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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#153: Fighting Talk

Whether you’re hot headed by nature, or the thought of bad blood breaks you out in a rash, arguments are unavoidable. As we age, we all realize that confrontation is often necessary. This week’s prompts explore the world of conflict and resolution — and trying to find the positive in the negative.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character learning to stand up for themselves.

Character – 48 stories

Write about a character trying to heal an old rift.

Sad – 43 stories

Write a story about two characters who have been fighting for so long, they can’t remember what started it.

Sad – 27 stories

Write a story that includes the line “I can’t believe we’re arguing over this.”

High School – 60 stories

Write about a character who settles disputes for a living (a judge, mediator, school counselor, etc).

Middle School – 36 stories

Stories

“More Than Just Another Wedding” by Charlotte Morse

Submitted to Contest #153

Contains references of physical abuse.Contains mild sexual references.She’d never attended an Anne Summers party before, never even entered one of the shops. She would have found it way too embarrassing to be seen entering or exiting or, worse still, be caught perusing rows of lacy underwear, leather whips and vibrators. But here she was at Jo’s hen party, with three days of freedom, watching the Anne Summers rep unveil a vast array of sex toys, crutch-less panties and incredibly revealing lingerie, and Suzy vowed she’d enjoy her respite to ...

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“Red tears” by Orwell King

Submitted to Contest #153

A blood churning cry echoes through the night, the only light source coming from a half moon hidden by clouds, barely Illuminating the ocean below it and white sands of the rolling dunes behind. Jessica panics when she hears the first horrifying scream. A sharp, high-pitched screech causing her to look over her shoulder. The moon was not bright enough to light her way. She was blind, regretful, and soaking wet. In her intoxicated stupor she had stumbled a little too close to the crashing waves, eventually tripping over her own feet and falli...

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“The Full Picture” by Daniel Deschenes

Submitted to Contest #153

Gage took his glasses off, closed his eyes, and buried his face into his hands. Pinching the bridge of his nose and asked seven year old Isaiah to repeat what he had just said.“Jake said that he was going to poop in my hand!”Gage sighed, disappointed that what he had originally thought he heard was correct.“No, I know that you told me already but I just don’t understand why he would say that,” Gage said. You’re sure that you didn’t say anything unkind to him before he said this?”“No, I didn’t say anything to him!”Gage found it hard to believ...

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“Control Issues” by David Horn

Submitted to Contest #153

Brian was already at the terminal in the living room and editing the schedule when Tobias walked in from his room. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”, Tobias asked, knowing very well what Brian was doing. “I’m organizing the schedule. I’m done arguing about who gets Marvin when, so I’m giving us each the appropriate time.” Brian said as he continued typing, allocating days and times of use for the two of them. “And of course you’re not including me”, Tobias barked before nearly pushing Brian out of his seat to look at the schedule. A...

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“Five Steps From Hatred” by Zoë Page

Submitted to Contest #153

Sometimes you loathe someone so much, your mind and judgement become clouded by rage and along the way, your loathing becomes morphed. All is needed is for a “v” to replace the “a”, “t,” and “h”, and suddenly your mortal enemy who lives to boil your blood is the person you want to comfort you when life doesn’t go your way. There is a fine line between hating someone so purely your innocent soul wishes only to murder them and loving someone. Love is a strong force not to be meddled with. It attacks you at the most unexpected times. You might ...

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“The Longest Battle” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #153

And now she has won. At least I think she has won. Does that count? Does it matter anymore? It has to. After all this time, it has to. After everything that has happened and everything we’ve done. This is all either of us has left. Seaford sits in the dark, in the part of the house that is now his by default, but wasn’t for such a long time, and he scratches his head as he thinks his thoughts. The thoughts he thinks are different now. In the aftermath of the long awaited result he takes stock and tries to make sen...

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“Dollymops” by Jim Firth

Submitted to Contest #153

(Content Warning: Mentions of death and prostitution.)The whores of London affected the lives of every woman in Victorian England in one way or another. Susan Merrick might have joined their ranks had she not been born into circumstances so fortunate.Throughout her childhood, she was prejudiced against the dollymops by her mother, whose main objection seemed to be their showy outfits. Her mother cast the strumpets in a particularly unsympathetic light; ensuring that Susie would never wind up like them.Because Susie never needed to work, she ...

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“The Whisperer” by Travis G

Submitted to Contest #153

“Our forefathers had a saying, ‘Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin,’” the old woman said. She was called the Whisperer and sat at the head of a rusty, square table, in a dank, windowless, concrete room. The room, which was illuminated by three naked lightbulbs, contained several other people, some standing along the walls, some sitting at the table. “As long as I have sat in this Whisperer’s chair,” she said, “there has only been violence among our peoples. I will not call into question the ancient wisdom. But year...

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“I’d like my toaster back.” by Kat. L Haywood

Submitted to Contest #153

Apartment wanted. 35-year-old male. Freelance journalist. Friendly, quiet, often away for work. No pets. Great references. Available to move now. Can pay in advance. When Bed, Bath, and Beyond killed me off like a daytime drama actress with cluster B personality traits, Ken moved in. Three suitcases, two plastic tubs, and a desk lamp went into the furnished room at the end of the hall. And just like that, Ken fit seamlessly into my life. True to his word, he was the ideal roommate. Amiable, discreet, did his washing...

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“That Damn Remote” by Ilan LongSoldier

Submitted to Contest #153

Months ago, my wife and I had a heated argument over the most ridiculous thing in the world. Our remote for our television disappeared, as they tend to do, which started a domino of exhausted complaints and snarls on both our parts. We checked the recliner cushions, under the sofa, we even checked the damn cat bed at one point. After at least 30 minutes of sprawling around like wild animals, nearly tearing the place up like it too, I sat down and bared our loss. “Let’s just give it a rest and return to this later. I’m sure it’ll show up” I s...

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“Edit-Clear-Delete” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #153

Seventy-eight-year-old Oscar has become more convinced than ever that his wife Deloris is just one big nag. It seems that everything he does is met with criticism or correction. What happened to her? When they were first married, she was so polite. “Whatever you think is right, darling.” Or, “Thank you so much for doing that.” Now, it’s “What did you do that for! Are you stupid or something?” Or, “Why do you always have to leave your slippers by the coffee table. I’ve told you a thousand times it looks messy, an...

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“The Age of Migraine Medicine” by Sherri Moorer

Submitted to Contest #153

“Detective Kinslee, you have a visitor,” Sadie’s soft voice said over the telephone. Jain rubbed her eyes. The clock in the corner of her screen read ten o’clock a.m. No wonder she was getting a headache. She had been staring at this case file since she came in two hours ago. “Who is it?” “A Mrs. Ella Hines,” Sadie said. “She’s here with information on the Hebert Hines case.” Hebert Hines, the man who was allegedly shot while tacking 4th of July bunting on the eaves of his house three days ago. He was her first homicide case since being...

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“Hotel Cushions” by Janey El Napier

Submitted to Contest #153

CW: In comment section September 9th, Christine Maurie’s dress was her mother’s with the seams loosened, but no one needed to know that apart from them. Ma had said that through gritted teeth the first time Maurie had tried it on. Maurie hadn’t mentioned the Coty stain on them, right above the chip. It was the same colour as the wine stain she’d gotten on the dress about an hour ago, and the blood stain she’d gotten on her new especially for the day knickers the moment she’d tried them on. (Ma wouldn’t let her wear t...

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“I Don't Care If It's a Screw” by Anne Holliday

Submitted to Contest #153

“No,” Laura said. “That’s not right. It has to be in capital letters.” “You’re wrong,” Marjorie said, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder, turning her back to Laura and walking away. “I’m not wrong,” Laura insisted. “It’s capital letters and there’s a reason for it.” “I’m only going to say this one more time,” Marjorie said, without looking at Laura. “You are wrong.” “Oh for the love of all that is holy,” said managing editor David as he entered the newsroom. “Tell me you two are not fighting again.” “We’re not fighting,” ...

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“The Magic Tree” by Sullivan Dark

Submitted to Contest #153

It was a rainy, windy day as we drove down the dead-end street to our new home. We have been wanting a home for the longest time and now that I have been released from the Marines, we are finally getting a home of our own. Lois has been planning for days as we drove from California to Florida on how she wants to decorate. She has looked at every design magazine and online to pick colors, furniture, and decorative items. I don’t really mind at all, Lois put up with a lot of loneliness and made do ...

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$250

Prize money

214

Contest entries

104

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 08, 2022 EST

Won by L. E. Scott 🏆

Title: Broken

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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