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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#252: Obsession

The Netflix series Baby Reindeer, inspired by a real-life stalker story, has garnered millions of views over the past month while receiving both critical acclaim and heavy backlash. In the show, a chance encounter between a barman and a total stranger descends into a chaotic tale of stalking, destruction, and mutual obsession. Delving into themes of personal boundaries, power dynamics, identity struggles, and mental health problems, the show depicts some of the complexities and contradictions inherent in human psychology.

Inspired by Baby Reindeer, this week's prompts are an invitation to explore some of the nuances of human behavior. Whether you write a witty story, a heartwarming tale, or something tense and gripping is up to you!

This week's prompts

Start your story with a character being followed.

Dramatic – 99 stories

Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.

Character – 35 stories

Write a story in which one of the characters is a narcissist.

Character – 39 stories

Make a character’s obsession or addiction an important element of your story.

Dramatic – 129 stories

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Character – 55 stories

Stories

“3 Rules ” by Faith H

Submitted to Contest #252

Trigger Warning: gaslighting/ manipulation. . . Amai always knew her relationship with Aiho was a little problematic.There were always small things Aiho didn’t like or approve of. However, Amai didn’t mind it, in all of her time knowing him he never hurt or even attempted to hurt them. They’ve known each other since childhood but only started dating about senior year of high school which happened because of a less than ideal situation. No matter how bad things got Amai turned a blind eye to it, cause as far as she was concerned he is the per...

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“Shattered” by Marisa Marts

Submitted to Contest #252

Trigger Warning: Substance Abuse, Death - I watch in utter helplessness as my father takes another swig from his handle of vodka. He no longer pours himself glasses of this ruthless poison as he once used to; instead, he has graduated to simply drinking straight from the bottle. Though he bought the handle only a mere few hours ago, half of it has already been emptied into his stomach for his failing liver to process. I glance concernedly at his abdomen, which has become distended – the hospital diagnosed him with ascites and an inflamed liv...

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“Fractured Years” by Sophie Parmaby

Submitted to Contest #252

My mom has always been adamant that soulmates don’t exist. “Relationships only work if you put in the effort to make it work,” she used to tell me. I always found it ironic with all the hallmark shows she watched. Almost all of them have the same plot with similar looking characters, but she would watch them religiously. I suppose fiction is better than reality. I suppose maybe at some point my parents were like those characters in the hallmark shows with the over the top love gestures, the fleeting touches, the longing looks, but now it’s a...

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“Don't Get Drunk” by Naya's A Writer

Submitted to Contest #252

[TW - ALCOHOL] Tired, limping and drunken was he as he walked through the desolate streets of Ghost Village. What happened? "Ya bet I won the game!" screamed a wild man, shaking his huge mug of beer above his head, the contents swishing and sploshing out. That one phrase set the whole pub to a singing bout, all of the short whiskered men picking up the tune and warbling out random noises that were hard to discern. Among these tipsy bastards was a rather highly respected man, who had to attend a meeting the next morning at 8, in which the fat...

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“Madam Soroya`s Curse” by Fred McIlmoyle

Submitted to Contest #252

Madam Soroya`s Curse The following events are generally felt to belong in the world of superstition and fantasy. Sometimes, however, that world veers off course and impacts on our world of today with terrifying consequences.As the numbing grey haze began to filter out of my mind I became aware of vague shapes hovering on the periphery of my world. I struggled to bring them into focus but they continued to elude me. Brief snatches of a conversation drifted through the mists of my consciousness.“He obviously believes it happened” a voice...

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“When I Needed You Most” by Iwara Jason

Submitted to Contest #252

I’ve always said that I grew up with only half of my heart. The other half was crushed in a car accident.“David, you said that you could never hear a response, no matter how many times you asked. Why do you think that is?”I just sat there, with my fingers interlocked and my head facing the floor. I looked at her shoes, they were a nice navy blue. My focus shifted to the floor. The incisions in the floor perfectly aligned, to the point where you couldn’t notice a mistake even staring at it. I looked at my shoes. They were a dark brown, but yo...

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“A Different Kind of Ruler” by Anastasia E French

Submitted to Contest #252

I look up at the clock and it is ten minutes after five; a quiet dinner time in the middle of a busy week. I can’t wait for dinner. I hope they are having salmon tonight.The kitchen is empty, except for Foodie and Freddie, Tears and Splash, our food and water dishes. For some reason, the empty dishes have migrated to a strange alignment on our red paw print placemat. At least I can have a drink of water.“Come here Tears, let me have a sip.”Tears wanders closer.As I stoop into drinking position my front paw gets wet. Ugh! Reckl...

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“The Bellevue School” by Asia Bown

Submitted to Contest #252

Note: Story contains allusions to sexual violence, abuse, and drug use. Decades had passed since Nancy last set foot in the Bellevue School. From the driver side window it appeared just as imposing as it had when she was 12 years old. Perhaps it was all in her mind, for now the crumbling building could only be described as dilapidated. By the looks of it, no one had moved within its walls in many years. The once brick-red Victorian mansion had faded to a moldy brown, the wooden frame flimsy, nearly collapsing in on itself. Where the front po...

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“All the subjects combined but with one main persistent follower” by Joshua Coulstock

Submitted to Contest #252

Heath settled down into his comfortable couch, he had just paid a pretty penny for it. It’s not that he couldn’t easily afford it after he had just been paid by his boss, but it was the painful memories of how he never could have paid for it before he landed this most recent gig job of his that was currently plaguing his mind. However, waiting around for his newfound boss and supplier to show up at his house made Heath feel like something didn’t sit quite right with him about the day. He knew that it was getting close to his m...

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“MASTER OF DECEIT” by Andrea Young

Submitted to Contest #252

Gary left India in an awful hurry. All he said was, “I have to leave for the UK. I have a job lined up. You will have to follow when you can. Trust me”. “Why do we have to move each time. We’ve only lived here barely two years. You’re not related to Charles Sobraj, are you?” Gary looked at me with fire in his eyes. I carried my son and held my daughter’s hand as we made our way through the guests at the welcoming party. Craig, Cindy and I had arrived in London from New Delhi a week before. I...

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“Fish Out Of Water ” by Séamus McNally

Submitted to Contest #252

Fish out of water. Sebastian O’Leary had never entered the fishing tackle shop before, although the shop is known far and wide among the fishing fraternity. Sebastian’s only contact with fish is from the chipper two doors down. ‘You’re taking up the fishing, so?’ SeÃ¡n Lydon said in his quiet, droll way. ‘They say it could relax a fella; get him away from people for a while,’ Sebastian replies. ‘It could do that all right, Sebastian, but don’t you live nice and peaceful on your own?’ SeÃ¡n says as Sebastian looks through the glass case...

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“He's Following Me!” by Marchea Sovde

Submitted to Contest #252

He’s Following Me! Lisa looks behind her. He’s still there! Why is he following me? He keeps getting closer and closer! I cannot believe I am out here alone. Why are there not more people on the trail? I never should have let Erika and Monica go back without me. Why was I so stupid! It was a warm, sunny, and clear morning – a perfect day for a hike. Lisa, Erika, and Monica decide they will head out on the Blevins trail. &nbs...

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“Obsessed” by Liberty Zimmermann

Submitted to Contest #252

ObsessedAshanya's pulse quickened as she sprinted down the desolate alleyway, her footsteps reverberating off the brick walls. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead as the ominous footfalls behind her drew nearer. She could feel the presence of her pursuer, their shadow lengthening and looming menacingly. Each breath came in ragged gasps, as the sound of her own panicked heartbeat drowned out the distant city noises. Time seemed to slow as Ashanya stumbled forward, her desperate flight driven by the primal urge to escape the ever-tightening gras...

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“With Undying Love and Devotion, Your Secret Admirer” by KaSandra Swanson

Submitted to Contest #252

Sensitive content, stalking and sexual contentEvery day started the same for Jenna. Her alarm blared $uicideboy$'s "Do You Believe in God." It was time to crawl out of bed and stumble to the living room. Asena, her terrier-chihuahua mix, followed closely on her heels. Asena knew exactly what came next. Jenna groggily put on her shoes and robe, giving Asena what she had eagerly awaited. Outside they went. The same routine every day: up at 4:30 pm, take out Asena, then back inside to get ready for work. Jenna waited while Asena did her busine...

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“Kidnapped for Hire” by Hannah Foust

Submitted to Contest #252

Harper knew she was being followed, she didn't dare look, it was better to remain as if she was a typical oblivious girl, but in reality, she was aware of all her surroundings. Had it been an hour? Two? Was there more than one? No matter how many corners she took, or crowds she immersed herself in, someone or something was always near. Harper followed every evasive maneuver she could think of, why couldn't she shake them? Whoever they were they were good, but she wasn't ready to give in. She had counted three shadow's, but she mu...

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$250

Prize money

357

Contest entries

143

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 31, 2024 EST

Won by Danielle LeBlanc 🏆

Title: Seven Hundred and Thirty Days

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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