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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

“A Near Escape” by Annony Mous

Submitted to Contest #18

Immanuel ben-Lazar had finally made it. He was standing on the wharf on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, waiting to step foot on a ship that would bring him to America. He had been trying to escape Israel for years and an opportunity had ultimately arisen. A friend had told him about a trader who smuggled immigration passes into Saudi Arabia. That was a dangerous place for Jews, but he and his family had made it through after a few miniscule trials.Immanuel's wife, Leah, his young son, Elizar, and his sixteen-year-old daughter Rebecca were...

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“The Pine Valley Pickpocket” by Natalie M.

Submitted to Contest #18

Before I begin telling my story, I have to write out a timeline of what happened just prior to what happened, so you have a clear idea why it happened:May 18, 2013 -- I became a cop for the Pine Valley Police Department.March 22, 2015 -- Pine Valley PD started new, updated trainings on pickpocketing in the 21st century, which was needed because the last one showed Walkmans and bundles of cash wrapped in scrunchies.September 9, 2015 -- Kevin, my ex boyfriend and longest lasting relationship, dumped me after finding out about my excessive gamb...

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“A Turn of Fate” by Annony Mous

Submitted to Contest #18

"Thomas, darling, we have to get going!"Thomas Howard was a middle-aged man who lived in a run-down, shabby hut with his exasperating (but loving) wife and seven children. He was the son of a street beggar and had had no proper schooling. He worked at an office, keeping fires, cleaning messes, and delivering messages. He was paid enough to provide his enormous family with the smallest, puniest chicken in the market for dinner. One meal a day. So it was not very common when Thomas Howard and his wife were invited to a party, however small it ...

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“The Letter” by Brennah Abernathy

Submitted to Contest #18

Cecilia inhaled the scent of the second-hand store as she tugged on her new coat. Well, it was sort of a new coat. She bought it last week at a thrift shop. Her friends were laughing, joking around, and forcing each other to try on the ugliest thing they could find. The coat was indeed the ugliest thing Cecilia had ever seen, which usually meant she loved it. It was a bright green faux-suede. It had tassels, and feathers and enough pink sequins to make it look like a colored disco ball. The light caught it every time she moved in the mi...

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“Never too late for love” by Arina Kozlova

Submitted to Contest #18

Mr Brown was a miserable man. He would spend whole days sitting in his office, looking through the papers, signing and reading them. Mr Brown never occurred to have a family. He just never had time for that pointing out to his remaining friends that "relationship is just a waste of time and money"... Uhm... "as well as children". Now that he turned 55 years old, he found himself sitting alone in his office on Sunday with no postcards being sent to him. It was the 24th of December, Christmas was coming, and no one was going to give him e...

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“The Proposal” by Michele Duess

Submitted to Contest #18

It was in my pocket and I gripped it, ready to pull it out. Next to it was something I wanted very much to give away. That I should have done sooner but too late now. “Look, my friend. No one wants a fight today.” “You’re about to get one, you Spic bastard.” “Spic? Seriously? There's no need for that. Aren’t you Spanish yourself?” He looked it. Average height, tan skin, and black hair. If I was wrong things could get worse, but I didn’t know how. “Be careful,” Sara whispered....

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“The Orange Hot Pants, and what I found there” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #18

The decade that style forgot. That’s what they call the Seventies. Funny sort of phrase. It almost makes you feel sorry for them, can imagine the poor old Seventies desperate to be loved and for Style to remember them and pay a visit. And there they sit, like an unmarried auntie in a nursing home, only wanting a bit of love and attention. Mind you I have an unmarried auntie in a nursing home and nobody is going to get away with not paying her enough attention, me included. Still, I sometimes wonder if it mi...

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“The Reliable One” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #18

Every office has its cast of characters. Not all of them in every office, of course, and there are some hybrids, and some come, and some go, but there are a few you can more or less rely on. The innovator – the person who says, “I know this sounds like a silly idea,” but is convinced in their own mind it isn’t, and it usually turns out to be a very good one. The joker – and they can be a mixed blessing, but for every groan they cause, there’s a relief at a lightening of the mood. The mother or father figure, who is by no ...

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“Treasure Hunting” by Tuesday Michael

Submitted to Contest #18

Growing up, my father and I loved going to the old thrift store down the street. The brick-red building had fading paint on the sides. I think it used to be a mural of some kind. The windows were littered with old deals and ads to lure people in. I'm pretty sure I've seen a 'Grand Opening' sign still there. The cluttered outside was the opposite of the neat rows of old clothes, toys, and other trinkets. It was almost too clean, with white tile floors and bright lighting that made even the dullest broach shine like it was new. Even the ...

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“A hand to hold ” by Emily Nagel

Submitted to Contest #18

Boris shoved his bare hands into his trouser pockets, stretching them out in an attempt to rouse the feeling he lost in them long ago. One of his fingers popped out of a tattered hole, only to be buffeted by the mid-December gale. The boy sighed, squeezing his hands into protective balls, barely shielded by the thin material of his pockets. Across the icy road, a banner wrapped around a dingy shop without a name, loudly proclaiming in bold black letters, “Second-hand, vintage, antique, thrift.” The open sign was just visible between two...

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“A Ring For No-One.” by Taliah Melur

Submitted to Contest #18

Laurel Crouch was never one to feel glad being dragged around. Especially by her best friend. Unfortunately, Romilda Finch was a rather merry, curious girl who lost interest in things at the tip of a hat. Laurel was in an especially grouchy mood one particular Sunday; her mother had unleashed hell upon her, after discovering her secret stash of ramen packets in the back of her closet."Just because you're going on a stupid diet does not mean that I get to suffer as well!" Laurel had roared. "What about my rights as a human livi...

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“My Only Coat” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #18

Bella Sutherland had never felt as alone in her life as she did at this moment. For as long as she could remember, it had just been the two of them, her and her mother.Oh, there had been others along the way, but for the most part they had been very temporary. Mum had insisted they move every few years. Bella had never been sure what they’d been running from. Was it debt? They were always short of money, but as far as Bella could ascertain they had always paid their way, just. Or perhaps it was someone in partic...

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“A wealthy way of living” by Lindsey Starrberri

Submitted to Contest #18

Handres Elliot Gregwend. My uncle. He died about a year ago, at 102. My mother still wonders about him.Uncle Hans was Father's brother. He was the pickpocket of the state. He never passed a block without picking something up. Once, Uncle Hans gave me a beautiful pocket watch, gold. It was perfect. He gave my brother a pretty watch, and my three sisters each got jewelry. Later, we took the accessories to a jeweler, and he told us they were real, about thirty carats each.Uncle Hans never disappointed us. Mom tells us that the only reason he be...

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“Pickpocket” by Quinn Collins

Submitted to Contest #18

A pickpocket stole my truths from my back pocket. Now, only lies slip through my teeth. I can say my name and personal facts, but I can’t talk about memories. They become twisted and wildly untrue. When I say these things, it doesn’t even feel like I’m lying. The strangest thing about this, everyone believes the lies. No questions asked. I could make up the most unbelievable, fictional story and everyone would believe it. They don’t even just give simple, robot responses either. They seem interested, asking questions for more details. And wi...

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“Birthday Magic.” by Monika Anderson

Submitted to Contest #18

Eliza woke up the morning after her nineteenth birthday, she seemed frozen in her bed and the panic woke her with a fright. She woke up in a panicked frenzy each and every morning since she was nine years old and didn’t know why. With a sigh she wipes the sweat from her brow and sits up to sip her sup of midnight water on her nightstand. The old analog clock read 6:30 am. She thought to her self she might as well get up and start her day. She slips her jeans ...

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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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