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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#118: Metamorphosis

Whichever way you look at it, fall is a season of change. The trees are changing color, the waking hours are getting shorter, and the days are growing colder. It also happens to be Halloween, meaning we might need to gear up for some spooktacular supernatural transformations too… if you believe in that sort of thing!

Whether your characters are enjoying the crunch of fallen leaves, or undergoing a creepy metamorphosis of their own, we hope this week’s prompts help you get the best out of fall this year.

This week's prompts

Start your story with “Today’s the day I change.”

Teens – 54 stories

Write about a character, animal or human, who is reborn as something totally different.

High School – 42 stories

Write your story from the perspective of an outsider watching something or someone change.

Middle School – 45 stories

Your character picks up a fallen leaf and can’t believe what they discover underneath it. What happens next?

Fall – 38 stories

Set your story during a sudden change of season.

Fall – 26 stories

Stories

“Riviera ” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #118

I was fifteen when I felt the French Riviera kiss my unpolished toes for the very first time. The sea foam touched me first; I was startled by the cold of the ocean. We were on day three of the trip- 30 students, four teachers, and six parents all on the adventure of our lifetime. It was a spring morning in March and I had walked down to the beach with a friend after our quick breakfast of chocolate croissants and fruit. The white sea foam was frosting on the dark brown sand and it pulled me deeper into the ocean. I inhaled the sea air, gaze...

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“The Average Life of a Swan” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #118

I became a duckling the day being a swan became too strenuous. Calling out to whichever deity would listen, I begged to have my wings cut or shortened. I wanted the white that had inspired artists to paint me and great beauties to envy me cast off my plumage or given away to someone who could better care for its grace. The others I swam alongside were perplexed at my request. Why wish to return? Why loathe my current form? Why beg to rewind the fable of the swan? Because some of us miss our youth that much, I suppose. Some cannot loo...

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“Ode to Self” by Mo Ferdause

Submitted to Contest #118

Today’s the day I change how I feel sometimes – depressed and lonely, helpless and weak. I will no longer fight against my own self and relinquish the thoughts that keep me down. Today is the day I confront my own demon and set the ground rules. I will no longer be the one crying in sleep hoping for a miracle. Today is the day I shine the brightest among the bouquet of stars that everyone is waiting to see. I will no longer hide behind the shadow of doubts and crumpled up in a corner feeling worthless. Today is the day I take charge of my ow...

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“Shifting Gears” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #118

“Today’s the day I change,” said Alex. His friends told him he had the perfect job. Being a valet at a beach front restaurant was so cool. The tips were better than in town. Seeing the Glitterati come and go provided entertainment. Less appreciated is the fresh air and daily exercise. Any valet gets those, but somehow, it all felt better in Malibu. No bus exhaust and sidewalk deposits by the homeless. You know. But Alex wanted more. No one grew up wanting to be a valet when they got big. Should he strive to own a valet franchise on some re...

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“More than a phase” by Charlene 🧙‍♀️✨ Boyce

Submitted to Contest #118

Today’s the day I change. I whisper this into my mirror so David won’t hear me. It’s been a month since the dog attack. My wounds are mostly healed, but he is still treating me like an invalid. If he suggests therapy one more time, I will shriek. I don’t have PTSD, I told him. I have OBAVS… Over Being A Victim Syndrome. I .think he was hurt by this, since he’s been my ‘rescuer’ for so long… saving me from being poor, pulling me out of my parent’s clutches. I think he senses something is wrong, but I haven’t been ready to ha...

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“Souls of Their Shoes” by R Abbit

Submitted to Contest #118

There are many ideas out there about the measure of a man, but mine is the only one I know of that involves shoes. Sure, there is a lot to know about him by his demeanor, the use of his wealth, or how he treats those less fortunate. But the shoes tell a subtle story, for he is aware he will be evaluated by those other measures, and it does not occur to him he may be judged by his shoes; they are a more true glimpse of him than his reputation or handshake. The shoes will give you as intimate a clue to his person as if his wife had let s...

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“Where To Look” by Sarah Rich

Submitted to Contest #118

She walked along the path with a soft comfortability. The wooded area near her home always brought her peace. It was something she could always look forward to. For a moment, she paused as she heard a rustling on a nearby stump. She flicked her eyes left to right before catching the source of the rustle. “A leaf,” she whispered. She crept over and carefully brushed away the orange and dried leaf that had fal...

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“A Fine Line ” by Zoe Nicholas

Submitted to Contest #118

“Hi! I’m Rachel, I’ll be your stylist today.” A petite, pretty girl who had blushed when their eyes met, lifted her long thick hair. “So! We’re going short!” She’d come out of town, where no-one knew her, heart racing as she made the appointment, racing now as she nodded and handed the photo over her shoulder. “I’d like it like this please.” She held her breath in the silence, waiting.“Ok, no problem, just come this way and we’ll get you shampooed.”When she thought back to the start, it felt strange, like looking int...

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“Autumn's Winter” by Mariah Heller

Submitted to Contest #118

The crisp air was invigorating as she went for her morning walk through the small acre of wild blackberries and Douglas Fir trees behind her house. The sweet scent of the morning dew permeated her mind, emboldening Olivia’s senses while registering the fine mist surrounding her. Her brisk pace woke her up daily, better than any morning cup of coffee ever could. As she was taking in the damp air, filling her lungs, and on her skin, she paused to pick a few wild blackberries. The tart juice was limited but still attempted...

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“Antlers” by Marnie Devereux

Submitted to Contest #118

It was when Claire woke up on Christmas morning that she discovered her husband had grown a pair of antlers. It had started a few days earlier. Buck had been complaining of a headache, and within a few hours there were two sizeable bumps on his forehead, the bruised skin tight and shiny. Claire assumed he must have hit his head during one of his regular late-night drinking sessions, and thought no more of it. But now there were two small, but very definite velvety buds protruding from his hairline. She was almost certain that they weren't th...

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“Board” by Zane Schneider

Submitted to Contest #118

It was her idea to splurge on the new computer monitor. It was her idea to splurge in general, whenever a splurge snuck up and presented itself. The regulars would come in, and they would say, “The mirror in the bathroom is bigger! That’s wonderful!” Or: “This new display table! All for candles! Simply Wonderful!” And you would shrug and say, “Guess we’re doing alright, huh? You keep shopping here, we’ll keep buying bigger mirrors, just for you. Cash or credit?” The new computer monitor was shaped like a rectangle instead of a square. “Bet...

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“Crossing the Bridge ” by Sarbjeet Kaur

Submitted to Contest #118

Oddly rhythmic, sitting here like this. The jolting movement became a comforting dullness of my background. Like a baby still in its mothers’ belly, that’s how we feel sitting here. There is no urgency or rebellion, only the self sedation of acceptance. Keeping count of time was impossible so I was unsure of when I became disconnected with my other half.I still knew of its existence but an anxiety-laced thought provoked me that I would soon forget about it, or them, or me, I suppose. My other half is still me. Day and night were eternal...

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“Traveling Towards Sundown” by Lora Andreatta

Submitted to Contest #118

My shoulder hit the door as I jumped sideways — startled. The girl now sitting in the passenger seat of my car stared at me with wide eyes. I’m sure my face held a similar expression on it. I yanked the steering wheel back towards the road as we headed towards the ditch, and slammed the brakes on, screeching to a stop in the middle of the two-lane road.“Holy shit balls! Who the fuck are you?” I yelled. She looked around frantically, like a caged animal. “What the actual hell is going on?” I said, as my heart raced and threatened to explode. ...

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“Orange sparks, autumnal blaze” by Divya Narasimhan

Submitted to Contest #118

Araina walked swiftly, mumbling hasty apologies to pedestrians she blundered into, her vision blurred by tears. Cursing, she swiped angrily at mascara-streaked cheeks and bit down on her trembling lip. She would not break down. Three days. She had three days to break away from the life she’d built. Her heart felt like it was going to burst from pain, and she wrapped her arms tight around herself, as though this would stop her body from exploding into ash and smoke from a burning pyre of rotting terror.What was she going to say...

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“Rebirth,...?” by Robert Wilson

Submitted to Contest #118

Rebirth,….? He fired another shot into the ceiling as the last of the bank patrons dropped to the floor. Some were cursing under their breaths and others were crying and some were hysterical as the gunman nervously made his way from one teller to the other. “IN THE BAG!” He yelled as he held it up in front of each frightened teller. As the gunman moved he waved the gun into their faces to hurry them along. At the last of the tellers he took the bag by both handles with the gun still in one ...

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$250

Prize money

205

Contest entries

140

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 05, 2021 EST

Won by Myia Melendy 🏆

Title: beneath the quaking aspen

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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