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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#152: Miracles and Oracles

We have little control over what happens to us, though there’s nothing more human than trying to micro-manage what will come next. This week, I want us to think about both the expected, and the unexpected; times when life throws positive twists at us — miracles, some might call them — or times when we try to predict those turns, for better or worse.

This week's prompts

Write a story in which a miracle happens — or everyone thinks it did.

Middle School – 45 stories

Start your story with a character saying “I can see it now.”

Middle School – 37 stories

Write about a character whose life changes for the better.

Middle School – 47 stories

Set your story in an oracle or a fortune teller’s parlor.

Fantasy – 66 stories

Write a story about someone whose job is to make miracles happen, literally or figuratively.

Middle School – 42 stories

Stories

“Psuedo-Psychic Mobster” by Farah Majd Abbar

Submitted to Contest #152

March 7th, 2024 - Manhattan, NY, NY I knew lying to people was wrong, but it didn’t stop me from doing it for money. “I can see… a red car… crossing your path….” A young woman sat before me. “Oh, my mother’s car?” “Is your mother’s car… red?” I tried to stay mysterious, but I was confused about what the young woman wanted. “Yeah! I love it! ‘bright red Ferrari! I can’t wait to get my own someday.” “Would you like me to look into your future for a new car?” “Oh, yes! Absolutely!” My earpiece underneath my veil buzzed before Luca spoke. ...

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“Skeptic Shock” by Marie White

Submitted to Contest #152

Beside her, Hayden stared out his window with intensity that she would’ve found sufficient even if he expected their missing son to dart up amid the emerald blur of passing trees. He’d folded his arms over his chest, jaw set, a vein bulging in his neck. His demeanor didn’t surprise her; he’d made sure that she knew he didn’t agree with this. There were no such things as “oracles,” he’d said. Soliciting Charissa would lead only to wasted time, effort, and money (the last, she knew, mattered most to him, though she hadn’t thought it wise to fe...

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“Doomed From The Start” by Joshua Copus - Oxland

Submitted to Contest #152

Jonathan stared at the tattered, discoloured tent and gripped his clammy, shaking hands. 25 years ago, he’d been at this same spot as a kid – the snot-nosed, candy floss munching, baseball cap wearing little shit that he was. He’d waited for his dad to come out of the tent from his fortune telling session. When Jonathan had asked Dad about his fortune, he just laughed it off. Dad died not long after. Jonathan knew fortune telling was bogus as an adult, and yet, he couldn’t turn away. Coming here wasn’t originally the plan – the bus...

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“Déjà Vu” by Chelsey Blankenship

Submitted to Contest #152

I can see it now. The fire rated glass doors to the emergency room slide open. Swirling red lights flash in the black night sky. Rattly wheels of a gurney roll onto white linoleum tiles, white sheets are tinged red, pink and black, doused with blood and caked with ash. Melted skin mixed with coagulated blood drips from the patient and leaves a sticky trail down the hallway. Screams curdle my blood. I am not a psychic. I couldn’t predict what you’ll have for breakfast, or who will win the lottery or how many kids you and your husband might h...

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“Eye Contact” by Maya Stewart

Submitted to Contest #152

When an ordinary person looks into someone’s eyes, they aren’t able to see much about that person. Of course, they might be able to tell how they are feeling, if they wear their heart on their sleeve, or maybe you could tell if they had a long, sleepless night with little sleep and their eyes were tired. Other than that, looking into someone’s eyes usually does not tell you very much about a person. That is what words, conversation, and communication are for. What if I told you there was someone out there, somewhere in this worl...

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“Dear Lauren” by Racheal Pelter

Submitted to Contest #152

Dear Lauren, I’m writing this because I’m not sure how to say these things aloud – I never have before. I trust you in a way that I never have another person, and I’m sorry that I kept all of this to myself for so long. Or maybe I should be sorry I’m saying anything at all. I’m sorry that I got sick and didn’t have enough time to give all of myself to you. This is the best I can do and I’m sorry for that as well. One morning, I was sitting on the toilet, pants on the floor, elbows on my knees. He sat on the bathtub rim and ...

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“The Plural of Moose is a Kind of Show” by Zoe Tribley

Submitted to Contest #152

Two moose were getting married today at six pm and the bride was nowhere to be found. The bell tower chimed Dazzle in the Fairy Prairie and the Sun Kingdom began waking up for the afternoon bustle. It was a tense time due to the scandal of the king and his human daughter, released a fortnight ago. Lady Honeyshine remembers clearly because that day was her ninety-ninth successful wedding streak. She cheered to ninety-nine weddings—no runaways, no crashers, and no deaths—with her two assistants, alone in the office feeling their victorious che...

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“E.R.M. - Awkward, Strange and Unexpected Emergency Room Miracles” by Angel Vargas

Submitted to Contest #152

What is a “miracle? A quick “googling” of the words “miracle definition” on your mobile device’s web browser might elicit the following: 1- a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. "the miracle of rising from the grave" Similar: supernatural phenomenon mystery prodigy sign 2- a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences. "it was a miracle that m...

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“The Week Before” by Clara Candace Farr

Submitted to Contest #152

Chapter 2 The Week BeforeDaryl had awoken by himself in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar house, in an unfamiliar town, where people seemed to know him. He thought perhaps he had lost his mind. That divorce really did me in, he told himself as he tried to reason this bizarre almost out-of-body experience. He could see he had somehow traveled to another century, unless he had a complete mental break, which was what he was leaning towards. He waved when neighbor’s waved, smiled whe...

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“The Maybe House” by Zelda Crist

Submitted to Contest #152

CW: language, substance abuse, suicide.Every day after work, car seat cruelly erect against my aching back and the growing bags beneath my eyes gaining weight at every stop sign, I drive by the house. The yellow, sunny, westward pointing, cape cod style house with twin bird feeders out front. It was the crown jewel of that little block, just across from the gate of the community garden on the other side of the street. I’d slow down as I approached, crawling up the block at five miles per hour, and come to a complete stop at the ‘yield to ped...

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“Sharing Water” by Anne Packingham

Submitted to Contest #152

Shared Water: by Annie Lana stood on her dock looking across the miniature lake or Pond at the other side. She kind of shrugged her tan shoulders and twisted up her long braid and slipped the elastic band around it. It was too warm to have hair hanging on her neck even if it was a braid. She picked up the handles of the wheel barrow and pushed the plants and tools out near her Patio. She smiled at her little cottage with the vines that twisted about the banister of the deck. She loved the b...

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“It's not How you Start the Game, it's How you End the Game!” by Yoonah Cho

Submitted to Contest #152

2005-2010 I remember most of my childhood bedridden, in a pearl white castle. I remember my grandmother guiding me to the shower, where she would bathe me as my frail body plopped down on a wooden chair. I remember the jokes my grandfather would make; anything he said, he said to lighten up my heart. Growing up in that beautiful house, dressing in the finest silk, my health did not resemble beauty. I am sure you are curious about how ill I was, so I shall give you a list to ease your curiosity: Asthma, Immunodeficiency, and Iron Defici...

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“The Fortune of Fate” by Ann Walker

Submitted to Contest #152

My name is Tristan Sowle, and on August 15, 2010 my life changed forever. I was born in Fallholt, Nebraska on July 7, 2001 to my mother and father, Ivory and Calvin Sowle. They were both born in this town before me, their parents hailing before them from other continents such as England and Australia. They made my childhood absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t thank them enough. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get to, though. That night, on August 15th, our family got ready for bed as usual. My parents slept downstairs, and I was upstairs....

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“A Wise Choice” by Castle Marie

Submitted to Contest #152

***Contains some minor use of adult language MIRANDA’S PERSPECTIVE: “BLOOD! Blood! Mommy, it’s blood!” In a panic, the (on the end of its life-span, bristles turned yellow, while starting to smell of mildew) dish-scrubber escaped my hand and plopped into the soapy ocean below (well, more like a murky, disease ridden river), where bits of macaroni and cheese and old milk floated amongst an army of plastic nipples, metal straws, spoons, and a pan with last night’s dinner glued to the edg...

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“Kitchen Sets” by Simi A

Submitted to Contest #152

When Jules moved in, Viv had a prickly feeling underneath her skin that life was about to change. Jules blew into Ditton with the force of a hurricane-- all long, black braids and plaid-print bags, chattering on the phone so loudly the entire complex could hear her. Peering out of her bedroom window-- weeks before Jules actually moved in-- Viv had wondered how long this strange woman would stay. People like that-- with diamonds glittering on their fingers and designer clothes-- usually didn't stay in Ditton for long. Especially not in Viv'...

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$250

Prize money

237

Contest entries

101

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 01, 2022 EST

Won by Aeris Walker 🏆

Title: Foretold in Smoke

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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