Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Emily M. Reiser

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2024

Stories
Comments
Library
7 Followers
2 Following

10 Stories

155 karma pts

?

Condolences

Weekly Contest #335

The weather could have been better. In movies, funerals are held in the pouring rain where the tears and raindrops fall as one. The scene instantly becomes more dramatic and provoking.That’s not the case here.We all waited in the cold room. The beginnings of a blizzard swirling in the air outside. That might be why so few people showed up. Besides me, six other people occupy the funeral home. Although I wouldn't be surprised if many couldn't be bothered to fill their own precious time on this Earth with watching the end of another person's.N...

4 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Settling In

Weekly Contest #325

“Did you leave the light on?”Wendy lifted her head out of the box of dish-ware. “Which light?”“In the garage,” Leo replied.“Yeah, I was stacking some of the boxes that don’t need to be unpacked right away. I got a little overwhelmed seeing nothing but cardboard in our living room.”Leo shrugged. “Moving in is a process.” Wendy appreciated his level tone even though it wasn’t a full twenty-four hours since he almost had a panic attack when he thought the movers forgot to load his collection of license plates. He almost had all fifty states, he...

4 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Greener Pastures

Weekly Contest #292

If Jade were a little braver, this town would be nothing to her than a hazy memory.  Her mother used to tell Jade to relish in the quaint living that could only be found in special places like Inder. What her mother failed to mention was that it couldn’t be overstated how boring the simple life was.  Jade knew all along, of course. That’s why she always dreamt of leaving Inder with no intention of venturing back across the town line. But she got older. The responsibilities mounted onto her shoulders. First, taking care of her sick ...

4 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Coming Together

Weekly Contest #283

Helene had trouble connecting to the joy that many were convinced possessed them during the holiday season. It was one of the many reasons she rejected the idea of attending any festive gathering. She had not celebrated a single holiday in ten years. A tradition she was proud to continue. Mostly, because it had become less of a tradition and more as a method of self-preservation. Her methods of crafting her best personas could come under scrutiny if she caught the attention of the wrong party guest. Unlike other events she crashed, she would...

3 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

One Day at a Time in Bellewood

Weekly Contest #252

It will not be like last time.  I am in control.  After moving to the quaint town of Bellewood I learned that they only have one coffee shop: Prairie Java. It isn’t even good. But the owners must be familiar with the idea that beggars can’t be choosers. We take what we can get.  I’ve been here two months and I’ve already become an avid regular at this establishment. In that time I’ve only seen two baristas at work here, Emma and Lori.  Emma is a recent high school graduate who will attend a cosmetology school in Septembe...

4 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

It's the Little Things

Weekly Contest #246

Over the years I’ve learned to be careful. I am good at what I do and I cover my tracks. I pull off my jobs and I take special care to not draw too much attention to myself.  But eventually, despite all the planning and the caution, there comes a time when you need somebody to do you a favor. The caveat being that you then owe them one in return. Being in somebody’s debt creates an itch under my skin that never goes away until I can look them in the eyes and shake their hand.  I am not necessarily a woman of my word, but I know the...

7 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

What Happened to Riley White?

Weekly Contest #236

I was intrigued when I found the dusty computer in the attic. My parents claimed they had never laid eyes on it. I brought it back to my room, wondering what a mysterious computer was doing in our house.  After plugging it in, the screen lit up right away. The background remained black with words trickling across the screen. The same word in green filled the entire screen in seconds. Adams. It took a quick internet search on my phone to pull up a few people with the last name Adams that lived in town. Curiosity fully engulfed me as I...

6 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

Home

Weekly Contest #235

“Lizzie, you have to go.” Lizzie shook her head, grasping Nina’s hand tighter. “I can’t leave you. Not after everything.” The color was draining from Nina’s face but she managed a faint smile, coughing up blood right after the act. “We did what we set out to do. Now you have to get out of here before they come back.” Nina’s right hand fumbled its way to her pocket. It emerged with a large coin that had a sun sketched on both sides. “Take this. Find the others who believe in our cause.” Lizzie slowly pulled the coin out of Nina’s fingert...

8 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

Fairytale

Weekly Contest #233

The frigid wind whipped through Halle’s hair as she wrapped her arms around her chest. She was still three blocks away from her apartment. It was getting late so there were not a lot of places for her to duck in and warm up for a few minutes.  A few buildings ahead Halle watched as three girls strolled out onto the sidewalk, hugging each other and giggling so loud it echoed off the concrete. Halle looked above them. FAIRYTALE it read in a loopy font on the sign that hung above the door.  As Halle got closer one of the girls with...

3 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

Six Resolutions

Weekly Contest #231

Mia’s calves were burning as she approached her third mile on the treadmill. She had always told herself she needed to put her gym membership to use but it wasn’t until the past few months that she felt motivated enough to go. She spent too long behind a desk and it was starting to get the better of her. Now she had a purpose. The rest of the 24/7 workout center was empty. Mia had her pick of treadmills and she chose the one positioned right in front of the clock on the wall. 11:59 Mia forgot about the pain building in her muscles as she ...

6 likes 0 comments 0
Read story