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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#64: Out on the Moor

This week marks 173 years since the original publication of the classic novel Jane Eyre. In the nearly two centuries since then, the novel has served as social critique, deep character study, sweeping romance, and so much more. Its atmosphere has inspired reams of Gothic literature and ghost stories, while its in-depth handling of Jane’s perspective set a whole new path for the way characters are written.

In honor of this achievement, this week’s prompts have been drawn from facets of Jane Eyre. We can’t promise that your story will be remembered for centuries — but you never know!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a Gothic manor house.

Horror – 133 stories

Write a ghost story where there’s more going on than it first appears.

Mystery – 225 stories

Write about someone who’s been sent to boarding school.

Novel – 120 stories

Write about a family attempting to hide their secrets from someone new.

Dramatic – 121 stories

Write a romance that involves one partner saving the other from a fire.

Romance – 154 stories

Stories

“Chasing a Dream” by L M

Submitted to Contest #64

This is the big day. Lei has been preparing for this day her whole life. But, she still has so far to go, this is just one step closer to her dream. Today, she goes to the elite ballet school in New York City. Thrilled, she spent every waking hour practicing in any way possible for ballet, preparing for this day. Sitting in the dining room, she munches on the avocado toast. When will she sit in this room again, eating breakfast? How long will it be until she can return to her home in Hawai'i? She worries about all the adjustments she wi...

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“Something in those Whispers” by Prachi Kumbhare

Submitted to Contest #64

Satan was prayed from every single extremity of the world on this night of the full moon. It was believed that on this very night, the dark magic was utmost powerful and could destroy even the practitioner if mistaken.The wolves howled louder, the forests were quieter, the winds produced whispers, and the fear of awakening of the devil escalated all around. Every single human in that town stayed inside their homes, lighting the lamp of hope. It was believed back then if the lamp of hope was burning, no evil could harm an innocent, only if th...

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“Drowned in Black” by Molly Leasure

Submitted to Contest #64

In 1862, James sailed the James blue†. Aboard the CSS Jamestown, James Plumb and his crew voyaged with six others past the Union’s view. They captured three merchant vessels, turning the flags over with blatant heckles. They towed them to Norfolk, victory now built within the framework—a preemptive claim shared by the Confederate fame.At the end of April, James met his first peril. Men fought on the frontline and died line by line.In early May, James saw an awful display. He vowed to bring his brothers home to Richmond, but their deaths happ...

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“Mildew Manor” by Anii ✨

Submitted to Contest #64

“This is the home we’re planning to have renovated. It’s a little bit dusty, I’ll admit, but it’s nothing new floors can’t fix.” Father said to Mr. Gigelwithy as we stood on the driveway, gazing upon the pink exterior of 337, Oakton Drive. A large Dogwood tree that stood greedily in the front yard took up all of the sunlight, so the front door was covered in shadow. However, the modest home seemed okay with it, still managing to look enchanting without a spotlight. The front porch was damp with recent rains and smelled quite earthy, m...

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“A Chance Encounter” by Dhruv Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #64

Dale Morton let out a long stream of curses as his old Ford F-150 seemed to choke on its fuel, sputtering to a halt on the old dirt road. He wasn’t one to swear, so he gave an apologetic glance to the cross hanging from his rearview mirror as he hefted himself out of his truck to go take a look under the hood. Upon opening it, Dale was met with a rush of dark smoke and a blast of heat which nearly singed his eyebrows. Though he knew it was a lost cause before he even propped up his hood and got his tools, he tinkered around with the mechanic...

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“Burning Red” by A. S.

Submitted to Contest #64

The wind shrieked through the weathered branches of the leafless tree. Rattled the greying bones and snapped the weak outstretched fingers. At the tips of each branch, a few resilient leaves tried to hold on. A single rope cut through the dancing patterns in the bark. Under the massive tree, illuminated by the stark contrast of lightning against the night sky, stood a young woman. Her dress billowed against her thin form; the wind whipped thick red hair away from elegant features. The rope around her neck had rubbed the skin raw; the other v...

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“Submarine Academy” by Philip Clayberg

Submitted to Contest #64

My mother helped me pack my luggage. Good thing it wasn't a big trunk or it would've been too heavy for us to carry out to the minivan.“But why does it have to be a boarding school?” I asked. “Why can't I just stay here at home and go to the public high school? Wouldn't it be cheaper?”“Your father and I went to a boarding school, Shui,” my mother said. “The same one you're going to. The Cousteau Society Boarding School.”“You both did?” I asked.She nodded. “And it was a good experience. We made friends and learned things that we probably woul...

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“Fruitville” by Molly Kelash

Submitted to Contest #64

(What’s the worst thing you can say to a ghost?I dunno. What?“I don’t believe in you.”Ouch! I admit I kinda’ love the irony, though. You can’t actually talk to ghosts because they don’t actually exist.You want more irony? You can’t actually talk to ghosts—unless you believe in them.) The night I found the doll…wait. Always ahead of myself these days, always so tired and caffeine jumpy. The house first. Three months ago, I bought this lacy, pumpkin and ochre Victorian house renovated to within an inch of kitschy in the middle of thi...

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“Omelets, pancakes and family secrets” by Rebecca Lee

Submitted to Contest #64

“Secrets are things that are meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others,” Jane said as she almost floated through the early morning set at the barre. We were at dance class – something that my cousin, Jane, talked all of us Gilbert girls into about five years ago. She said it would be a “bonding moment.” My sister, Claire, Jane, her sister, Dana, our cousins, Lucy and Terra, my aunt Melinda, my mother, Ginny, my sister-in-law, Lora, her daughter, Megan, and myself all joined a beginner’s ballet class together. I loved to dance. The beg...

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“Secrets & Games” by Julie Ward

Submitted to Contest #64

The Glass House sat on the highest crest of the highest hill in Bel-Air, its sleek band of windows reflecting the colors of the setting sun. Terrah Banfield stood on the vast veranda, a tiny figure in a white Dolce and Gabbana blazer, framed by glorious pinks and oranges. The freeway snaked between the green slopes, a glimmering river of red and white. Thousands of souls down there, going about their business in a city built on stories.Terrah snapped twice. “Come along, Bozeman,” She purred, her accent indistinguishable, refined.&n...

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“The Accident” by Bareera Samra

Submitted to Contest #64

It was not a good day for Mr. Albert when he woke that day, late. He had rushed to change and crammed the breakfast in his mouth. Mr. Albert was one of those people who get up early and go for a walk. He did everything slowly and peacefully, with no hurry. But now he had overslept. He was a principal in a boarding school and his son also went there. Today was the first day and he had been late to sleep last night because of packing slowly. He had roused his son awake and they both had hurriedly gotten ready, eating the breakfast his wife ha...

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“When The Clock Strikes Twelve” by Vinci Lam

Submitted to Contest #64

As the clock struck eight, little monsters were herded back to their warm beds, every one of them with a cheeky smile and a mind full of delicious candied thoughts. Danny and Jones were laying out tiny plastic cups on the kitchen island. Two bags of tiny cups needed laying out and three bags in the fridge holding green half jelly-half liquid concoctions. Orange and black streamers crisscrossed every inch of ceiling in a thoughtless mess. Jones had bought out the 52nd street dollarstore’s inventory of styrofoam spiders and scattered them onto...

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“The Downy Gammon House” by PK Spice

Submitted to Contest #64

I couldn’t believe my luck when the concierge from the world-renowned Downy Gammon House called me. He explained they’d had a rare cancellation and I was next on the waiting list. I jumped at the chance to book my stay. I’d been trying to get a reservation there since I’d come into my inheritance nearly five years ago.It’s touted as a once-in-a-lifetime transformative experience and absolutely everyone from royalty, to ex-presidents to A-list Hollywood celebrities has raved about it.To me, the most unique and intriguing aspect of the resort ...

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“City of Sins” by Cottoncandy Skies

Submitted to Contest #64

“Ducks with wings.”“Ducks? That’s what you are afraid of?”“No, I am afraid of ducks with wings,” she made a flapping gesture with her arms. He laughed. They were about to do something that might cost their lives, and here she was telling him that ducks with wings frightened her the most. This was their routine now. He and her, talking about the most random thing right before they were about to risk their lives. It was a way to keep out the thought that they might not walk out alive this time. One day t...

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“Withering Branch ” by Daniel Deschenes

Submitted to Contest #64

The dream invariably started the same way. I am in the backseat of what appears to be an old vehicle. The back of the driver’s head has a large gash in it that oozes a nauseating mix of blood and puss. I try to tell him that he’s hurt or ask if he needs help but my mouth is papery and dry. The words stick in my throat. There is another passenger next to me but I can only just make out the silhouette. It appeared to be human but an overwhelming sense of unease told me that it might have been something else. This feeling made me want to vo...

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$50

Prize money

753

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 23, 2020 EST

Won by Mollie Rodgers 🏆

Title: The Girl in the Goethe House

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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