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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#199: Strangers in the Night

I’m always surprised when I feel naturally at ease with someone new. It feels like falling in step with one another, dancing to the same track in the half-light, an imperceptible puzzle piece clicking into place. It’s both exhilarating and dizzying.

This week, I want us to spend some time thinking about that feeling, and explore those moments in our lives when we meet new people in either boring or serendipitous ways — be it making eye contact with someone on public transport, going on a first date, or meeting in a way that feels like destiny has intervened.

This week's prompts

Set your story on a warm summer evening with a full moon, when everything feels magnetic and your character’s about to meet someone important.

Romance – 75 stories

Write about a character having a spiritual experience at a concert or a nightclub.

Dramatic – 27 stories

Your protagonist walks past an intriguing stranger, then turns around to take another look at them. The stranger turns around, too. Write about what happens next.

Character – 61 stories

Write a story about someone who finds someone’s diary, and tries to reunite it with its owner. It’s up to you whether they read it or not!

Mystery – 52 stories

Write a story about a character who returns home changed by someone they met on a trip.

Summer – 41 stories

Stories

“Timely” by Nathaniel Miller

Submitted to Contest #199

The professorial pulpit that I preach grammar from is more of an hourglass. I sit inside, lecturing my students, subtly pleading with them to forget what I’ve become famous for. The glass that surrounds me on all sides, though, is impenetrable. No matter how loud I lecture, no matter how much I prove that I am normal, I am the spectacle in my classes, not anything I say. The shock of seeing me in person is, apparently, too great not to snicker and mutter and whisper about. I thought I would find camaraderie in the other professors too...

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“The Bomb” by Jarrel Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #199

I plant a bomb, for old time’s sake. It’s a rather large one, under the stage where the honky-tonk band plays songs that make everyone two-step. In less than thirty minutes it will detonate, killing everyone in the Red River Saloon. Unless you stop me like you always do. More people are gathered on the dance floor than at the bar. Good. Gives me room to sit and enjoy a drink. I need to kill time until you show up. I strut to the bar in my boots and my cowboy hat and my tight jeans. Unassuming. One of the innocent. “Round me up a shot o...

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“THOMAS” by Nancy Knapp

Submitted to Contest #199

A unique benefit of visiting a country as a volunteer tourist is meeting the people of the nation in their own environments both at work and in their homes. One of those special people is our friend Thomas Moritim. John met Thomas in 2009 on his second trip leading students in Kenya. Thomas was the principal of the elementary school in Pimbinyet, Kenya. John and Thomas became fast friends and we are still in contact with him today. Thomas is one of those wonderful, open individuals whose smile literally lights up a...

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“Spiritsong: A Legacy of Chaos Story” by John Werner

Submitted to Contest #199

Spiritsong “Do you have the coin?” The question hung in the air, sweetly asked but cruelly intended. “I have it,” Tomi replied. This was the game. The Black Tigers had not risen to the height of the Laertian underworld by allowing even the littlest fish to escape the net. Tomi was under no illusions, he was indeed the littlest fish and to survive he must feed this larger one. “I need to keep five copper.” He said plaintively. “You understand?” The black-clad ruffian held out his gloved hand, curling his fingers in unison towards hi...

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“Take It Off” by Mark Linsky

Submitted to Contest #199

One Hot Night Carolyn Wellsley Bochar was the richest woman on the Cap d’ Azure. She was able to lay claim to the title thanks to the genius and wealth of her late husband Norman who knew a great deal about fine wine, valuable re...

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“Tides of Forever” by Abigail Selinger

Submitted to Contest #199

Luna stood barefoot on the deserted beach boardwalk, her heart heavy with grief and longing. It was a quiet summer night, the air was warm, and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore was the only sound breaking the silence. Above her, the full moon glowed brightly, casting an ethereal light upon the dark waters. She had come to this place, her lover’s favorite spot, with a desperate plea in her heart. Luna believed in the ancient tales of the Goddess of the Sea, a deity worshiped in her village that was revered and respected. The...

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“Her Hero” by Myranda Marie

Submitted to Contest #199

What do you call a funeral when referring to having to attend, an event, a function, or possibly ceremony? It never occurred to Maddie to care until she was faced with explaining her absence from work without actually revealing to anyone, her father had died. She didn’t favor a blatant lie either, and settled on “family function” when requesting the week off. Funerals, as oddly ritualistic as they are, provide closure to loved ones and friends of the deceased, and although Maddie and her father had been estranged for years, she couldn’t deny...

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“Now and Then” by Kirsten Wall

Submitted to Contest #199

Now and Then by Kirsten Wall It was small, and it was scarlet. Beat up in a way that testified to how much it was used and therefore, how much it was treasured. Clearly, it meant something to someone. Kathleen Bauer knew she had to return it to its rightful owner, but for the life of her, she could not figure out to whom this dusty, old diary belonged. And how had it wound up on her nightstand? She would ask her mom. Yep, Mom always seemed to know the answer to any question. What time is the milkman coming today? How much did streetcar far...

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“The History of the Night” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #199

Edmund was not his real name. The lone man in a brown double breasted suit leaned against the railing as the ship cut its way through the night. There was laughter and light coming from the ballroom above, but Edmund simply ignored it. He arched his neck to observe the full yellow moon in the sky, throwing its light carelessly onto the shimmering sea. It was a warm summer evening, but still he shuddered. He examined his ticket again, recalled what his contact whispered seductively over the phone: “Nine o’clock.” ...

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“Soma” by Michael Maceira

Submitted to Contest #199

Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of childhood sex abuse and drugs.Unlike other Terrans, I never dreamed of dancing in clubs on the moon; the music sounds like static, Loonies are snobs, and their blue milk swill tastes like sour gravy. But it’s the only place to kill demons.Standing outside Chandra’s thumping doors, the crackling music zig-zagging in the OxDome, I shift my heavy, clanking sack to my other shoulder. I walk into the dark club, looking for an old friend among beams of pastel light. Tiberius is across the gravFloor, p...

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“Empathy's Dance” by Topher Winters

Submitted to Contest #199

All days begin the same, but none of them end in the same fashion. The incessant rhythm of routine gives way to the unpredictable dance of existence, and this was a dance I would never forget. I am a businessman in London, living the life of a perpetual blur. My life is usually as crisp as my suits, and as monochrome as my business proposals. But that day was different. As I boarded the packed 7:35 to Victoria, a swirl of colour caught my eye. An ethereal girl with dark eyes and vibrant hair was seated by the window, her head lowered. I ...

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“Bad nights for strangers” by Dimitra M.

Submitted to Contest #199

What a great deal !I couldn’t believe my luck when they accepted my offer. The house had been on the market for ages and I felt the seller just wanted someone to take it off his hands.There was a lot of work to be done. It was a wonder the thing was still standing but I didn’t care. That was my job, buy old neglected houses, restore them and sell them.I wasn’t surprised when the creaking wooden door almost got out of its hinges when I opened it. The old furniture was still there under a thick layer of dust. No electricity anymore of cou...

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“Peter Wingate!” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #199

“The wisdom that poured from his mouth was mind-blowing.” Roger, a college student, said to his parents as they sat around the dinner table. “I mean, the things he taught me about life and how to be successful in business were worth a college education.” His black hair kept falling into his eyes as he gesticulated his excitement. “You mean the guy you met on the airplane?” His dad, Jim, asked. “Yeah! Haven't you been listening?” Roger laughed and shook his head. “He has changed my life!” “This guy you just met on the airplane?” Jim rai...

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“The Saints of Electra” by Alex Alaimo

Submitted to Contest #199

Spit dribbled down Dorothea's chin as her stomach lurched again. Lila tightened her grip on Dorothea's brown hair as Dorothea's body flew forward, continuing to vomit into the off-white ceramic toilet bowl. Dorothea's skull pounded along to the music that pumped through every open crease and crack in the dingy bathroom. The fluorescent green light coming from above washed over everything, making Dorothea's hazy mind feel even more disoriented. She sat up, resting back on her heels. In her rush to the bathroom to prevent puking on the floor, ...

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“The Stranger and the Lioness” by Halle Giannelli

Submitted to Contest #199

Nothing brings out the animal in people like a full moon during a heat wave. Katherine Jane Wright was pure feline, as she prowled along the muddy creek bank. Stockings balled tightly in her fist, she stretched out her arms for balance. The moon was glorious, and provided just enough light to tip toe from one moss-slick rock to the next. Something about the thick humid air made her feel positively feral—dangerous even. It was unlike Katherine to be out past dark. Phillip would be livid, if he knew that his newest bride was somewhere dee...

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$250

Prize money

256

Contest entries

143

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 26, 2023 EST

Won by Anne Delfosse 🏆

Title: Hazel

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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