his jacket long before they got close, and he’s suddenly glad for the unforgiving chill of winter for relinquishing him from suspicion.Winter falls brisker than it did before the Shutdown, the ...

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“At The Bottom of a Bottle (Or, A Can of Beer)” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #53

“—And so I told Little Rock, I’s like, ‘Son, are you blind or just plain stupid? That ain’t no puppy you done snatched up off the road; that’s a goddamn raccoon!’”Shane circles the lip of his beer with his fingertip as Patch-holder Ma fills the sweltering air with her raucous laughter. Forty years of smoking has given her voice an almost stifling rasp, and her laugh is more hacking than anything, but no one pays it any mind. Ma could have one of those scary smoker’s tubes in her throat and the club wouldn’t treat her any different. Most they...

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“On Top of This Ending Tune” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #51

A memory surfaces.A grassy clearing full of sun-drenched flowers, early afternoon light casting heart-shaped shadows through the high canopy. Hands as warm and rough as his own. A vibrant smile he could never forget; a laugh that could shake the trees.Raph was a child in this memory, a mere eleven years of age. He stands in that same clearing, now, a man of almost twenty-four, and feels like an entirely different person.It's been ten years since he last saw the boy he once spent so many afternoons here with, ten years since he was even able ...

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“Search and You'll Find” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #51

“Lec, you can’t keep doing this.”Alec digs his fingertips into his brow, barely managing to keep his breathing regular. “Dad, I’m not crazy. I’m not. I actually found something this time, okay? If you would just listen, for once—”“I’ve been listening for years, Alec,” his father hisses under his breath like he does when he doesn’t want anyone in his office to know who he’s talking to. Alec presses the phone closer to his ear and grits his teeth. “Every single time you call me, you think you finally found it, but you have nothing to show for ...

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“A New Set of Stars” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #50

The sun was up when Julian closed his eyes.When he opens them, the light around him is a glossy shade of blue like he’s underwater and there’s sunlight all around. And, yet, he hasn’t moved.The treehouse stands, still, where it always has. The same yellow bean bag rests, full of holes and covered in crayon stains, near the window. Tacked to the wood are the same old posters from various video games and musical groups he enjoyed when he was still small enough to fit comfortably in this place. Their coloring is a bit off, as everything is tint...

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Author bio

21 | Gemini (Sun) | Reedsy Contest Judge! Lifelong writer and aspiring editor that is just slightly out of touch and looking to get back into practice.