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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#2: Toni Morrison

This week, we mourn the loss of an incredible figure in American literature: Toni Morrison. A Nobel Laureate and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Morrison penned eleven novels in her lifetime, including Beloved, Song of Solomon, and The Bluest Eye. We hope to honor her with this edition of our competition, featuring prompts based on the resounding themes of these and other works in her remarkable oeuvre.

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who's haunted by their past.

Narrative – 69 stories

Write a story about someone trying to escape their situation.

Novel – 47 stories

Write a story in which someone experiences discrimination.

Novel – 18 stories

Write a story about someone who defies social conventions.

Narrative – 15 stories

Write a story in which something seemingly innocent symbolizes something much darker.

Novel – 22 stories

Stories

“A person who made a difference” by Samantha Mortlock

Submitted to Contest #2

Like the light had been stolen from it, the sky was black. Silence consumed the park as the fog drifted past. Suddenly, a roar of footsteps erupted from the earth. One after another my feet crashed to the ground, even though I knew I had to be silent. My breath was faltering, and my limbs were growing tired, but I kept going. I couldn't look back. Not if I wanted to escape. I wove my way through the trees, causing the burnt orange leaves to fly into the air. With a plan finally in mind, I ducked out of view. I sat, hunched over and gasping f...

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“Mind Prison” by Serenity Shane

Submitted to Contest #2

Staring into the mirror I didn't recognize the monster staring back. Trying to smile, only half of my face reacts. Despair chases down the anger, leaving me helpless in it's wake. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I fought the urge to give in and let it take over. Not today. Some days I let it flow freely, but not today, not at this moment. Growing up, I was taught to face my consequences no matter the cost. If you couldn't face them, don't make the decision. So I have to face this everyday. I decided to be the bigger person, and stayi...

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“Silence From Above” by Giancarlos Dominguez

Submitted to Contest #2

I don’t believe in God. But there was a time when I said my prayers after waking up and before I went to sleep. For centuries, I believed, and every day I implored God for an answer. Only later did I realize his silence was all I would receive. Very well. If there is no salvation for me, then why is there salvation for the humans? They have tainted everything you stood for. Their morals are nothing but a sham packaged in narcissistic sentimentality. Integrity is but a relic buried and lost within the darkness in their hearts. They wast...

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“The Day It All Began” by Wynter Watson

Submitted to Contest #2

In 2013 a young girl named Wynter moved to Hornbeak, TN.Through out 8th grade she made three best friends, Carson, Destiny, and Chelse. They spent everyday together. They always stayed at each other's house. A year went by and they were about to start High School. After the first day Wynter rode the bus to destiny's house. Where she had two guys over one was her boyfriend at the time, Jordan, and his friend Scotty. This is the day it all began for Wynter the day that would change her forever. Wynter and Scotty sat on the couch in pure silenc...

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“When Love Just Isn't Enough” by Amanda McNally

Submitted to Contest #2

She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. “Do not challenge me.” Struggling to stand, Amanda rose on her hands and knees. Eventually, she stood on her feet. Her legs were wobbly and her hands shaking. There was blood dripping from her lip. Her glasses were broken so her surroundings were blurry. She felt as if she had fought the worst and most difficult battle in her life and she probably felt that way because it was true. Amanda was tired. Every day, it was the same thing: wake up, coffee, breakfast, read, work a 10 hour shift at the fa...

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“Patient 32” by Thomas O'Leary

Submitted to Contest #2

Patient 32By O’Leary, Thomas JWaking up from a lack of dreamsThe third eye sleepsThe first two see.Walls of white with bedding the same.Rusted cot,A rusted frame.Legs pour overFeet touch the ground.Cold concreteGreets without a sound.Standing up he feels the rushOf blood, of thoughtsFrom dust to dust.He can not remember why he’s here.He begins to summarize all that’s nearTen foot wideTen foot long Contains a bedContains a bulb, humming bleaklySong of death?It wont be long foreIts final breath.A single doorWithout a latch.First one inIs ...

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“A Christmas Carol” by Charla Martin-troyano

Submitted to Contest #2

Chucky, Cathy and I are gazing out of the kitchen window on a misty evening in late Autumn. We are expecting daddy to come walking down the street at any moment. I, in particular, await anxiously for his arrival because of what happened in school that day. The air is thick with the scent of ozone mixed with fresh putty. The maintenance man used the putty to seal the gaps around the window frame the day before. The rain starts as a drizzle but the streets are wet immediately. The car's headlights reflect a glossy shine on the wet asphalt...

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“The Most Important Things” by Nichole Riley-Doud

Submitted to Contest #2

Something just feels wrong about getting buried in the winter. The cold, hard ground seems unwilling to accept you. Wait until spring, it says. You’ll be more comfortable. I hoped Grace would be warm enough. Momma and I had swaddled her snugly, where nothing could be seen but her little, round baby face. The pastor assured us that Grace was now in heaven, safe and warm, but momma wasn’t convinced. She wouldn’t let Grace be buried until she was properly bundled for the cold. That seems to be a mother’s primary purpose – to keep her babies war...

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“The Fantastic Adventures of James Sapphire” by Chris Briscoe

Submitted to Contest #2

Genre: Science-Fiction, Ⓒ Chris Briscoe My name is James Sapphire and when I was at an age old enough to attend school, I was persuaded by my parents to attend a boarding school which, of course, is one of those schools that, after school you don't go home like other kids but you go back to your boarding house; so one day, my mother gave me a short-list of three boarding schools which were all in the same county and I just chose the one which sounded better than the others: the boarding school I chose was Hampton Court Public Comp...

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“Used” by Kenyeta Benton

Submitted to Contest #2

Amy is woman that likes to help anyone and everyone but she learned the hard way not everyone gives a care that will just take and take tell there is nothing to take. So she has to learn to stand up to the most people she cares for and try and be the woman that her dad's wanted her to be and stop being used.

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“Of Demons and Wives” by A.J. Jacobsen

Submitted to Contest #2

"You're Evan's wife aren't you? Evan Bernard's?" Never before had I regretted saying yes to that question. I was proud of my husband and getting married to him made me happier than I could have ever imagined. The conversation started out nice enough. We exchanged the usual 'how do you do's' and I settled back into my chair as she claimed an empty one to my left. It wasn't really a hardship making conversation with the older lady and it was a dinner supporting my husbands career so I could be cordial to just about anyone if it meant Evan's su...

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“The Return” by Anastasia Varnava

Submitted to Contest #2

The minute she heard his voice on the other end of the receiver, she knew all was lost. She came to the realisation a few days ago by the tone of the emails and the ways the meetings ended; in dead end. She knew what to expect but decided to fight for it until the end. "Naida I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Irving is pulling out. Two million is just a huge amount and the business plan is inconsistent. He could see this from the start" " Ok. Fine. Let's discuss in the morning. It's late now anyways" she replied keeping calm, after all she ...

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“Body Capital” by Iuná De Sousa

Submitted to Contest #2

I raise my head as in fades the wailing of sirens, opening my eyes to an oscillating blue and red fog, which I later confirm to be smoke. My skin burns hot like steam, even though it snows. I extend my hand, and a snowflake falls through it, which to me seems normal. My brother's body sprawls over a few steps. I react like any other person would in the face of tragedy—with unreasonable optimism. He'll wake up soon, I decide, ignoring the small pond of blood and melted snow, his...

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“Breathe” by Lucia Huang

Submitted to Contest #2

Perhaps it was the four monotone walls closing in slowly again. Or maybe the grouchy face that glared back at me in the mirror across the room. Alarm went off at six, like it always did. Gray skies. Dirty backpack. The same shirts had been lying on the edge of my bed for weeks now, but they were just like the ones in the closet, so it made no difference. My hair was scruffy and scraggly, but there was never a reason to comb it. Muddy shoes. Old jacket. I lugged my backpack out the door.The neighbors were still fast asleep; a quiet street wit...

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“The Color of Justice” by Bryan Grafton

Submitted to Contest #2

The Color of Justice “Look Mr. Walker I’ve already offered your client a reasonable plea agreement of three months court supervision and a small fine. If your client behaves himself after three months the case is dismissed like it never happened. You know how these things work. What’s wrong with that?” Jamal Walker veteran defense attorney looked down at the young assistant state's attorney sitting at the prosecutor’s table. “What’s wrong with it is that the state still makes mo...

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$50

Prize money

171

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 16, 2019 EST

Won by Amy St. Pierre 🏆

Title: Kids

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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