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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#174: Evolution

On November 25th, 1859, Charles Darwin published his groundbreaking book, On the Origin of Species. The idea of evolution was controversial; to claim that the world wasn’t unchanging and had not always been the same chafed against human ideals of perfection. But as we well know, nothing in life is truly static.

In the spirit of this anniversary, this week we want to explore evolution and new discoveries; because sometimes change can be terrifying, but it can also be freeing.

This week's prompts

Write a story where someone says, “Everything is changing.”

Dramatic – 59 stories

Write about two old friends meeting for the first time in years.

Adults – 60 stories

Write a story about someone coming to terms with how different they are from their younger self.

Angst – 49 stories

Write about someone whose desire to constantly improve something borders on obsessive.

Dramatic – 25 stories

Write a story about a brilliant scientist making a startling discovery.

Science Fiction – 45 stories

Stories

“How to Assassinate the Undead” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #174

Flaming skeletons marched through the dragon scorched streets of Holyhome. Little remained of what had been the capital of the continent’s most powerful empire. “What now?” Sir Danielle Longbow asked the assassin by her side. “Now you blacken that tabard and stash your armour where it can’t give us away,” said Catherine Harper, who wore the blackened silver hawk mask as always. The knight rubbed the breastplate of her armour instinctively. She felt naked without it. “Where? There’s nothing left of this city that do...

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“Transitions” by Mike Panasitti

Submitted to Contest #174

My patient thinks everything is changing. For the worse. They are gender-transitioning from female to male and aren’t certain they want to complete the transformation. They state fear is the main reason for this uncertainty. Today was supposed to be the first day they began using the pronoun “he,” but they have balked at its adoption. “What chances does a woman who wants to be a man have of surviving if civilization goes to shit?” is what they ask before they are even laying on the couch that most of my patients use ...

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“Ten Years” by Lindsay Flo

Submitted to Contest #174

You’re raking leaves in your yard, like it’s any old Sunday. Like you’re living any old storyline, one that omits the chapter where you abandon your family, and along with it, mine. The funny thing is, I was going to do this next week. After ten years, I finally asked Roarke where you lived. I knew he knew. But in our world it’s almost as if you never existed, in which case I guess you got what you wanted, huh? So, in ten years I haven’t asked. Imagine how floored I was to learn you live just an hour away. A lifetime together, a decade apa...

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“Definition C” by Wendy Kaminski

Submitted to Contest #174

Apryl, a new patient, was the young wife of Carl's attorney friend, Michael: a professional courtesy, money never changed hands at this level. They had the same dentist, as well, and formed a sort of Super Friends group of white collar grads.Carl thought it a bit unfair, as he rarely needed the lawyer nor the dentist, but they always seemed to need the psychology services he offered. For someone who had graduated at the top of his class, he was definitely getting the short end of the stick, but was it particularly enlightened of him to resen...

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“Raising a Dead Horse” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #174

Lupita Smith held the skull of the horse in her hands. “I can feel the magic in it. It’s not completely dead.” “Maybe I should smash it with a hammer then,” said Sir Danielle Longbow coldly. “Those flaming horses helped slaughter my knights.” “They’re steeds, just as a living horse is not to blame for the actions of the rider, you can hardly hold this one responsible. I can feel the remains of its so...

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“Farewell to Adelaine” by Kevin Marlow

Submitted to Contest #174

Adelaine finished the draft of the text and pressed save, rolling her eyes and drawing in a breath. Looking around from the safety of a Lexus, the parking garage felt empty. It was early. That didn't stop the tension from surfacing. Rereading the unsent text, she pressed the button to turn off the screen and plucked the goggle-eyed shades from the visor and pulled the earpieces out with a lip still soft from a hot shower, and slid the sunglasses on to hide her face.Pulling a hood over her still-damp hair, the car chirped as the door clunked....

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“Where Have You Gone, Peter Pan?” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #174

Where Have You Gone, Peter Pan?“When I was child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reasonas a child; when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.” 1 Corinthians: 11-13I shave in the shower now. There’s no mirror in there. I don’t even want to see who I’ve become. Too many wrinkles, too many lines, not enough hair, no color. Sometimes, by sheer accident and the laws of probability and statistics, I’ll catch a glimpse of the old man in the mirror above the bathroom sink. I’m not even sure who he is.What happened? I ...

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“The Ringer” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #174

The Ringer… She really was one, y’know? The meaning of that word has changed a lot, but nothing else has. Just glad that I can talk to you about this and that you wanna know what the big deal was all about. I’m just glad that someone is going to remember one of my best friends.So, what do you want to know?Everyone who has one of those computers or phones – amazing what the technology around those things can do – can find out the stories: the market crash; the Dust Bowl; gangsters; soup kitchens. That can tell ya a lot, but not everything. Yo...

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“The Waiting Game” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #174

It’s a couple of minutes after eight when I turn off the high road and drive onto the open ground behind The Lazy Duck. My tyres crunch over granite chippings in the darkness and I draw up alongside a dozen other vehicles. I’m surprised there aren’t more cars out here this evening; the bar is quiet for a Friday night. Often at the weekend, a roar of chattering voices and shrill laughter greets me as I approach. In its heyday, the bar was a popular venue for parties because of its flexible licencing hours. The landlord, Jimmy McGuigan, used t...

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“Through The Round Window” by Cate Stamper

Submitted to Contest #174

Harry used to buy me flowers back when we were dating. He would buy them before he came to pick me up and present them to me while I giggled in joy. He was sweet on me long before I said yes to a date. All my friends were jealous of him, and my father gruffly nodded his approval after meeting him for the first time. It was like a dream. When we got engaged, Harry decided that we ought to buy a house for when we were married. Our little townhome was smaller than he wanted, but I loved it. My favorite part of it was the window. When we first s...

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“Rural Route 12: All Atwitter” by Wendy Kaminski

Submitted to Contest #174

It started out harmlessly enough. When I found myself with an abundance of leftover black sesame seeds from a failed baking experiment, I figured why not share, and tossed them out onto the back deck.I chanced to walk by later that day and was delightfully surprised at the trio of delicate feathered creatures assembled there enjoying their meager repast, each seemingly with its own personality. I watched for a time as they and others came and went. I was hooked! When the seeds ran out, so did my entertainment. Woe!How to get them back? ...

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“THE DAY THE RABBIT DIED” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #174

Mom and Dad:I have been thinking about what you said and I want to present my argument to you in writing so I don’t miss any of the points that I think are really important. I know I’m only 12 but I believe what I’m arguing is right and I hope you see that.I am the youngest in this family and I’ve only had 12 years of Easter baskets. That means that Rick and Robby have had many more years of Easter baskets than I will. It’s not fair to just cut off Easter baskets and then I get gypped because Dad thinks we’re too old. I’m...

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“Plaga Iuventae” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #174

Author's note: this is a fictional take on a virus based on a real genetic condition called Progeria. The author acknowledges those who suffer from the condition, in any and all of its levels of severity, and wants to express that this story is not an accurate depiction, nor demeaning, of those diagnosed with the condition. The author also acknowledges that this story does not accurately depict, nor demean, any Vietnam War veteran living or not. If Claire Patterson was alive today, he would be pardoned. Why would I say this? Because ...

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“Carnapped” by Mary Lehnert

Submitted to Contest #174

“What the……….it was here only 30 minutes agoHans stared stupidly at the empty rectangle of worn-away gravel, weeds, and murky puddle in the middle.Warned of such crimes he’d dismissed them as idle and unimportant. Outraged, feeling foolish, he churlishly kicked at the ground. Scheisse! I’ve been…………. CARNAPPEDA few people had gathered after hearing the commotion. Quietly muttering and nodding...

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“Haven’t Lived…” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #174

“As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.” ― Albert Einstein Artie Fischer began his day convinced he was on the cusp of something big. The theoretical physicist had focused on his pet research project for months. A breakthrough so close, it lay in tasting range. Those months passed, one season blurring into another. Artie scarcely knew the time of day. Eating had no priority. His team worked non-stop. They’d say, ‘I’ll sleep when I’m d...

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$250

Prize money

238

Contest entries

96

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 02, 2022 EST

Won by Sam Porter 🏆

Title: Playing God

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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