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Nana Lemon

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2023

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66 Followers
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57 Stories

826 karma pts

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My Friend Vincent

Weekly Contest #357

Despite all those years in the industry, Pedro had to fight back the sour taste in his mouth. The sweet smell of decay lingered in the air. It mixed with the stench of stale fryer oil.Don’t breathe in too deeply. Check and leave.“Ah, Mr. Gonzales?”Pedro turned around to look at a short, stout man whose face almost disappeared behind a bushy beard. In contrast, his bald head was as shiny as the greasy countertops.“It’s Pedro Vargas. I’m taking over for Mr. Gonzales.”Lifting his ID as health inspector, Pedro always felt pride followed by cring...

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Can't you hear the ticking noise?

Only slowly Lejan’s eyes got used to the dim light breaking the darkness around him. The lantern was in his master’s hand, giving Lejan only a small cone of light to work with. Lord Taran moved his chin curtly and started walking without further explanation. The servant tried to follow him as quietly as possible. The wet stones under his feet drew more of his attention than he wanted. Each step felt like he might slip. The darkness wasn’t absolute, but Lejan felt it even hugging his mind.Why the sewers? Aren’t you a lord? A carriage wasn’t a...

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Joss paper and jade

Weekly Contest #356

The rows of washed-out pink chairs were mostly occupied. The hot humid air filled with traces of incense, burned paper and disinfectant. Ghost Month didn’t make it easier to breathe during the hottest time of the year.Mary’s eyes scanned the chairs and discovered an empty seat. The carrier straps rubbed against her sweaty skin with every step she took. Passing the rows of coughing and sneezing people, the bundle pressed against her chest started to stir. Her hand patted the back of the carrier. Her steps changed into a slight bouncing moveme...

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With rosemary and rue

Weekly Contest #356

Dearest Laura,It was so lovely to see you again. And your party was great! I haven’t had so much fun for ages. You know with the kids and Martin … but that’s not what I want to write about … no whining.How’s the renovation going along? It already looked so cozy. I always loved your visions. Send me some photos as soon as you are done, will you?-----The letter has been lying around for a week. Simon interrupted me. Then Sophie was sick. Martin I think I won’t be able to write more any time soon. Sorry.I hope to hear from you, nevertheless.Lot...

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Whipped Cream and Lava

Weekly Contest #355

Volcano eruptions are one of the most fascinating events in nature. Dangerous, for sure, but in their wake new life will flourish. This being said, they are not tied to any specific time of the year. So, it is wise to always be prepared and look for signs of an impending catastrophe.While volcanoes don’t care about schedules, Corinna’s sole focus is the moving hands of the clock. Half stiff cream drips off the hook when she puts down the hand mixer. She sighs. There are specks of white on the red apron, covering her light-colored sundress. S...

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Arrivals

Scooter’s Nessaja is blaring out of the boxes. The white tiled basement is stuffy. It smells like Axe® body spray and sweat. The condensation drips off the wall and leaves tiny puddles in the corners of the room.Nobody cares. Everyone jumps up and down. Fists are going up, pounding with the rhythm. More jumping. Giggles and shouts. Faces are sunburnt from the last days on the ski hill. The energy levels are high. The song switches to Nothing else matters. Hands are dropped. Feet shuffle and a few students decide to retreat from the dance flo...

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The fourth sun

Weekly Contest #354

A constant humming filled the bar. It was a typical Saturday evening. “The Anchor Point” kept its promise.Sam stared into his glass. Ice turned into water. Water turned into whiskey.Ha, just like Jesus.Without lifting his glass, he swirled the two liquids. As they were mixing, a bottle was placed on the counter next to him. His eyes followed the whirling in his glass. The chair moved slightly and Sam felt the new body’s heat.One… two… three…“Hello there…”“General Kenobi.”“What?”The previously sweet expectant voice sounded irritated. Sam turn...

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Looking good

„Welcome to Bestlooks. My name’s Sharon. How may I help you?”The cosmetics salesperson stepped up to me. Her perfume mixed with the smell of the store. She smiled brightly. My focus was immediately on the smudge of peach lipstick on her teeth.Peach! No. Focus!I straightened my back but still widened the gap between her and myself.“I’m looking for anti-…”“Anti-oily skin day creme, right? I thought so. Let me show you.”Determined she moved towards another part of the store. The cloud of her perfume slowly faded by mixing with the other smells ...

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The Last Leather Straps

Weekly Contest #353

Mirror imageWith a jolt Keith sat up straight in his bed. Breathing heavily, he wiped his forehead. His eyes wandered to the alarm clock.3.39“Go back to sleep.”Sarah’s voice was barely coherent. Her hand patted his lap weakly. Seconds later her deep breathing filled the otherwise silent room. Keith stared at the darkness. His shirt was clinging uncomfortably to his body. Carefully, he lifted the heavy duvet and slid out of the bed. On tiptoes he made it into the corridor and the bathroom. Despite his effort, he was still making more noise th...

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See it with my eyes

Weekly Contest #352

Eyes shutStanding on the platform with her eyes closed, Myriam concentrated on the noises around her. Someone was coughing. A phone was ringing. People were talking about the newest political development, which was drowned by the gong announcing the upcoming train.Myriam breathed out. She tightened her grip around the white cane. Warm air rushed in from the tunnel. It brought a smell of metal and that stale, sweet tunnel air. Someone bumped into her arm, making her stumble half a step forward. Her glasses slid slightly down her nose.“Can’t y...

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The Veil

My hand hovers over the selection of threads. I try to mask the shaking by letting the fingers make a rippling movement. Like Orin playing his lute in the evening. “Difficult choice.”I freeze. Then pull back my hand. Placing both of them flat on the table. Supervisor Illion stops next to my workstation. His shadow darkens part of my work in front of me. I hesitate. Then I look up, forcing a soft smile on my lips. Just like they have taught us before entering the workshop.Dark eyes stare down at me. A frown appears on the forehead, throwing g...

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Collectibles

Weekly Contest #351

The figurines were lined up neatly on the shelf. All had the same shape. At first Matilda thought they were tiny bells. But on closer inspection they were depicting a sitting human.White, yellow, green, pink, blue, blank, red … Quite colorful. I wonder …“Don’t touch that.”Matilda whipped around. She came to face a short woman who hunched over a cane. Her white hair was tied to a tight bun on the nape of her neck.“I’m sorry. I was just looking. Mrs. Woringer?”Matilda straightened her back and smiled at the old lady. In reply Mrs. Woringer gri...

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Discovered

Weekly Contest #350

The grey-haired man had his eyes on her the second she looked in his direction. Paula’s head snapped back immediately, fixing her eyes on the screen in front of her. Heat crept up her cheeks. She had a half-filled Excel® file in front of her. On the other screen, the numbers were waiting to be keyed in.The numbers started to blur. She blinked a few times, but the font didn’t sharpen. With a sigh, she took off her glasses. Rubbing her eyes stung, but the tiny explosions of light behind her eyelids were worth it in Paula’s book. She opened her...

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My Kitchen Chaos

Weekly Contest #350

„Mama! Maaaamaaa!“I step to the sink. With one hand, I open the tap. The water rushes out. It hits the spoon. A small fountain sprays upwards, soaking my apron. I wash the onion juice off my fingers. My eyes are still tearing. I sniff.“Mama!”I wipe my fingers on the now damp apron. Then I turn towards the door. Before rushing out, I check the kitchen.Knives – put away. Stove – not on yet. “What is it?”I put a smile on my lips, after clearing my throat.“What happened, my dear?”The moment I step out of the kitchen, my smile broadens.I wonder i...

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Scavenger Hunt

Weekly Contest #349

„The rain has stopped!“Immediately the shelter is filled with the sound of naked feet on stone floor. There is the rustling of clothes. They are mixed with zippers being closed. Finally, the door creaks open and sunlight streams in the hall.- “Group 1 and 2?”“Present, task leader Melanie and Sylvie.”- “Group 3 and 4?”“Present, task leader Marta and Simone.”- “Group 5?”Heads turn. Wet rubber on tiles carry rushed movements.- “Group 5?”“Present, we’re… we’re present.”- “Who’s leading?”“Hm… it’s… hu… Sara?”- “Was this an answer?“The young woman...

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