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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#156: The Mandela Effect

Nelson Mandela was an enormously influential figure in world history: the first president of a new democratic government, South Africa’s first Black head of state, and a global icon of democracy and activism.

This week, our prompts delve into a lesser-known phenomenon that his legacy also sparked. Despite the iconic leader dying in 2013 at the age of 95, many people worldwide vividly recall news coverage announcing Mandela’s death in the 1980s. This mystery led to the coining of the term “the Mandela Effect”, or a memory that is falsely shared by multiple people.

From famous quotes that were never spoken (Vader never actually said “Luke, I am your father”), to facts we swear have changed over time (many recall being taught there were 52 US states, not 50), there are countless examples of the Mandela Effect out there. This week’s prompts explore this weird world of false memories, alternate universes, and all things strange.

This week's prompts

Write about two characters arguing over how a past event happened.

Sad – 34 stories

Write a story where a character is experiencing parallel realities.

Science Fiction – 65 stories

Write about false news coverage of an important event.

Nonfiction – 17 stories

Start your story with a character or a narrator saying, “Don’t you remember?”

Middle School – 59 stories

Write a story about a pathological liar.

Dark – 37 stories

Stories

“Yours Truly” by Ash Tenebris

Submitted to Contest #156

Don’t you remember? Don’t you remember all the times I was by your side? Why can’t you be at mine now? Why can’t you just be here for one more night? I still can hear your voice in your writing, I can still feel every emotion you poured into the words. I see it flitting across the page like a ghost. God, how I miss seeing you write. I remember one night I woke up and you were hunched over your desk, your computer brightness turned down as far it could be. You had gotten an idea while falling asleep and needed to write it out before it escap...

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“"I Love Her"” by Gillian Lyons

Submitted to Contest #156

“Don’t you remember?”I felt so raw having to ask the words to Her. I never thought I’d show such a weak side to myself for such a small thing. But I fell hard with Her and I was always destined to be the one that needed Her more than she could ever need me. I would have been embarrassed if shame and pain didn’t overwhelm me instead, climbing up my body as I sat there on my knees with Her looking down at me, a puzzling expression that I dared to hope still hid some affection for my dark curls and small frame that loved to hug Her around Her n...

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“Grand Central.” by Kaitlyn M.

Submitted to Contest #156

[TW: Slight mentions of insanity] [Caution: The following texts will cause you to think deeply, to question everything you know. It will make you remember. The things you recall may not be exactly what you want. Don't be scared of your mind. Let it wander. Your inner child will thank you.] * * * * * "Don't you remember?" "Remember what?" My voice is strikingly cold, bitter like my surroundings. Marble is dusty, the walls are covered in spiderwebs. Creepy little things. As I look around the empty station, something in me isn't very ...

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“My Daughter” by Chanumi Nanayakkara

Submitted to Contest #156

“Don’t you remember?” I say hearing my breath coming out in rasps.Meredith shook her head, squinting her pale blue eyes up at me.My hands trembled as I enveloped her in another hug, sinking into the smell of vanilla that always lingered in her. The soft pulsing of her heart was jubilant music to my ears. I kissed her auburn curls for the millionth time.“Mum, what’s wrong?” she asked pulling back and placing the colored pencils she is holding on the counter, pale blue eyes suspicious as she looked me over. I opened my mouth to talk but no wor...

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“Down the Rabbit Hole” by Paloma CT

Submitted to Contest #156

“Don’t you remember?” The universe has been spying on me for a while now. Its sharp gaze leaves hints on strangers’ faces and fools my ears by making them believe they heard my name being shouted as I walk across all streets. “Evren.” It whispers the word I find myself most often forgetting to remember. I hear that name rushing through my veins as I cross 555th avenue, the name that traps me into living a real-life version of groundhog day, except in my case, the days pass. Before blinking, the moment drifts away, and I find myse...

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“The Wine Stain. The Dress. The Glass.” by Annabeth M

Submitted to Contest #156

[TW: Themes of death and violence] Don’t you remember? “We’re going to turn on the recording.” Blood. Screams. Don’t you remember? Remember, don’t you? Don’t remember, you? The knife, clattering to the floor. “Are you able to answer a few questions for us?” Bl...

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“small moments, those precious things” by Angel C

Submitted to Contest #156

“Don’t you remember our childhood?” I tried to say this to her with a smile. She was cross-legged on the floor, back leaning against the faded cream couch. Her eyes darted to me as I said it. As if I’d touched on something I shouldn’t have. As if those memories were too tender. “It was an odd one, that’s for sure. Mixed and messy and full of upheaval. But there were little moments in-between. Sun-filled moments, times when we all felt something good. I’ll remind you of them, if you’d like. You don’t have to say anything. Just listen. Close y...

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“Liar” by Clara Candace Farr

Submitted to Contest #156

Liar“This is my pencil,” he said defiantly to his mom. “That’s your pencil?” she repeated slowly hoping he would correct his lie into a truthful statement. “Yes!” he doubled down. She walked out of kitchen and quickened her steps around the corner. She was in a run when she hit the stairs up to her son’s bedroom. She flung open the door to see her bundle of work pencils and a few other items from her desk on top of his dresser. Why lie about a pencil? The thought kept turning over in her mind. This small ac...

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“The Semi-Golden Years” by Don Tucker

Submitted to Contest #156

Retired couple James and Martha Newcombe were using their sudden heaps of time to do and see new things. They had five children who were no longer children and long ago moved out to start lives of their own. James, a former physician, and Martha, a former high school history teacher, would often dream and hypothetically speak about the journeys that would take place once they had the time. More than once, usually over morning coffee or evening wine, they would be walking the Valley of the Kings in Cairo or admiring the astonishing views of t...

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“Dangerous Predator on Planet Earth” by Violetta Salabay

Submitted to Contest #156

Good morning World It is the year 2022 , nine in the morning . We are live with today's news. China has reported a new type of species has been discovered , it's been described as being potentially harmful . They have said it can swim underwater , fly above the clouds at abnormal speed , and run long distances . Most recent reports are saying that the number of such species are increasing at a rapid pace , they are also prone to spread various diseases . And no it is not a bat . Joe Biden has released...

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“Marital Deterioration and the Aftermath” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #156

“And to this day, Tony is still my best friend,” Pamela looked down the table at her ex husband and gleamed. It made Justine wince, but she forced a smile regardless and said through gritted teeth, “That is so nice.” She also had an ex husband at the table, but he was far from being her best friend. She avoided eye contact and all interactions with him at all costs. But it is hard to avoid an ex when you share a child, let alone a child who is getting married in one day. Alec, Justine’s recent boyfrien...

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“Did He Jump or Was He Pushed?” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #156

Cyril Cassidy and Tripp Killian cross themselves as Hunter “The King” Kingsley’s casket is lowered into the ground. Much like his reckless spendthrift life, baseball’s most exalted player, Kingsley, the Los Angeles Angels All-Star centerfielder, has been afforded an extravagant sendoff in death. His casket has a plush velvet interior, and the outside is made of solid bronze with “The King” written in script in 14 karat gold. Hunter’s body looks bronzed, brawny, and beautiful as if he could step out of the casket and smash the winning hit. ...

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“Let Go and Let God for a Moment in Love!” by Alice Rosenthal

Submitted to Contest #156

Yesterday, I read my new friend’s mind, no lie. I had just met him at Action Burger the night before, and I just knew it, knew something more was coming, a change of extraordinary measure was banging on the door. God said to me “Find him, help him cross the line of perception into the sublime. Yesterday, I met my twin flame and my life will never be the same. We did not remain on this plain, to put our face into frame, mirroring each other seamlessly. We jumped between dimensions through portals in the tree frames, we listened to them throug...

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“Another World, Another Me” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #156

Do you ever wonder if there is another you somewhere out in the universe living the life you are suppose to be living? Sometimes I wonder if that's true for me. Two weeks ago I began having dreams of myself. I didn't understand them then and I still don't understand what they mean. In the dreams I see myself living out a life I could have had. Instead, I'm living a simple yet satisfying life. My life hasn't turned out the way I always dreamed of. I'm not saying I hate my life. What I am saying is that I have or had dreams of being a chef...

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“Sundown you better take care” by John Passadino

Submitted to Contest #156

Sundown You Better Take Care by John Passadino Francis brushed his teeth with fervor. The cool water and mint-flavored paste gushed over his gums and teeth, stimulating his taste buds. He savored the sweetness, thinking of the stack of York Peppermint Patties he layered on his tongue on Easter Sunday during his formative years. The experience and thoughts jolted him with an oxytocin high. “Ah yes, nothing like a peppermint toothpaste rush.” He spat into the sink, feeling a trickle of warm drool on his chin, and watched the fluffy...

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$250

Prize money

212

Contest entries

93

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 29, 2022 EST

Won by Sjan Evardsson 🏆

Title: We/I

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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