Tom D

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2021

Stories (7)

7 Stories

234 karma pts

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“Thank You Note” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #261

Content warning: Contains references to violence.I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. About how to express my gratitude to you. You see, it’s really quite the puzzle. You’ve done so much for me and I don’t know how best I can thank you for it. But I’m determined to try.This morning started like any other. It started in a greasy spoon. As I perused the breakfast buffet, loading up my plate with sausage and scrambled eggs, I glanced up at the television screen set in the wall. The news was on, and it was the same old story - bombs fallin...

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“The Bench” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #260

It was late summer when you came to the bench. I was sat reading a book - I don’t know which - while listening to the lazy hum of the bees dipping in and out of the scented wildflowers, a gentle breeze playing on my skin. I didn’t hear you coming; I looked up, and there you were. “Hello, Alice,” I said. “Jacob.” You smiled back at me, settled down beside me. “I’ve missed you.”“I’ve missed you too,” I said, returning the smile. There was a pause. My smile gave way to a slight frown. “It’s been too long. I thought…I thought you may n...

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“The Narcissus” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #101

He stands, frowning, looking into the mirror on his bedroom wall. A stranger looks back at him from under strong black brows. He is handsome, undeniably - his jawline is square, his features chiseled. His prominent chin is studded with two days’ stubble and his thick hair is swept up above his angular forehead. Robert reaches out and presses the touchscreen panel on the side of the mirror. A pleasing note sounds from the invisible in-built speaker and, before Robert’s eyes, a short boxed beard appears on the stranger’s face, accentuatin...

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“Anna and the Ogre” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #100

Dusk, and he is hungry. Anna stumbles into the vast, cavernous kitchen, staggering under the weight of the two wooden pails she carries. Water sloshes from them onto the broad flagstones and runs in rivulets along the floor. Setting one down, she hefts the other between her tiny arms and, clambering onto a stool, reaches up to tip its contents into the iron cauldron which hangs above the open fire. Steam spurts up, hissing like a viper. Anna jumps, startled. That part always startles her. Gathering her strength, Anna heaves the second p...

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“The Midsummer Tree” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: murder Midsummer, and the sun was dipping behind the broad-leafed beeches, staining their crowns with crimson. Up on the downs, shadow was mantling the recumbent fields and shrouding the hedgerows and thickets in night’s cool embrace. From somewhere in a hawthorn tree, a blackbird shaped smooth, rich notes into twilight melodies.    From his bedroom window, Peter watched the sunset in silent anticipation. One of the longest days of the year was drawing to its close and his wait was almost over. He glanced over at the torch on h...

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“The Time Exile” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #98

Bernard had never been born, to begin with. Or, rather, he had - just not yet.It would be another hundred years before Bernard’s birth - on 9 January 1987 in the maternity ward of an unremarkable Kent hospital - and he would not be around to see it. By 9 January 1987, Bernard would be long dead.Bernard could never go home.Bernard would never again sip a Pumpkin Spice Latte in his local Starbucks. Bernard would never again order headphones for next day delivery from Amazon. Bernard would never again email, nor download, nor stream, nor channe...

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“The Window” by Tom D

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #97

Drip. Drop.  Drip. Drop. Derek sighed heavily as he watched the rain roll slowly down the window pane. Outside, dark shadows of passers-by hurried across the street, clutching their coats close around their bodies in a vain attempt to keep out the bitter November wind. Empty crisp packets swirled and circled, higher then lower, before collecting with used cigarette butts and sweet wrappers in the gutters. A black crow hopped shabbily on the damp paving slabs, calling out dismally. Derek pulled his own cardigan tighter to his thin,...

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Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #97
The Window – read story