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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

“Slice of Life” by Sofia Ventura

Submitted to Contest #18

She was shivering. I wondered if she had a fever, because the fur coat was too heavy to be cold under. "I didn't do it.""Not entirely, no. He'll live."Her eyes were definitely looking a little feverish."It made me. But I don't remember doing it. You can't lock me up for it.""Clara, it very much looks like you did it."She was crying now, shaking like a leaf. I wanted to hug her, but the bloodstains weren't quite dry."Please," she said, rubbing childishly at her eyes with the sleeve of her coat. "It was the knife.""All by itself?""I don't know...

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“Smoke and Letters” by Alicia Trevino

Submitted to Contest #18

It was more of a gag gift than her being serious about wearing a plush, plum, suede coat. In fact, the thrift store had a deal going that all purple tags were half off. She got the coat for a swimming total of eight dollars. Who knew it would come with so much trouble to top it off? Actually, would it be defined as trouble? Maybe it could just be defined as sad. That’s what it makes her. Not the coat. The coat fills her with emotions that she can’t figure out how to compute. It’s the note inside of the coat of her coat th...

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“Red & Emerald” by Sarcastic Kate

Submitted to Contest #18

As she ran her hands over the various colors of fabrics, the vintage secondhand coat on the re-sale rack demanded her attention immediately; she had a knack for scouting all things that seemed like they were from another time and another place, but this bright red coat definitely was a score that felt transportive in its power. She stood in front of the full-length mirror and watched the trench-coat style jacket flow coyly past her knees. Yes, this was the find of the day for sure, she thought as she slipped back out of the jacket, returned ...

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“"This Hypothetical Adventure"” by Hamish Braithwaite

Submitted to Contest #18

James was having an average day. He was walking down the moderately busy city street in his new coat. Technically it was an old coat, but it was newly in his possession. He’d just bought it from the local second hand store, and honestly, it was the most exciting thing he’d done all week. He was quite pleased with himself about the purchase. A very soft, warm fleece lining inside a worn denim exterior. A cool, vintage look. And for only $40. Perfect for this time of year as Autumn was starting to put a chill on the wind. He was still testing ...

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“New Beginnings and Old Memories” by Carol Coupland

Submitted to Contest #18

He walked out of the shop with the tote bag. It was not what he would have called a great buy. The colour was alright, but it was not r trendy. Well he couldn't complain when it was all he could afford. He would try to wash the mustiness out and wear it with style. It still irritated him. It was not the fact that it was a second hand good – he had worn those in his childhood. It was not the fact that he was earning a minimum wage. He liked the honest work. It was that all those who had profited from his hard work we...

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“Fate Ring” by Maggie McVey

Submitted to Contest #18

She wore me on her finger as she yelled, tears were streaming down her face. She was angry. Then, she took me off, threw me at him, and ran. That was the last time I saw her, the last time I called her finger home. Her name was Honey. He held me in his hand tightly as he yelled and cursed after her. After he shouted at an empty doorway for what felt like eternity, he shoved me in his pocket. He never pulled me back out. That was the last time I saw him. His name was Dear. I don't know how long I've been in his pocket. I hear voices, but I n...

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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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“First steps back” by Anie Doe

Submitted to Contest #18

Her face fell in her hands and she could feel the dry skin of her cheeks and forehead. It hasn't always been so dry. The local weather, her lifestyle or maybe the state of her soul have changed it. Her hands smelled of soap and her eyes rested for a little while finding some comfort hidden from the rest of the world and she became strangely aware of how the eyelid muscles relaxed. A couple of seconds of not thinking, of not feeling the awful loneliness that has been tearing her heart apart.Kathe was on the way for more than a year. Her savin...

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“The World in a Pocket” by Ina Layton

Submitted to Contest #18

The sun was unbearable on the back of his neck and Quinn wished that he hadn’t let his friend convince him to wear his hair up that day. “Man-buns are in style again. You have to wear one,” she’d told him as she gave him the style of her choice, and he only allowed her to do so because he hated the look she wore whenever he told her no. Sighing, he quickly walked into the small thrift store, the little bell ringing above his head and surprising him. His friend, Ainna, followed behind him while mumbling under her breath about how he did...

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“The Coat” by Jose Adams

Submitted to Contest #18

I don't always buy clothes, but the winter was coming and I wanted a good coat as soon as possible, no matter if it was second-hand. In town, there is a big grocery store, which sells all kinds of items, from hardware, food to clothing, even second hand. Fung and Chang's business.Evergreen is a small town and as you know the saying, small town, big hell. However, Evergreen is a friendly place, full of nice people and not so nice people too. One of the best establishments is Joe's butcher shop, where they give you the best steaks, attended by...

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““HER STORY LIVES ON”” by William Webster

Submitted to Contest #18

“Michael! Why are you pulling me in here!” “You said we needed outfits for the custom party, so . . . Jessica interrupted. “It’s not a custom party. It’s a masquerade event, it’s a fund raiser for the . . .” “Masquerade, costume - whatever you want to call it. This is a great place to find something. Trust me.” “Here?” “Yep. What better place than in a vintage clothing store.” “I don’t know.” She began to give in to his suggestion when Michael dragged her through the doorway.&...

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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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“Fate's Keeper” by Jason Burchfield

Submitted to Contest #18

I hate feeling obligated into anything, especially attending events. I know you’re supposed to be there for family, but mine wasn’t as tight knit as movies make you believe they should be. We were at some fancy restaurant in town for a rehearsal dinner for my brother’s wedding. But what’s a rehearsal dinner anyway, just another chance for the two families to argue, fight, or compete. I guess that’s a bit harsh; our two families get along in general. My brother and fiancé have known one another for as far back as I can rem...

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“Container Crime” by Laura S

Submitted to Contest #18

"Hey you" a man's voice yelled from behind the storage container, echoing off all nearby containers. You turn back, it's dark so you can't see who or where he is. You stay quiet and slowly squat down behind the large anchor and chains, hoping he'll lose you."Hey, get out here, get out here now, your wife won't be happy once she hears that you won't even stand up and fight for her" he said, voice booming threateningly throughout the ship. You roll your eyes and wait for him to do his worst. You're a fully trained investigator, lead chief poli...

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“The Midway” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #18

THE MIDWAY As usual, walking north on Beach 116th Street and away from the Flight 587 Memorial, he kept his fingers tightly wrapped the roll of quarters in his suit pocket until he was safely past his decades-old temptation. Without incident, he took the A Train to the Train to the Plane, ultimately boarding a 737 heading southwest to meet his date, the first in years.“Would you describe this date as ‘corny’? I mean, at our age. And aside from the fact that we’re eating corn dogs.” Devin, tall, an interesting combination of h...

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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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