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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#224: Night Owls and Early Birds

I’ve never been much of a night owl. I can stay up late, but always live to regret it the next day, and you’re unlikely to ever find me burning the midnight oil. Instead, if there’s something urgent to attend to, I’d rather do it in the quiet calm of a pre-dawn morning.

It’s interesting how, as a species, our preferences vary so wildly in this regard. Some of us are up and moving before the rest of the world has even rubbed the sleep from their eyes, while some of us rarely are awake during daylight hours. Two people’s waking windows may only overlap at dawn and dusk, before going their separate ways. This week’s prompts are a celebration of the night owls, the early birds, and anything in between.

This week's prompts

Set your story before dawn. Your character has woken up early for a particular reason.

Fiction – 94 stories

Write a story about two people living together who have opposing sleep cycles, and only cross paths at dawn and dusk.

Character – 49 stories

Start your story with someone saying “I can’t sleep.”

Dramatic – 87 stories

Write a story about someone pulling an all nighter.

Fiction – 35 stories

Write about someone who can’t sleep due to jet lag, and decides to set out and explore their new city at night instead.

Adventure – 20 stories

Stories

“Awake” by Anthony Savasta

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep,” I said. “That must be really difficult for you. How does that make you feel?” the doctor replied. “No doctor. I can’t sleep. Like ever.” “I’m not sure I understand.” “You don’t. I don’t even understand it. It affects me but not the way you’re thinking. I know in this day and age this is like everyone’s ultimate wish but let me assure you it isn’t how you think it is.” I paused. Not needing to sleep has afforded me a lot of free time. I’m used to taking things at an extremely slow pace to fill out the hours. You wo...

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“THE TALES OF FREYA: TWO TALES OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #224

TALE 1: SLEEPLESS NIGHT, HOME ALONE I can't sleep. I'm in a restless state of annoyance. Potions and remedies are not working. I've tried everything and yet my sleepless nights continue. The weather is cold, a new batch of snow has fallen. The whole of my village is fast asleep. What I wouldn't give to have a good night's sleep. I put my robe on and go downstairs. The fire is still blazing. I love my little home. It suits me just well.. My personality is all over my home. From the colorful walls, to the playful couch and dare I say my hand...

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“A Moment's Respite” by Gabrielle Charles

Submitted to Contest #224

'I can't sleep.' She breathes out a sigh as she drops her phone beside her, spreading out on the plush comforter of her queen-sized bed. The muffled TV makes for good background noise in the otherwise silent hotel room, and the muted golden glow of her desk lamp brings a bit of warmth into the space. The text was sent to her assistant – as well as closest friend, Stephen – who is staying in the room across from her own. She isn't really expecting to get a reply back, but at this point, she really has nothing to lose. She has to go ...

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“Magic and Blueberry Muffin ” by Nazdar Ayzit

Submitted to Contest #224

"I can't sleep." "Chamomile should help? Or something stronger?" "My worries for you will not let me fall asleep! Which young woman of your age, of your intelligence, spends the whole day idling about, staring at that TV screen with eyes that have no spark of intelligence left in them-" "Funny, I thought that I was an 'intelligent young woman'." "-and gives up on life entirely! Our family does not do that – especially not the women! Up you get now, Rojin; I cannot get a shuteye until you explore the island under the moonlight." "But yo...

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“My Relationship With Sleep” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #224

I can’t sleep. At least, not when I’d like to. Once, I could. But not anymore. When I was young, I prided myself on the ability to fall asleep anywhere. When my family traveled, I bragged to my brothers that I could sleep on the plane while they couldn’t. I slept in the car on road trips, or on the 10 minute drive to the grocery store. My friends chided me for being the first to drift during sleepovers, but I never minded it. I didn’t wish to partake in the gossip and let myself leave to the solitude of sleep instead. My first 2 years in ...

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“A Natural Conclusion” by Gary Robinson

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep,” Shelby whispered in Reneé’s ear. She pulled closer, “You haven’t slept in days, Honey.” Shelby climbed out of bed and started to dress. Reneé rolled over. She was worried about her husband. “Where are you going?” she whimpered. “I am going fishing. I need to clear my head, Angel.” He knelt beside the bed. “I promise you I will sleep tonight, OK?" Reneé pleaded, “Please, I am starting to stress about you.” She lifted the covers to reveal her pregnant stomach, “I have enough to worry about.” Shelby kissed her...

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“Sleepless nights” by Hannah Abrams

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep.” A son said to his father. “Ok. It’s what? 3 am? That sounds like a nice time to get up.” The father said and got up. He stretched and picked up the 5 year old. He had just put him to bed 2 hours ago and 2 hours before that. “Do you just get lonely or something?” The little boy only shrugged. “Are you hungry? I’m kinda hungry...

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“Waking Dream” by Jamison Courcy

Submitted to Contest #224

"I can't sleep." The private investigator raised a brow at the woman sitting across from her. The office was quaint, a low, flickering light hanging over a sturdy wooden desk. The space looked more like a refurbished living room than a proper office. Floral wallpaper spanned from the floor to the ceiling, hardwood stretched far over the ground. Bookshelves rose high behind the investigator’s desk, various legal documents way above Ginny’s pay grade. Despite what should have been a comforting home, it felt cramped, as if she barely had space...

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“Love is a Safety Net” by Marie Ellis

Submitted to Contest #224

“I can’t sleep.” I lied. In fact there was nothing I wanted more than to go to sleep but my head was pounding out of my skull. I took a couple Advil and rolled over on my side, one hand cupping my head and the other holding the phone to my right ear. I yawned into my pillow so my sister wouldn’t hear. “It’s four in the morning, you should really try and get some rest,” she replied over the line. “I know, I think I just overslept this afternoon.” Second lie - I couldn’t sleep this afternoon either. “Okay, well I’m going to bed. At l...

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“Instant Theatre-Just Add Coffee” by Ed Friedman

Submitted to Contest #224

Instant Theatre-Just Add Coffee I looked at the ad three times. Each time I looked at it put the newspaper down, but something kept drawing me back to it: Westchester theatre seeks actors, directors, and playwrights for a 24-hour Marathon. I always wanted to write a play. While I’d seen these marathons promoted in Off-Off-Broadway theatres, I always told myself this wasn’t for me. And it was too much of a hassle to get downtown. Now, this would be in Westchester, where I live. What was I afraid of? Only that: a) I...

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“Midnight Assent” by Louise Rebecca

Submitted to Contest #224

6pm. “Make sure you stay safe and please don’t bring any boys home!” Molly begged her housemate anxiously as she glanced at her Cassio watch. She was well aware that this little lecture was eating into her study time, but Sophie was a liability at the best of times so needed telling. “Yes mum” Sophie laughed, swishing her straight, brown hair over her shoulder and closing her black clutch bag. She bent down to fasten her high heels and asked “Are you studying again tonight? It’s Friday, you could just do this tomorrow!” “I have some cour...

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“My all night Scavenger Hunt” by Bud Denney

Submitted to Contest #224

CJ invited me to a tackle football game on the beach. The teams were made up of Shags, Daniel, and Doug against CJ, Micah, and myself, 3-on-3. CJ was our QB. We led 6-3; in this game, a TD was worth one point. The first to 20 was the winner. They scored 6-4 us. A long throw into the river served as their Kick-off. The river was in play. CJ was the only one willing to get wet. Even in summer, the river was still cold. The dunk tackles after swimming took their toll on our QB. We scored only one more time, and when they scored to make it 10-7,...

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“eve.” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #224

“Tell us again, Grandpa!” Hannah cheered as she wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders and snuggled up against Nick’s feet. Nick had fourteen-month-old Charlie in his arms and the aged rocking chair creaked under his weight as he swayed back and forth lulling the toddler to sleep. Charlie’s eyes were drooping but he was fighting sleep with all of his might. “Please, Grandpa.” A small voice whispered. Peter’s cheeks blushed as he sat down next to his sister in front of the rocking chair. “Tell us about when you were Santa....

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“Early to Rise” by Sean Packard

Submitted to Contest #224

A gray reef fans on the edge of the eastern horizon. Cobalt blue mixed with midnight. An hour until the first fingers of sunlight. An hour back I quit twisting in the bed sheets. Wouldn’t do any good to fall asleep at 4am. Four is a time to relieve yourself and duck back under the covers for another REM cycle before the world starts calling. That’s for the people who can sleep. For those that can’t, it’s a time to surrender and roll outta there. I don’t sleep much lately. You, only when the med...

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“Do You Know What I Mean? ” by Maria Bray

Submitted to Contest #224

I’m having my first cup of coffee at the absolutely ridiculous hour of 2:20 a.m. At 42, which might be the meaning of life, but a shit age to be female, my body went completely rogue on me. I gained 40 pounds in the course of three months; my circadian clock decided that anywhere from midnight to 3 a.m. were perfectly appropriate times to say, “Wakey-wakey, eggs and bakey.” Quite enthusiastically at that. But at 46 now, I'm used to it in a weird way. I don't curse about much anymore at least. The husband tells me, “Just go back to slee...

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$250

Prize money

285

Contest entries

135

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 17, 2023 EST

Won by Mallory Jones 🏆

Title: Goldfish

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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