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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#240: In the Wind

Wind is something of a contradiction. Powerful yet invisible, it’s nothing but air, but can influence the shape of landscapes, sway trees, and carry whispers across vast distances. This force of nature can be a calming breeze or a raging storm, offering comfort or unleashing destruction.

It’s always around us, whether you’re laying on a warm beach with a relaxing breeze cooling you down, or in awe as a storm passes by while carelessly throwing debris. With that in mind, this week we delve into the wonders of wind and bring attention to its influence within our stories.

This week's prompts

Begin your story with the sensation of a breeze brushing against a character's skin.

Narrative – 139 stories

A crumpled piece of paper holding an unexpected message is carried by the wind. Where did it come from, and where is it going?

Mystery – 63 stories

Set your story on a sailboat, large or small, and entirely at the mercy of the winds.

Adventure – 32 stories

Craft a story where a character finds themselves swept away by the wind, either physically or metaphorically.

Angst – 60 stories

Set your story in a lighthouse surrounded by powerful gale-force winds.

Dramatic – 37 stories

Stories

“The Magic in the Wind” by Kristine McCraw

Submitted to Contest #240

The Magic in the WindBy Kristine K. McCraw My reflection, a silhouette of contemplation, stared back at me from the water. I sat on the dock like The Thinker—crouched forward, furrowed brow, and deep into my thoughts. A breeze skimmed the surface of the water and washed over me. I watched my reflection ripple. Should I mail the letter? I asked myself again. Its power was peculiar—so light in weight, I could barely...

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“Nut Was His Name” by Christopher Scott

Submitted to Contest #240

They came about once a year in New England, a freakishly (The weather people used “unseasonably.) warm day in mid-late February or early March. After days of gray skies and snow that never really seemed to melt, a 70-degree day would show up out of nowhere, briefly lifting your mood so you felt like you were living, not just existing. It was as if nature patted you softly on the cheek with one hand before backhanding you the next day with sleet or even a blizzard. Today, I had awakened from my afternoon nap to the most pleasant sensation of...

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“An Igniting Wind” by Casey Simpson

Submitted to Contest #240

A breeze trails past my arm, raising goosebumps along my skin. The chill of the air has ignited my nerves as I stand backstage at the Playhouse Theatre. My makeup is a heavy mask on my face and I shiver awaiting my cue.‘You’re up.’ Emma, my dance partner whispers from behind me. Her breath tickles my neck, bringing me back to where I am. A lengthy gust exhales from my bloated cheeks as I prepare myself. One pointed foot, second pointed foot. The stage light hits me with its heated presence. My body settles into position, and I begin my...

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“Dear Father” by Daniel Legare

Submitted to Contest #240

This story contains references to sexual violence, gore and abuse. Oh lord father, thank you for this day. Thank you for the cool September breeze as it kisses our tired faces, after a long day of labour. It is in these little moments, such as a sweet breeze, the smell of grass or the laughter of children, that I feel closest to you. Thank you for a bountiful harvest. We have gifted many pumpkins to the village. Thank you for Anna, her sweetness like that of honey, and her patience like that of a saint. Our daughter Dorothy is on the cus...

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“Lost soul” by Krissa Svavars

Submitted to Contest #240

It was the cold breeze blowing over my cheek that woke me. For a moment I was confused, did I fall asleep outside again? I’m sure I didn’t get that drunk last night. As I forced myself to open my eyes the tent slowly spun around me. Yep I clearly drank way more than I had anticipated. That wasn’t good. I would have to go back into town and buy more booze if I didn’t pace myself better. If that would happen I might run into my parents and they would force me to come home again. When the spinning subsided I noticed a big tear in the orange ca...

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“Mother” by Michael Maceira

Submitted to Contest #240

A hot breeze from Red Mother’s crater trickled through the bars of my cell window, barely strong enough to move whatever hairs remained on my head. The gentle wind was miserable and full of sulfur, like my damned soul.The Sister of Lamashtu hovered nearby. She was tall and lean, like me, with bone-white skin and a bald head, also like me — though I had little choice in that regard. Her purple hood was pulled far over her face, hiding all but her pale, pink lips. They were peeled back in a sneer as she gazed at the pitiful form of the convict...

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“Winds of Chance Revisited” by Odile Glatz

Submitted to Contest #240

The paper flew maniacally around, until it tapped Elena on the head. She snatched at it, hesitating to read the message scrawled on it. Never again would she fall for the treacherous wind message. She looked back mentally as she unconsciously squeezed the paper. Two years ago she had almost died. Carefree and naive, Elena had come across a paper blown in the wind. A thrill of adventure lit her brandy brown eyes as she read the handwritten message: Meet me in the gazebo at ten pm. There was a gaz...

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“Skyline” by Brandon D'Availa

Submitted to Contest #240

One would think you’d get used to the existential terror that permeated through every waking moment of your life, but somehow it felt acculumalative, like a snowball of shit rolling down a steep hill of even more shit. Mom said I shouldn't worry, speaking another tried and true permutation of “things will work out in the end”, as if it would be more convincing if she used bigger words. I didn’t even know what permutation meant, she said it out loud, unironically, in one of her spiels that passed as “advice”, thinking it sounded good. Dad’s a...

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“Purple Paper” by Kevin Alphatooni

Submitted to Contest #240

Wendy sat in her studio apartment and tried to write. She sat motionless for a long time, staring blankly at her purple notepad—pen ready to write down whatever came to mind. Her hand sprang into action, seizing upon a fleeting thought like a spider attacking a fly caught in its web. She filled the page and a smile crossed her face when she stabbed the last period into existence. Yet that smile faded after she reviewed what she wrote. She scowled, ripped the page out, and threw it into the trashcan. “Where did all the good ideas go?” sh...

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“Message on the Wind” by Jan Wall

Submitted to Contest #240

Message on the Wind The letter, caught by a sudden burst of warm air on this summer’s day, scurried from the scene as if it did not want any more tears to smudge the ink on its page. Until a few moments ago it had been gripped in Mia’s hand. She hadn’t realised she had dropped it. The shock of seeing her brother’s coffin being carried to the chapel had caused her to draw her hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs and it was gone from her grasp. Not that she had been able to stifle her sobs. Later that day she would go to the beach – then she w...

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“Follow” by Pamela Ann Elledge

Submitted to Contest #240

The storm has yet to pass. Luckily, the torrential rain has stopped, making the walk home much more manageable. I wish I could say the same for this wind. I made the unlucky decision today not to tie my long hair back, and now I'm dealing with those consequences. Being me, I did not bring a hair tie, thinking I wouldn't need it. Boy, how wrong I was. I mentally kicked myself for making such a tiny mistake as I made my way down the street, fussing and wrangling my hair out of my face so I could see where I was going so I wouldn't hit a pole l...

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“A Whisper in the Wind” by Seth Leroux

Submitted to Contest #240

The crumpled paper lay at Gwen's feet, flapping in the wind like a frantic bird. As she reached down to pick it up, her heart quickened. The message on the paper read, "A whisper in the wind for Gwen upon my deathbed. If you are reading this call 1-613-442-1037" Gwen's hands shook as she read the words over and over, trying to make sense of them. Who had left her this note, and how had it ended up at her feet? The sky above was a bleak gray, and the wind was cold and biting. Gwen hugged herself and zipped up her jacket, trying to ward o...

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“There Is Always A Plan B” by Marianne Holman

Submitted to Contest #240

CONTENT WARNING: This story alludes to domestic violence and potential self harm.The neon yellow paper skitters along the park path, dodging people, their pets, anything along its way. Her EarPods serenade her. Lost in the sounds of a favorite song, the last verses of Eleanor Rigby, it catches her eye. Without a conscience thought, she sings in tune, “All the lonely paper, where has it all come from?”She knows about loneliness too well to suit her. She fools the world that she has her stuff together as she carries her Hermes bag, looking chi...

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“Skybound” by Nathan Quinci Kurr

Submitted to Contest #240

Between the two, what would you consider to be the greater risk to my life: taking on the world’s deadliest sky pirate alone (to rob him of all his worth), or climbing the rope wagging from the bottom of his airship with only one hand?With my grasp locked around this dangling piece of twine, as I hang like an insect beneath the massive ship, suspended high above the restless clouds, I can most certainly assure you–ascending handless in the wind is by far the greater risk.The common consensus is that losing a hand is the price one p...

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“is it the sound of freedom, or just the wind?” by Marceline Snyder

Submitted to Contest #240

TW: Alludes to SA/ Abuse The heaps of colors do pirouettes in the sky. The vast ocean extends for eternities, attempting to reach hell and heaven. A journey I've faced many times whilst sailing over the years. The sky burns with emotion. The reds, oranges, and yellows resemble the kind of fire only a lioness has. The ocean boldly contrasts the brightness of the sky at this hour, her blue hues and the bluntness of her waves embodies the very soul of freedom. Something I know I’d never have, something my heart longs for. Why is it ever...

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$250

Prize money

331

Contest entries

134

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 08, 2024 EST

Won by Jonathan Page 🏆

Title: Lost and Found

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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