T.D. Riyan
Bio
I've been writing all my life. From short stories and songs to poetry and full scripts. I've won several different writing contests throughout my life and recently released my first official poetry book on Amazon; The Boy Who Lucid Dreamed.
Stories (16/0)
Black Kids Don't Camp
“The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. This is said to be a tool used to ward off evil in the old days, as a single candle burning in a window is a symbol of surrender. Authorities said that Sodderwall went on to kill all those who stayed in an unlit cabin according to this superstition, and THAT son... is why black kids don’t camp!” My mom said to me as she read an old article she found about Camp Ta’Xet-Tia. I kept hearing it replay in my head. Thing is, she’s so old school. “Black kids make a tent out of the beds in their room or set up a tent in the backyard.” She says as she prepares dinner. “Yeah, but mom, both times we did that… we had to come in at 10pm.” “Uh, yeah, why would we sleep outside?” she asks. “THAT’S THE POINT OF CAMPING!?” I rebutted, loudly. “Who are you yelling at?” “No one mom. I’m sorry. I just… I really want to go, and you have to sign the permission slip. Dad won’t do it.” “What so important about this trip? It’s called Camp Toxic Tea?, right?” “The entire freshman class is going, and I’d be the only one NOT going. And it’s called Camp Ta’Xet-Tia.” She makes a weird face. “It’s native American. So… what do you say? Will you sign?” “When it is?” “This Friday, it’s for the weekend.” “A whole weekend? You should’ve led with that. I’ll sign it right away!” she says jokingly. “Yeah, yeah.” “DEMARCO!” my name is yelled loudly. Must’ve been memory daydreaming again. I swear if I’m not re-living a memory in my head, I’m living a fantasy. I look around the bus, and it’s our gym coach, Coach Kerr. “Did you hear me? You’re in the cabin #13.” He says, holding his clipboard. “Got it.” I hate when my name is said out load. I mean, I don’t care about race, but you can just TELL mine by my name. I’m the only black kid here. I mean, Hector is Puerto Rican, but this is Arizona, that’s to be expected, I guess. He’s far from the only one. My dad got a good job out here back in the winter and we moved here. Coming from Detroit, this is very different. “Yo’, we’re in the same cabin bro.” says Hector. “Cool, I brought my Switch so we can play Smash later if you’re down.” I responded. Hector unzips his bag slightly to reveal his switch. “Always down.”
By T.D. Riyan2 years ago in Horror
Transcendence
A man is walking down a street. His surroundings are bleak, grim. There are few others in the area. Some are dressed in dirty clothing with dark colors, others appearing more modernly dressed in slightly lighter colors. Their material appears to be cotton. Most of them are dirty. Mud on their clothes and skin. Some have on face covers. Several appear to be wearing heart shaped lockets. There are rusted industrial buildings covered in sand and moss, connected by hanging vines deriving from multiple plants growing on their sides. Some of the buildings go well into the clouds. The landscape is almost made up completely of dilapidated factories and skyscrapers. The sky is an orange dusky color. The clouds are purple with some having darker navy tints. The ground and road appear to be made of metal, in a valley surrounded by desert. The roads are wet and sandy. Moderate winds are blowing sand in every direction. As the man is walking down the road, he wears an inquisitive face. He is looking for something. Someone. In the distance, he sees it. Her. A female android. Her body half robotic from head to toe. The metallic that covered her appeared to be switching sides in a sense that the right half of her face was android, but her right arm appeared to be human. The left arm was android instead, while her left leg was android. She notices him. Shock. They stand still. Eye contact. He smirks. A short way behind her is a rusty train. She takes out a heart shaped locket and puts it on. As she does, her appearance changes. The half of her that appeared android previously, was now reflecting fully human. She turns and runs as the man chases after her. She bumps a few people running toward the train in the distance. As it begins to move, she speeds up jumping on the end tail, catching it. The train goes as the man stands behind looking at her. Frustrated. She smiles confidently. She has gotten away. She gets onto the train car and grabs the locket again, this time clutching it tightly. She begins to transform into another person. This time an old man. She looks back continuously as she goes through the train cars, transforming through every car. She goes from an old man to a young female child, to a middle-aged woman. The cars get more extravagant as she gets to one of the first few. After several transformations, she finally settles on taking the identity of a train guard. She sits on a seat relaxed. Across from her is a little girl who looks at her and smiles. She smiles back and looks out of the window.
By T.D. Riyan3 years ago in Fiction
