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Katharine Johns

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2020

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87 Followers
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33 Stories

598 karma pts

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Light of Her Life

Jen’s six o'clock alarm broke through the early Monday morning dark. Starting most Mondays were hard after being able to start the previous two days rolling out of bed with the sun. Not to mention, the initial waking experience during the weekday wouldn’t be so difficult if daylight savings was permanently ended. The later sunrises were the only thing she didn’t like about the spring and summer seasons. But with a cat demanding breakfast and an obligation to work in ninety minutes, she hauled herself out of her covers. Over ninety minutes l...

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Stranger Angels

* If such a warning is preferred, the final scene of this story hints at a disaster like 9/11. The scene is brief, the details are light, but the premise is almost certainly evident. Dave often wondered what the possibility of entertaining angels unawares meant. Sure, he was friendly enough to all, but he also gave angels nearby plenty to do at times. He first heard the phrase in Sunday School as a kid around ten years old. That same evening he was hurrying home from the arcade, trying to meet his curfew. He jogged off the curb of a crossw...

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Hildie's Tea Party

Four-year-old Hildie Lewis would have a tea party this evening if it was the last thing she would do. She cheerfully hummed “Polly Put the Kettle On” while facilitating pandemonium in the kitchen.  Inspired by a friend’s tea party birthday earlier in the month, Hildie had been obsessed with the idea of them. Not many days since passed without her making some conversation about tea parties to anyone who would listen. They would be improvised into her bedtime stories if they didn’t already have one. “Polly” and “I’m a Little Teapot” becam...

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Scary Cat

Disclaimers: I hope this story is entertaining and humorous in the right ways. I’m a neurodivergent myself and have people close to me dealing with mental issues as well, so deliberate disrespect is far from my intention with this writing. To those with significant mental struggles, please know you are not alone and that help is available. You were in mind when I wrote the ending. For those who are closely associated with persons dealing with mental struggles, I hope they have your support and patience if they don’t already. It is much neede...

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Don't Forget This Joy

--dedicated to my own grandparents-- Maddie, eight years old As long as carsickness on the curvaceous route hillside routes to Edees Glen didn’t get the better of eight-year old Maddie, she was mesmerized by the vibrant hues and farmland stretches of teh southern Appalachian Mountains. In her mind, she could run all over the hills and fields without growing bored or even tired.  Pulling into a gravel driveway in front of a ranch-style dwelling where the grandparents started their retirement, other vehicles signifying everyone else in t...

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Play At Life

Ah! Emorydale! My thoughts cheered, reaching the city limits after my long trip. With me, I have a small suitcase with my name tag, Will...Watson...Wendell Hosle, and 800 currency. I’ve always wanted to live my own life and this is the perfect place to do so! I drink in the metropolitan scenery here as I think about what to do next. What should I do first to settle in?  Finding employment and a place to live would be smart things to do, but then again, exploring the city isn’t bad either, right? I notice several restaurants, shops, and ...

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Almost Heaven

Weekly Contest #253

*mild references to female puberty* The students of Chesterton Middle School all but clamored for the final bell of the school year. Seventh-graders Samantha, Alexis, Sydney, and Kayla congregated in the commons area while awaiting their dismissal. "This summer is going to be so dope, guys! We'll all be thirteen by next school year--actual teenagers!" Kayla exclaimed, "We could all shop at Sephora literally by ourselves then!" "Your birthday falls on the start of Grove Summer Nights Festival!" Alexis noted, "Will you have a party there?" "Ya...

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That One Thing

Weekly Contest #237

Daytime commenced on the faraway planet of Thars 74T. On this particular day, a Tharsian named Rugvart was set to be coupled with another. They were in the company of a Tharsian civil official and some family, but all that was missing was the one with whom they would couple. The other Tharsian needed that day was Bolorov, who was instead jetting fretfully towards planet Earth.  Bolorov always had a renegade streak about them, constantly bucking the laws and rituals of Thars 74T to venture to other planets and galaxies more than they s...

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Died of Dysentery

Weekly Contest #236

Thirty-nine-year-old Aaron sat in the minivan, waiting to pick up his ten-year-old son, Noah, from soccer practice. Facing the field, he watched the gaggle of preadolescents practice dribbles, passes, shoots, and an occasional trick shot from the head or chest--just to show off for each other, no doubt. They were an impressive bunch for their age, he’d give them that. Albeit, Aaron was always a more avid viewer of sports than an active participant. Athletics were never easy for him. Noah must get his propensity from either a recessive trait ...

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Mother's Diaries

Weekly Contest #233

Diary of Amy Matthews, age 14 Jan Dear Diary, I hope I don’t offend starting out like this but, this feels strange. I mean I’ve only heard of people keeping diaries. It seems like something so old though that I never imagined keeping one myself. My family is cleaning out my late grandmother’s house and I found in my mom’s “teenage things” this hardcover journal with shining monarch butterflies. On God, it screamed the Y2K vibe that’s so viral right now! Totally on fleek! I showed it to her, she remembers getting it but never wrote in it so...

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A Spy's Guardian Angel

Weekly Contest #195

Warning: PG/PG-13 content; brief, vague allusions to drinking, sex, and gun violence/activity; also a few religious references I watch over Wesley Portier, a secret agent for the CIA. The Creator certainly gifted him with many skills and strengths for the job, while his continued preservation is typically my handiwork. Where Jesus Christ could’ve called ten thousand angels while He hung on the cross, Wesley’s daily life feels like it could employ just as many sometimes but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else while he combats terror and cri...

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Generations

Weekly Contest #194

The Shaw’s always seemed to be on the cusp of technological breakthroughs and advances…Fall of 1903Mrs. Shaw rang the dinner bell to summon her family from their work around the farm. Harry, Ruthie, and Samuel emerged from various points, with their father on their heels. She reminded them to wash up and kissed her husband at the door before giving the lot another lookover.“Has anyone seen Charles recently?” She asked her children as they gathered at the table. They shook their heads. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw exchanged knowing looks, having a stron...

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ParalleLife

Weekly Contest #182

The Richards family--William, Teresa, and Jenny-- just moved to Verdant Valley. The neighborhood is just what they all wanted, a bustling small town of friendly people full of big opportunities where one could be anything they put their mind to: a breakout star, a superhero or supervillain, a high-ranking politician or businessperson, a master of many skills, a master money maker or even just a well-read, well-traveled or a faithful family person. After a couple of quick meals and refreshing themselves in their fully-furnished abode, The Ric...

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Imaginary Big Sister

Weekly Contest #182

“Meredith,” Her mother called through her daughter's closed bedroom door, “I have a meeting this morning and we're having company over this evening so I need some help around the house. Will you please change out the bathroom towels?” Meredith had to pause in the middle of getting dressed, take a deep breath in, and let it out as smoothly as she could. “...sure,” she answered, keeping her protestations to herself, and dutifully went about the task. She brought the dirty laundry downstairs and headed into the kitchen to have her breakfast...

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Black Cat Inc.

Weekly Contest #169

I sat perched on a garbage bin at dawn, minding my own business, when the garbage truck rolled up the street. “Ay, cat! Shoo!” a deep, male New Yorker accent boomed while kicking the bin, trying to upset my seat. I obliged. He needed to empty this receptacle and I had other places to be, anyways. Busy with his work, he gave me no other thought as I passed by him while crossing the street. He’d get food poisoning later. You would think more humans would express more gratitude towards us. Things were just fine until we started gettin...

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