L.H. Reid

Joined June 2021

22 stories

Bio

Writing so all this living won't be a waste.

Achievements (1)

Honorable Mention in 500 Word Shockwave Challenge

Stories (22)

Filter by community

Sort by (Optional)

Dreaming to Drown
“Here you are.” Fire formed in the gray-bearded bartender’s eyes as he put a glass of whiskey down in front of his patron. His posture was firm and willing—a stark comparison to the man with rounded shoulders sitting at the bar.
By L.H. Reidabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
Hello There
Skulking around the house like a mad man until you’ve bounced off the walls enough times to know it is time to rest. Find the strength to sit and face it. Look closely at the grey cloud of noise and information but listen to the click of the keys. The noise repeats, one after another after another, until there is a pause... Until it begins again.
By L.H. Reid5 months ago in Poets
Railroads and Runaways
Where do we go from here... Twitchy, buzzing, anxious. Confronting reality can have that effect. Smacks you right in the face, swift as firm as unpleasant.
By L.H. Reid7 months ago in Poets
Three's Company
“What’s wrong, baby?” Jessica asked, looking on cautiously. With each strained breath, Robert seemed to shrink more. “Nothing, nothing. Bad dream.”
By L.H. Reid7 months ago in Fiction
A Stroll Downtown
The city had a buzz. People spilled out of the bars and restaurants, sparkling white smiles all around. Most were dressed in their summer best. It isn’t their fault that their summer best ain’t all that hot. Polo shirts went out of style a decade back and it was never particularly fashionable to wrap one tightly around your gut. The women were dressed better, like usual, but bleach white pants lose their charm by August and never did much for me.
By L.H. Reid7 months ago in Fiction
The Sickness
Twitchy eyes, adrenaline spikes, and diverted attention. The nervous system tightens and suddenly you are alone in the world, trapped in a cage of desire bursting with an energy that once blew purpose and power into a cold, empty shell of a life.
By L.H. Reid8 months ago in Poets
The Night is Almost Done
The kitchen door of Opus swung open, spilling a burst clinking plates and the chef’s shouted orders into the dining area. The bustling restaurant was near capacity and no one seemed to notice the intrusion.
By L.H. Reid8 months ago in Fiction
fml up again
Packed tight into a hotel room on the 24th floor. Hollow eyes appeared in the mirror, a man ready for the fall. Daring it to take hold and carry him down the well.
By L.H. Reid9 months ago in Poets
The First Step to a New Me. Content Warning.
There were children outside the kitchen window waiting for the bus, giggling, pure vitality. I stepped outside, the sun was warm for a December morning, almost like an early summer morning. I remembered how much I had enjoyed those first few weeks in town. They had a careful brilliance, a dancing optimism—like anything could happen. Life was vibrant.
By L.H. Reid11 months ago in Psyche
Forgive Me Father for I Have Sinned. Honorable Mention in 500 Word Shockwave Challenge.
“Do you want her to leave—or is it you yourself walking out the door that you desire?” Jim raised his eyebrows, surprised to see that the Priest appeared to be taking his response seriously.
By L.H. Reid11 months ago in Fiction
Like I Said
Here I am—on the wrong side of ‘I told you so,’ facing a proposition that I’ve long dreaded. Life can be so simple. It should be. Planning for a new life before your own has found a foothold is foolish. And without that destination, what are you doing? Ensuring that someone is there for you always? To fill the void that mother left?
By L.H. Reid4 years ago in Fiction
Leased Love
Starts as an exercise in good faith… long as it can last… until the past… comes creepin’ up on me. Then, one click,
By L.H. Reid4 years ago in Poets