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Nana Lemon

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2023

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67 Followers
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59 Stories

847 karma pts

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The Hermit

My son’s small hand pulls me forward. The music from different booths are blending into each other. My legs are heavy but if I let go of his hand, he will disappear in the crowd. “Mom! There, I found it!” He points at a booth wedged between a waffle stand and a woodcarver. Despite the sweet vanilla scent dominating the area I make out a whiff of incense. I want to shake my head but I feel the old lady in the booth staring at me. Why does it always have to be old ladies? How about a young handsome man telling me about my fortune? Ethan plops ...

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The sweetest secret

My arm feels heavy when I push it towards the next aisle. Pasta and Sauces promises the sign over my head while I fight the urge to kick the right wheel of the shopping cart. The throbbing of my big toe is a reminder that there is now way I would win against the metal monster I have to maneuver through the narrow rows. Usually, I don’t have to deal with the shopping carts. The red plastic baskets, hanging as a light weight in the crook of my arm, are my usual companions. But today my only option is the cart. With every push I want to abandon...

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Dream House

Weekly Contest #373

The mask over his face made it difficult to breathe. The moist exhale lingered in Carl’s mouth and reminded him of the pandemic a few years back. His steps made a scrunching sound while following his friends. The sun hadn’t won against the clouds today and the living room they were currently walking through looked even more desolate bathed in the grey gloom. “What do you think? Isn’t this the perfect project?” Isabel turned around and locked eyes with him. Then quickly looked over to Fredric and Mabel. While the other two friends nodded quic...

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Red Rabbit

Weekly Contest #372

Woah! That’s green! Like a small green hill, the sofa stood in the middle of the room. For a second, the grinning face of a hobbit came into mind. Harvey suppressed a snort. Then his gaze was drawn to the light-yellow armchair next to it. The afternoon sun cast a golden ray on the fabric, making some of the threads shimmer golden. He even thought to smell a flowery scent in the office. “You may take a seat over there, Mr. Meddlon. Doctor Lambert is going to be there in a moment.” Harvey turned around, a polite smile plastered on his lips. He...

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Empty Box Seats

Weekly Contest #371

„Sit down! Sit down! It‘s gonna start soon!” “Don’t fret. You know Carl’s going to start when all are there. If nothing goes wrong.” A large hand patted curly blond hair. Audrey looked up with shining eyes. A wide smile made her young face look even younger as her dimples deepened. She shuffled a few times in her cushioned seat before resting her hand against the worn red velvet. “I’m just so excited, Matthew.” The man chuckled and nodded gently. So far, only two of the seats in the former opera house turned movie theater were occupied. The ...

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Delphi

Friday afternoon I skip through the channels. It’s four in total. Despite the language barrier I have almost figured it out. One channel shows the news, the other one reruns of old US-soaps of the 70s, a shopping channel and the last one is a mystery. Sometimes there is a test screen. Other times there are variety shows. The artificial leather of the couch is cracked and I try to shift my weight, so I don’t move the additional blanket the owner gave me. At least I think it’s the owner of the hotel. This one I wasn’t able to figure out. The l...

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The First Jump

„I can’t wrap my head around it.” “Around what?” “Time travel. I just don’t understand it.” “What’s there not to understand?” “I mean. If you are you. And then you leave your timeline. You jump ahead. You have no recollection of what you did in the time in-between. And how could you ever go back to your old timeline? What would happen to all …?” “You’re giving it too much thought! It’s just a movie. And Joseph Gordeon-Levitt is kinda cute, isn’t he?” Melissa gave a half-nod, staring at the credits of the movie. I prefer Bruce Willis though. ...

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Zauberling

The lights were already switched off when the elevator doors opened. With a forceful push the cleaning trolley mastered the gaps in the floor. Just as the young woman stepped out as well, the doors closed, almost catching the back of her grey overcoat. The emergency light illuminated the empty corridor enough for Pearl to avoid the benches and few of the potted plants. She slowed down. Wouldn’t be wise to break something now. Suddenly, some music travelled her way. Followed by a cacophony of giggles. Rather cackles. With a small grunt the yo...

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Mixing it up

With a sign Finn wiped up the condensation stain on the counter. With a casual flick of his wrist, he threw the damp paper towel ball toward the dustbin under the counter. The ball hit the back rim. It bounced off. The quick movement of his right hand was still too slow, and the paper towel landed on the floor. With another sigh, the middle-aged man looked around. There were four teenagers in the front of the shop. His part-time worker was nowhere to be seen. Rubbing his right thumb and middle finger a few times, he finally snipped and the t...

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Burning Sun

Branches snapped. Blades were swung. Boots pounded over the forest floor. Harsh breathing was followed by angry shouts. We can’t be caught. Meralda’s lips moved. No words were audible. A blue orb formed in the girl’s palm. With one wide movement the spell engulfed the running feet like fog. “Woah!” Polina shot her a smile. The other just grunted. Pushed by the spell, they sped up. Meralda ignored the branches slapping her arms and legs. The shouts following them grew fainter. Polina and Sila slowed down slightly. “Push on!” Ingrid’s voice ma...

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Yearning

Weekly Contest #363

Grey. My feet curl in the wet sand while my gaze grazes the waves in front of me. Just like the sea the sky is grey. Darker though. Clouds are hanging dangerously low. They look heavy. Ready to burst. At the horizon the dark grey melts into the muddy grey. Infinite ocean or infinite sky? My trousers are folded just below my knees. The waves lick my lower calves. In response I lick my lips. Once. Twice. The salty taste is familiar. The taste of seaweed and mud stirs a memory. I close my eyes and concentrate. Darkness. I open my eyes. My heart...

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Fire Rain

Weekly Contest #363

A faint rumbling echoed in the castle’s corridor. The earthen keg hit the floor. Shards flew in all directions. Melissa stared at the mess on the floor. Just for a moment she followed the red liquid spreading over the tiles, like long spindly fingers grabbing everything in their way. Trying to reach her as well. Then she saw her distorted reflection. She flinched. “What was that?” The shout made the girl set into motion. She crouched quickly. Pain travelled up her knees. With shaking fingers she collected the smaller shards, placing them in ...

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Shifting Focus

Weekly Contest #362

The sun is sinking slowly. Its golden rays break through the dense leaves of the walnut tree. I can see a myriad of green husks. Some branches hang lower than usual. “Can you move a bit?” My sister-in-law approaches me and I step aside mumbling an apology. She balances the tray with plates, cutlery and glasses. With glasses clinking against each other, she places the tray on the table. There is now a crease in the tablecloth and my fingers itch to pull the fabric. “Sam, go inside and help your brother to prepare the salad.” I turn around. My...

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Between the Pages

Weekly Contest #361

His hands in the soapy dishwater Simon scrubbed vigorously. Water splashed on his T-shirt and face. One single tiny bubble emerged from the sink. It floated upwards. It lingered for a second. Then it popped in front of his face, leaving a soapy taste on his lips. “Stop joking around. Make sure the dishes are clean.” Simon didn’t turn his head to look at his father. Instead, his fingers squeezed the sponge that it completely disappeared. The ruff side pressing in his palm, while lukewarm water covered his lower arms. Stupid, shitty chores. Sl...

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Five more minutes, please!

Weekly Contest #360

The rustling of paper surrounds me. The smell of eraser dust mixes with it. I stare at the paper in front of me. There is movement next to me, but I don’t dare to turn my head. Don’t draw attention. I focus on the paper again. The white of the paper hurts my eyes. It’s almost as if it was reflecting the ceiling lights. The thin blue lines blur. I blink. Several times. The lines don’t sharpen. My fingers wrap around the pencil. My only lifeline. My eyes water. I exhale. Then I close them. The burning sensation eases slightly. The scratching s...

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