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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#185: Hoarding Away

Much like dragons, people love a good hoard. Whether it’s money, objects, or even people, collecting can be a hobby — or an obsession. Our collections might be a maximalist hodge-podge shoved into every nook and cranny, a meticulously organized catalog with every item neatly labeled, or they may not even be tangible at all. Junk or riches, thoughts or feelings, even if we don’t know it, we might be unconsciously clinging on to something.

This week’s prompts evoke treasure troves, keepsakes, and whatever it is that compels us to hold on tightly.

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who doesn’t know how to let go.

Dramatic – 121 stories

Someone’s beloved collection is destroyed. How do they react?

Adults – 25 stories

Start a story with someone saying, “It’s mine, and you can’t have it!”

Dialogue – 25 stories

Write about a dragon who doesn’t know what to do with their hoard anymore.

Fantasy – 63 stories

Set all or part of your story in a jam-packed storage unit.

Mystery – 46 stories

Stories

“Nobody Knows How to Say Goodbye” by Arpad Nagy

Submitted to Contest #185

Nobody Knows How to Say Goodbye These walls have seen it all, from the beginning to the final call. I was there when you had nothing. Barren and waiting to hold everything in my bosom, ready to feed your dreams, support your ambition, and sustain your ego. Day after day, I stood solid, never failing, steady in temperament, cooling you when you boiled over, giving you respite with my silence when the war became too much—patiently listening while you planned your attack—giving you space to breathe and work when you had nowhere else t...

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“The Curious Case of the Rescued Toys” by Kevin V

Submitted to Contest #185

They slid open the storage unit to reveal it stuffed completely with what appeared to be all children's toys. From what Frank saw, no open space existed anywhere. "It'll be like that all the way to the back," Tom said. He owned the storage units. "I can't rent this one because it's always filled. I empty it and it fills up again. Mostly toys, stuffed animals and games. Always kid's stuff." Everything Frank saw looked like kid stuff. "And you have cameras in here." Tom pointed to where they were all mounted. "Twenty-four hour surveillan...

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“Don't Peek Inside ” by J. E. Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #185

On the way to the warehouse, the scenery changed from a bustling city to a grassland devoid of trees, from dawn to dusk. Luther Fernando, a young clean man, got out of his mediocre car, perched on the brittle road, and made his way toward the thundering iron fence surrounding the warehouse. The gate was open so Luther headed right in.The warehouse was an enormous brick building with no dents or scratches on it. By the warehouse's overhead silver door stood Mr. Gardner, a wrinkly old man wearing a leather garment and was the one who offered h...

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“The Family Legacy” by CATHERINE ALLEN

Submitted to Contest #185

Crossing the cattle grate into Willy’s Self Storage Unit lot Lucy unleashed a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Hearing the rhythmic sounds of gravel crunching under her truck tires as she drove down the gravel path she braced herself for the unavoidable, awkward encounter she was anticipating. A month earlier, Lucy received a past due notice from Willy’s Self Storage Unit in Valdosta, Georgia. The bill, which was in her name, said she owed $120 for her 10x15 storage unit. The standard $110 a month charge was upped...

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“The important stuff” by Marlise Pienaar

Submitted to Contest #185

I was standing in front of a storage unit with a ruby-red roller door. Number 87 B. I had a key in one hand and a letter in the other. I read the letter again. It was dated nine years ago. My darling Nina, If you’re reading this, it means I’ve finally moved on. Don’t be sad. I’ve had a long, full life. I left this storage unit and the secrets inside to you, as I know your mother would not handle it very gracefully. It’s strange how one’s offspring can be so different from you, but that you can find a kindred spirit in a grandchild instead....

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“The End of the Case” by Penny Whiting

Submitted to Contest #185

Howard’s pen scratched the paper as he wrote. It was the only sound in the room, apart from his own occasional breath. He didn’t even have a clock, because knowing the time caused him to rush, and you just couldn’t rush this important work. Even after nearly thirty years, he still took the same amount of care with his paperwork as he had done the first time he had sat down to fill it out, thinking through every paragraph with meticulous thought. He flipped the page over without making a sound and continued writing. The desk Howard sat at was...

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“Containment. ” by Charlie Bille

Submitted to Contest #185

Everyone in his life told him that it was a stupid idea, though he truly hoped otherwise. From his mother who all but screamed about how stupid of an idea, it was to his co-worker who told him off in his drunken stupor. They and many, many others had gotten the point across, that this was a truly terrible idea. However, he had inherited his father's stubbornness, and when he made up his mind about something no one would be able to change it. Stubborn as a mule had his friends say - well actually everyone says it. James had stubbornly decid...

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“Traumatized ” by Christianna Craft

Submitted to Contest #185

TRIGGER WARNING!! Consists of mentioning physical abuse, violence, suicidal thoughts/actions, sexual assault/abuse. If any of these things cause you to feel uncomfortable do NOT read this passage. Please read with caution!!! Have you ever had something so terrible happen to you, that it was hard to let go of the pain and guilt? I definitely have. My mother and father were married for thirteen years. They got married while my father was incarcerated for illegal drugs such as methanphetines, opioids and marijuana. I was physically and emot...

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“And Then...” by Dan Coglianese

Submitted to Contest #185

These mornings elicited as much excitement and anxiety for Sasha as they did for Santos. Before breakfast, he checked his emails and saw he had one from Josie Caplan, one of the editors at the Blackberry Night Lit. As they sat at the kitchen table, a gentle breeze blew in from the window next to Santos’ writing desk. The best window in their tiny apartment. It was the first morning they were able to have the window open this year. The first hints of Spring in Chicago announce...

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“Memere And Her Things” by Kayla Smith

Submitted to Contest #185

She was buried alive, well figuratively speaking, but her house was over run with the unimaginable. My grandmother loved to buy things; it was not only her hobby but her passion. Another passion she was famous for, although she thought she was discreet about, was being a kleptomaniac. My grandmother Doris, an old French woman (or “Old Maid” as my mother calls her) loves things. She was married once a long time ago for just a short while and now remains alone but with many things. &...

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“There's People Watching ” by Aaron Estes

Submitted to Contest #185

God watched me have sex in the backseat of a stranger's car. I remembered blue pills, white cocaine, lots of brown alcohol, and a man from the rave helping me. My foot tapped to the beat of "Voices Carry" by 'Til Tuesday. The leather stuck to my sweaty skin and I saw the opened condom wrapper on the passenger seat. I slipped it into my underwear band. The car reeked of sex so I opened the door. I lay on my back with my head titled over the seat. Here I was, in nothing but white briefs, spread out for anyone to see. My view of the world was...

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“Walking Away” by Annie Slade

Submitted to Contest #185

Sensitive matters: verbal and emotional abuse I hear the front door slam and my shoulders slump with relief. He’s gone. Catching my own eye in the mirror, I know today is the day. I can no longer count how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment, of finally leaving for good. There’s always something that keeps me here -- an excuse, a smile, the fear that he’ll track me down, my own fucking pride -- but today is the day I set myself free. People in my life tell comment on how brave and strong I am. They have no idea the weakness I hide. I’m...

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“The Essence of Things” by Aileen Wilcox

Submitted to Contest #185

We were arguing again. It was the same song and dance that we did at least once a year for the past five years. Nothing ever changed. We went in circles, rehashing every statement and revisiting every debate we’d ever had. “You don’t need these things!” Evan’s voice rose, and he shook a handful of papers towards me. Those particular papers were a mixture: letters, old school assignments, brochures from events I’d gone to. Evan repeated what most everyone thought—that I didn’t need the things I carefully saved over the years. O...

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“The Sentinel” by Colin Hickey

Submitted to Contest #185

The Sentinel By Colin Hickey Initially, I heard they condemned his house. But that proved untrue. Turns out they gave Bobby a warning, and it was from the city’s welfare department. Apparently, the city’s welfare officials had major health concerns about his household, and they needed Bobby to resolve them, which I figured meant clean out or move out. Bobby would do it. I mean what choice did he have? Where else could he possibly go? He grew up in the house. For all I know, he was born in the place. He had a narrow world - a narrow, clu...

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“Nothing Lost or Forgotten ” by Sara Cardoza

Submitted to Contest #185

The argument had been caused, by all things, baby clothes and a girl scout uniform circa 1963. This was during the summer, and Theodora had gone home to help her mother go through some things. Her parents were losing the house — a big, slightly crooked old thing, which sat on a small, little lake in rural Virginia. Her father had made some miscalculations, some “bad investments” and poof. When Theodora had arrived she was surprised to find that her father seemed completely unbothered by this frightening turn of events, especially when h...

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$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

138

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 17, 2023 EST

Won by Lynda Williams 🏆

Title: Jesus and Jockeys

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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