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Douglas W. Carr

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2022

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35 Stories

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The Unnecessary Breath

Weekly Contest #349

The air no longer pushed back. It drifted instead. It was thin, inattentive, a remnant rather than a presence. It didn’t resist the body or welcome it. It simply failed to matter. Mara stood at the habitat’s access door and watched it move. It wasn’t wind, there wasn’t enough atmosphere that remained for that, but a suggestion of motion, dust lifting and settling without certainty. The horizon felt closer than it should have, almost like the planet had drawn inward over time. The sky was darker now, not with storm or night, but with absence...

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Hunting Panacea

Weekly Contest #332

I woke up at 5:20 a.m., ten minutes ahead of my designated alarm setting. It was dark and I lay for several minutes allowing my eyes to adjust and immediately started going over my list of preparations in my mind. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and reached for the light. I put on my first layer hunting gear and headed to the kitchen—carrying my meds. I took my meds standing by the coffee machine while it warmed up. I plopped in a caramel-vanilla pod and continued going over my list in my mind. I moved to the couch and began gath...

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A Simple and Complex Gesture

Weekly Contest #321

CW: Mental health struggles and threat of violence “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. It’s been a long time since we last spoke and I wanted the opportunity to make things right.”“I applaud you for reaching out and you’re right, it’s been almost a year since we last spoke.”“I consider us friends.”“Same.”“I think we would agree that our views and past disagreements are what caused our separation.”“Agreed.”“I wanted to find a neutral place we could meet and that would be quiet so we could talk.”“This place is fine.”“I would like to think...

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So Shineth the Light

Weekly Contest #282

“So, you want me to apologize because they come to our house and ruin my day? They just like to create drama. I’m certain they do it intentionally to ruin my day. I won’t do it, I won’t apologize.” “Jack,” Claire interjected. “What?” “We go through this every Christmas night. We sit here and have the same conversation.” “Yeah, I know, and it needs to stop – I’m not doing this again.” “You say that every year. Only you can correct this. You’re letting them ruin your day and by association ruining my day – our day.” “I need to get away. I mea...

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Jesus Yelled at Me

Weekly Contest #227

Earth orbits around the Sun at a speed of approximately 67,000 miles per hour (107,000 km/hr). At the same time, Earth spins on its axis at approximately 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/hr). All the while, Earth is bombarded by electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. Thankfully, the Earth produces a magnetic field – acting as a shield. Additionally, the galaxy is hurling through space and the universe at an estimated and mind-numbing speed of 1.3 million miles per hour, and seemingly randomly. I don’t know who’s driving this thing, but I...

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Yet to Come

In the fall of 1983, Warren was beginning his academic journey at the local college in his hometown. He was mostly quiet and shy and kept to himself, but he did have a few friends, not one of which would be attending the same college. Warren hadn’t a clue what discipline to study, but that wasn’t uncommon for most college freshman. He signed up for the most basic courses and those that would fulfill general requirements. The college was Christian affiliated and therefore a series of religion courses were required. He wasn’t too concerned a...

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Phantasmagoria

Weekly Contest #222

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Phantasmagoria is defined as 1) an exhibition of optical effects and illusions, 2) a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined – or a scene that constantly changes, 3) a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage. “Again, when I close my eyes, I see static – like very small particles moving quickly all around – and within seconds everything seems to shift, and random things just appear. They appear as if I were seeing them with my eyes open only not clea...

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The Taste of a Tear

Weekly Contest #218

“Mom, take hold of my hand, we’re going for a walk if you’re ready. I’m so glad you came with us. It’s just a short walk, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” “Why are your hands so dry and rough?” Mom said. “Are you drinking enough water and moisturizing?” “Mom, I’m fine,” Joanie replied. “Remember, let me guide you and take your time.” “I know, I know. I’m blind not stupid.” “Sorry, I’m just overly excited. Let’s go!” Joanie guided her mom to the elevator and down to the ground floor. They turned right and walked toward the main door, which...

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Vaya Con Dios

Weekly Contest #206

Diego – or Chico by his friends – hadn’t lived his best life and found himself mixed up with the wrong crowd ever since he’d moved to Las Vegas. He struggled finding work – or good work – and quickly ended up on the streets with a group of thirty-something vagrants and outlaws, but he called them friends. He had never gained status with said friends nor had he risen in the ranks. He was mostly reduced to driving everyone else around in a vehicle that he first had to steal. On a most recent occasion, Diego had been preparing to steal a vehi...

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Tap Tap Tap

Weekly Contest #196

My brother and I were hanging out at our favorite bar on Wednesday like we’d done for years. We loved sports and Wednesdays were our days to watch all sports being broadcast. My days of betting were long behind me, but I enjoyed following my brother’s bets and sharing in his success. We always sat at the bar so we could view the four screens behind and above the bar. I was drinking a top shelf bourbon with a beer and my brother was drinking a tequila like we always did, when he stood and shouted, “I won! Holy shit, I won!” “What? What did ...

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Salad Dressing

Samantha had just arrived home from work on Friday. It was about six thirty and she had just begun to contemplate what to have for dinner. She lived alone and didn’t feel much like going out, so she rummaged through the freezer and pulled out a bag of chicken nuggets. She emptied the bag on a cookie sheet and slid it into the oven. Then she placed a pan on the stove and filled it with a can of tomato soup.As she stood staring into the pan and stirring occasionally, she couldn’t help thinking about the discussion at work earlier in the day. S...

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Accidental Enema

Weekly Contest #193

It was another Thursday night at O’Sullivan’s Pub where Tom and Jerry had been meeting for about a year after becoming friends. Both lived in the same neighborhood, which was just a couple of miles away. The pub hosted two pool clubs – one on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. Tom and Jerry had just finished a successful round of eight-ball and were bringing the night to an end with one last pint while discussing how the night had played out. The previous week had ended with Jerry accidentally cracking the shaft of his pool cue and Tom had...

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Nozomi

Weekly Contest #191

David O’Meara was a successful advertising executive with a large marketing firm on the east coast. He was well liked by his colleagues and subordinates, but outside of work he had no social life. He never married, rarely dated, and had no children. Most everyone knew David kept to himself. In fact, outside of a few random encounters in the park with colleagues, he wasn’t seen.David lived a mostly moderate life and never did anything in excess. He lived in a modest apartment albeit it was in the best high-rise in the city. He ate in most of ...

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Friend of the Devil: The Irreverent Comedy

“Welcome to hell,” came a gnarly voice from behind – what looked like – a cavern wall. I stood fearful and naked. At first, I felt curious why I was naked. I mean, I was accustomed to weird and vivid dreams, but why was I naked? “You seem confused,” came the voice again. Wake up, man. Wake up. You know, in your room with clothes on and just steps from the river. Where the sun shone, and the marketplace was alive with vendors. Where the children – not mine – played some game with rocks on a grid they drew with a stick. Where the ground ...

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To the Heavens

I observed him leaving his house upon packing his hunting gear on an early Thursday morning in March. He had a five-hour drive to the hunting preserve and was filled with excitement and anxious to get there. During the drive, he went over his plan for that afternoon and the hunt that would take place once he arrived. He’d made the same trip last year and reminisced about his success. He also knew he’d be picking up his trophy from last year that had recently been completed by the taxidermist who worked at the preserve. His drive was unev...

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