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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#247: The Great Unknown

Few pursuits ignite the imagination and spirit quite like exploration. From sailors discovering new countries and their inhabitants, to astronauts uncovering ancient civilisations on far away planets, we are as hungry to hear stories about exploration as we are to explore ourselves. We often feel the need to venture beyond the familiar confines of our lives, whether that’s simply exploring a new corner of your hometown, or embarking on a mission through forgotten tombs.

This week's prompts delve into the essence of exploration, inviting you to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. So, ready your maps, steel your resolve, grab your pen, and prepare to explore the unknown...

This week's prompts

Write a story in the form of diary entries, written by an explorer as they make their way through what they thought was an untouched location.

Adventure – 66 stories

Set your story on a spaceship exploring the far reaches of space when something goes wrong.

Science Fiction – 32 stories

Center your story around a character’s personal exploration, whether it's trying a new hobby, visiting an unfamiliar place, or learning something completely new.

Character – 88 stories

Imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity.

Dystopian – 59 stories

Write a narrative about a group of scientists exploring the deepest parts of the ocean.

Adventure – 13 stories

Stories

“What's Beyond the Fig Trees?” by Carina Caccia

Submitted to Contest #247

For as long as I can remember, I’ve not been allowed beyond the fig trees. Heck, I’ve not been allowed around them. Every harvesting season, I watch our people pluck the big, purple beads all the way from my window. Dad says I’ve called them that ever since my first vision. I was six when it happened, and it was fig-induced. Mary says my eyes turn purple when I eat them. Like twinkling gemstones, she says. I wouldn’t know. Dad doesn’t allow mirrors in the prophecy room. Something about light refraction. Not that I’d be able to see myself, an...

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“The Great Unknown” by VJ Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #247

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.” The stocky sunburned man pulls out a folder with my résumé and letter of application in it. “You have successfully completed phase one of your admissions interview.”“What?” My heart sinks. I have just been arguing with this guy, thinking he was another candidate for the same position I’m interviewing for. Then he comes clean, says he’s the one hiring people. “Just had to test you.”At his invitation, I come inside to the control room of a medium-sized boat, its large observation win...

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“The Whispers of Troy” by Yeshen Behari

Submitted to Contest #247

August 12th, 1987 Dear Mom,We made it, Mom! The "Whiteout" as they call it on those old, dog-eared maps is anything but. Endless dunes of sand, the color of sun-bleached parchment, stretch out forever. Feels like walking on another world, silent and strange, but beautiful in a way that would make Achilles weep, if that's not too dramatic. Just us, the wind, and the endless sky. Like a scene straight out of the Iliad, minus the bronze armor and the whole "epic rage" thing.The team's a tight crew – me, Dr. Anya Petrova (geology wiz with a mane...

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“Planet B” by TheLastShepherd Gaming

Submitted to Contest #247

The following is the transcript from the audio log discovered about ‘Planet B’ left for us by the great explored Robert Miller. Bobs log number 1. I have crash landed on Planet B, on landing my ship was damaged but repairable unfortunately on my first expedition into the wilderness of this lush green world I was attacked. The creature was hideous with two long hairy tails dangled from its deranged face and what a horror the face was, yeesh. There was a large red eruption coming from the lump in the middle of the face, clearly the atmos...

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“Mud or blood?” by Christine Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #247

The tropical humidity hung heavy as the rain dripped off the leaves overhead. Four days of swinging a machete through the Amazon jungle had drained Roger’s energy reserves. But he had to dig deeper as he led the World Nature Exploration party through the soggy undergrowth in search of the famous Bootah River canyon. One of the last untouched wildernesses on the planet. Late afternoon shadows replaced the rays of sun filtering down through the forest; their pace quickened as they had to find somewhere to camp before nightfall.&...

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“The Last Days” by MJ Everett

Submitted to Contest #247

My lord and savior is telling me this is the right thing to do. To spread his word. The devil around me is saying that I'm making a mistake yet I persist. God wants this and I want him to be proud of me for making him happy and bless me with eternal heavens. I've been planning for months. I’m going to settle in this new land and bring the truly devout here. It’ll be heaven on Earth.September 23, 2018. 15:46-I’m starting this entry because I’m approaching the island. It’s cold in the Indian Ocean, even in september. I plan to keep this journa...

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“The Journal of Theadore Strampler ” by Jaymz Buczynski

Submitted to Contest #247

Journal of Theadore Strampler April 25, 2020, We’ve been in lockdown for about a month now. My team had come down to Mexico to explore the Mayan temples. Because they’re national parks they were shut down along with everything else. Hopefully this trip won’t be in vain. We spent too much time and money setting up this expedition. Hopefully we can get some information soon and we won’t waste any more time. Who knows how long we’ll be down here with this lockdown. April 27, 2020 I got news from my friend and college Jere...

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“Erubon Cave” by Zoarch Vanderman

Submitted to Contest #247

Note 1 —Into The Unknown Hello, my name is Eddie Erubon. Today will mark the day I embark on a new, untold journey through a mysterious cave that no one else has seemed to come across. I asked the locals about this particular cave, but they were all nonplussed at its existence, even with the pictures I showed them. I’m not exactly sure what to make of this just yet, but it will be interesting. I’ll be the first to ever explore this cave. Maybe I could even get it named after myself. Erubon Cave, that sounds pretty cool. But first, I have to...

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“Dear diary...” by Genevieve Carmen

Submitted to Contest #247

31/7/99Dear diary,School feels like a dystopian waste land, everyone just fighting to end up on top. The only thing that kept me out of sinking and drowning was Ted. He, he's the kind of guy that will memorise the way you speak when your anxious or underwhelmed but will hide life threatening secrets from you. "Meet me at the science room on level two." Ted shot me an unsure look, see sometimes he forgets that i have also memorized his eye movements and the way he speaks. Ever since the accident last year Ted hasn't been the same, his distanc...

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“Into the Unknown” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #247

From the Field Journal of Dr. Alexandra MasonMarch 2224Field Traveler, SITE for Exploration CommissionMarch 3, 2224Day 1I’ve always hated first days. Whether it’s training days, or trips, it’s so difficult to begin with nothing and face the unknown. And nothing really helps-no mantras, or prayers, or whatever. I’m always scared to face things, but now, it seems, I have no choice but to finish what I've begun.I’ve never seen such a blue sky. The clouds seemed wispy, like fragile stretched cotton, so whisper soft. Good thing my eye shades had ...

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“Forbidden Berries” by Nicholas Warack

Submitted to Contest #247

September 7, 1592We have made land! By God, we have! The journey of four moons hath proved that Providence hath smiled upon his people. Battling bitter tempests and with rations scant, we landed in the most luxurious acreage that He hath so befitted Man since the days of Eden: white sandy beaches, rays of sunshine glittering through lush and leafy greenery, laden with fauna to heart's and stomach's contentment. We kissed terra firma and made camp beneath a proud cross next to our colors. This land, this mysterious, pristine, tropical bit of ...

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“Alan Turner” by Jean Hyde

Submitted to Contest #247

Wednesday 04/17/2067: I couldn’t quite believe my luck today! The sky was clear and sun was bright which meant exceptionally clear (and slightly warmer) waters! Definitely the best the conditions I’ve had the week I’ve been here. The detail on the outside of the building is truly incredible for its time period and considering how long it’s been submerged. I believe it was a significant building to the community based on the love and effort that’s gone into its craft. The clarity meant I was able to make copies of the symbols I’d noted c...

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“A Conestoga Driver's Journal” by Janet Pierce

Submitted to Contest #247

A Conestoga Driver’s JournalMarch 9, 1800. We’re off to Boston; the first stage of my adventure to go to my father’s house in the wilds of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. I’ve never been there before, so I have no idea what to expect. Father has tried to describe it to me, but I can’t picture it. He says it is very different from where I’ve lived with Aunt Sara and Uncle Fred, north of Boston. My uncle and I stayed with his friends in town. The food was good, and the bed covers so soft and white I didn’t want to dirty them. I slept on the floor, d...

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“Project Bermuda: The Journals of Alex Lee” by Bethany Lobberecht

Submitted to Contest #247

Tuesday August 18th, 2082 It seems utterly impossible. Every ounce of logic in me is trying to argue that I am mistaken, that there exists an explanation that I have just not yet dreamt up. And yet, from everything my eyes can see, from every piece of information I am capable of gathering, there is only one possible explanation: This little spot of land has, somehow, remained wholly undiscovered. For the sake of brevity, I will attempt to summarize the happenings that led to my apparent stroke of unimaginable luck. I set out from Ni’ihau ap...

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“Searching for Carrie Ann in a New Frontier” by Hope Linter

Submitted to Contest #247

April 19, 2124I am Joanna Gaze, commander of the craft Branceritos through the newly discovered Folds of Space that exist on our planet Earth, hidden before from human eyes. A substance discovered on Mars, Makinaki creates a film in specialized scopes that enables humans to see into this new frontier. Scientists and engineers developed the Branceritos craft to propel itself within the specifications of the new Makinaki Scope. This is the biggest discovery in my world during my lifetime, but also of personal significance to me. My daughter, C...

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$250

Prize money

258

Contest entries

101

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 26, 2024 EST

Won by Madeline McCourt 🏆

Title: DANGER: UNSTABLE GROUND

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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