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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#195: Sidekicks and Second Strings

Growing up, I was never a huge fan of superheroes. Maybe because I didn’t really identify with the grand, brave acts and main-character energy of the likes of Spider-Man, Batman, or even Sherlock Holmes. Instead, I was partial to the less flashy, secondary characters: the Watsons working quietly behind the scenes, the bassist in the band, or the defenders who quietly keep the team from conceding points, while the quarterback gets most of the credit.

This week, I want your stories to be an ode to the unsung heroes, the underdogs of storytelling, and the small acts that, collectively, can be just as heroic as catching the bad guy or defeating evil in one grand swoop.

This week's prompts

Set your story in a staff room of an essential profession that is often undervalued — nurses, cafeteria staff, sanitation workers, etc.

Character – 51 stories

Write a story from the point of view of a sidekick, or someone who is happy to stay away from the limelight.

Character – 87 stories

Write a story about someone who receives — or makes — a life-changing, anonymous donation.

Dramatic – 23 stories

Write a story that includes the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Dialogue – 27 stories

Write about someone who is learning to recognize and take credit for their own achievements.

Character – 18 stories

Stories

“Pieces” by T Joy Fink

Submitted to Contest #195

“Is there somewhere else you need to be, Justine, dear?” I looked up from my smartwatch to find Ms. Ortiz studying me the way old people do, with her nose pointed south and eyes peeking over wide-rimmed glasses. Little judgment lived behind her eyes, though, and instead, a spark of familiarity glistened. Like they held a secret. But maybe that was how grandma's eyes looked. Not that I would know, because I’d never met either of mine. “Uhm, well,” I started, but realized there was only one acceptable answer. Apparently, Dad had informed Ms. ...

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“The Virgin” by Barikisu Abdallah

Submitted to Contest #195

Asantewaa washes her face three times after brushing her teeth with charcoal and the petiole of a banana plant. She then turns to Ama, who stood there with her hands folded, just watching her mum finish brushing before she can talk. Because she was scared to interrupt her authoritarian mum. Asantewaa: Aha? What is it… Ama: I got my period today.Asantewaa: Haaa? Really?.....Asantewaa triumphed as she took her daughter to the bathroom and washed her, putting on her waist, wrist, and neck new shiny drips. And took her d...

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“It all begins with Once upon a time…” by Lie Moreira

Submitted to Contest #195

It all begins with ‘Once upon a time…’. She was very discreet, despite a few pink hair strands and a couple of blue pens she arranged on her hair. Her voice was soft and sensible. She was unforgettable, although people could never remember her… She walks through time as if she changed rooms in her own house... When she smiled and started to tell a new story, it was like the enchanted singing of the mermaids, people could feel it deep inside their hearts and all things begins to change… Into new ones, more peaceful, more loveable. Yes, she wa...

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“Scarecrow & Dorothy” by David Ader

Submitted to Contest #195

Some people said good night or words to that effect. Some nodded their heads as if acknowledging my humanity. A couple of young things smiled, almost shyly, and hurried out. I figured they felt guilty or something that I was there, and would be all night, while they were off doing what young things do. I don’t know, shop, gym, meeting friends. They never got past the nod which was fine by me. Most, though, like overwhelmingly most, didn’t bother with a smile, or a nod, let alo...

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“Erased Saviours” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #195

Melvin Fernandez sat on the plush sofa in his room at the Doubletree Hotel, revelling in the Victorian ambiance that surrounded him. The exposed red bricks on the walls gave the space an old-world feel that he found charming. As he moved around the room, he had to resist the urge to pinch himself to ensure that he wasn't dreaming. For Melvin, this moment represented the culmination of a long journey in the literary world. He had struggled for years to achieve success as an author, with his first three novels falling flat. But he had persever...

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“The Vineyard.” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #195

Amanda trekked home from work on Friday evening. She supposed the week had not been too bad. Her annoying boss was a total waste of space. This past few days, he had only groped her on the butt once, and had his usual infantile tantrums. Amanda was too scared to complain about Harry, this supervisor of her section. She had a reasonably useless husband of her own, plus their three children to feed, clothe and educate. She did not wish to rock the boat, times were really tough. The cost of living was increasing, better jobs were not available,...

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“The Politician's Wife” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #195

I read somewhere that those of us who have been married for a long time have in fact been married to several different people. That made sense to me. I’ve been married to zany fun-loving young Harrison, responsible, middle-aged Harrison, dedicated parent Harrison and career-focused Harrison. I never expected to be married to politician Harrison. When he first started talking about running to become mayor of our little town, I paid no attention. He fixated on it, so I encouraged him. After all, he was bound to lose the election, but it w...

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“The Postcard” by Hannah Leigh

Submitted to Contest #195

February The chill of February was abrasive to Julie’s nose as she turned onto Redfern Drive. The narrow road lined with cracks and potholes sent her truck bumping along as she pulled up to the first mailbox. Julie pulled out the stack of advertisements, bills, and community newsletters from her passenger seat and slid them into the mailbox, removing and tucking the letter to someone in Illinois into her bin of outgoing mail. She drove from box to box, getting lost in her thoughts as she went through the mundane task–mail in, mail out, day ...

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“Bodies ” by Paris Lewis

Submitted to Contest #195

The cold winter air licked at Tammy's face trying to chill her from her head to her feet. That was a impossible task as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead, Tammy wiped her sweat with the back of her hand then retrieved the leg and continued to drag the body down to The basement. Each 'thump' on the steps reminded Tammy of what waited down below in the hungry darkness. Time was ticking she just needed a little more time and then she would be ready. It has been almost six months since the world went into complete chaos and the impos...

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“Ionica” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #195

“It looks just like a picture I saw once. Did you do it?” said Debra, my sister-in-law. Debra was admiring the “Lady with an Ermine," a painting hanging above our piano on our living room wall.“Oh, no!” Ionica exclaimed. “That painting is famous. It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.” Ionica, my wife, a Romanian portrait artist, was a little flustered at the suggestion that she could do such a painting.“Then what is it?” quizzed Debra, somewhat rudely. “It’s not a photograph…”“It’s master copy,” Ionica interrupted. She put her wine glass down...

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“Nightingale Pledge ” by Shannon McGill

Submitted to Contest #195

Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge;To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession;To co-operate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and to carry out faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work;I will not do anything evil or malicious and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice.I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work.And I...

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“The Saga of Dan Smith ‘Who Am I?' Part II” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #195

The image of Tammy and Gloria’s sister walking away at the airport left me empty inside. Gloria would take the red eye back to Dallas, and I would do what I do, fight bad guys. The love I had willingly ignored after Connie passed haunted me night after night. During the day, when I was actively searching for digital villains or the payload they left behind, my emotions were locked away. In the wee hours, when sleep was elusive, they came alive. Most nights, I tossed and turned until the alarm finally saved me from myself. The images of tha...

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“Trash is Fun” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #195

“Let me get this straight! You’re telling me that she complained because I took all the trash?” George looked incredulous. The boss raised his hand to diffuse the tension coming from George. “I know. Apparently, her husband threw away her crochet basket by mistake, and some of her favorite clothes.” “Seriously! I remember those clothes. They were like, from the ‘40’s, and full of holes. It’s one of the few times I agreed that they should definitely be thrown away instead of donated.” George sat back down. “I hear you. But, since the ci...

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“The Great Emerald Heist” by Steven Smith

Submitted to Contest #195

No boy ever learned the concept of justice right off without the whipping post. Elective goodness seemed too complicated, too many fruits of temptation not to slip into vice and transgression. The trick, it seemed, was to sidestep a whipping or a clout to the head. Taking something that didn’t belong to you—many parents agreed on that sermonette--just wasn’t done. Walking the path of thievery was risky. You never knew if some stout mother lying in wait with a wooden spoon might lay a purple knot on your coconut.Sin and sanction seemed a...

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“The Quiet Architect” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #195

The night was cloaked in a thick veil of stillness, as if the world had held its breath and forgotten to let go. The rain had subsided hours ago, yet the streets still glistened with puddles of water, reflecting the world in a distorted, otherworldly way. Malik's bicycle moved stealthily, its wheels whispering against the slick pavement. There was a chill in the air, an eerie silence that only served to heighten the sense of foreboding that seemed to linger around every corner.Despite this, Malik wasn't afraid. He was on a mission, and nothi...

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$250

Prize money

206

Contest entries

92

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 28, 2023 EST

Won by Geir Westrul 🏆

Title: Untold

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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