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Weekly Contest #275
Sitting in the waiting room was nothing like I expected. Then again, I’m not sure what I had imagined. I had never experienced anything like this before. The room was bright, and the seating was comfortable, but it was stark. No pictures, no reading material, not even a clock. The sign over the entry door was marked “Waiting Room.” There was no reception area. The only other door was at the far end of the room. That door had a sign saying, “No Entry.” There was one more sign over the large mirror, and it d...
Weekly Contest #270
Arianna awoke about an hour before the alarm clock at her bedside had a chance to wail. She shut it off, no longer needing the buzzer. The dread that engulfed her the previous evening almost choked her now. She swallowed hard, and climbed out of bed. Moving robotically, she showered and dressed before heading down to the kitchen.It was impossible to avoid – the cause of all her angst. Still sitting on the table, the envelope addressed to her was disfigured with the words “FINAL NOTICE” in large red letters. She had i...
Weekly Contest #267
It’s funny, how life works with all its twists and turns, Lynn thought, sadly. I had so much more planned for us. Lynn gazed at her husband peacefully sleeping in the chair by her hospital bed and smiled. She knew he hadn’t slept much this last week, since her return to the hospital. He was there for her, as he had been these last three years. It had been rough, and she had fought valiantly with him by her side. Each time, after returning home, he had supported her, only to get punched in the gut in the months following....
Weekly Contest #265
This story references a kidnapping (of a sort).I was happy. Really. Life was good. In the age of innocence, I never had to worry about my next meal, or a roof over my head. I was carefree, spending my days enjoying what life had to offer, educating myself about the world around me, and having fun playing with my brothers and sisters.As I recall, my house was warm and cozy back then. I thought it was a safe place, never imagining any danger could infiltrate my sanctuary. Fear didn’t exist within those four walls. My siblin...
Weekly Contest #261
Nurse Gladys wheeled the cantankerous nonagenarian into the dining room of the Sunrise Assisted Living Center. She navigated through the maze of tables until she found a table with some residents that she thought wouldn’t mind sharing the table with him. Positioning his wheelchair in a one of the two spots left, she greeted the two ladies already seated there.“Good evening, ladies. How would you like some company for dinner?”“That’s fine, Gladys. Arthur is welcome to join us,” said the one named Ethyl. Miriam nodded in ag...
Weekly Contest #259
I wasn’t thinking straight, but I didn’t much care. I had been up all night and was beyond exhausted. My body craved for sleep as I boarded the early morning train. As much as my body yearned - no, ached - for slumber, I dared not give in to it. For then, yesterday would come back to haunt me. That was a nightmare I wasn’t willing to have, at least not yet. My muscles, my joints screamed at me, begging me to utilize one of the vacant seats. But I stood. Every bump on the train stabbed me in the back. Every ...
Weekly Contest #258
Eddie hobbled home after his morning walk. At ninety-nine, he struggled to get down the block, but most days he managed to go at least part of the way. Today, his body ached more than usual but he refused to let that stop him. As he arrived back at his house, Nurse Edna took his cane and helped him sit in the waiting wheelchair. That was their routine. A mid-morning walk down the block, only to be greeted with a wheelchair at the end. Nurse Edna watched every step he took, like he was a toddler. Eddie resented ...
Weekly Contest #257
Some references to incarceration, death and/or execution.Charity Chambers involuntarily shuddered as she walked toward the imposing edifice. She took a deep breath and forced her gait to be strong and steady as she approached the guard tower. With her head held high, she glared at the guard, her eyes piercing his, looking for any sign of life in his blank stare. He stood at attention, stoically acknowledging her presence as she scowled.“Here,” she said, her voice firm as she gave him her paperwork. The slight tremble of her hand wa...
Weekly Contest #247
Moirae:You have my attention. You have had it for years. But I defy you. I have freed myself from your bondage. Yet why do you keep singing to me? I refuse to hear the music you chant. You have no more power over me, vixens. I no longer fear the path you have devised for me.Clotho, you were the first to greet me with your malevolent plot. When I took my first breath, you took the last from my mother. My father told me it was fate. I knew it was you. My mother meant you no harm, but you had blackn...
Weekly Contest #245
<<->> Friday - JonesyJonesy had the weekend all planned out. He was leaving after work on Friday to go camping with the guys. He really wasn’t too thrilled about camping, but this was the first time they had included him, so he was reluctant to decline the invitation. Plus, the girls were coming to the campsite on Sunday morning. They were going to bring coffee and stay to watch the solar eclipse. Viewing was supposed to peak at noon on Sunday. Marylou would be there, he had heard. He would do almo...
Weekly Contest #242
It’s 6:30 pm and I am seated at the British Airways gate, anxious to hear my flight number being called. Dulles to London – I need to go “across the pond” as Gram would say. As usual, I had arrived early; boarding was not scheduled to begin for another hour. I would rather wait at the gate than deal with the stress of long security lines or other untold snafus.This time, though, my early arrival at the gate was not without trepidation. I was flying stand-by. It was the best I could do on such short notice. The ...
Weekly Contest #241
I screamed. With every ounce of my soul. It was the scream of someone being murdered. It was spine tingling and shook me to the core. But the scream was captured and hung in my throat. No one else heard a sound. But I swear. I was screaming. “Now, Catherine, dear, are you cold?” she asked. “My goodness, you are shaking. Here’s a little shawl. Put this around your shoulders.” She can’t fool me. Pretending to care. They are all alike. Well, I know how to play the game. I fake a shy smile as a way to...
Weekly Contest #240
It was hot, so very hot and muggy. I had my hair in a bun, which I never do, but it was too sticky against my shoulders. There was a faint breeze. I shivered momentarily, even in the oppressive heat. I could feel the hairs on the nape of my neck tingle as I walked down Main Street. The light breeze was welcome, but it was no relief. I passed the town square. Petrichor hung in the air, even though it hadn’t rained yet. An omen of things to come. I picked up my pace. The streets were empty. Ever...
Weekly Contest #239
Prompt: Write a story where a regular household item becomes sentient. (2578 Words) Title: AI Author: Linda Kenah Barry slowed as he turned onto his block. His face beamed as he pulled into the driveway, just as it had every day since they moved in three months ago. He and his wife were proud new homeowners. And what a home! After years of skimping and saving, he and Mary could now say they had achieved the American Dream. They both had good jobs, with six figure incomes. He kne...
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