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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#116: Permission vs Forgiveness

As the old saying goes, “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission.” It’s not a policy to adopt too often (if you want to keep your friends, that is). But there will probably be times when — whether out of expedience, impulsivity, or sheer laziness — you throw caution to the wind.

Whether your characters are seeking another’s blessing or begging their pardon, this week’s prompts focus on the complex dynamics between permission and forgiveness.

This week's prompts

Write about a character breaking a rule, but for good reason.

Teens – 38 stories

Write about a character seeking forgiveness for something that happened in the past.

Angst – 67 stories

Start your story with someone being forbidden from doing something.

Dark – 44 stories

Write about a character who is being asked for their blessing, but is reluctant to give it.

Angst – 14 stories

Write a story that centers around a parking permit.

Fluff – 11 stories

Stories

“To You, the One Who Forgot to Grow Up” by John Mockince

Submitted to Contest #116

I sunk into the cushioned leather seat as I sighed, exhaling the musty air that encompassed us. I looked out the window, the outside world blurred from the foggy condensation that had formed on the frigid glass. A luminous orange glow came from the dancing flames of a fire, people sat around it to protect themselves from the bitter winter air. I turned towards you, tears streamed down your face, like rain falling into your lap. You looked at me, your eyes glossy like polished gems. Through sobs, you opened your mouth to speak to me “I’m so ...

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“Letters to the lives I destroyed” by Thomas Poldervaart

Submitted to Contest #116

To: chrisreiner@ymail.com From: jakenreiner@ymail.com Subject: February 11th Hi dad, The one thought that doesn’t leave me is that all would have been different if it had been you behind the wheel. I know Ronan, mom and I used to tease you about how careful you were, but well, we needed used it. You’d have driven slower across the snow. You’d have stopped earlier. And perhaps the car wouldn’t have slipped. Right before I lost control I told you how weird it was that you were always cautious except for when you were skiing. Really, how ...

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“Forgive me father” by Jaime Metcalf

Submitted to Contest #116

Around the altar of the votive candles hung a rich flowery aroma as Leonard knelt to give prayer after lighting one of the candles, his five-dollar donation was placed in the collection box that was off to the side. “O merciful God! I beg your forgiveness. I am a sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Amen,” Leonard finishes his prayer with the sign of the cross before he gets up and heads towards the confessional where he is supposed to be meeting Father Barry Stevens. I hate these things. Leonard thinks as he sits in the confessional while wait...

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“Too Late To Forgive Now” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #116

I pulled back the curtains an inch or so and peeped out into the darkness. I then ran quickly to the front door and checked it again. The silence of the night was broken only by Bobby snoring on the couch. Kneeling down I stroked his brown coat and he shook his head, opened one eye and then the other. “Hello boy. Come on out the back”. I rued the fact that I gave him so many titbits because he was now too fat to get in and out through the dog flap – ‘I really must get a bigger one soon ‘I thought. Before going outside I looked furtively out ...

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“The secret” by Marilena Alexandra Socol

Submitted to Contest #116

Vivian was 13 years old, a playful and full of energy little girl, living with his parents and grandparents in the countryside. It was a sunny day when, playing in the yard, she heard a scream coming from inside the house. Fastly, she threw up the ball and rushed in, where she would've found out that a disaster had just happened. She found her mother screaming terrified near her father’s moveless body. She couldn’t believe her eyes what a scene she was assisting at. She started to shake her father’s body which seemed lifeless. Then, she g...

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“Suffrage” by J. Wilson Davis

Submitted to Contest #116

It was a bad sign when they gathered us sixth-grade girls in one classroom. Something embarrassing must be coming. What grossness of impending womanhood were they going to spring on us this time? We were missing out on a chance to play softball on this beautiful fall day, and the boys got to go outside without us. what a lousy deal. Mrs. Lamm, the Health teacher, wearing her trademark shirtwaist dress, a string of pearls and a whistle on a long chain, paced in the front by Mr. Anderson’s desk. Mrs. ...

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“The Forbidden Room” by Lisa Neuvelt

Submitted to Contest #116

The Forbidden Room “You must never go in that room! It’s a forbidden room.” Melissa heard that over and over again. That room at the end of the hall, that forbidden room. Yet, she stood there with her hand on the doorknob. *** Melissa had just moved into that house when her mother, Nancy married Hank. All Melissa knew about Hank was he was married before and his wife and daughter left but no one knew where they went. The house was massive and Melissa was given a choice of any room to pick for own. &nbsp...

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“Don't go looking” by Ruth Zschoche

Submitted to Contest #116

TW: mention of suicide, violenceDon’t go looking. Don’t go looking. Don’t go looking.There were leaves on the ground that year in piles and drifts. They were brown and golden, red and amber, purple and still green. Why did the green leaves fall? It was not their time. Maybe they fell because they had to. They couldn’t be left all alone. The only leaves on a bare tree. Someone has to go before their time, I thought. We all must, perhaps.***Don’t go looking. There was my grandfather, rough and grizzled. The aches and pains had drawn the lines ...

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“YOU CAN'T” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #116

"You can't!" This was not a maybe or a soft request. This was a demand. "Don't make me repeat myself!" And of course he did. "YOU CAN NOT!" I said again but louder, stronger and with clenched teeth because I knew who needed a swift kick up the wazoo in a way. Kyle rolled his eyes and tried to play nice. "I get it." he said to his buddy. He knew what Chris was telling him with a nice, yet with a heavy hammer way of making him stay safe. It was a reminder of a time not long go that Kyle tried and failed nearly cutting his leg off. It was a mom...

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“First Night at the Hall” by Christopher Cayen-Cyr

Submitted to Contest #116

She had told Mindy in the office her only wish was never to cross paths with me again, but surely she didn’t mean it. The Carla I knew couldn’t be this spiteful. There were many good memories, too many of them to discard: halls filled with concertgoers for whom we played in solidarity; cocktail-fueled afterparties where we laughed on and on; vibrant discussions that revolved around the most brilliant composers, our opinions always perfectly aligned. I refused to believe it, and so I drove on and on in the rain, like a stalker, searching for ...

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“Journal Entries” by Rowan Legend

Submitted to Contest #116

CW: mentions abuse, the word: torture, murder, alcohol, potential drug use, undying love and devotion to sister. Takes place after Heist. And I just love the mysterious character Van. Journal Entry 2? I am not sure where I put it, why can’t I remember where it is? I hope, should I retrace my steps? If I did that then I’ll surely get caught, I can’t get caught... but I’ll be caught if it is found. I’ll go tonight, I have to make sure it is not there. Need to remember gloves unless I want to answer those questions. What are you doing here? Wh...

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“Was it a lost Opportunity???” by Marc Graziadei

Submitted to Contest #116

Was it a lost Opportunity ??? Is there a real answer when options are presented to an individual? What is the risk that’s entailed? What could be the remaining consequences? Well, I guess everyone could be faced with rare prospects opportunities once they are randomly introduced to us. And how will we react to it? Is one foolish enough to dive in without any knowledge of what they’re getting involved with? Is it a form of despair or haste ? Or is a passed opportunity can be forever lost without any possibility of re-occurrence? The Summe...

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“Forgive Me” by Juanita Ellingson

Submitted to Contest #116

Forgive Me “What are you doing here?” She sneered as she flung open the door. Good question. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure what to say. My older sister, Livia, was standing there staring at me without a hint of warmth in her eyes. It was making it all the harder to come up with an answer. She held the door firmly in her grip, threatening to slam it shut at any second.I looked down and then around searching for a good answer.I noticed the ...

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“Dear Elly, I'm Sorry” by Kellen Geneva

Submitted to Contest #116

DEAR ELLY, I’M SORRY She always wanted to see it. The ocean. Elly used to dream of what it would be like to smell the salty sea air. Her bedroom consisted of seashells, posters and postcards of palm trees, and white sandy beaches, wondering what it would feel like between her toes. Is the water cold or warm? Echoes of Elly’s voice slipped through my mind, sending goosebumps down my arms. “Would you be brave enough to venture out where you can feel the tides pull?” I said aloud, remembering all of her late-night rambling. I exha...

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“The psychiatrist” by Greta L

Submitted to Contest #116

Trigger warning: Suicide, Losing a loved-one“Joe...”, it alluringly whispered in his ear, “Joe...wake up Joe”.Joe felt blood rushing to his head, heart pounding in his chest, pearls of sweat forming on his forehead. He woke up in trepidation. He must have had this nightmare again. A nightmare that had been haunting him every night now for 10 consecutive days.It was autumn. The rain was plastering against the window and the wind howling through the trees. The day that lied upon him was pressing on his chest. He dragged himself out of the bed ...

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$250

Prize money

174

Contest entries

112

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 22, 2021 EST

Won by Story Time 🏆

Title: Straw, Sticks, and Brick

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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