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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#206: Phobias

Have you ever had that nightmare where someone is chasing you, but you can’t scream or run away? It’s a pretty common (and terrifying) bad dream, and it always makes me wonder how I’d respond in a scary moment of crisis.

Fight, flight, or freeze? You never really know what you’re going to get until you’re in that moment, staring down the object of your fear — whether that’s losing someone you love, getting stuck in an enclosed space, being surrounded by a massive crowd, or just finding a cockroach in your bathroom.

Fear is a powerful feeling to capture in writing, so this week, join me to study this lightning-bolt emotion as it illuminates the actions of your characters.

This week's prompts

Write about someone facing their greatest fear.

Dramatic – 109 stories

Write a story that contains a flashback of a nightmare.

Horror – 63 stories

Start your story with a character seeing something terrifying.

Horror – 53 stories

Write about a character in a situation where they have to be brave for someone else’s sake.

Character – 61 stories

Set your story in an eerie, surreal setting.

Dark – 87 stories

Stories

“Defenestraphobia Moves in Next Door” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #206

Defenestraphobia Moves in Next Door(Satirical references to certain phobias; indelicate treatment of the subject of "plus- size" people.) The day after the “For Sale” sign came down, a crew was at the two-story colonial boarding up all the windows. Kenny, the keen-eyed neighbor next door, couldn’t help but notice.“Margie, take a look-see on what’s going on next door. The new owner is having all the windows boarded up.”“What? Oh, my God, that is strange. Maybe they just want their privacy, or they worry about peeping toms hiding in the bushes...

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“Fight, Flight, or Fright” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #206

Eight-year-old Nathan hid in the shadows of his parents’ living room as he watched a stranger dressed in a torn jean jacket brutally beat and murder his mother in front of him. Nathan’s father was out with his friends at the bar having more than a few drinks before coming home. This routine had been happening nearly every work night since Nathan was six. When and if he was able to find his way back home, he woul...

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“The Bake Sale” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #206

“I think they should have a card, or a sign, you know.” Lois said. “A brooch maybe, those men might even like it, a dash of color!”Jane giggled nervously along with the other woman working in the back kitchen of River Oaks Baptist church.“We need to know, to keep ourselves safe.” Lois continued.“It's God's hand, punishing that immoral behavior. It's as plain as day.” Barbara said, unwrapping a large chocolate sheet cake. “Don’t you agree Jane?”“Did you wash your hands Barbara?” Jane said as she focused on removing the saran wrap on...

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“Monster” by Joan Fiddle-Ferder

Submitted to Contest #206

Monster Aroused from a deep sleep, seven-year-old Jimmy Daemon’s eyes popped open. He couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or not, but he sensed something was not right. Still under the covers, he inhaled deeply, and gagged. Something smelled bad in his bedroom. “Mom, that smell is back,” he yelled aloud from his bed. The smell reminded him of the time he found his turtle, dead, under his night table, days after he raced it against his best friend’s tree toad. The turtle had rotted, its shell smashed to pie...

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“A Descent into Fate and Madness” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #206

The buzzing grew louder outside, as did the banging on the door. They didn’t have much time left. Eilidh had to act, she knew it, her people knew it. “M’lady, we must descend now,” her advisor, Nyella, urged. Eilidh nodded and looked to the hallway, where the entrance to the depths awaited. Eilidh had been afraid of the dark since she was a cognizant child. The few times she had been made to face the dark, she felt it changed her. Not in the way that fear either grows or diminishes with time, but in a way that made her feel she was not in co...

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“Coupled.” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #206

There is fear. And then there’s the moment when you are standing and he’s kneeling and he has a ring and he is asking and you are wondering how to answer him and you know the answer is one quick word with three letters and somehow you still don’t know what to say because you never really thought this day would ever really come because there are so many girls who are so much more beautiful and articulate and flirty and worthy and giggly; girls who eat salad and go to the gym with their mixing bottle full of protein power and their lulu lemon ...

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“At Death's Door” by Bruce Callahan

Submitted to Contest #206

Chapter 1He stood on the edge of the green bridge looking down at the black water, watching the river rush past, a living thing. He wondered if anyone would miss him. The darkness would just wash him away. No more pain, no more sadness, just no more. His grip on the railing was loosening and he thought maybe it was for the best. No more people to disappoint. His ex-wife, kids, and his parents had either stopped talking to him or were headed that way. The cheating, drinking, drugging, and lying hadn't helped...

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“The Game” by H. Peter Alesso

Submitted to Contest #206

Kateryna said, “Hold still, Dear,” as she wiped the dirty smudge off the corner of Maria’s mouth. Maria asked, “Why is everyone so excited?” Kateryna said, “They’re scared of the loud noise.” “What is it?” “Fireworks. See the bright flashes exploding in the night sky,” said the girl’s mother. Maria nodded. “It’s the start of The Game,” lied her mother. “I told you all about it. Don’t you remember?” Maria shook her head, puzzled. “Everyone in the city plays, and there are terrific prizes.” Kateryna added, “What a pity you’re only four. Y...

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“The Asylum” by Ashley Brandt

Submitted to Contest #206

If Veronica knew what I was doing, she’d kill me. That was all I could think about as I snuck around the darkened halls of the abandoned building off highway 138. Jerome and his new girlfriend, Kait, huddled close ten paces ahead, and my best friend Priscilla and I stayed side by side; Priscilla manned the flashlight. The Stewart building was rumored to have been an insane asylum in the late twenties, when doctors used all sorts of abhorrent methods to recondition people society felt weren’t mentally suitable. Most often these were people w...

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“The Paradox of Fog and Smoke ” by M B

Submitted to Contest #206

Night had fallen on the Fog District of Vulane... not that there was much difference between night and day there. The rain pattered against the uneven cobblestones as the sickly sweet “fog” wound its way around the uneven buildings and filled the air. In the back alleys, deranged beasts gibbered and spoke to things only they could see, their minds long gone. The wind howled through the streets carrying the noxious fumes with them.Through the enchanted streets two figures walked, their bodies bundled up against the rain and cloths coveri...

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“The Dark” by Anthony Booker

Submitted to Contest #206

When we look into the darkness, our deepest selves understand that something looks back. Anthony looked out the window as midnight struck.... looked into a dark so crushing, that it felt tangible, encompassing..... stifling.... toxic. The thing looking back at him, its grotesque, teeth filled mouth, scowled more than smiled. Soon, it’s hunger would end. Anthony smiled back and thought “we’ll see whose hunger will be sated this night”. The thing of the darkness, whose very existence had struck a fear so primal into the hearts of such varied c...

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“The Door” by John Werner

Submitted to Contest #206

The door, a grand double entryway made of rich deep wood. What kind of wood? Who knows? I’m not a wood guy. Why is it practical that I should even know that? Why is this doorway practical at all anyway? What pretentious person would pay all this money just for a doorway? It’s nice, but it’s dark. Almost black, but kind of red at the same time. How much money does a not-quite-black but kind of red door cost? It seems like the kind of thing someone with way too much money has made so that people are forced to stop and ask these very quest...

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“The Ghost of Moonlit Bayou” by Wilbur Greene

Submitted to Contest #206

Nestled along the Southern fringes of Louisiana lies the deceptively serene town of Baywater. At first glance, one would mistake this place for a postcard picture of the quaint southern life—whitewashed picket fences, gentle rolling hills, and the constant chirping of cicadas that punctuated the humid air. However, those who lingered beyond the comforting veil of sunlight knew better. As the day succumbed to twilight, an unsettling aura would envelop the town, stemming from the mysterious Moonlit Bayou. The Bayou, a sprawling swamp area, was...

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“Cheddar” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #206

The last person Nelson Donovan expected to see at the airport was Carol Austin. Carol still has her dimpled smile, freckled features, and hourglass figure. The girl holding her hand is her mini-carbon copy. Carol sighs with regret. Ten years have passed, but Nelson still has his striking good looks and athletic body. “What brings you here?” Nelson asks. “Gary Banks. I’ve been dreaming about him lately.” “Me too.” “Coincidence?” Carol asks. “I doubt it.” Driving to the hotel, they talk about the circumstances that brought them bac...

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“Saved by the Bra” by Krystal Brown

Submitted to Contest #206

I stepped out of the sunroom to the back patio and momentarily felt weightless, like I’d misjudged the last step on a staircase. As my stomach tumbled to my throat, I quickly looked down - but a sudden fog overtook my sense of sight. I squeezed my eyes shut during the brief moment of panic, followed by relief as the world steadied itself and I felt hard ground beneath my feet. A quick glance around caused a lump to form in my throat; nothing in front of me made sense. Where there should have been 2 acres of the well-kept garden composing m...

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$250

Prize money

373

Contest entries

130

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 14, 2023 EST

Won by Parul Shah 🏆

Title: Shameless

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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