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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#182: Feeling Watched

Being self-conscious is one thing; being paranoid is quite another. Feeling eyes on you changes your behavior, simultaneously casting you in a reality TV show and a dystopian horror film. Do you thrive in attention, feel jumpy, or overthink your every move?

Let’s don our trench coats, take a furtive glance around a street corner, and search the unmoving darkness for answers. Don’t forget your torch.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a home alarm system going off.

Dramatic – 49 stories

Set your story in a society where everyone is constantly aware of unwanted surveillance.

Dystopian – 27 stories

Write a story where someone’s paranoia is justified.

Mystery – 78 stories

Write about a character who wishes they could just disappear — and then they do.

Mystery – 50 stories

Start your story with someone entering a taxi and saying ‘follow that car.’

Dramatic – 33 stories

Stories

“Karen” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #182

Karen tried not to move. She had been dreaming of being swept off her feet by a handsome dark-haired man in a tuxedo, when the loud screeching of her home alarm tore him from her. That was the least of her worries now, for there was someone in her room! She could hear them talking, clear as day. “How did that not wake her?” asked a high-pitched voice. “That would have startled an elephant!” “You're right,” replied a slower gravelly voice, “that usually works like a charm.” The gravelly voice sounded older and oddly familiar, but Karen was to...

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“Undetected ” by Chelsey B

Submitted to Contest #182

Cora and her parents had just moved into a small cabin at the edge of a forest known to some as the Pristine Pines. While her mom and dad were busy unpacking boxes and arranging furniture, Cora decided to explore the woods. She glanced out the window and saw that the sun was shining in a sky that was brilliantly blue. She knew that both the sky and the sun were deceiving, and the crisp air would sting her cheeks as soon as she stepped out. Cora ran to her room and tore through the moving boxes in search of her warm wool base layers. She ...

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“The Beginning of The End” by Ana Cecilia Galvan

Submitted to Contest #182

Working on a creation to save my people, my worst nightmare has come to be as sirens fill the air and blasts are heard from a distance. The Wither, a creature of mass destruction, has found our location and is now on a rampage to destroy everything we’ve built. I freeze in terror for a moment. My best friend, the person I hold the dearest was in the mines gathering materials that are needed to complete the project. He could be dead right now. As the initial shock passes, and adrenaline kicks in, I grab the nearest pickaxe to run into the...

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“EYES IN THE SKY” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #182

Run Morgan run, don't let them see you. The drone is over my head watching me, watching my every move. I don't let them see what I have or else I will get arrested. Look up at the sky Morgan wait until they leave, keep looking Morgan. Don't let them get you nervous. Don't give them any reason to arrest you. You are doing good Morgan. They will leave soon and move on to their next target. There they go, now quickly get inside before the next drone comes. Thank God the drone left me alone. I run into my building, up the stairs and into m...

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“ParalleLife” by Katharine Johns

Submitted to Contest #182

The Richards family--William, Teresa, and Jenny-- just moved to Verdant Valley. The neighborhood is just what they all wanted, a bustling small town of friendly people full of big opportunities where one could be anything they put their mind to: a breakout star, a superhero or supervillain, a high-ranking politician or businessperson, a master of many skills, a master money maker or even just a well-read, well-traveled or a faithful family person. After a couple of quick meals and refreshing themselves in their fully-furnished abode, The Ric...

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“Tyranny By Any Other Name” by Hans Kiessling

Submitted to Contest #182

The walls have eyes. Everyone knew it, it wasn’t some big secret. Most didn’t think much of it, surrounded by eyes all their lives, most didn’t realize the importance of it. They saw them at the street corners, they saw them in the corners of rooms, they saw them on their computers and laptops. For just like the walls, the streets had eyes, the tables had eyes, eyes were held in everyone's hands every day and none thought anything of it. None realized the simple truth that naturally followed that fact. Eyes capture information and relay it. ...

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“Government Stew” by Kirsten Curcio

Submitted to Contest #182

“Sometimes I think, when the scheduled clean comes on, the little vacuum wakes up and says ‘Aw, do I have to work today?’ because his job is to vacuum, and it sucks.” “Yeah. Maybe he wants to roll away to a better life.” “Yeah. He just slides out of the house and rolls down the street.” “… With a little blue baseball cap on.” “Aw.” “Poor guy. Something good will come of him. I can feel it.” Announcer: Give a vacuum a good life. Adopt and convert a robot vacuum of the past, to take into the futur...

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“The Flight Attendant” by Andrea Condo

Submitted to Contest #182

It was a cool October day in Maine when I headed down the stairs of the Saab 340 aircraft I called my home for the past 4 days as flight attendant for that group of trips between Bangor and Boston. I had just finished wiping down the blue leather seats and checking the seat backs for anything left behind when I exhaled a tired sigh of relief that I could finally head home for my three days off before starting the grind again. I hopped in one of the familiar taxis to find one of my regulars at the wheel.“Headed home?” Joe asked.“Thank God, ye...

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“No Rest for the Watched” by Jewleena Taylor

Submitted to Contest #182

Warnings: Vague mention of rape, Animal cruelty, Stalking, and Police negligence.I woke up to the sound of my alarm buzzing continuously. I groggily sit up to turn it off. Bane, my black cat, was already meowing loudly, for her food. I get up and go into the kitchen, making myself a cup of coffee. Stilts was running in circles around the couch, I wish to have that much energy this early. Then, I started to get the animals' food. Orange bowl with dog food for Stilts, red bowl with cat food for Bane, I put some food into the cage for my snake,...

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“I’m Getting Pretty Tired of Getting Knocked Out” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #182

The slot machines seem to clang “goodbye, sucker” in unison as Chick Goldsby stumbles toward the casino’s exit. He nearly plows into a cocktail waitress. The stunning blonde gives him a bright smile, saying, “Tough night?” “The house always wins.” Reaching into her costume, the waitress hands him a silver dollar. “It’s lucky. It helps make empty lives worth living.” “Great, I’ve lost my girl, and my motivation and the real estate market in Nevada is tanking,” Chick replies. “It’s a pleasure receiving a gift from a woman whose beauty riv...

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“All Eyes Open” by Zack Peloquin

Submitted to Contest #182

“That’s it! This is the last time I’m smoking that stuff!” screamed Mikayla as she burst into her dorm room. In front of her lay three sets of blank white, terrified faces. The bloodshot in their eyes was as red as the exit sign behind Mikayla in the hallway. The three girls dressed in mismatched sweats and baggy t-shirts from Universities they have never visited before and likely will never go to, sat there guiltily on various chairs and bunks as Mikayla exclaimed. “I can’t even throw these pizza boxes away without feeling like I have the...

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“Eyes on me ” by Robert Cook

Submitted to Contest #182

My name is Clara Rising for about as long as I can remember I’ve felt as though someone was always watching me even as a kid. I don’t know why but, the feeling was just there even when it was clear that I was alone. I am 23 years old I live by myself as a writer that’s somewhat accomplished I wake up this morning refreshed after my late night gaming session. I love playing overwatch it’s easier to climb than I thought with the right people. I check the clock 7:00am huh? If I remember correctly I have a book signing today at Barnes & Nobl...

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“Right To Be Paranoid” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #182

His day starts as usual with him standing in front of the full body mirror he has. Admiring his milky smooth white skin, the crimson shine of his eyes and his flowing jet black silky hair. A gift that God gave to him to be loved by all the women. At least that’s his thought anyway. Getting dressed, he heads out to his appointment. Stepping outside he has a feeling of being watched, so he stops and looks around but sees no one. Still the feeling is still there but it soon disappears. People are standing around looking at him as he stands by...

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“Embracing our Differences” by Bruno Veiga

Submitted to Contest #182

Sometimes we wish everyone was just like us. We wish they thought the same as us, we wish we had the same beliefs, and agreed upon the same things, but do we want that? How fun would the world be if we were exactly equal?Being different at times becomes the motive of so much worry to us. We worry that we might be wrong, or inadequate, or that we are going to be judged or laughed at. We worry about how others perceive us, and we feel self-conscious. It is a feeling as if all eyes are on us, as if we are the center of attention.Would we have t...

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“A Memory in Coalescence” by 姐姐

Submitted to Contest #182

August 20th, 2019La PalomaMy lady, Sarali:For a moment, a montage of memories came rushing through my mind. The thoughts of you, although quite lovely, were bursting through my head like that of the serrated mountain range we still live in today. And at that moment, I cried and realized I had forgotten you after so many years. When did I stop talking to you? How did you disappear from my life so quickly?Sarali. Each day was like a vast minefield. If you don't say or do the right things to the right person at the best time to do it, your word...

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$250

Prize money

237

Contest entries

154

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 27, 2023 EST

Won by Liv Chocolate 🏆

Title: Careful—You’ll Slip, Fall, and Die on Those Slippery Slopes

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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