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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

“A good cleaner” by Dimitra M.

Submitted to Contest #195

I pulled in front of the house, I remember like it was yesterday. I wonder how people manage to pay for a house like this, not just to buy but also maintain. Can’t even imagine how much it costs. We’re talking about the kind of money that’s fiction to most of us.The thing is, these guys get murdered like anybody else. Boss said there’s been a mess in that one. Didn’t want to send me on that gig for my first day but we’re understaffed. You know how it goes. Few people want to clean other people’s homes, even less want to clean brains, shit an...

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“You Are a Hero” by Cathryn V

Submitted to Contest #195

Late on a Friday afternoon in the silent chilly staff development lab of the hospital basement, Wesley lounged with his feet propped up on a chair. Wesley passed the time by munching on taco chips, dropping crumbs over the snaps of his shirt, reading a Clive Cussler paperback. A rumpled blanket covered the linoleum floor where a naked body lay. Wiping orange powdered fingers on his pant leg, he sipped fresh coffee from a Styrofoam cup. Next to him on the long table was a stack of booklets labeled, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION.Wesley absentm...

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“But I Don’t Want To Be In Charge” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #195

Cheryl went to the mall food court with her regional manager and someone in a suit from head office. Even in her work-code blue vest and black slacks she looked like she was in the wrong company with her four friendship bracelets, oversized hoop earrings, and cat glasses. Three boarded shops past the food court her regional manager, Monika, pointed to glass doors. Black curtains hid the inside. “This is our new outlet. Come on in. We’ll do a walk around. You’ll see how the new layout is. This is how all our stores are going to b...

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“Leading Lady, Supporting Man” by Vaishnavi Katta

Submitted to Contest #195

Tyler Mathews was happy to let Luke Andrews take the lead, he had been doing it since they were in diapers. Tyler and Luke had grown up together, their mothers were in the same Lamaze class and became fast friends. Both of them were only children, though it never felt like it. They were brothers in every way except blood. Luke was the more outgoing of the two. He was loud, carefree, and loved by everyone at Albers High. He also had blonde hair and boyish good looks to match, making him the textbook All-American high school qua...

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“No need to thank me” by Yuval Zamir

Submitted to Contest #195

I don't need a thank you at the end of a job well done. Doing my job and fulfilling my purpose is enough for me to be satisfied. I work for a mercenary group based at the slums of the capital, I don't particularly like my job, neither do I think it brings much value to the world. My job would be essentially pointless if the cops looked for the criminals instead of looking for us who take them down. I can't tell you my name since I prefer to keep it to myself, but its fine, no one here really knows it, they don't need to know my name if we...

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“Oscar's Story - a sequel to ‘It’s Rocket Science’” by MaryJo Powrozek Rosso

Submitted to Contest #195

I can’t believe I’m here. I assured my wife, Valentina, that I had learned. That Pablo was bad news. That I wasn’t going to get drawn into his schemes ever again. Last time, he was creating a fish paste that he promised to be ten times better than eating regular fish. I thought he was a genius. I wanted to help however I could. I needed to make sure the Antarctic could see his vision fully realized.I put myself out there. I stood by his side as he promised the moon to any penguin that listened. “Are you sure we can pull this off?” I’d ask, a...

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“Heh Wild Bill” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #195

Heh Wild Bill In every generation since the advent of radio, the movies, and television, some children would get cursed by their parents in the form of being named after stars of the shows or the characters played by those stars. This was certainly true for me and my best pal. We were destined to become best friends as we grew up as next door neighbours, and we both received names provided by the 1960s hit show, “Wild Bill Hickok”. My pal’s name is ‘Bill’ ...

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“In Sync” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #195

"No!" Cikgu Hamidi's voice boomed with anger. "There’s just too much to do right now.”Nurazlina's heart sank. She had been trying to secure a venue for the District-Level Singing Competition, but it seemed like every school in Penampang was already overloaded with their own activities. "But, Cikgu," she pleaded, "this competition is for the kids. It's an opportunity for them to showcase their talents and represent their schools."Mary watched her best friend's desperation with empathy. She knew how hard Nurazlina had been working to make...

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“Your Way” by Jennifer Fremon

Submitted to Contest #195

I’m going to tell you a secret about Rebecca Broadstone, something that is going to shock you. She hates coffee, absolutely, positively despises it. Now, I know what you are thinking, the warm mug, the steam, the contented sigh. Well the mug and the steam are real, but the happy look on Rebecca’s face…fake as a Gucci bag from Chinatown!How do I know this, you ask? Because I know everything there is to know about Rebecca. I know that she started YourWay in 2021, when she was a lowly student at FIT and wanted to create clothing that every woma...

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“AIpha's Fellow Traveler ” by Vesta Bartholomew

Submitted to Contest #195

My life is sometimes quiet and oftentimes filled with boundless joy, but that has not always been the case. The happiness derives from the close and interdependent relationship I have with the person with whom I share my life.This bond has in turn enriched the experiences of countless others. I am referring to the celebrated and time-beyond memory pact between man and dog.I am the more loyal and loveable dog of this pairing..I don't do anything crazy-such as talking or driving like dogs on television...

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“The Truth about Heroes and Sidekicks” by Joanna Smart

Submitted to Contest #195

Harrison knew it was stupid to be mad. They hadn’t meant the comments as anything other than compliments, but still. They didn’t understand. They hadn’t lived through what he and Lynx had. He heard the steps in the distance behind him, Ryker judging by the slight limp he still had, and for just a second he thought about putting up a veil. It would be so easy to disappear, use his magic to hide and go back to the camp later like nothing happened. But he was tired of putting on airs. He thought of the others ...

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“Legends don't always wear masks” by David Drake

Submitted to Contest #195

“One concussion grenade in your hand.” “Concussion grenade received, Brad.” “Red Mask, sir. Remember, no civilian names?” Pausing, the wind up here, feeling colder to The Osprey than to….Brad. Blowing through his hair, but not The Osprey’s since he wears that cowl all of the time. That faded, worn out trademark cowl that kept his cape anchored. No accounting for taste. “Oh. Yes, you’re right, young apprentice. Now, let’s go get those hoodlums!” Red Mask/Brad rolled his eyes again. Old heroes never die. They just forget who the current v...

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“Video Killed the Radio Star” by Olivia Lake

Submitted to Contest #195

On the rare occasion that anyone bothered to ask why he played the drums, Rick Karlsen said that he liked how loud they were - but that was a lie. He didn’t like being loud. He liked being in control. A drummer held the band in the palm of their hand. If he sped up, they sped up. If he slowed down, they slowed down. He was the heartbeat. He had the power. It didn’t bother him that Rachel was the focus of the band. After all, she was the lead singer. Her face was plastered all over MTV and sandwiched between videos of A Flock of Seagulls an...

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“Once Again.....” by Ravi Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #195

ONCE AGAIN…… “And now I request Mr. Sadanand to read his paper on “The Global Perspective on Tax Evasion.” Mr. Sadanand rose smilingly from his seat to loud clapping by the audience, comprising the top experts from the field of taxation from all over the world, as the Presiding Officer said these words. As the Chairman of his country's tax department, he knew that his views would be listened to with great attention, as indeed they were, and as he ended his address there was once again a thunderous round of applause. Mr. Sadanand bowed gracef...

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“Over The Winds” by M B

Submitted to Contest #195

“Is this your sidekick?” the scruffy human ship pilot asked. The statement annoyed Ben and he retorted angrily. “I am not her sidekick!” To the young man’s chagrin the pilot ignored him and addressed Red, his mind already made up. Red was a red-furred Daedalian female, usually clad in a tank top and shorts, with a khaki safari style coat draped over her shoulders. Her canine ears twitched as she spoke with the pilot. Her authoritative tone echoed from her muzzle as she laid out in no uncertain terms just how perilous the job woul...

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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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