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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

“Romantic Flowers” by S.E. Tomlin

Submitted to Contest #252

My ex-wife Blythe says I became more affectionate after our divorce. Romantic was the term she used. Too romantic, she said—and not romantic about the two of us, but rather about her and her boyfriend. I started sending gifts to them on occasion. “Get Well Soon” cards when they were sick, holiday cards, flowers for their first anniversary as a couple. They thought it was weird. One day, Blythe’s boyfriend Trey confronted me about it. He said, “Look, we appreciate what you’re doing, but you don’t need to send us anything. Really.” And that Re...

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“The Boy Who Loved Flies” by Zeeshan Mahmud

Submitted to Contest #252

Peter was fidgeting. He was seated in Kaiser lobby for a while, accompanied by his mother. There was a blue-haired, white girl across him with lot of small, circular badges on her purse that spoke as much as her perky catty glasses. It was quiet. The TV kept on playing Aladdin from circa 9,000 BC. Apart from them, there was a blond kid, of six or seven, with pale skin - almost like albinoism- who was also restlessly moving around.Peter was overweight, had curly hair and was dressed in a half-sleeve checked shirt. He was reading a monograph o...

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“The Three” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #252

Content warning: Mentions of death“Oh, that someone would give me a drink from the cistern that is by the gate of Bethlehem!”Shammah’s eyes darted up at the words. David was looking disconsolately at the contents of his water jug. The ruddy-haired young man had spoken before about how good the water from the cistern at the gate of his hometown tasted. He went back to eating his meal, but an idea had been planted in Shammah’s mind. By the time he got up, a plan had sprouted like a bean blossom. He kept an eye on where two particular men ...

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“Angel of the House” by Amanda Greystone

Submitted to Contest #252

Dr. Endicott would’ve had a restful evening if it hadn’t been for a bloodcurdling scream coming from the main corridor. The noise had startled him and he had spilled his tea as a result. “Blast! Now what?” He was frantically sponging himself as he ran down the hallway. When he reached the source of the commotion, he found two orderlies struggling with a new arrival. “Please!” the disheveled man said as he pulled away from the attendants. “I’m not mad! I don’t belong here!” Dr. Endicott went over to the orderlies...

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“Be careful what you wish for ...” by Julie Lathan

Submitted to Contest #252

Be careful what you wish for …. He looked beautiful. Everything she wanted. The photos showed images of everything she was looking for. The eyes with the twinkle she craved. The sun on his beautiful face with his strong arms gleaming; water from his swim still shining on his shoulders as he leaned on the edge of the pool and looked into the camera lens. She excitedly clicked on all the images, each one better than the last. There was one image with so much love in it her heart beat faster; it was getting more difficult for her to breath...

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“Dear Rebecca” by Irene Cornwell

Submitted to Contest #252

Dear Rebecca, Technically I am your actual Aunt. Think about it. I was briefly married (two years) to your father and seven years after divorcing, I married his brother. You are my actual niece! I mention this this morning because I realize I have the actual God-given right to "advise" you. I qualify. Plus I am elderly now and all (or most) elderly folk desire to advise the young. First I believe your father was a negative force in you and your brother's lives. How is that for an understatement? I believe he broke your mothe...

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“Be Careful What You Wish For” by Ed Wooten

Submitted to Contest #252

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FORED WOOTEN As a ticket to the macho world of being a man, boys are expected to participate in sports or at least, be knowledgeable about sports. Men may forget scheduled appointments, key dates, or even their wedding anniversary (well, maybe only once), but they can quickly recall sporting events’ accomplishments. Who first broke Babe Ruth’s single season record for home runs? Who has recorded the most no-hitters in baseball? Who holds the rushing record in Super Bowls? Which team has won the most Super Bowls? Wh...

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“Shadows in the Fog” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #252

I always figured life was like a dark alley in a storm—unpredictable, treacherous, and full of shadows. That’s what drew me to San Francisco’s underbelly, where the fog rolls in thick, the streets are slick with secrets, and danger lurks around every corner. I was chasing something—something elusive, something that kept slipping through my fingers like smoke.That night started like any other. I’d just finished my shift at a dingy diner on Market Street, a place where the food was bad, the tips were worse, but it kept me in smokes and cheap b...

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“Menace Unseen” by KC Tillman

Submitted to Contest #252

The rhythmic thumping of heels on the pavement is descending upon me at an accelerated rate. As the tapping sound escalates, the rapid echo of my pulse reverberates with a thunderous boom in my ears. At the thought of being followed, my hands grow clammy while I struggle to keep a steady breath. Picking up my pace, too terrified to sneak a glimpse over my shoulder, I opt for crossing the street with as much casualty as I can muster given my wobbly knees. The footsteps fade as if retracting in the distance, flooding my bloodstream w...

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“The First Follower” by C Ingy

Submitted to Contest #252

Stella was used to being followed, but tonight was different. For the last four years, millions of eyes, glowing from their devices’ blue light, have watched her paint her face on her "makeitup" social media account. During the pandemic, her platform’s following sky-rocketed to unimaginable heights. In fact, she liked to joke that her signature silver winged eyeliner allowed her to “fly” among the stars. Well, TV stars at least. Tonight was her party for reaching fifty million subscribers. The celebration was complete with a roof...

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“Fetish” by Georgie Popovitch

Submitted to Contest #252

My fetish site started as a joke.My daughter and I were discussing ways to make money. Laughingly, over our regular visit and cup of tea at her place, we started discussing crazy ways to supplement the spotty crop revenues. We are part of a family farm and it’s been a rough few years. No rain and lots of wind, crops struggling to break through a dry, crusted earth. Both of our husbands leave the house each day, mouths tight with grimaces, returning in soot-covered dust and looks of resignation. It sucks.She asked me what I was good at,...

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“Love and Madness” by Colleen Ireland

Submitted to Contest #252

It wasn’t looks that attracted Lydia to Calvin. It was his scent. A mix of remote wilderness, exotic spices, and botanical gardens. “The nose knows!” is what Lydia’s mother likes to say. This saying was one of the few things she and Lydia could agree upon. Leaning against the kitchen doorway, eyebrow arched, lightly biting a thumbnail, Lydia watched him. Even from across the room, his scent wafted to her, all her senses standing in attention. As she crossed the living room, Lydia grabbed a flute of champagne from the passing host’s tra...

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“Reunited” by Phelps Bean

Submitted to Contest #252

The dawning morning light rocked Jimmy’s already unsteady brain. He squeezed his eyelids as his egg yolk brain slid back and forth uneasily in his skull. The brilliant scent of coffee was Jimmy’s sole reprieve. Keeping his eyes shut, he brought the open thermos to his lips and tipped a tasting sip. “Nope.” He grunted shoving his free hand into his jacket. “Needs a little bit more this morning.” Jimmy produced a tinny, small flask. After a two-glug trick, Jimmy was satisfied with the state of his coffee. To prevent further hangover decline, ...

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“My Path to an Obsession” by Kathy Haaga

Submitted to Contest #252

Do you think having an obsession is a bad thing? An evil thing? I’ll tell you about mine. You can be the judge. It started out innocently enough, about twenty years ago. My intentions, which were a response to a work event, were initially good. However, my employer’s intentions, which caused my response, were not. I’d worked as the Exhibits Designer at the local zoo for ten years, the longest I’d worked anywhere, and I hoped to work there until I retired. I’ve always loved animals. I enjoyed walking past the bear moats to get to my office, l...

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“The One” by Rubekkah Estero

Submitted to Contest #252

This a typical love story. If you want something original, and avante garde, look away now. That’s not what you’ll find here. If cliches and happily ever afters are your thing, read on. The moment I saw her, I knew I’d found The One. She was beautiful that fateful day, and she’s been beautiful every day since. I don’t know what I’ve done right in a past life to make such a perfect woman want to be mine, but whatever it was, I’m glad I did it. All that is left to do is to make this forever, with the perfect...

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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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