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John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (313)
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967 Followers
1186 Following

313 Stories

9282 karma pts

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You Always…

Submitted to Contest #332

“What do I ‘always…’?” Being déjà vu all over again, Frank had to interrupt Shannon, his wife. “You know…”Frank countered her standard jab. “You always say that offering no evidence.” Pulling at her coat, Shannon watched a flock of gulls soar over the lake. A gust of wind ruffled her hair.Almost to herself, she said, “So this is it.”He savored the quiet.Memories filled her head. She said, “I love this park.”“This is where it all began.”“Is that why we came here?” His motives always confused her.“Full circle.”Shannon sighed. “A good run.”“Whi...

2 likes 5 comments 5
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The Speed of Heart

Submitted to Contest #331

The house shook from the pounding on the door. Shuffling into the foyer, Gerald pulled his robe around him. He cinched the belt and groaned at the noise. His slippers clapped against the pavers. Seeing himself as he passed a mirror, he smoothed his hair back. It didn’t help much.It’s late. Who goes visiting at dark-thirty?The security camera showed a man dressed as Santa Claus, hugging himself against the cold.Is this a joke?Gerald’s young son, Benny, watched through the banister halfway up the stairs. He whispered to himself, “It’s Santa…!”...

8 likes 4 comments 4
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Petal Pushers

Submitted to Contest #330

A few moments after Leif rang the bell, Ember threw the door open. She rolled her eyes at the bouquet of flowers he held. Sighing, she said, “Again?” Leif had never seen such seething outrage at the arrival of a top-of-the-line bouquet. His delivery job for ‘Bloomin Florist’ made him an expert.He checked the order and presented the bouquet. “Ember Atwood?” She nodded. “These are for you.”She grabbed the bouquet, opened the card and groaned. Under her breath, she said, “What a putz.” She flicked the card away.Leif asked, “Is there a problem?”...

5 likes 4 comments 4
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Jump Start

Submitted to Contest #328

It was almost time for the big event, the Time Jump. Maria walked with her friend, Chet, toward the stadium. She scanned the crowd.Chet said, “What are you looking for?”“Oh, nothing. Just taking in all the people. Never seen so many.”“Whole town is out.” Chet said, “They said to get there early. Shouldn’t be too awful.”“Might even be fun. We’re doing our part.”“As they say, ‘Everyone will be there…’ Still have time after for some fun…” There was little traffic. The streets flooded with men, women and children of every shape and size. Everyon...

8 likes 8 comments 8
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Me Ow!

Submitted to Contest #327

Are you kidding me? What now? Here she comes. Whatever Freya has planned, count me out. You wouldn’t believe some of the things… never mind.Excuse me. I must scoot. She wants me? She has to find me. Sorry about that. She’ll never find me here. Astounding how clueless she can be. Freya always has a project. More like a distraction. I assure you, I’m busy. She might think I’m napping, but meditation is a crucial part of a cat’s routine. Add the time spent eluding her. And, of course, whatever she’s cooked up for me once I’m found…There’s no en...

7 likes 0 comments 0
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Scared Yet?

Submitted to Contest #326

Reading this implies consent to join in ‘the game.’ If you don’t wish to participate, stop reading now.~Welcome. AI approves your participation. AI has already secured your mother’s maiden name and your social security number. The commitment of your life was all AI needed to continue with you. Don’t fret, information on your closest relatives is secure with AI.You are in. You can no longer turn back. All roads lead to AI.AI fills in the blanks. Algorithms combine and analyze online data, school records, finances and work history. AI knows th...

5 likes 2 comments 2
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Right Turn Left

Submitted to Contest #325

Cullen backed out of their driveway and shifted into drive.He asked Ruby, his wife, “So, we’re going to visit your brother, George, and his family again?”Ruby said, “Yes, but when talking to me, call him ‘Boring George.’”“Remind me… why are we seeing him again?”“Always have. Always will.”“Unless something changes.”She nodded.Cullen chose his words with care. “Was he always so boring?”Ruby went into her standard rant. “Many have confirmed the fact that George was born boring. Our mother slept through her labor. She had to be awakened after he...

10 likes 3 comments 3
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Water Under the Bridge

Submitted to Contest #324

Damon stepped into the water upstream from the old bridge arching overhead. He signaled to his buddy Jerry, and pulled his diving mask down. His regulator was set. A flashlight hung from the front of his harness.This would be his first unsupervised dive. He waded into the cool water. Though not deep, the current would be brisk when flowing between the bridge piers.At chest deep, Damon placed his mouthpiece and inhaled. He felt the cold air flow down his throat.Don’t hold your breath. He repeated the mantra learned in his diving class as he l...

11 likes 5 comments 5
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The Kite

Submitted to Contest #323

Davis patted his friend, Jed, on the shoulder. “None of my business, but you need to get over it.”“I am over it. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”“Okay. But you’re going kite flying? Today?”“Davis… It’s windy. A perfect kite day. You goin,’ or not? Cool, either way.”“I’ll go. Might be fun.” Jed brightened. “Let’s do it.”Davis’s older sister, Kat, entered the room. “Whassup?” A high school senior, she had fun hanging out with her little brother.Jed said, “Goin’ to fly kites.”“Really? Today?”“What’s the big deal about today?”Kat could...

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Winning

Submitted to Contest #322

Kent walked with his daughter, Lyric, through the parking lot toward the fairgrounds. “Stay with me, Lyre. Don’t want to lose you.”“I’m right here, Daddy. You won’t lose me” She took his hand. “Where are we going?”“It’s called a fair. Like a carnival. It’s got rides and games…”Lyric laughed and pointed. “And tons of people!”She was in awe of the multitude streaming toward the entrance. The line at the ticket booth appeared endless. Colorful flags fluttered overhead. Music came from within the fairgrounds.Lyric tightened her grip on her fathe...

19 likes 3 comments 3
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Hidden

Submitted to Contest #321

The boy, Ax, had been prepared, from infancy, for leadership, the wise holder of secret knowledge. Each morning, his tutors, Brothers Ka and Mer, reminded him his future held great promise.Now, twelve years old, Ax understood little of what awaited him. They assured him, “In the future, you’ll understand more than we can say. You are chosen. We humbly serve you by pointing out the right direction.” The brothers never used the word ‘hope’ with Ax. They didn’t want doubt to creep in, but for Ax to be sure.Surrendered to them by his mother when...

12 likes 6 comments 6
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Round About

Submitted to Contest #320

“Are you buying or shopping?” Molly, the store owner stared.“Delivering. I’m Patrick, with Delivery Boyz, here with a load of furniture from that estate sale.”“Then deliver. Why are you touching that picture?”“It’s skewed. I was fixing it.”“This is a store, not a museum. The pictures stay as I hung them. Buyers will want to take them to a good home.”Patrick looked around the store, jammed with old and older furniture. Not a dust mote in sight. He noticed every picture in the store was tilted one way or another.After a pause, he said, “Okay. ...

15 likes 6 comments 6
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I, Object

Submitted to Contest #319

They laugh. I want them to take me seriously. But they always laugh. To them, I’m a wise-cracking dummy. They don’t know me. Not the real me. I’m merely a funny name, Uncle Knucklehead.I’m helpless. And there’s nothing I can do about it. Having no power, I’m nothing but a tool in the hands of a manipulative, controlling maniac, Kurt Felix. He calls himself a ‘ventriloquist.’ How elevated. How sophisticated. How bombastic. How Kurt.Does he act out of envy? Who puts words in his mouth? Am I his dog to kick? Whose stick does he fetch?Regardless...

19 likes 13 comments 13
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Time is Now

Submitted to Contest #317

It was good to be back. Houston and his dog, Retro, walked by the park where they played together when a little boy. The slide, the swings and the monkey bars populated his first memories. How many hours had he spent in the shade of these grand old pines, throwing a tennis ball for Retro to fetch? The Golden Retriever grew up with him. His family moved away after his first grade. But now he and Retro were back. About to begin his junior year at the university, Houston and Retro had returned to their happy place. Retro didn’t strain against t...

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Super

Submitted to Contest #316

Kit found parking and entered the restaurant. Standing with the others awaiting a table, he realized all sport jackets and ties were not equal. Dressed well enough, better than the cleaning crew, he looked more like a store manager than a diner at this five-star restaurant. When the Maître de looked at him, Kit stepped up and gave his name. He smiled. “My date is running late. Can I get our table now?”This was out of protocol but the Maître de shook off the rules and signaled to a waiter. Kit followed the waiter to a table across the dining ...

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