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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#214: The Fall of Summer

For both kids and adults, summer is a time for dreams, freedom, and a break from routine. The scorching summer months offer new beginnings, new experiences, vacations in exotic places (real or backyard imaginings), new friendships, and perhaps even new romance. It’s when memories are created, and when ‘growing up’ happens.

Except there’s never enough time. The days fly by, the memories stack up, and pretty soon Fall’s got a stranglehold. To celebrate the last throes of the season, this week’s prompts encourage you to delve into your memories of the summer we’ve just had, and of summers long past.

This week's prompts

Set your story on the eve of the first day back at school.

Kids – 34 stories

What was meant to be a great bonding vacation turns sour when an uninvited guest tags along.

Summer – 43 stories

Now, as an adult, your character looks back on this summer as the summer when they grew up.

Character – 40 stories

Each year, your character's family goes on the most exotic vacations. Finally they discover why — their family are assassins.

Funny – 36 stories

It’s the last evening of your vacation and you’re watching the sunset with your friends/partner/family, wishing summer would never end. But just as the sun dips below the horizon, you notice it returning in reverse.

Science Fiction – 49 stories

Stories

“Family Trade” by Anthony Beska

Submitted to Contest #214

Family Trade Vacationing in Italy is like a dream. Mark got to hike along scenic sloping vistas with his older brother and father. He and his grandfather got to gorge on the finest Italian delicacies in various holes in the walls all around Sicily. They’d sit on the cobblestone streets, basking in the sights and smells of another foreign land. The country seemed alive with an awe-inspiring beauty. Mark and his family were settling into their hotel room, a lofty suite fit for a family of five. Mark was going for some wine. His elders al...

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“Rosemary Gracey is Dead and I Know Who Killed Her” by L.O. Baker

Submitted to Contest #214

She was dead. Pale and cold and turning blue right in front of me. There was yelling, coming from somewhere I’m not sure of. Behind me, surrounding me. The words could’ve been spit in my face and I wouldn’t have cared, wouldn’t have known. Because she was all I could see. Fingertips that had run through my hair and pinched my cheeks now a drying gray, still and silent. Puckered frozen lips and eyes so blue they looked like they held the ocean in them, glazed over and unseeing. Blonde hair splayed over the floor, perfectly fanned out as th...

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“A Vacation to Die For” by Ralph Emery Barhydt

Submitted to Contest #214

A Vacation to Die For Ralph Emery Barhydt "Woo hooo," yelled Karen. "Vacation time! Where are we going this year?" Karen had walked in from school, the last day of the school year, thrown her books on the floor and broke into the biggest smile you ever saw. Stanley, her younger brother had been napping on the couch and jumped about a foot. Sean, her older brother walked in right behind her also carrying a huge smile. "Yes," he exclaimed. "Barcelona!" Can you believe it. Barcelona, the east coast of Spain, probably some time in Gi...

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“School Again” by Lily Chao

Submitted to Contest #214

Last day of Summer I wake up and it’s the morning before my first day of school. No, it’s not my first time and it’s not my last. I’ve always wondered why it’s called “first day of school” when it is just a recurring thing until you graduate. Maybe, in a sense it signifies a new year and a new grade. But, does it all really ever change? I walk to my closet to pick out my clothes. People who live in the present call it the “last day of summer”, and people who live for the future call it “first day eve.” I take out my phone and go over my to-...

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“Work trips” by Hannah Austin

Submitted to Contest #214

I showed up at the house we were renting early, but apparently not as early as my parents did. As my cab pulled up the driveway, I could see my parents unloading an SUV in the driveway. I had hoped that I would actually beat their arrival time this year. My mom was bringing in the hunting gear. I was hoping this year Dad wouldn’t be doing any hunting. Every year, it felt like when we all arrived we’d immediately split up. Dad would be busy with whatever activities he planned, never ones I got invited to; though, my brother was invite...

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“Sixteen In Paris” by Roman Ansatz

Submitted to Contest #214

The water lapped calmly onto shore as Henry looked out over the river. Paris rose in intimidating scale around him, but he was in his own safe, blissful world. He had a glass of wine, perfect weather, and Addie. She looked over and smiled at him. "This never gets old," she said before sighing contentedly. "I'm not sure what is more beautiful, this day or you," Henry replied. He felt stupid saying that, but it was accurate. Addie giggled and kissed him. Now he felt proud of saying it. "I can't believe we found each oth...

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“"Family Secrets"” by Brownbread Fred

Submitted to Contest #214

This year your wife's family vacation will be in the Canary Islands. Your father-in-law has just arrived with the airline tickets and other pertinent information. He gives you a brochure for the hotel that you will be staying at, The Rouge. You peruse the brochure, taking note of the spa and bar. He has arranged for a car to take you to the airport, which will bypass security and take you directly to his private jet. You married into the family ten years ago, so these extravagancies are nothing new to you. You thank him, then head to the kit...

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$250

Prize money

202

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 08, 2023 EST

Won by Emily Holding 🏆

Title: Departed, Return

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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