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TC Cook

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (8)

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11 Followers

21 Following

8 Stories

159 karma pts

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When Max Met Maya

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #273

“Into the old warehouse on Skewer Road, find the hidden wall behind the first-floor office, then just keep going straight.” The note was written on one of my grocery list pad papers. The note was boldly positioned in the center with my various magnets pushed to the side. “I live alone. Who did this? Who wrote this? How did they get in my house?” The questions plagued me throughout the day, as I continued to wonder if my house was even safe or not. I could barely focus on work, but that made the day go by faster. One of my coworkers even aske...

9 likes

Sometimes, A Good Teacher is All You Need

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #257

The stage lights come down and focus on Tim Setty as he prepares to give Iago’s famous soliloquy from Othello, the part he had been dreading the most. The spotlights burn through him as a nervous sweat starts forming on his brow. His knees buckle and, in a flash, all of his next few lines leave his head. He scrambles and pauses trying to remember and blurt out anything. “And what’s he then…that says I play…the villain?When this advice…is free I give…and honest,Probal to thing… sorry to thinking…and indeed the courseTo win…” “Cut!” a strong ...

11 likes

Fateful Night in Akron

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #252

The moon is high, the crisp autumn air bracing as it meanders through the, now still, streets of Akron. No cars on the road, just the subtle sounds of wind whistling down the pavement, giving the street a very calming sense of undisturbed peacefulness. Most everyone has already turned in for the evening and drifted off to sleep, ready to resume their lives in the morning. Scattered bits of light spilled into the street from a few windows, indicating some night owls were still awake. The rain drying on asphalt from the recent drizzle formed a...

8 likes

Whispers During Free Period

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #250

“Nothing is coming out the way I want! I hear it in my head, and it sounds good, but then I write it out and it hits the ear wrong, or seems stupid, or overly wordy, or bad, just plain…” Ms. Kraznecky cut me off before I could spiral anymore, “…Hold on, Penny. Take a beat, where is all this coming from? Is this about the assignment?” She said gesturing me to the seat across from her desk. I sat down with an exaggerated sigh, “I just… I have all these ideas and scenarios in my head for wrwasing something fun or imaginative, but this prompt is...

9 likes

The Goals of Rivals

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #249

“Thank you for joining us here at Fultz Gardens for our championship match between Dani Ryder and William Armes, in what has been an incredible week of tennis. This year’s Milan Invitational has really brought out the best and the brightest from around the world. From everyone here at Fultz Garden my name is Travis Wellsly, joined as always by my humble companion Chip Falger, and Chip, what is the atmosphere like here on the main stage?” “Oh, Trav the air is positively electric as we are moments away from getting this match underway, and I g...

10 likes

Beauty in the Process

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #242

“The River Goddess in Sapphire. Beneath her sapphire veil, the river whispers secrets of timeless beauty. The painting that has taken the world by storm. It has captured the attention of every painter, art critic, and student of the fine arts and held it tightly in a vice grip for weeks now. Ever since its creation, people have lined up for days around the Aramondi Museum to catch a glimpse of the Goddess’. The newsboys are heralding it as a gift from the Gods, granted to humans so that they might bask in the light of true beauty in an ugly ...

7 likes

The Honest Portrait of a Family

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #239

 “Mom! Mom! It changed; I swear.” I said pointing to the family portrait hanging above our mantle in the sunroom. From the couch in the den, I heard an exasperated sigh, “Honey, we have been over this, so many times. Boy who cried wolf ring a bell?” she said with her usual dismissive tone. I ran to the kitchen and tugged at her sleeve, “No but look, it’s true! Come on! Please!” Reluctantly she agreed, putting down her phone and pulling her nest of blankets off of her, all the while groaning in annoyance. I continued pulling her, to make...

9 likes

The Long Walk Back

TC Cook

Submitted to Contest #238

The sweet scent of summer wafted through the tree line, showering the mountain with the fragrance of pine, and clearing out any remnants of the morning dew. The sun had fully risen but was still a few hours from its highest point. Warm enough to not need a heavy coat, but cold enough that the crisp chill of the wind rushing down the hillside would nip at any exposed skin. We got out of the car and Walker took a big inhale of the fresh air and said, “Perfect weather!”  We got out of my humble sedan and laced up our boots, strapped on our...

13 likes