Redeem

It was weighing heavy on my heart. The memory of her. Haunting me. Like the hessian, headless, galloping in my wake. Not a peaceful night’s sleep. But why after so…[...]

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Auto Delete

Got a sec? No Not really… Urgent?KindaYesDefinitely In mtg Email?Feels safer on signal Jeez FineOr phone? Cant Mtg???LEAVEWut mtg Can’t Steve is here Pickering all staffScene of the crime Not…[...]

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Margie McGill: The Second Case

I stalk the outside of the building. I have spent days upon days tracking footprints—digital and physical—to arrive here. This is it. This is where I’ll find him. It’s an…[...]

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Smith and Wesson

That scorching sun wasn’t lying. It made every blistering moment of my torment feel intentional. I looked up at it, squinting like always. That made me frown and wonder if…[...]

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FALLEN ANGEL

The shutters, clattering against the bedroom window, wake him though he struggles to recognise his surroundings; vaguely recalling the faceless whore he’d picked up in a bar in Teotihuacan. Instinctively,…[...]

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The Detective who solves nothing

Brackmere is a town that lives by the sea and the market. Its cobbled square bustles with fishmongers, bakers, and gossiping matrons, while gulls wheel overhead, shrieking like heralds of…[...]

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It’s About Your Father.

My phone rattled its shrapnel hammer, waking me like a shot to the heart. I was vertical and lifting the cold receiver well before the fog of sleep had even…[...]

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Wanted

He found her hiding behind a cloud of cigarette smoke. The empty beer bottles clustered on the scratched plastic table like flies on a carcass might have explained the red…[...]

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Neon Point

Detective Inspector Carl Kay sat in a metal room, with metal walls and a metal chair beneath him. Various hums and groans of thingy-ma-bobs and whatcha-ma-call its surrounded him. He…[...]

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An Inventory of Friendly People

NOTE: Trigger warning of suggested sexual abuse. The rain is falling hard as the cab pulls to the curb, the driver careful not to splash his next fare. The man…[...]

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Echoes of a Home

The newlyweds stood before the decrepit farmhouse that was now their new home. Rather than seeing the worn, weathered, and tottering facade, they saw potential for what it could hold.…[...]

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The Extraordinary Scam

By Lee Kendrick In London's Victoria station the posh ceremony began with a brass band playing, as dignitaries standing on a red carpet prepared to launch the… 'Around The World'train…[...]

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Farce on the Orient Express

I check the time on my fake Rolex, having to hold my hand steady so I can read the numbers clearly. 12:07, as best I can work out on the…[...]

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The Eye

Richard liked to paint. It’s all he did. Francesca, his attendant, suspected it was all he could do. He never spoke to anyone that she knew of, as long as…[...]

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The Black Widow

Mia hovered over the sleeping man. Finally resting, his pain erased by the cocktail of medications in his IV drip. She checked his vitals. Weak, but steady. His heart fluttering…[...]

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Pages From the Year I Lost You

I love you. Dear Diar, Day 1 It seems so strange to say, and so distant to think about, that graduation has already happened, and I'm planning the next steps…[...]

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Save a Seat For Me

Content Warning: This story contains sensitive content relating to mental health and physical violence (off the page). Please prioritise your own wellbeing before reading. Hi Dad, It’s been a while.…[...]

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The Text

Reading the text again for the fifth time the detective knew that it had to mean something.This generation puts everything in a text message instead of calling or writing a…[...]

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I’m Hungry

“Tell me where you’re taking me, Adam.”Cassie laughed as she stepped out the front door into the warm afternoon sun. Gravel crunched under their shoes as they headed toward the…[...]

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End of the Line?

Jack looked at his motorcycle and sadly shook his head, the local cops all know him and his bike, he needs something more discrete to vanish from the law. With…[...]

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An Untold Story of Personal Horror

It was the evening of 23 December 2000. Two nights before Christmas. Sydney was warm and alive. Oxford Street shimmered under neon light, shop windows glowing, last-minute shoppers drifting past…[...]

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Crooks, Monks and Bad Thai Food

Have you ever been handcuffed before? The sharp, taunting sound of the click that makes your stomach drop. The coldness of the metal, biting lightly into your skin if you…[...]

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The 4:20 to County Jail

by Raymundo AKA "Ray Ray" Reyes. This story contains themes of drug abuse and criminality. This story is meant to satisfy all 5 prompts for the week. Robb Thomas awakes…[...]

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Number Five

As the white ball goes around the Roulette Table Gus is watching for a black 5 to be the destination of the white ball.Red number 22 the dealer calls out…[...]

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Every fourth word

CW: References to murder. To our patrons: If the morning suits you, early callers now can pause awhile and read what follows in this week’s paper: several free currant buns…[...]

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9:07AM

(Other sensitive content: Mention of murder, mystery, crime)(Other sensitive content: Mention of murder, mystery, crime)DAY 1NOVEMBER 27TH 1983 ROOM 12E - SESSION - DURKEE - OFFICER BROWNAgent Brown enters the…[...]

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A Bloody Sky

“Hands in the air. Put your f#cking hands up!” The barrel of the man’s pistol swung towards my head. “You!” My heart slammed into the wall of my chest as…[...]

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It’s not my problem

.What should I do in the final stages?It's psychologically difficult to take on historical responsibility.Moses did the same—in anger—when his people worshiped the golden calf.Where's my black Bersa Thunder, the…[...]

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Minimal Hitter

Wading gently through white foam on the shore, Mairin relaxed her toes as they were slowly engulfed by the sand. The golden sun rays gleamed off the white-capped waves. She…[...]

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His grave

*contains mentions of sexual and physical violence, suicide, mental health and grief*It was out of any order, out of my mind was this path I took today. I couldn’t bring…[...]

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The Expiration of a Scavenger

The Averly Alley Artz hosted its annual Independent Creators’ Gala—a night where painters, poets, musicians, writers, and every flavour of tortured creative crawled out of their damp studios to display…[...]

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The Hanging Tannery

7:45 a.m.The curtain is drawn, and death lurks behind, a merciless shadow hungry for his victim. I wonder if the shadow knows of the helpless souls attached to this one…[...]

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Till Death, Say I do

Maren picked up her phone and dialed Knox again. No answer! She started to dial again when her best friend Reney took her phone away. “Girl, he is with Toby;…[...]

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Till Arrest Do Us Part

“I object!” A redhead leaps to his feet, hand raised as if he expects to be called on by the priest who, for reasons I’ll never understand, customarily asks for…[...]

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Coded Minutes

Doris opens the drawer, and her eyes flick to the customer on the other side of the metal cage. She’s out of loose twenties, and a banded stack lies in…[...]

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The Grand Event at Redbury

Redbury Hotel, nestled in the remote hills of Northern India, welcomed people of each and every sort. They even went so far as to keep five rooms dedicated to the…[...]

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To a Worse Person

It felt like her lungs were on fire, but she couldn’t stop or slow down. Sylvia escaped through the forest. The men who had invaded her home were shouting orders…[...]

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The Experience

Preface:Author get to experience only what you see in the movie. Chapter One: The Author Lois tried to calm her nervous by pulling out a cigarette from her jacket pocket.Noticing…[...]

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The Disruptors 1.2

The energy of the room vibrated around him while laughter, clinking glassware, and small performances played out like an orchestra he and his wife had composed together over decades. At…[...]

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The Shed

By Conor Burrell The screen door opened with a creak as Val entered into the cherry wood paneled kitchen. He gingerly removed his long coat and placed it gently onto…[...]

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Empty Insides

On the fifth of march, as the late snow was crying from the sky into the suburbs of Tulip's Hollow, Michael Phillips woke up to discover that his liver had…[...]

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One Complaint Per Customer

ONE COMPLAINT PER CUSTOMER by Alessandro TRIGGERS: THIS STORY CONTAINS IMAGERY OF SUICIDE, MENTAL HEALTH AND DARK PSYCHOLOGY. What an asshole. Before this new idiot police Sergeant arrived (after a…[...]

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Doin’ Time

***Sensitive Material: Contains mental health issues, some sexual content, and violence*** She stared mindlessly out the window. What was she supposed to do now? “Med rounds!” a shrill voice pierced…[...]

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Consequences

I was working as a jack of all trades at the local Homeless shelter. The place started life as a motel, but gave in to economics, and took guaranteed county…[...]

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The Front Door

“Oh, I see my bag. Yeah, I’ll text you when I’m in the car.” Julia hung up the phone and put it in her trench coat pocket as she maneuvered…[...]

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The Power of Rain

My mother used to tell me that in a city like Starlight, a rainy day could either force people to show their true colors or signal that something bad was…[...]

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The Disruptors 1.3

Her phone vibrated.Unknown Number: There you are.Something brushed lightly against her shoulder.When Jess turned, Victoria was already standing beside her.Not across the room. Right beside her. The tightness started in…[...]

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Das Blaue Maedchen

Note — this story contains sensitive content including the mention of suicide and description of blood. On the left-hand side of a wooden desk sat a miniature replica of the…[...]

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Plum Red Musings

The restaurant had its lights dimmed down to simulate candles, an overall clatter of metal on porcelain, a spicy garlic scent, the distant hiss of sizzling, live music—piano not a…[...]

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Covering the Ugly

Frederick Bond walked briskly down the sidewalk heading for the pharmacy. It was unseasonably warm in Chicago for mid-October, and his fine wool topcoat was unbuttoned and swung freely as…[...]

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Every fourth word

CW: References to murder. To our patrons: If the morning suits you, early callers now can pause awhile and read what follows in this week’s paper: several free currant buns…[...]

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Auto Delete

Got a sec? No Not really… Urgent?KindaYesDefinitely In mtg Email?Feels safer on signal Jeez FineOr phone? Cant Mtg???LEAVEWut mtg Can’t Steve is here Pickering all staffScene of the crime Not…[...]

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Feral

I taught her to lie before she could spell her name. Told her people were soft, stupid, and always looking for a story that made them feel good about parting…[...]

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The Bear Necessities of Contract Law

Goldilocks Lockwood v. Bear FamilySmall Claims Court, Woodland DistrictCase No. 2024-SC-0847Transcript of the Plaintiff's Opening Statement THE COURT: Ms. Lockwood, you may proceed with your statement.MS. LOCKWOOD: Thank you, Your…[...]

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Wax/Off

“I’m going to start this confession as plainly as I can: if you can think of a better way to rob a wax museum, I am ALL ears.” The arresting…[...]

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Speaking of Superpowers

Speaking Of SuperpowersFor now, I am going to ignore the fact that I am not great at learning languages. It is exceedingly difficult for me. But I am going to…[...]

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Family secrets

Lies! Always lies! Why couldn’t the family share the truth about its own Who’s Who, including the embarrassing sprout lopped off the family tree. Bastards did not fit into its…[...]

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One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Yen

(For Reedsy’s Prompts, March 27, 2026)Contest 347 - Write a story about a character who believes something that isn’t true. “You should be in prison!” I told him straight, no…[...]

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The Cost of Being Good

Before she knew what tension was, she knew how it sounded. It lived in the house like a hum—low and constant—threading through the flicker of the television her father watched…[...]

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Never Been Kissed

What is it to have been kissed?I have never been kissedAnd I never knew why.But I am now saving itFor later on in lifeI hear it is all in the…[...]

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Heartbeat of Labor

Possible TW: birth trauma The sound of a heartbeat filled the room before I ever understood what it meant to lose it.Not a literal sound—not something my ears could actually…[...]

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So Lucky

Internalized racism, identity dissociation, greener grass*Content warning: non-graphic mentions of abuse and use of racial slurs* “Talk to your Uncle Hank!” High-strung and demanding as always. My mother anxiously thrust…[...]

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Wife and Mother

TW: Contains themes of sexual violence and religious reinterpretation Wife The way that the rainstorm can turn sideways and knock me off my feet is the way that he came…[...]

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Chain Reaction

My little sister and I dash across the grass, the sunlight like a warm shower mingling with the cold spray from the sprinkler. Tiny rainbows come and go. We’re laughing,…[...]

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Desire

Waking, in this dim structure. I hear nothing. No animals. No water. No wind. Not even my own... heart beat. Looking around, I could tell I was left here. By…[...]

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The Heist

The pale-yellow light of the porch lamp echoed over the sharp edges of the middle-aged man; his sunken eyes more telling than a book which has been scuffed and curled…[...]

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The Cuts Continue

My mother watched the road, then me, then back again. She didn’t reach for my hand. She knew I didn't want to be touched when I was dealing with Sam’s…[...]

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Humanity: Is It Me or You?

CW: Emotional distress UmmHumanityIs It Me or You? Is it me or you?Remind me. Is there something wrong with me?I’m going to admit it now.I’m not gonna hide behind the…[...]

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Never Left Unsaid

I don’t believe in the idea that heaven is a place that we go to after we die. For instance, I don’t believe that in this moment, my mom is…[...]

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Draft Messages

My father was not a sentimental man. I want to say that first because it matters. He was the kind of person who showed up and fixed things and left.…[...]

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The Reflection

El looked in the mirror, but nothing stood out. Good; she was ready for work. The day was pleasant enough, and El always enjoyed watching eagles and the other birds…[...]

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You Can’t Outsource Compassion

“You Can’t Outsource Compassion” Jen Wasyliw My thoughts are jumping around like grasshoppers–-springing away a split second before I capture a sane one. But, I guess that’s to be expected…[...]

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“Where the World Still Breathes”

The world didn’t end all at once. It exhaled itself to death. First the oceans pulled back like they were tired of touching land. Then the skies turned a permanent…[...]

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“Pretty Things Don’t Bleed”

Today is April 31st and……… They always said pretty girls got saved. Nobody ever told them what happened when pretty girls did the saving. By the time Enyla Cross walked…[...]

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I am just like you

CW: Substance abuse, sexual assault I am Just Like YouShort Story by Paula Badder…I spend time with loved ones, I go to work to my full time office job where…[...]

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Alone on the Brooklyn Bridge

The year was 2017, sometime in the fall. I had just moved to the City for work at a prestigious agency Deutsch, which turned out to be a total shitshow.…[...]

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For the Love of Mankind

Billy lay in the wet grass and watched the wood and canvas aircraft circle in the sky above the fjord. It was a warm day, the sun beamed down on…[...]

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350 Yards

After everything, I have discovered that the darkness ends if you are willing to stop asking, "WHY ME?" Five years ago, my life ended. Everything I had ever known was…[...]

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Dog Night Out

When I was 19 my mother bought me that book Smart Women, Foolish Choices after I broke up with my first really serious boyfriend. I think it was her subtle…[...]

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Summer Dreams

The extreme temperature of my first memorable summer was unusually humid for our area of Indiana, driving the heat index up into almost the 100’s. There hadn’t been much rain…[...]

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It’s not my fault

Write a story from the point POV of a monster, infected creature or lone traveller. IT’S NOT MY FAULT “ that I was born this way, and I don’t like…[...]

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Go Get Charlie

You’ve seen those machines where there are a lot of enticing toys spread underneath this giant silver four prong claw. When you stuff some coins into the slot, the claw…[...]

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April 31-Doomsday

Today is April 31. That’s weird to say! There’s never been an April 31 in history! Well, until today. I don’t know what time it is today or what day…[...]

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Misunderstood

The bell rang, and Room 12 settled into its usual hum—pencils scratching, chairs shifting, quiet whispers floating like dust in sunlight. In the back corner sat Eli, small for his…[...]

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This Happens all the Time

This Happens All the Time The four of us stared at the monstrous void where a 1200-foot, 20-story, 100,000-ton floating buffet had stood. Charlie bent over to whisper, “Maybe they…[...]

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Hindsight Is Hilarity

Note: While this story is intended to be a coming of age story with humor, mature themes are discussed in this story that do not include profanity or explicit language.…[...]

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The Warning Triangle

The loud crackle from my little red Mini car sounded electrical. I was on my own and although I didn’t exactly panic, I came close. I saw a driveway on…[...]

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A Four-Year Old’s Story

Theres things I don unnerstand. I mean, like, I get Im a kid, but geez, I can’t wait to get growed up soon and peopled would take me more serious…[...]

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Starzy Przestępca

Stary Przestępca never expected to live to be 200 years old. He took a gap year in college, putzed his way to a business degree and moved back into his…[...]

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If these walls could speak

Susan Cochrane Drawing up at the vantage point overlooking the valley Lisa stepped out of her car and scanned the spread of vineyards descending towards the river below until her…[...]

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