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Steven Sommer

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2024

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55 Followers
128 Following

16 Stories

284 karma pts

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a restored smile

Weekly Contest #359

The air inside the vault was always exactly sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity never wavered from forty-five percent. Sybil, this sterile, unmoving atmosphere felt less like a room and more like the inside of a tomb, or perhaps a womb, where time was entirely stripped of its authority. Outside these walls, seasons changed, empires modernized, and people grew old and faded away. But inside the vault, the environment was arrested in an eternal, mechanical stasis, designed specifically to combat the invisible, crushing march o...

19 likes 6 comments 6
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quiet night

Weekly Contest #358

The clock on the concrete wall of Pump Station 4 read 3:14 AM. Harvey sat in the flickering fluorescent glow, nursing a lukewarm cup of black coffee, when the telemetry screen went silent. It did not flash red. It did not sound an alarm. The scrolling lines of green data simply froze, replaced by a single, static line of white text: System Override: Complete. Harvey stood up, his knees popping in the quiet room. He was sixty-two, a man who had spent three decades monitoring the veins of the city—the massive underground conduits that delivere...

12 likes 1 comment 1
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K-nine and my human

Weekly Contest #357

This morning, I awoke with a sense of grogginess that clouded my mind, leaving me feeling somewhat disoriented as I blinked against the soft light filtering through the curtains. My gaze drifted around the room, landing on my human, Bob, who was still peacefully nestled under the covers, completely unaware of my awakening. With a deep, satisfying yawn that seemed to echo in the stillness, I stretched my legs out in front of me, feeling the gentle pull of my muscles as I prepared to embrace the day ahead. As the sun peeked through the curtain...

6 likes 0 comments 0
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rockets in the night

Weekly Contest #346

Nearly two decades have passed since I last set foot in this place, and the anticipation of returning fills me with bittersweet nostalgia. I felt a strong urge to revisit the little white house that once cradled my childhood memories, one last time. a final farewell before it transitions to new owners. As I drove down the familiar, winding driveway, the sight of the house brought a rush of emotions, each corner whispering stories of laughter, sibling squabbles, and the warmth of family gatherings that had once filled its walls. The house s...

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K-nine and my human

Weekly Contest #334

I woke up this morning feeling groggy and disoriented. I looked around and saw my human, bob, still sound asleep. I let out a big yawn and stretched my legs, ready to start the day. It was a typical morning in the household, or at least that's how it seemed to me, K-NINE, the ever-vigilant canine companion. As the sun peeked through the curtains, I stretched my limbs and let out a contented yawn, ready to embark on another day of exploring the wonders of my domain. Being a dog, my perspective on the world is quite different from that of m...

19 likes 2 comments 2
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The beach

Weekly Contest #324

The salt air kissed my face as I leaned back in the worn plastic chair—the kind that had seen better days, possibly at a yard sale or an ill-fated picnic that ended with ants mounting a hostile takeover. This chair, with its faded turquoise hue, had likely supported countless sunburned sunbathers and crabby beachgoers too tired to move but somehow compelled to listen to nature’s greatest hits: waves crashing and seagulls squawking. Each creak of the chair echoed tales of sandcastle victories and frequent escapes from reality, reminding me t...

7 likes 1 comment 1
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the crazy clothing store

Weekly Contest #321

Sam groaned as his wife excitedly pulled him into the clothing store. He dreaded these shopping trips with her – the endless aisles and racks of clothing seemed to stretch on for miles. It always took hours, his feet aching from following her around as she sifted through each item with meticulous care. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting an artificial glow on everything. He longed for the comfort of his couch at home, where he could relax and watch TV instead of being dragged through store after stores, they had to go to every si...

15 likes 3 comments 3
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treasures within

Weekly Contest #321

On my global adventures, I discovered an adorable inn in a secluded village where I decided to stay for a few days. This charming establishment, nestled between verdant hills and ancient trees, offered a unique blend of rustic elegance and modern comforts. The inn’s architecture reflected the local traditions, with hand-carved wooden beams and elegantly patterned textiles that celebrated the region's heritage. The warmth of the hospitality was incredible; attentive staff provided personalized service while sharing fascinating insights into ...

11 likes 0 comments 0
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Last kiss for Mr. Peabody

 Evelyn was a woman in her mid-thirties who seemed to have it all, a successful career, and a beautiful home. But despite her outward appearance of happiness and contentment. Evelyn was constantly battling demons within herself From a young age, Evelyn had always been a perfectionist. She excelled in school, graduated top of her class, and landed a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. But as the years went by, the pressure to maintain her flawless image became overwhelming. She was constantly striving for perfection in every ...

1 like 0 comments 0
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the Lightbringer

Weekly Contest #282

In a world where darkness loomed over everything, where the sun had never shone and the moon had never glowed, where the only illumination came from the occasional flicker of bioluminescent creatures, The people had lived in darkness for as long as anyone could remember, their only source of light coming from flickering torches and dim lanterns.  Malin had always been fascinated by the mysteries of the world, and she spent countless hours exploring, searching for any clues that might shed light on the nature of the darkness that en...

4 likes 1 comment 1
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the box

Weekly Contest #281

It was a dreary Tuesday afternoon when the mysterious package appeared on my porch. I had just returned from running errands and I was so puzzled when I saw the package sitting on my doorstep waiting for me. I picked it up and examined it closely. There was no name, no label, only a note that read, "Do not open for 14 days. "  I scrunched up my forehead, feeling totally puzzled. Who could have left this package for me? And why did I have to wait two weeks to open it? My curiosity piqued, I brought the box inside and set it on my dining...

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my gnomes

Every night, as the sun sets and the human world falls asleep, the sounds of human life fade with it. The chatter of voices, the roar of engines, the clanking of dishes and utensils is replaced by a symphony of crickets, rustling leaves, and the distant howling of animals. It's a melodious backdrop to the mystical events about to unfold. Under the veil of darkness, a mystical metamorphosis unfolds in my backyard. The once ordinary yard gnomes spring to life, their small bodies illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Their tiny feet ta...

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a day with my human

Weekly Contest #281

I woke up this morning feeling groggy and disoriented. I looked around and saw my human, bob, still sound asleep. I let out a big yawn and stretched my legs, ready to start the day. It was a typical morning in the household, or at least that's how it seemed to me, K-NINE, the ever-vigilant canine companion. As the sun peeked through the curtains, I stretched my limbs and let out a contented yawn, ready to embark on another day of exploring the wonders of my domain.   Being a dog, my perspective on the world is quite different from ...

7 likes 2 comments 2
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   Contagious 

Weekly Contest #280

My name is Chadwick. And I have a question for you?  Is it possible that a single act of kindness can be contagious. I’m here in my office on the 9th floor. Looking down on the hustle and bustle of the street below. when an old movie I had watched a few months ago popped in my head.  The movie was called “invasion USA” made in 1956, I think. It was one of those “what if” type scenarios. Even though it was about the war effort.  I was thinking how that scenario could play out in everyday life. So, in My head. I ran one pos...

5 likes 2 comments 2
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a tear for Mr, pesbody

Weekly Contest #280

 .   Evelyn was a woman in her mid-thirties who seemed to have it all, a successful career, and a beautiful home. But despite her outward appearance of happiness and contentment. Evelyn was constantly battling demons within herself From a young age, Evelyn had always been a perfectionist. She excelled in school, graduated top of her class, and landed a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. But as the years went by, the pressure to maintain her flawless image became overwhelming. She was constantly striving for perfection ...

4 likes 0 comments 0
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