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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#48: Superpower

The faces of superheroes have long emblazoned everything from our t-shirts to our lunch-boxes. For over a decade, the Marvel movies have dominated box offices, and for almost a century, superhero comics have remained prized possessions.

A Smithsonian article describes the broad appeal of superheroes: "At their best, superhero origin stories inspire us and provide models of coping with adversity, finding meaning in loss and trauma, discovering our strengths and using them for good purpose. (Wearing a cape or tights is optional.)"

This week's prompts are for anyone who's ever wondered, "If you could have one superpower, which one would it be?" And as always, our prompts are open to interpretation! Whether your entry includes familiar superhero tropes, or ends up being a piece of literary fiction about someone who just so happens to move faster than the speed of light is up to you.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who has a superpower.

Middle School – 333 stories

Write about someone who always comes to the aid of others.

Teens – 108 stories

Write the 'origin story' of a person who goes on to achieve great things.

Fiction – 128 stories

Write about a person who collects superhero comics.

Middle School – 89 stories

Write a story that features a protagonist with an archnemesis.

Character – 112 stories

Stories

“Zen and Zealots” by Jessica Tomaselli

Submitted to Contest #48

I know what you are thinking, what you are feeling, but I don’t know who I am or how I can do what I can do. I know you probably think I am immoral or corrupt based on the people I spend time with - criminals and politicians. And maybe you are right. Sometimes I still have trouble sorting out everyone’s opinions including my own. Are these your feelings or mine? And does it matter? Why should mine be more valid than yours? Is anyone truly objective? Is that possible? I don't think so. We all have our own motivations. I just try to live...

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“Can't Break a Leg” by Ray Paramo

Submitted to Contest #48

“Shit, shit, shit.” Thomas repeated the word over and over again as tapped away at the button for the crosswalk. “Wait.” The automated voice fired the word back at him. It was deep, dry, and disinterested. Also damn annoying. So, Thomas’ finger kept tapping away. “Shit.” “Wait.” “Shit.” “Wait.” It took an eternity for the light to change, and as soon as it did, Thomas bolted across Lemon Street. Of all the days to be running late. And, of course, the Holland Briggs Theatre was the furthest building from Student Parkin...

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“All She Ever Wanted” by Elizabeth Moore

Submitted to Contest #48

The line at the coffee shop snaked through the tables and chairs all the way to the door. Tara walked to the front, and when she arrived the person next in line turned to her. “Hey, go ahead of me. I can see you’re in a rush.” No murmur of dissent came from behind. Tara thanked him and put in her order. Walking from the cash register with her coffee, a man stood up from his table. “Here, take mine. I’ve been here a while and you look like you need a seat.” She smiled her thanks and settled in. The ladies speaking loudly at the nex...

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“The Legendary Beginning Of Christopher Willis” by Hana J

Submitted to Contest #48

My name is Christopher Willis and my whole life I’ve felt nothing but out of the ordinary. It all started about two years ago when I was riding my bicycle home from school. It was a red bike with a rusty metal latch on the front, it was always missing something but I could never quite remember what it was. The tires were firm enough to take the shortcut through the woods off Baxterly, I remember that day; Dan Axterboe stole my glasses and crushed them beneath his dirty sneakers. It wasn’t the best route but it was the safest way to get home,...

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“The Dreamwalker” by Carla Avila

Submitted to Contest #48

Many people think the word “superhero” comes hand in hand with the idea of having superpowers. Many others believe it is not necessary to be an alien or lab experiment to have what it takes to deserve such a title—pop culture has taught us there’s always a way. Many will do it through money, many will do it through need. Many will train at the top of some mountain for years on end and many will just have to crash into the right one at the right time. Many will do it to satisfy the fiery need to do justice but will eventually fail to see that...

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“Olympus Academy” by Ted Villamarzo

Submitted to Contest #48

Some humans have the ability to see the attributes of the gods. In the past, these people have been called magicians, soothsayers, witches and sorcerers. They have been shunned by society, arrested by the authorities, tortured, or burned at the stake. This is what happens to people who did not have the ability to keep their mouth shut. Those who learned that often fatal lesson, of when to shut up at the right time, have survived their time. &n...

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“The Lawyer's Gunslinger” by James De Mont

Submitted to Contest #48

Benjah pressed his hands into his face. It was the end of his career. Perhaps his life if the stories of the Westlevain prison were true. ‘Do you contest the verdict Mr. Moirson?’ The judges deep jowly voice, quite comical with his bulldog appearance, now cut through him like a winter chill. The fraud accusations had come mere days ago. His files had overflown with condemning evidence, any lawyer had recommended he call it in and pray. Benjah made to speak but his lips stuck to together and his throat had become so dry he coughed. Taking a ...

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“THE PHOENIX FROM ASHES OF BEING UNWANTED” by Kamaru Tk

Submitted to Contest #48

Good morning ma'am. Today I'm here to interview or to talk with you for sometime"the intervwier said with a bright smile. "How do you feel ma'am on this auspiuous day?"."Really great , I feel very happy and I'm very glad to be with you." Never replied.".So ma'am your experiences brought you her,so can you please share it with us?"the interviwer asked with a twinkle in his eyes."Sure,my life is my teacher.There were always new problems, knowledge and new people. But for my family I was the unwanted........" Neenu was born to...

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“LIKE MAGIC ” by Rose Mary

Submitted to Contest #48

Was it a sad thing or a good thing? I can feel it in my bones the way people wish to feel. As if someone gave me a unknown super power without asking. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation and immediately I can feel what the person wishes for. It's almost like a burning sensation if I don't try. My face gets all red and I feel the powers start to bubble. I feel the beam of light trying to get out. When I met her I had no idea shed become my world. She had it all figured out except she didn't. Her world was turned upside down after I ent...

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“The End of the Week” by Carrie Thorne

Submitted to Contest #48

Thursday night. Best night of the week. This week anyway. Last week it was Monday. Two weeks prior, it was Sunday. Marise ran tugged at the hair tie, loosening her tangled knots from the tight bun. Ugh. Her hair was still damp from this morning. Twelve on, twelve off, four on, three off, five on, four off. Whoever said nurses spent too much time eating bon bons at the nurse’s station, waiting for a patient to need them was utterly deranged. When she’d graduated from nursing school three years ago, she’d sworn to never “do it this way whe...

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“Yellow Iris Flower” by Rajesh M

Submitted to Contest #48

Introduction Charlotte is a single mother and also dumb who takes care of her two kids, elder girl Eva (13 yrs) and younger boy Oliver (10 yrs). They live in New Brunswick, Canada. She works in a wheat farm; her daily wages will be food cost for a family. She leaves the home at 7.am and return back from work by 1.pm. At that time her both the kids will be at home and Eva is elder girl so she has a responsibility to take care of Oliver. 1st July 1867, New Brunswick, Canada ...

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“Altruism still exists.” by SANYUKTA SAHA

Submitted to Contest #48

Loaning assistance to others in need is only god in camouflage. Many have their own difficulties for which one needs to scrap out certain strategies or stunts to get a way. In any case, if circumstance compounds and on the off chance that somebody ventures forward with entire heart to help, at that point that individual is honored . Well, Helping to someone, is not an easy task. In the Modern era, nobody helps without any profit.Individuals these days are so occupied in their own life that nobody tries to see whats occurring outside their re...

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“Dump Star” by Gideon Gichohi

Submitted to Contest #48

In the wake of the tenth decade, a child lay at a trodden dumpster aware of the world that lit above, buzzing flies big as corn seeds and small as pin heads. The drool that felt its way into an unpacked yogurt did but add a glitter in its river-like meander. Down it went from the small pink lips to chubby cheeks, away from a fragile neck to the well jumbled discard. The comfort provided was a shawl able to be traced to a Jenn-Fib line of fabric, best industry in damask and wool curtains. “If they throw a comely bear like you, who should be...

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“Only Human” by Craig Passons

Submitted to Contest #48

They say guilt is the ruiner of the soul, little do they know… My name is Samuel Walsch and there is little I would like to share of myself with the rest of the world. Self security is my protector, and exposure is my ruiner. So, I stay seated at a hole-in-the wall diner on 18th and Main. It is a quaint little shop I have been frequenting over the course of roughly five years, give or take. To be absolutely honest, the time ruins into days, into months, and into years as one granulated body forming the sands in the hourglass of destiny. ...

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“Alone” by ELLA CROWDER

Submitted to Contest #48

I looked down at my wrist and the green veins transporting blood throughout my body. Sighing out loud at the tan line that marred my arm from the blue bracelet I so loving wore I looked back at the sea. So beautiful. So full of life. I could feel it. Its tug. The waves were a song and the moon was the writer. All of it calling to me almost as if it spoke my name. I rose to my knees to venture out into the beckoning aqua life from the sand, but before I could I heard a noise coming from my purse. Of course Mom, perfect timing. ...

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$50

Prize money

770

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 03, 2020 EST

Won by Jeff C. Carter 🏆

Title: Primum Nil Nocere

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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