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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

“The Discoverer” by Joseph Keener

Submitted to Contest #247

Letter to the Institute of History, Dear sir. Below are the last words on Nelson spoken by my grandfather, as transcribed by my late father. Your institution has pestered my poor, elderly mother quite enough with its idle threats of disavowal and excommunication. Our faith is not your faith, but still regardless, you have scared her enough. My grandfather was a man who cared very little for who heard him talk and the manner of his speaking, so direct all complaints of the letters’ contents to his grave. Go rot, Gaston du Armont "Where do I ...

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“Shadows” by Nicole Ashcraft

Submitted to Contest #247

I walk to the end of the side street and peer through the largest crack in the concrete partition. A piece of rebar protrudes from halfway up the wall and into the space where I stand; I cannot get closer without risking impaling myself. From my tiny window, I see two children chattering as they sit outside at a table covered in white paper and acrylic paints. A girl, about twelve, makes broad strokes with a brush while a younger boy writes something in the corner. He lacks the motor skills to hold the marker correctly, and his scrunched-up ...

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“THE DEVIL YOU KNOW” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #247

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW “There’s a blind spot. I’m sure of it. I’ve checked it out several times. We could be out of here before anybody even realises...” “What’s with you, Cathal? This constant talk of escape? We have everything we need, right here, man”. The two brothers were walking back to their home at the end of another day’s toil in the fields of their commune; another day, similar in every way to all others. No stress, no strain, no angst of any kind. Peaceful labour that exercised the body sufficiently to make their evening meal somet...

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“Folly- Episode 1: Adam” by Syed Mashud

Submitted to Contest #247

Warning: contains themes of violence, substance abuse, and mental healthThe people of Avaritiae do not know beyond what they have been provided access to. Most of their lives, they have lived in these lands, which are abundant in produce but have rotted away their souls. Their souls are barren and can yield nothing that etches the fervor of the human heart. The men here have the freedom of speech but are stripped of their freedom of thought. Life is a mechanical procession of thoughts devoid of exploration. Minds are like caged birds, capabl...

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“Breaching the Invisible Wall” by Rachel Zabrina Zammit

Submitted to Contest #247

Never go past the walls of the city district.There was never a reason. Never a very good one in my opinion anyways. But there it was, the rule to never go past the clear forcefield wall that provided so-called safety to its residents. One could not even see the wall itself; as the wall that surrounded the city district functioned much like a screen – looking like a desolate wasteland beyond.I walked the long way home from the market to pick up herbs and various spices from the underground co-op. No one could grow anything in our own gardens ...

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“Something Better” by Kyle Gardner

Submitted to Contest #247

The sun had begun its descent, casting her final, frostbitten rays of pale light upon the greyness of the earth. What once was the true giver of all life, the one true god we all collectively as a species so divided united under was now nothing but a broken sphere of molten rock, its surface bare and ashen. But what else could man do? We had broken everything else. It was nothing personal against Earth herself, it was just our nature. It was simply only a matter of time. Rubbi...

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“Secrets of the Swampland” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #247

Content warning: gore to do with injury, body horror, mentions of snakes/snake attack Sevi pulled her scarf quickly to cover her face as if that would allow the guards to let her pass through the gates if she were discovered. Even at night, her linen clothing clung to her skin, the humidity of the swamplands forever unforgiving. The swamplands, a sinister and encroaching force, were not just a physical barrier but a symbol of the Rovnish government’s iron grip. They surrounded and encompassed Rovinia like a persistent shadow; their energy ...

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“The Depths of Darkness” by Jolyon Stevenson

Submitted to Contest #247

The Depths of Darkness written by Jolyon GC Stevenson In the vast expanse of the ocean, where the light barely penetrates and darkness reigns supreme, a team of daring marine biologists embarked on a groundbreaking expedition. Led by Dr. Sarah Williams, an esteemed oceanographer with a thirst for discovery, the team set out to explore the deepest parts of the ocean floor, where mysteries and secrets lay hidden in the abyss. Their vessel, the research submarine "The Abyss Explorer II ," was a state-of-the-art marvel of engineering, equipped w...

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“The Ocean Study” by Stacey Cooper

Submitted to Contest #247

A group of ocean scientists are working on a yearlong study. They are studying the types of fish and plants that live in a particular area of the ocean. Each week they board a submarine that descends deep into the ocean. They spend two days observing the fish, the underwater life, and collecting various samples of plants before resurfacing. The group of ocean scientists are a relatively new team, and for many them, the study represents their first underwater exploration. They are getting used to what it takes to navi...

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“Redacted: Dead Ends Point” by Noted Moments

Submitted to Contest #247

Patrick, a seasoned military diver, had always been drawn to the unknown. Rumors within the ranks about "Dead End Point" had long fascinated him—a place so shrouded in classified information that even the most seasoned marine geologist dared not speak of it. Legends spoke of untold riches, uncharted species, and unspeakable dangers lurking within its depths. Defying orders and convention, but also the possibility of prison, Patrick assembled a team of trusted allies: Dr. Maria, a marine biologist; Jake, an expert navigator; and Rachel, a br...

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“Found Family” by Bridge Mongs

Submitted to Contest #247

February 27, 2099I leave tomorrow. They figure it’s just getting warm enough now that I may not freeze too bad, but may be able to find an island with resources that haven’t been touched. Plants, animals, fish, maybe. Anything I find could be the difference between life and death.Why did they choose me, you ask? I wondered the same thing until I realized that there’s no one else left. No one strong enough, at least. The Anderson’s, twin boys that were two years ahead of me in school, are too sick to go. Jimmy has some awful condition that ma...

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“The Cave at the Cove” by Michael Urban

Submitted to Contest #247

Looking back through time my sense of adventure has always influenced my life. As a child, I explored and tested the limits of my physical prowess. My parents can confirm I broke more bones than Evil Kenevil. We were both born on October 17th if that is ironic or not,” Only the Shadow knows.” Living in the Missouri Country swimming in the creek, fishing for minnows and crawdaddies, and pulling leeches off when you got out was a part of my life on the farm. My adventure continued to North Carolina and then back to the Midwest and Kansas.In th...

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“Unraveling the Quiescent” by Irriconoscibile ‎

Submitted to Contest #247

Day 1I've been walking in darkness for nearly 13 hours, but I've finally managed to find her; the moon. She'll help me write this entry, she's always so bright at just the right times. I'm new to this, a complete novice, I have no clue how to go about it; whether it be exploring or documenting my journey. I barely feel like I have the right equipment for it. I'm not sure what prompted me to take it, this unknown territory has only been mentioned twice in all of my life, yet both of those remarks have been so earnest and honest that they impa...

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“Der Diar” by Cheyenne Parkmond

Submitted to Contest #247

Day 1: Dear Diary, Today marks the beginning of my expedition into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a land I've dreamt of exploring since I was a child. The anticipation is palpable as I set foot on this seemingly untouched terrain. The air is thick with humidity, and the chorus of wildlife fills my ears. I can't help but feel a sense of awe and excitement at the adventure that lies ahead. With every step, I am one stride closer to uncovering the mysteries hidden within this lush green labyrinth. Day 3: Dear Diary, The past few days have ...

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“The Prospector” by Cade Barnett

Submitted to Contest #247

THE PROSPECTOR MANAT 27, 479, 08:24 I have reached Oric 3, as barren and ugly as any other asteroid. This was supposed to be my week off but of course The Company came up with an “emergency” to pull me back in. They detected traces of the rare element prazosium in this piece of rock, and now I’m wasting my vacation assessing whether this is accurate. If so, they will send a mining crew to extract it all. That will be one less asteroid in the infinite cloud, and nobody will miss it. Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing with my life. Prazosium is...

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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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