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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#18: Pocketful of Sunshine

Pockets are where we keep items of importance: our keys, cellphone, wallet, or, if you're Bilbo Baggins, the One Ring. (And if you're Natasha Bedingfield, the sun.)

Losing or finding such items can be a strong starting point for a story. Which is why this week, we're challenging you to write a pocket-sized (aka "short") story based on a pocket-themed prompt.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character who buys a secondhand coat and then discovers something in the pocket.

Thriller and Suspense – 99 stories

Your fingers tensed around the object in your pocket, ready to pull it out at a moment's notice.

Science Fiction – 44 stories

Write a story about someone cleaning out their attic. They find an old piece of clothing, and inside of its pocket is an old keepsake.

Adults – 52 stories

"It was just here!" you shout, frantically searching your pockets for the missing thing.

Funny – 31 stories

Write a story about a very skilled pickpocket.

Character – 65 stories

Stories

“The Purple Coat” by Laura S

Submitted to Contest #18

"Hello, may I help you?" the little old woman asked me as I wondered slowly around the shop of second hand clothes, accessories and other interestingly dated things. I didn't notice her initially since her slacks and blouse matched the items in what seemed to be well, the entire store, so she kinda camouflaged for a moment there. Old and shabby, used and reused, hand-me-downs that looked to have gone through about nine siblings before ending up here, at Seccy, the shop where things go for another life when someone doesn't want them anymore. ...

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“RAINY DAY” by Grace Galton

Submitted to Contest #18

Thirty years had passed Compton on Sea by without the little town seeming to have noticed.Maggie strolled down the quiet road of identical bungalows, distinguished only by their slightly differing gardens and knocked on the door of Number 22.As the door opened, Margaret seemed to be looking at her own reflection. The only difference being the immaculate styling of Janet's long, dark hair. Margaret, having recently returned from Australia, sported a far more shaggy look. The twins smiled and hugged each other and Janet linked arms with her si...

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“The Shell of Time” by Kim Nickolopoulos

Submitted to Contest #18

Mom said to do the honorable thing to give back because I had so much. I’ve always have had plenty of hand me downs from my brothers, family and friends, so I decided after many years to clean out my closets and other storage areas of the house. With the idea of giving unwanted items to the Goodwill store and SPCA because I love helping the animals as well. It took most of the morning going through everything and determining the emotional value of my stuff. There were so many memories of course good and bad which did t make the dec...

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“Lost love found” by Karen Daubon

Submitted to Contest #18

SSally put on the coat from the second hand store, with the snow blowing around outside she was grateful to have found any coat at all in late December. Happy it was. Somewhat stylish and oh so warm. Plunging her hands in the pockets for added warmth she discovers her fist Christmas miracle of the season. Sally was used to miracles .in her life, her life was difficult at best and always seemed to fall through the cracks of polite society but she didn't mind if it meant she could behold all the miracles on a daily basis most seem to go on wi...

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“Just a piece of paper” by Alice Guile

Submitted to Contest #18

From the minute I walked in she was hostile. Bristling like a cat that has been stroked the wrong way, suspicious of my every move. I was annoyed that Jack had but me in this position, but at the same time, He’d been a good friend to me too, over the years, so I could hardly say no. House clearing should not have been too difficult if it weren’t for the awful atmosphere. I was there as a buffer more than anything. It was very cruel that Jack had only reconciled with his father a year previously and now he was gone. It was amazing and a testa...

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“The Unexpected Gift” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #18

THE UNEXPECTED GIFTBy Amy WilliamsI didn’t want to get out of the car. The sky was blue and a soft warm breeze teased my face. I just had a few minutes to go into the thrift store. I knew that soon enough it would be cold and I desperately needed a coat. My old coat was way past wearing. It was beyond repair and did not fit me anymore. I didn’t go this store often, although the prices were good. One of the last times I went in to look, I noticed they had these cute antique dolls for sale. They were marked at only a few dollars. I looked at t...

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“The Angel Teardrop” by Elyse Cunningham

Submitted to Contest #18

The Angel TeardropBy Elyse M. Cunningham Two men walked down the street towards a second-hand shop to pick up a gift. One of the men that looked to be in his 30s grumbled as they walked. “I don’t know why we’re doing this.” He mumbled as the man with silver hair and hazel colored eyes shook his head in annoyance. “You didn’t have to come with me, Joel, especially if all you were going to do is complain.” The other man barked as they shuffled into the small, brick building. “Hey, I had to come to get some gift for the upcoming holidays. It’s ...

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“Yellow” by Irina Vishnina

Submitted to Contest #18

She loved going to the second-hand shops. She liked browsing the household items, pictures, books, not so much the clothes.She enjoyed imagining their owners, trying to guess the story behind them, hoping their soul will share its memories…She spotted a glass bowl – perfect for her project. Now she will finally colour the seashells from the beach, might add a few shy lights, a sea star perhaps. Would be wonderful: a sea rainbow in a bowl.She paid for it and hurried up toward the door, impatient and excited…But then, something very yellow cau...

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“A Message In Time” by Genevieve Boughton

Submitted to Contest #18

I sighed as my Grandmother walked beside me at the thrift store. "Okay honey pick a coat it's cold out so your going to need a warm one."At sixteen years old I could have done work to afford a brand new coat. I could have gotten a job at one of the local stores in town even walked dogs or done yard work but my Grandmother said no to me doing any work.I skimmed through the coats hideous shades of blue and yellow made my eyes ache. I was getting frustrated until I reached the end of the rack. There was a tweed peacoat definitely an older coat ...

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“The Mysterious Letter” by Imani Stephens

Submitted to Contest #18

One Sunny Day in Tacoma Park, Maryland. A girl named Lola was looking for a winter coat for winter break. She is going to New York to visit family during the holidays. She and her mom named Sharon went to Goodwill to look for some nice winter coats. Lola is searching for the perfect coat. It has to be a baby blue coat and nothing else. She looks through all the coats but could not find a baby blue coat. Sharon was helping her look for a baby blue coat until she stumbles upon one. "Look what I found!" Sharon said happily. "You found it!" says...

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“The Letter” by Karen Waugh

Submitted to Contest #18

It's not like Lisa and I belonged to the Yada Yah Sisterhood Society back in those days. She was a rad 18-year old red head, hung up on karma and liking the Rolling Stones. I, on the other hand, wasn't a true blonde without the hair coloring, turning 19-years old soon and living in a college dorm.If I recall right, it was 1984, and Ronald Reagan was running the country as best he could. Lisa was all for the guy and I wasn't into politics. Our grandpa did look a lot like the man though and he, too, was 100% Republican.Like I say, Lisa and I w...

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“The Watch ” by M.L. Grace

Submitted to Contest #18

I sighed, blowing my breath upwards to shoo my bangs from my eyes. It was about time for a haircut but I would most likely take care of it myself, in front of the dingy mirror in my bathroom. My hands swiped over rows of coats while Stylette, my best friend, rambled on behind me. “Aren’t you listening?” she asked impatiently. “Mmmm,” I mumbled, realizing I’d been lost in thought again. “Sorry, what?” I asked. “I s...

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“Christmystery” by Sylvia Hurley

Submitted to Contest #18

Even though I live in a fairly small town and have for years, there's always something new to discover. My second latest discovery, a hole in the wall bookshop has led me here, an antique clothing store.Silver bells jingle as I open the door, a blast of warm air hitting me and stinging my cheeks due to the sharp contrast of the air outside."Welcome to Oldies But Goodies." A woman calls from the front desk.She has a shock of grey hair combed neatly into a bun, a youthful gleam in her eyes despite clearly being a senior citizen, and it's clear...

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“Curiosity ” by Jay Eccent

Submitted to Contest #18

Alistair's Pawn Shop and Curiosities, that's what the old, cracked and wooden sign said. Old man Alistair was the owner. He was tall, lanky and bald with twitchy, spindly fingers. I walked into the shop. It always smelled of varnish, dust and memories.Every time I visited, he'd tell me a story of the item I was so enthused. It was usually fantastical like a miniature, model sailboat owned by Napoleon Bonaparte or the actual portrait of Dorian Grey.Books upon books littered the walls and even the cracks in the brickwork were covered by volume...

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“The Hole in the Stone” by Michelle Parker

Submitted to Contest #18

“Be careful child, lest you see something you’ll wish you hadn’t,” said the satyr as he passed me with a smile on his wrinkled mahogany face. When I pulled the stone away from my eye he was only an old man with graying dreadlocks, no different from anyone else on the crowded Manhattan street. I whirled to watch him as he walked away, gripping the smooth stone in my trembling hand. The crowd jostled me as I stood there with my mouth hanging open like a fool. &n...

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$50

Prize money

291

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 06, 2019 EST

Won by Sam Lauren 🏆

Title: The Price of a Nice Guy

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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