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#288: A Perfect Storm

Whenever I look out my window these days, it always seems like the weather won’t get any better. Blustery winds, heavy rain, thick fog, the occasional snowfall… When the temperature has dropped this low, the last thing I want to do is step into the freezing outdoors. But during the moments when I can stay home and wrap myself up in a warm, thick blanket, there’s nothing better than reading a book or working on a story as the sound of rain keeps me company…

This week’s prompts are inspired by chilly weather. Whether it’s the haunting stillness of a snowy evening, the whisper of wind through ancient willows, or the gentle pitter-patter of perpetual rainfall, let the cold seep into your writing, and see where it takes you.

This week's prompts

Start or end your story with a breeze brushing against someone’s skin.

Short Story – 70 stories

Set your story during — or just before — a storm.

Dramatic – 144 stories

Write a story where the weather mirrors a character’s emotions.

Dramatic – 61 stories

Start or end your story with someone standing in the rain.

Dramatic – 93 stories

Set your story in a place where the weather never changes.

Short Story – 48 stories

Stories

“The Rain of Hope” by Mary Richards

Submitted to Contest #288

Leah stood in the doorway, arms folded protectively over her shattered heart. The relentless sun was in no way a reflection of her constant mood. She knew as soon as she opened the door, the radiating heat would take her breath away. Today marked sixty days since he’d left her. It marked the end of the time period she’d given herself to feel the feelings, shed the tears, get her act together. Sixty days of being alone in the house, cooking for one, carefully avoiding his side of the bed. She’d read all the books, heard all the advice, ...

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“Panama Rain” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #288

A light rain falls at my home in Eugene, Oregon, but it’s supposed to rain a lot here. There is a breeze blowing in from the north that’s bringing a chill reminiscent of when I lived in Alaska. As the day turns darker and gloomier, I am reminded of the Panama Rain. Now that was the type of rain that seemed it should have an old man with a boat full of animals. I must warn you; this is a war story I have pulled out of my footlocker as the rain continues to fall. “We need someone to go down to Det 4 to support the U2.” Master Serge...

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“The Following” by Jordan Lowery

Submitted to Contest #288

You’re probably wondering why I’m following you.That is, if you’ve even caught on. I suspect you have. But, then again, wouldn’t be surprised if you hadn’t. You always did have a knack for only focusing on what’s in front of you, never caring what or who you destroyed in the process.Ultimately, that’s the reason I chose to follow you.I’ve been following you since that day. You’ve probably long forgotten it. Chalked it up as a necessary measure. A roadblock to get you to where you are now. But for me, that day has persistently haunted my mind...

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“The Long night. ” by Ellie Osborne

Submitted to Contest #288

It's the coldest night of the year so far. Vivian won't sleep. Not for at least another three months. She tries to ignore the pressure burning behind her eyes. A soft breeze brushes against her frost-bitten cheeks, almost as if trying to comfort her. "It's awful. I'm sorry," the wind whispers. The Snow is beginning to soak the bottoms of her shoes, and her toes had gone numb ages ago. She clutches her hands to her chest, softly blowing on her fingers to keep them warm. She hadnt slept last night. Nor the night before. It'...

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“Lonely In Montgomery County” by Victor Amoroso

Submitted to Contest #288

A flash of light brightened the window, and a rumble of thunder shook the panes of glass in the windows. The storm was getting closer. Lena peered out from the closet, lightning illuminating the room. The area outside the closet had a bed in it, and underneath the covers someone tossed and turned. Lena just watched, for the moment. Another crack outside, and a rumble rattled the glass again in the window. A street light cast long shadows in the bedroom, the legs of the bed connecting with the hope chest, a continuous length of inky dark. She...

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“This Trick I Do” by Elizabeth Rich

Submitted to Contest #288

"Have you ever done biofeedback before?" asked the medical assistant."No. But I have this trick that I do when I go to the doctor and they're taking my blood pressure," I answered."Really? What do you do?" she asked."I picture myself lying like a starfish on a king-sized mattress in a hotel room, and there's a sliding glass door that's open. There are sheer curtains, and a gentle breeze gives a light sway to them. The breeze coming in is warm, and I feel the breeze, but just barely. Outside, I hear the wind in the trees and the sounds of a g...

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“Storm Emmet” by Jack Dowd

Submitted to Contest #288

TW: Death of humans and animalsStorm Emmet From her elevated position in her fishmonger shop Kelyn could oversee the town, the harbour and the storm beyond. She pressed Pa’s binoculars against the shop’s rear window and studied the waves in the English Channel, churning as though they were being stirred within a giant cauldron. Darkened clouds blotted out the sun giving the impression that it was night rather than the middle of the afternoon. A lone fishing trawler ploughed into a grey wave, in a desperate attempt to reach the shelter of the...

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“So Long, Chet” by Timothy Fox

Submitted to Contest #288

I STAND NOW, LOOKING over the ridgeline and scanning the horizon, brushing a large tangle of hair from my eyes. The taking of a life is a nasty affair, even if done for survival, and I must steady myself to allow for the kick from my adrenaline to subside. I stand for a long time, listening, waiting, wondering if there are any more of them. My pulse is quieting and the rush of blood through my ears is gone. It’s over, and I’m alone. The threat has passed. I look back over the ridge. The setting sun is well hidden behind thick, blue-gray clou...

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“East of Hope” by Astrid Skarsgaard

Submitted to Contest #288

June 14, 1985“He still there?” Florence finished loading her favorite revolver.“Yep. Just standin’ there, staring at the house.” Millie closed the curtains and stepped out onto the porch. The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was substantial enough to make her questi...

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“Touching The Hem Of Hope” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #288

The tepid rain soaked my filthy clothes but didn’t wash me clean. Nothing would ever wash away the stain on my life. So I hid as best I could as the searing sun dried off my clothes but left the damp stain between my legs.I thought about better days with clean robes and acceptance in the community as hopeless tears flowed down my cheeks. How could God abandon me like this? I wanted to scream at him so he could feel the wrath of all my anger and bitterness but drawing attention to myself would have meant immediate expulsion from the vill...

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“Learning to breathe again” by Penelope Stansfield

Submitted to Contest #288

The solitary figure had been leaning on the wall across the road for at least an hour, with no company except for the lone jackdaw that hopped from one door to the next. Stella peered anxiously around the corner of her living room window, glad of the voile curtain that afforded her a little privacy. The figure’s head bent downwards against the deluge of rain that had set in earlier that afternoon, their face hidden beneath the tent-like hood of a yellow mackintosh. Their hands were stuffed into deep pockets, feet in long rubbe...

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“Hell is a Sunny Day” by Audrey Knox

Submitted to Contest #288

Dear Linda, I know you’ll be shocked to receive this letter because I never wrote to you while I was alive, but I met a guy who said he could get a message to the surface in case you ever, I don’t know, visit a medium or go to a séance or something. Knowing you, that’s highly unlikely because I know you’re too smart for all that mumbo jumbo kind of stuff. But I have to try. It’s horrible here. Linda, you have to believe me. You have to do anything in your power possible to avoid the fate that I am suffering right now. It’s hard b...

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“The False Messiah” by Nathan Chandler

Submitted to Contest #288

Seraphis, City of PriestsLand of the Celestial Order23rd day of AscensiusYear of Our Lord 5950 A.R."In the rector’s hall where lessons ring, From a book of life will truth soon bring, Look past the brightest star that glows, Behind the cross where darkness grows, A temple built on shifting land, Hides the throne crushed by His hand."Rachel started as the towering angel glared at her.“Good morning, Sister. Papers, please.”Six and a half feet of iron and plastic, the android loomed over her, its gray, human-like face expressionless. At times ...

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“The Cost” by Marnie Rorholm

Submitted to Contest #288

A light snow was falling as I pointed the dirty snub nose of my company stake-bed Ford pickup west, into the black Dakota night. I looked at my watch. It was 7:30. Sundown was hours ago, and the door Deere logos were almost certainly iced over on my exterior. Anonymity by weather. The cab was cool and humid inside, heat full on, but condensation still formed on the inside of the glass. I was breathing too hard, I guess. I could see it with every exhale. Unwrapping my muffler from around my neck, I wiped down the inside windshield. Even ...

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“A Horse Bolted in Boylston Street” by Ari Walker

Submitted to Contest #288

Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no evil. On the day in 1937 when Grandpa Aaron was incinerated, shabbas had arrived sunny and mild. A pity of doves gathered, pecking and muttering, sighing and cooing about the pond in Public Garden. Then G-d winked, the sun flashed, an involuntary chill coursed through creation, and a horse bolted in Boylston Street. Its cart, loaded with Diamond matchbooks and Standard Oil kerosene canisters, hit the curb. Volatile freight striked and clattered. Matchbooks ignited. Canis...

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$250

Prize money

416

Contest entries

164

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 07, 2025 EST

Won by Christina Marie 🏆

Title: Motherhood

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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