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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

“Excellence of Rain” by Ceon Hones

Submitted to Contest #288

The bus is late again, surprise surprise right. The only thing you can rely on with NYC public transportation is how consistently unreliable it seems to be. It’s only a mile and a half walk home and the weather isn’t disgustingly terrible for a December night in the city. These are the thoughts that occupy my time as I step over a puddle and feel my clothes become increasingly wet with each stride. As I look up to contemplate the rain and God’s creation, a droplet hits me in the eye and I can’t help but smile. It is hard to believe how eeril...

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“Seasons Must Change” by J Christian Connett

Submitted to Contest #288

Seasons Must Change The air carried the crisp and bitter scent of dying leaves, as if the world itself were mourning. The trees stood half-empty, their golden remnants tumbling in slow spirals to the pavement. The wind brushed past, cold and insistent, urging the season forward. But I remained still, watching.A man stood outside the café, his violin resting beneath his chin. The bow glided across the strings, coaxing out a melody so delicate and haunting that it nearly shattered me. Each note trembled in the air, wrapping around me like a me...

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“The Azure Tempest” by Susie Bennett

Submitted to Contest #288

Alyson lived in a coastal village nestled between the jagged teeth of the Dragon’s Spine mountains and the restless embrace of the Azure Sea. The villagers, seasoned by generations of living at the mercy of the elements, were well-versed in the language of the sky. They knew a gentle, sun-kissed morning promised a good catch, while bruise-coloured clouds whispered of a coming squall. But no one, not even the oldest among them, had ever seen the weather behave quite as it did with Alyson.From the day she was born, the sky seemed to reflect he...

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“After the Fire” by Brittnie Bowling

Submitted to Contest #288

Bianca sat on the couch in the lounge still in her formal wear, her hands cupping her nose and mouth with her leg shaking. She was scared, she knew her father was on the call as well as Eli was. She had a bad feeling about this one. She sat there for what felt like forever till she heard her father over the monitor saying that he was taking over command and Chief Young was taking a crew inside and would be radio contact. Bianca started to shake uncontrollably when some other women came in laughing. They saw her sittin...

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“Raindrop Reverie” by MV Grimm

Submitted to Contest #288

The rain had always been falling, soaking the city in a cold, relentless downpour. I pulled my coat tighter around me as I stepped out of the vehicle and looked at my surroundings. The wet pavement reflected the flashing red and blue of squad cars.A uniformed officer lifted the crime scene tape. His face was strained. “Detective Gray,” he said. “Captain’s already inside.”I nodded, shaking off the water as I ducked under the awning of the alley. The smell of damp concrete mixed with something coppery. A forensic tech worked a camera over...

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“Hannah's Dreary Day.” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #288

Hannah's dreary day started exactly the same way. A chime awoke her, and she peeped through the window. She saw the same, grey, mild and cool day. Now the earth's weather was always the same, no variations, nothing to discuss. Weather was no longer a conversational topic, did not exist any more."Monday morning, and the same old dreary routine," Hannah silently thought.The digital chime had sounded. But was it only another same old day? Hannah was an android professional instructor, assigned to Teen Android Developmental Secondary College. Sh...

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“Dinner on Top of the Stairs. ” by Casey Plazola

Submitted to Contest #288

Dad came home drunk again. The door swung open and slammed against the wall. He stumbled in and kicked off his boots. He hiccuped loudly and burped. Mom sighed and rose from the dinner table. “Really, Scott?” she said. She closed the door behind him. “Did you drive?” Dad didn’t reply. Instead, he smiled widely at her. He staggered and struggled to stay still. “Oh honey, I’m, I’m so…glad to see you. Give me a kiss.” He slurred his words and puckered for a kiss. Instead, he got a slap. Mom looked outside and shouted. “The car is in...

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“There’s No One Here But the Dead” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #288

The other soldiers laugh at Francois, who is wearing a long-sleeved shirt in the oppressive hundred-degree heat. The rest of the men in the Third Lovari Regiment have stripped off their thick uniform shirts, fighting in their camouflaged T-shirts. “Aren’t you hot?” Herve Verdun asks. “We’re not supposed to be out of uniform,” Francois replies. “If you think our Helican officers care, then the heat really has gotten to you.” A beagle pads through the muddy turf toward Herve. Herve picks it up, stroking its fur. “Good ole, Karma…” “What do you...

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“The Never Changing Weather of Umbra” by John Buzzard

Submitted to Contest #288

The Ember Star hung low on the horizon, its red light stretching long shadows over the bioluminescent fields. Lyra meandered through the glowing flora, her fingers brushing against the delicate tendrils of a blue-white vine that pulsed softly in response. She had spent her childhood here, running barefoot between the glowing roots, learning the names of each luminous bloom. But now, this place where the weather never changed, was vanishing. The quake had changed everything. It had come without warning, an unseen force deep beneath Umbra’s su...

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“The Other Side” by Jason Wrubell

Submitted to Contest #288

When I wake up, the fog is still there. Thicker than when I arrived yesterday. The inside of my mouth is pasty and tastes metallic, like blood. I run my tongue around and find no wounds, feel no pain. My face and hair are wet. The coat I’ve used as a blanket is covered in fine droplets. I raise myself off the hard bench and stretch. It’s not cold out here, but a chill courses through me. The air is still. No sounds of life. No one else on the street, though any number of people could be hidden in the banks of fog surrounding me. I turn...

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“Answering the Call” by Jennifer Abrahamsen

Submitted to Contest #288

Answering the Call “Nope!” Samuel slammed the door shut and narrowed his eyes at it. It had only been open for seconds, yet a dusting of snow glistened on the stone floor of the small entryway. He turned toward the fire, blazing in the hearth, as the flakes morphed into small puddles. Samuel considered the overstuffed chair before the fireplace. He could curl up with his book. The fairies would be there after the storm. There was no need to rush. It only...

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“The Buffalo Stampede” by Todd Crickmer

Submitted to Contest #288

The Buffalo StampedeAn excerpt from the YA novel—Scout of the Oregon TrailAs the sun came up the third morning after our arrival at Fort Kearny, Mr. Lasiter had all the oxen yoked and the wagons lined up, ready to go. “It’s over two-hundred-seventy miles to Scott’s Bluff, and we have to do it in sixteen days to get there in order to stay on schedule,” Mr. Lasiter yelled from horseback. “And a hundred-sixty miles from here, we’ve got to ford the South Platte.” With that, he stood in his stirrups, raised his arm westward and shouted, “Wag...

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“Eye of the Storm” by Marilyn Q

Submitted to Contest #288

Introduction: The Unyielding Storm Windridge always seemed excessively quiet—a town that appeared to be holding its breath in trepidation. Its cliffs, sharp and ominous, loomed like ancient sentinels over the churning sea, their secrets buried deep within. However, when the storms unleashed their wrath, an energy permeated the air that felt almost sentient. The locals locked themselves inside, barricaded against the howling winds and tumultuous waters. They pretended it was merely another storm, but Sarah Morris understood better. She could...

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“Storm Signs” by Elizabeth Rich

Submitted to Contest #288

The flies were flying lower, and the deer flies were flying lower, too. And they were biting. The air was heavy with humidity portending some serious weather. I always loved it in the hours before a storm. The silver maple leaves rustled in the wind enough to see their silvery undersides. Once the silver made its appearance, it was only a matter of time before the thunder, lightning, maybe straight line winds, would kick into gear. The damned flies. Unlike mosquitoes, flies' bites didn't itch--they just hurt. We sold our house and moved in w...

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“Audelia in August” by Emmy Montag

Submitted to Contest #288

The August sun felt warm on Audelia’s skin as she laid comfortably on his pontoon. The river waves rocked the boat gently, peacefully, while a 90’s pop playlist streamed from the speakers. At the other end of the boat, James recast his line and took a sip of his beer. Audelia looked at him and smiled. He caught her eye and began dancing to the music making her laugh. He put down his rod, and moved toward her. She sat up, and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply. Then, nose to nose, he looked into her eyes and whispered,...

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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.

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