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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 – 138 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 – 31 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

“Winds of Sorrow” by Laura McManaman

Submitted to Contest #240

A light wind blew, bringing an unwelcome coolness to her cheeks. Anna moved her head, searching for the sun. She wanted to bring its warmth back to her face. The wind stopped her. The early spring sunshine was too weak to combat the cold. She shifted again, unwilling to admit defeat. This was her silent rebellion—a battle against the wind. She hated it when its gusts blew over the farm, kicking up dust and irritating her eyes. The wind was just part of her life now. It had been her constant companion for the last year.The breeze was har...

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“The Final Salute” by Marian Fleming

Submitted to Contest #240

A majestic American flag flapped rhythmically on a distant flagpole as the mourning crowd began to sing: "Day is done..." Carrie's eyes grew distant as she remembered their first getaway down to Wildwood along the Jersey Shore: "Hon, time to go back to the room," James had said as he gently caressed her windburnt cheek. Carrie had blinked a few times as she had awakened from her late afternoon nap, and noticed that her skin felt flaky and taut under his touch.They had driven down to spend the weekend at the large New Jersey beach to celebrat...

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“Into The Wind” by Regina Khao

Submitted to Contest #240

Sanica stepped out of her cabin as the last shred of light disappeared from the horizon. She liked it better that way, when the moon was the only light and the stars her companion, as she would make her way through the woods to her sacred place. Less chance of anyone seeing her, as well. Not that there weren't enough stories about her and her strange habits already. For the past days, she had been growing increasingly frustrated with a young woman, who had been showing considerable talent, but seemed reluctant to fully utilize it. Sani...

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“Red” by Jenny McKay

Submitted to Contest #240

Business at the shop will be slow. After a long, cold winter, this is the first warm spring day we’ve had, and people are wasting no time getting outdoors to enjoy it. Through the picture window, I see everyone in a good mood, laughing and talking as they go by in shorts and T-shirts. And once again, I am stuck inside, watching the clock. I was settling in for a long day when the bell above the door rang. I perked up as an adorable young man entered. Smiling brightly, he was the picture of health and full of life. Offering a friendly greetin...

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“Tony and the Nefway” by Heather Henderson

Submitted to Contest #240

(Note – itksaurpok means ‘love obsession/crush’ in the Intuit language) I had listened to the Earth spinning for much too long. Hours must have passed, and Zane still had not come. The smothering silk of night stood hushed in my coop, submerging me into the hollow of my own vexation. An uncanny stillness had taken over the lighthouse and, at long last, I pushed through the wires and took off, swooping through the winds as they bellowed along the Arctic mountains.The higher I flew, the darker the Earth grew in my wake. A g...

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“A Stormy Night in a Lighthouse” by Sara Potter

Submitted to Contest #240

We did a crazy thing, Mary Beth thought as Mike steered the motorboat through the choppy waters of the sound. But as the old lighthouse grew closer, she smiled. No regrets. She and Mike had “won” the lighthouse in a government auction. It had taken a decent chunk of their savings, and they would probably spend the next 20 years getting it fixed up, but this was their dream. They had heard about the auction on the local TV news and were captivated by the pictures of the 19th-century structure. One of the things that had drawn them together as...

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“The End of Us” by Jennifer Fremon

Submitted to Contest #240

Trigger Warning: Makes reference to violence. The sun was just beginning to lighten the sky when I slid into my car. I tossed my backpack into the backseat and rolled the windows all the way down, relishing the damp, earthy scent of the grass, the cool morning breeze on my skin. It reminded me of going camping as a kid, of waking to sounds of birdsong and quietly unzipping the tent, my bare feet on the cool ground. Occasionally there would be an animal, a chipmunk perched on a log nearby, a bird catching the proverbial worm, and if I were re...

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“Fair Exchange” by Avril Armstrong

Submitted to Contest #240

Fair Exchange words 2203The breeze chills my skin and whips wisps of hair into my eyes. I ball fists into my pockets and hug my jacket close. Why the text? Meet me. Peacock Manor after work. Please come. Pretty please. What's Will up to? Peacock Manor. Sounds flash.. Where is this place anyway? Miles from the bus stop. Huge houses. Too posh by half. Too hilly in these heels - and all those tree roots bulging up out of the pavement. The wind's stronger up here, whistling through the branches. Makes me shiver. Wow. There's ...

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“The Winds of Time” by Greg Maher

Submitted to Contest #240

The Winds of Time Although all are unaware, there is a soft breeze that sweeps through the room. It circulates and freshens but remains unnoticed, for those in the room, who are brushed by the current, are focused on the task at hand. That task is the welcoming of a new life into the world. There are cries of pain that reach out to the breeze and there are words of encouragement that join them with an attempt to sooth the moment. The moving air picks up all the emotions and stress and car...

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“Mistral's song” by Kim Olson

Submitted to Contest #240

As Carly stepped off the bus, a gentle breeze tickled her face, causing a strand of her long, blond hair to blow across her cheek. She impatiently brushed it back with her fingers and looked around, searching for the route that would take her to the pier. The outdoor cafes and narrow streets wound their way past old stone buildings with sepia potted flowers on tiny wrought iron balconies. She felt like she was in a scene straight out of a movie. Naive young American takes Europe by storm. The village was so picturesque, it called to her. She...

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“Of the Wind” by Erin Lequay

Submitted to Contest #240

Her I hugged my arms tight, skin to skin, as I felt his soft, familiar touch drip down, chilling my bones, arm hairs tingling bashfully, bracing against his crisp current. I was mesmerized by the form emerging before me, revealing itself. I had once talked with the wind, considering it a close confidant. Had he returned to me after all these years? As a child in Ireland, he first appeared to me, following my gaze as I stared upon the Croaghaun Cliffs, daring my mind for a dangerous climb. I had felt him join hands with me, shouldering past y...

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“Where the Answer Blows” by Jeremy Stevens

Submitted to Contest #240

I’m not talking ‘bout moving in, and I don’t want to change your life, but there’s a warm wind blowing the stars around, and I’d really love to see you tonight.All the feels, that song gives me. I switch off the transistor —yes, I said transistor, all I can afford— and, having mopped the floors, I step out for a cigarette. There is indeed a warm wind, just as the song said, a warm spring wind that disseminates the potpourri of evening rain and mown grass and Bradford pear; perhaps it is blowing the stars around, I do not know, for I am surro...

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“Wind Direction” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #240

The light breeze buffeted the back of my head, raising a small tuft of hair. It may even have been the breath of a whisper. I cupped my hand around the cigarette dangling from my mouth, while I tried to keep the tiny flame of the match from being extinguished. I inhaled deeply and exhaled a stream of anxiety, relaxing into getting started on my plans for the day. When I turned back around upon achieving success with my habit and shaking out the match, a hungry flame stuttering it’s way though the prairie grass caught my eye. I moved to stomp...

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“Chan Chan” by Vie L'cast

Submitted to Contest #240

It crept up her spine like a malevolent spirit, leaving a clear path of prickled skin up her back. She had not heard that song in over 30 years and though the air was indeed quite cool she knew it was not the wind that chilled her. Her eyes darted towards her husband’s whose thoughts were now with the political news clip he had scrolled to on his phone. Annoyed by his persistent absence she looked over at her daughter, Marina, whose stretched-out arms now swayed beside her as she embraced a tune that was otherwise crippling her mother. ...

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“My Mission” by Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #240

My Mission By Amanda Stogsdill First Morning, Beautiful Drawing It is a cloudless, sunny day. I'm at the beach lying on a blanket, which is resting on the gritty sand. The soft breeze is in a playful mood, causing the girl working on me to complain, "My paper won't stop flapping." Eventually, a rock is placed on one of my sides, holding me in place. After finishing their picture, the girl and the other children run off to play. The rock is kicked away, leaving me unprotected on the sand. Wait! Why is the wind picking up? Where is it tak...

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$250

Prize money

329

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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