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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2025
Submitted to Contest #326
Every show started with the same thing. Smiles. Laughter. Jovial looks on people’s faces. People enjoy the entertainment of the circus, the grand displays of danger and amusement. The daring volunteers and ferocious animals. It’s tense when people enter, anticipation floating through the dimly lit circus tent.The contortionists are twisting and dancing to quiet music while people chatter, watching, but not fully invested yet. The contortionists were just an attention-catcher. Not what everyone was actually there to see.The Ringmaster was who...
Submitted to Contest #325
The door slowly creaks open and I shine the flashlight around the room. Nothing but a pink set-up, a light blue vanity placed to the right of the closet, and white blankets. I’d shown up here at my sister’s house to make sure she was okay. She’s older than me, out of high school, so she lives a bit away from me and our parents. Abigail didn’t call me when she said she would and then she didn’t respond to my calls or texts. A quiet thud rings down the hall, stopping me in my tracks. At first, my fear makes me hesitate, but then it pushes me f...
Submitted to Contest #317
It was supposed to be a normal day. Just one. That's all I wanted. All I've ever asked for. But no. Something weird had to happen. Like every other damn day. It started out fine. I got up, went through my morning routine, and made my way to the police department. I've been a detective for seven years now. My main case is the Boston Butcher. A serial killer who's been at it for five years. As far as we know, he's had two victims a year. One woman and one man. Except three years ago, there was only one. A woman in her thirties. We never found ...
Submitted to Contest #313
There have been many missing people reported over the last few weeks. Twelve, to be exact. The last one was 3 days ago. A 21 year old man named Garnet Wells. Black hair, grey eyes, peachy skin. Height: 5 feet, 9¾ inches. Weight: unknown. He was last seen at the bar on 3rd street. Why do I know all of this? Because I’ve offered to help Detective Marralin with the case. I’ve had some experience with solving mysteries. My father was a police officer. He was also the investigator for his search team. And my mother was on a crime show for a littl...
Submitted to Contest #312
“Hello?” The word echoes through the empty abyss that surrounds my mind. That is my mind. That has always been my mind. The voice comes from myself. I've never heard a voice before. Not even my own. I've never heard a sound before. I guess there really is a first time for everything. I feel like I've been waiting forever for something to happen. Because nothing ever happens in a world like this. But something is changing. I can sense it. I can feel it. Wait…Feel? Since when could I feel? “Valeria?” A voice asks. A soft male voice. Somehow, I...
Submitted to Contest #309
“Tada! Snack time!” I announce as I set down a plate of fruits and three cups of tea. “Thanks, but we don’t have time to sit around and eat. This project is due in less than a week and we still have so much left to finish!” complains my friend, Tara. She’s very strict about grades and deadlines. Though, I can’t blame her. This grade is a really big one. But I’m too busy glaring at the other boy in the room, Zak Atkins. The new kid. He’s been nothing but a jerk to me since he’s gotten here. Making fun of my pale skin. My red eyes. My sketches...
Submitted to Contest #307
I thought this would be just a simple hangout session with my friend. I'd never imagined that I'd be walking out of here with police surrounding the place. ~~~ I brace myself and then knock on the door of my friend Maxwell's house. It's always crazy whenever I come over here. “Freddie! My man!” calls Max as he opens the door, a smile beaming on his face. “Hello, Max,” I say back calmly, returning the smile and stepping inside. I shut the door behind me and take off my shoes. “Mom! Freddie and I are going to my room!” he yells through the hou...
Submitted to Contest #305
At the intersection, I could go right and head home – but turning left would take me… To the state line. I’d never crossed it before. We’re not supposed to without permission from the governor. But maybe, just maybe it will get me somewhere. Hopefully that somewhere is not called prison. I think I’m going to take the chance. I’m sick and tired of being trapped in this place. We’re constantly monitored and kept in line. Right now is the first time that I have been out of reach of the surveillance system and I’d rather it stay that way. I anxi...
Submitted to Contest #303
I align my arrow with its target and pull back the string of the bow.If only Astro knew.If only he knew how much this decision hurt me.But I had no other choice. I don't want to die, true love or not. I'm a coward. I don't understand what he sees in me.Yet here I am, hesitating.Maybe I should just turn around and go back to the castle. Or perhaps I should just speak to him and ask him for help with my troubles.That won't do me any good though, would it?I take a deep breath and steady my hands, which have been shaking throughout this whole in...
Submitted to Contest #300
“Quiet down now, Ash,” I say softly to the grey tabby cat that is sitting at my feet and meowing.I am sitting in front of the vanity in my room, doing my hair for the day.“Is there something up with this mirror? Or am I going insane?” I ask suddenly, glancing behind me at the white bookcase in the corner.I swear it just changed colors. In the mirror it looked…black?I look back at the mirror and see that the bookcase is back to normal.If I mentioned this to my mother, she would call me crazy, but I know what I saw. It's the mirror. Not my eye...
Submitted to Contest #299
Silan Dubiu. That damn monster. Well, actually that's not saying much. We have the same job. He's positioned on the wrong side of my sniper. Like most of my victims. Though he won't be for long. I've got my finger on the trigger and once it's pulled, there won't be any more sight of him. I'll wipe that smirk right off his devilish face and replace it with mine. I aim again to shoot, but then realize he's not there anymore. How? I looked away for one second. Ah, screw this. If I stay here any longer, I'll get caught. Guess it's time to move ...
Submitted to Contest #298
I am standing on the balcony outside of the bedroom, picking the door's lock with a bobby pin. “C'mon,” I impatiently mutter under my breath, my movements becoming more frantic by the second. Just when I’m about to give up, the lock clicks and unlocks. I let out a sigh of relief and quietly push the glass doors open. I step into the room and glance around, taking in the luxury and obvious wealth. Then the thing I'm here for finally catches my eye. Well, maybe ‘person’ would be a better word than ‘thing’. I slowly approach him and look down o...
Submitted to Contest #297
It’s been about…three and a half hours since I became lost here. The trees have far past begun to seem more like my foes and less like my friends. Who knew I’d get lost in a forest? Oh yeah, my grandmother did. She told me not to come out here this late at night, but when else was I supposed to travel to pick up the blue rose? The most magical rose of all. It only blooms at midnight on a full moon and it only stays alive for an hour. After that, you have to wait a month. I’m impatient, though. I was not about to sit there and wait for my fat...
Submitted to Contest #296
We've been planning this for weeks. Everyone in the castle knows. Well, everyone but the Prince. And people are too scared to tell him. Even me. He'd tell his father. So, I'll just have to deal with him when the time comes. We're ready. Everything is in place. The time is set. The guards have been persuaded to our side. The King has been abandoned by everyone. Except for the prince. But, what is he going to do? Defeat almost a whole kingdom? ~~~ “Ready, ma'am?” asks one of the guards. “Yes, you?” I answer, my hand on the knife in my pocket a...
As I read the name, a hint of panic rises in the deep empty chasm where my heart should be. But I make sure to keep my face expressionless. You can't show emotion in front of Victor Donatelli. You could get killed for it.“So, are you up to it?” he asks with his normal cold voice, staring at me with that sharp gaze.“Of course I am. I always am,” I reply calmly, but also firmly. I return the look.“Good. Cause, you do know the consequences if you aren’t.” He taps his fingers right next to the knife laying on his desk.Keeping my eyes on his fing...
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