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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

“White Sand” by Charlotte Aston

Submitted to Contest #185

Looking in the mirror, ‘’God, I hope they can’t tell..’’, she thinks.Topping up her make-up, Anna wonders how soon into the night someone will point out her black eye. Of course Miriam will have something to say, when doesn’t she?She put some effort in to her appearance tonight. Perhaps foolishly, she hopes that dressing well will give the impression that she is stronger than she feels right now.Anna knows that they will pity her - she has attended many functions alone recently. She says Paul is busy, but she’s not naïve enough to think that...

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“My Long-Delayed Wedding” by Francois Kosie

Submitted to Contest #185

I feel lucky to be still standing by the lake across from where my beloved lives. People are enjoying the outdoor reception area with its floors of smooth mirror-like stone, and the eye is drawn to a wide panorama dotted with sailboats. As it starts to get dark, the lights discreetly turn on. All around, fancily dressed people are enjoying cocktails, laughing at each other’s jokes, and closing business deals. They try to tell me about their positions in commodities or the tech companies they've started, but I feel so happy I can only listen ...

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“The Most Worthy” by Cheryl Anthoney

Submitted to Contest #185

Pricilla shook her scales and stretched her long, jagged tail until the tip scratched the earthen wall. She yawned, flexing her claws into a pile of gleaming gold coins. As the morning sun poured through a small crack in her cave, Pricilla took stock of her surroundings. It was a hoard to make any rival dragon green with envy. In one corner were various golden plates, goblets, and eating utensils. Another corner housed jewelry: necklaces, earrings, and crowns of indignant, but otherwise delicious, kings. Towards the ...

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“After School” by Calvin Jones

Submitted to Contest #185

On a Tuesday afternoon, two teenagers returned home like never before. Eddy Gousse, a 16-year-old Sophomore at Waywood High School, and his sister, Alese Gousse, a 14-year-old Freshman attending the same school, returned home distraught after their day at school. The two enter their home and are greeted by their father, whose face shifts from welcoming to deeply concerned and worried. Their father, Clark Gousee, noticed his daughter’s clothes had been badly torn and was wearing her brother’s hoodie to hide the fact. Before being able to ask ...

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“Scaling Back” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #185

Ooh, I have such a massive problem! And no, it has nothing to do with me being a dragon, although that tends to add to the issue if I forget my potion. No, I have a problem dating two hundred years, five months, two weeks, and thirteen days. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The notion of dragons being greedy and taking all manner of wealth from around a nation is a stereotype, I tell you! We're not all greedy! I mean, there's been some dragons that do this, mostly for trophies or tithes, but I am not one of them! Okay, okay, let me ca...

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“Whatever You Do, Don’t Let Go” by Javelin Lawn

Submitted to Contest #185

I looked at the button and clicked it. Just another harmless item, right? It was just a spice rack for $15, less if I subscribed to the website, and I did. I entered my email and made up a password, a rush of adrenaline coursing through me as I pressed the button. A tear drifted down my left cheek and I brushed it away, both of my eyes burning at the sight of the computer screen. I blinked and a painful sting hit me, one that I knew too well. I needed to get off the computer, but I just needed to buy one more thing; some cute shoes for...

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“Late Regret” by Mengqi Wang

Submitted to Contest #185

Encasterated in a god knows forsaken place as I lost track of time; left to rot in a devious place as I tremble in fear. A twisting wave of panic, shock, helplessness dashes through the deepest regions of my soul. Regretting not having to let go of this earlier. Let me tell you how I found myself in this nerve wracking predicament in pain and sorrow… A long time ago, when I was free as a bird, I was the daughter of a rich business woman: Ella. Gaining everything that I wanted, therefore not being able to learn how to let go.&nbsp...

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“A Teen's Unending Love” by Darene Staniszewski

Submitted to Contest #185

Once upon a time, there was a teenage boy named James. He was a bright and talented student in his high school, with a passion for photography and a kind heart. James had everything going for him, except for one thing - he couldn't let go of his first high school love interest. Her name was Sarah, and she was the most beautiful girl in the school. James had fallen head over heels in love with her since the first day they met, and he spent all his time and energy trying to win her heart. He would leave notes in her locker, offer to walk her h...

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“Letting go of what was.” by Brooke Coleman

Submitted to Contest #185

Have you ever felt stuck. Stuck in this loop. This on going pattern of what was. You felt like you can't let go of the past and your holding on so tight that it's almost clouding what's right in front of you. The present. Well, I have had this issue for many years now. It left me feeling empty, unsure and full of anxiety on so many levels. It effected friendships and relationships. It gave me trust issues and made me disassociate from others. It wasn't until I started unpacking the things that hold me back in therapy that I started understan...

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“Gog, Magog, and Little Ada” by Julia Dragu

Submitted to Contest #185

There once was an old man named Gog. That wasn’t his real name, of course. Perhaps at one time, many years ago, there lived people in the little town who knew the old man’s name. Yet, for as long as anyone could remember, the old man lived in his three-story house alone. All those years, he never bothered to speak to anybody unless he had something to complain about.Now, a three-story house might sound like a very grand place to live, but in fact each level was a single room. You see, Gog (we will call him Gog for now, since that is what eve...

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“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by Kelly Sibley

Submitted to Contest #185

I wouldn’t say murder per se was a terrible thing.I mean, it all depends on the motive, doesn’t it?And if we’re being honest, the recipient plays a part in it too!For example, the people who tried to murder Hitler. We didn't sit back and judge them with negative condemnation. We all went, darn it! Close but not quite over the line. Try a bit harder next time.Honestly, you can be the nicest person, who’s kind, donates to charities and looks after stray puppies. Then one day, you’re simply pushed over your line of what you will and won’t put u...

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“The winged dragon and the forest bird” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #185

Let me dispel the rumors. There’s only one winged dragon, not “a dozen or more” as some lazy and irresponsible news media have reported. The creature apparently arrived from The Land Where Stories Begin when it flew (or was blown) off course, possibly because of anomalies in the ocean and wind currents due to global warming or some other glitch. Zoologists confirmed that the winged dragon is of the Asian, non-fire-breathing genus (Volans Draco) and very unlikely to distress damsels, or anyone else. Additionally, the dragon mimics hum...

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“Fist Bump” by Linda Lovendahl

Submitted to Contest #185

Wayne nudged the file cabinet drawer shut. “Only people lost in the past keep paperwork these days Pops,” said his fifteen-year-old son. He flashed a copy of an Excel spreadsheet on his phone toward his father but seeing no recognition of this action from him, he lowered his head and thumbed one handed to more interesting sites. He murmured, “By the way, did I tell you I’ve changed my name from Jacob to Jay?” His voice tightened, “ I can’t stand being associated with a loser in the Old Testament who couldn’t even walk without a li...

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“Twenty-Five Odd Items” by MJ Cat

Submitted to Contest #185

“It’s mine, and you can’t have it!” The screamed statement echoed down the hallway alerting everyone bustling through the house. “I’ve spent forty-seven years building that collection. You have no right to take it from me!” “Mr. Mitchell, please lower your voice.” The woman speaks with authority, leaving no room for discussion. Although the man remains quiet, his internal rage is evident to the onlookers working around him. Alan Mitchell watches as his cherished possessions are stolen right in front of him, powerless to stop it as he walks ...

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“My adopted dragon mother.” by Mason Ward

Submitted to Contest #185

Clip clop, clip clop… went the sound of metallic horse shoes as a robust heavily laden horse negotiated a steep and narrow shingle mountain path. On his back was a knight in shiny armour ( well his armour was not that shiny, more dusty and rusty.) “Perkins, it may seem strange to you, but do you remember that unidentifiable tavern we stopped in at. Well it may of cost the last of my gold coins to get my hands on this map, but I promise you it’ll be worth it when we get to the mysterious mountain side castle where a princess from a lost kin...

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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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