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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

“Mama Said” by Candy Priano

Submitted to Contest #252

Mama Said Chico, California, January 22, 2002The movie credits roll. Mark comes barreling into the house. “We have a game tonight.” His energetic presence and booming voice motivate us to take action. Steven mimics his dad. “Yeah, let’s go.” Kristie kisses Sassy and Chance while they prance on the sofa, trying to jump into her arms. “Not tonight. I don’t care what ‘grandma’ says or that my crazy school lets Chihuahuas come to the games. Not tonight.” I take exception to being called a grandma until Kristie gives me her irre...

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“The Collectors” by Kat Summers

Submitted to Contest #252

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.Any local will tell you the same, as much as they hate to say it, it’s the mantra that slips out between frustrated sighs and long gulps of lukewarm water. And it is true. It is something that wraps around you like an unwanted cover. It is always thick, always weighted, and always the same. It is one of the constants in these small, forgettable, East Coast beach towns. Stella could always count on the humidity. It licked at her in a way that felt similar to an overeager dog lapping at her skin. ...

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“Chasing Springtime” by Kai Kinney

Submitted to Contest #252

Spring was in the air, with trees budding and birds' nests bustling with life. Lucy often paused under trees to watch the little chicks chirping in their nests, marveling at the hard work of their parents. They had to protect their young from the elements – that’s a tough life! And they did it all to help to bring life back to the world after it had been frozen for several months. Lucy for one, was looking forward to it warming up. “Lucy, come see here! They have your favorite, snow cones!” They were at the annual Italian festival, surround...

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“Myosotis” by Autumn Weiler

Submitted to Contest #252

“This will really help me? Are you sure” “Trust me, you’ll feel better in no time. It’s like an antidepressant or something.” He gave me a remedy. It hurts. A throbbing pain pulsates through my head leaving me a disoriented mess. Ignoring the sting, I turn my head towards where I assume the window to be. The curtains are closed, no light seeps through the gap; good. I throw my legs off the side of the bed and risk pushing myself off. My legs ...

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“The Slope” by Peter Meloche

Submitted to Contest #252

The man coughed as the water tried to strangle him. He rolled to his stomach and expelled the liquid that had seeped into his lungs. He felt a dull throb in his temple as he raised himself up. The sun blinded his eyes and increased the discomfort. He looked to his right then to his left. On either side was coastline stretching as far as the eye could see. He turned around and saw the vast expanse of the lake and felt the waves lap against his feet. Finally he looked forward. He saw sand. Sand that stretched up to the heavens. He followed the...

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“Unending Hunger” by S.G. Williams

Submitted to Contest #252

Clouds obscured the moon, allowing the street lamps to shine all the brighter. Though not bright enough to remove the darkness from all the nooks and crannies of the buildings along the street. These conditions came as a blessing for someone like Aoife on a night like this. This night she hunted, wanting to quell the hunger in her that gripped her mind and threatened to cast out her better judgment. She stood in one of these shadowed hideaways watching silently the early night patrons of the taverns and inns, the people going for late stroll...

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“The golden web” by Hope Wells

Submitted to Contest #252

Trigger content-contains content concerning domestic violence and stalking.It was a dark and dangerous day. The rain bulleted down in pellets. The rain is aiming at my brain Siouxsie imagined. Rain ammunition, firing, firing right inside my skull. Or maybe God is crying. I wonder?The water thrummed on and on and Siouxsie sat there drowning in its waterfall cascade. She didn’t care and wondered if she could be washed clean inside.Drown out the noise-ping a ping ping. Ding a ding ding ring a ting ting. There it was sat inside her pink backpack...

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“Serenity” by Adrian Malcolm

Submitted to Contest #252

The shakes were unbearable. Bill slowly took a handkerchief out of his side blazer pocket and pressed it against his sweaty brow. “My god it is August and I am burning up”, said Bill as he put the damp cloth back into his pocket. It had been 3 days since he had anything resembling food and his mood was anxious, filled with despair and regret. He knew he was at the final stage of hope and could think of anything else but to settle his nerves and hopefully calm the ever increasing sickness in his belly. He looked up wearily and saw a sign that...

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“The Devil Inside Her” by Becky Mathes

Submitted to Contest #252

3:28 a.m. - June 23, 2022 There was a knock at the door. Did they find her? The knock was purposeful and swift but felt hesitant as if the person on the other side was hoping not to wake up the house's occupant. Regan wasn't sleeping. She hadn't slept in the 3 days and 13 hours Lindsey was missing. 10:04 a.m. - June 19, 2022 "Don’t touch it. You can do this. You don’t need it anymore." Lindsey was curled in the corner of the room. Her back against the wall, knees folded up to her chin, slowly rocking b...

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“Call It What It Is” by Savannah Hawkins

Submitted to Contest #252

[CW: Frequent profanity & Substance Abuse] The jazz bar reeks of weed nowadays. I’ve been trying to find the source. I suspect Money, but the last time I saw him smoke was way back in college. I used to buy it from him. That’s how we met. But Money gave up weed when he dropped out junior year. After that, he started selling only the hard stuff and really turned a profit. By the looks of the Wall Street suits and runny noses crowding the bathrooms and darker corners, it seems Money hasn’t abandoned his trade. &...

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“Storeroom” by Andrés Marticorena Hillman

Submitted to Contest #252

“How does the chair feel?” The sudden voice startled the woman standing in the otherwise silent showroom. Despite there being no noise whatsoever in the expansive room, she failed to notice the other woman settled comfortably in the wicker chair, parked right next to her. “Hm? Sorry?” “Oh, I was just wondering how the chair feels. I’m looking for tables for my patio and was looking at this set. Are you looking at this set, too?” She smiled, figuring it would only benefit her to converse with another patron of the store, especially if they ha...

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“Wiser, Smarter” by Andrew Gonsalves

Submitted to Contest #252

I can’t believe it, another instance of someone lacking common sense. I am on my way to the university for my research and I am startled by a driver who swerves in and out around the lanes and other cars. Going maybe forty miles over the limit. I take notice that his vehicle is of particularly high stock. No doubt he seeks the thrill that can be accompanied by speed and near danger. Too bad for him he seems to have crashed his vehicle not long after he passed me. Unfortunately, his stupidity has hindered more than just himself today. The cra...

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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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