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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#67: The Great Escape

There are times when the world feels so chaotic and out of our control that a break from reality is called for. And what better way to leave everything behind than jumping headfirst into the escapism of stories?

Whether it’s a larger-than-life situation, a comforting old trope, or a genre that’s literally out of this world, stories have been providing people with a way to retreat from their troubles ever since humanity first started telling them around a fire.

To truly keep in the spirit of escapism, make sure you fully immerse both yourself and the reader in the world you’re creating. Use sensory details to really pull us in — make us see, smell, and taste every detail of your story, so that we fully believe we’re standing alongside the characters. After all, the real world will still be here when the story’s over.

🥇 Winner

“Your Poor Rick” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

Trigger warning: depression and suicidal ideation “We saw your poor Rick,” they say in the grocery store aisle. I smile, unconvincingly, and compare jars of spaghetti sauce that I don’t even want. “We heard about your poor Rick,” they say, half turned on the pew in front of me at church. I sit alone and nod at their thoughtful concern, which is, in truth, neither thoughtful nor concern. “How is your poor Rick,” they say to me ...

404 comments 404 WINNER 🏆

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“What Is Your Emergency” by Heidi Slowinski

“911, what is your emergency?” “Yes, I’m calling to report a murder,” she said in a cold, distant voice. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Did you say you’re calling to report a murder?” asked the dispatcher. “Yes,” answered Victoria. She stared vacantly. “I’m going to need some more details so I can send help. Let’s start with your locati...

45 comments 45 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“For a Taste of Terra” by Rachel Macmorran

“Captain, I’m afraid I have some bad news from the Supply Officer.” The First Lieutenant stood at attention, eyes fixed on the main view screen, while a single drop of nervous sweat trickled down his hairline. Captain Adamu absently reached for the demitasse of espresso centered on the tray that the Lieutenant held in slightly trembling hands. She took a small sip. The crema was rich, the espresso perfection, as it should be, since the beans came from her own family’s plantation and roastery on Earth. She tossed back the remainder and ret...

23 comments 23 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Piano Room” by Claire Elizabeth

The music slowly faded out as we sang the last note of the song in unison. Noah and I locked eyes as I slowly leaned closer to him. His arm was already around my back, a calculated gesture he made in the third verse. As the music came to an end, he leaned down and connected our lips. I rushed the microphone to the side of my face to give us the smallest bit of privacy from the cameras and crowd. Just ...

19 comments 19 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Ghost Dreams” by Geeta Boodansingh

Coming to Nand K'tara always felt like coming home to Rhinn.The floating market or the free market (depending on who translated the Gorachi word into Galactic Basic) was a large generation space ship comprised of a hodgepodge of different races from all over the galaxy, outcasts and possibly outlaws, dreamers, wanderers, all with the common desire to explore the universe and pay their way to do so by plying their trade.She stood in the centre of the market, drinking in the bustle with her senses. Alien tongues min...

13 comments 13 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Love Hearts” by Louise Legrand

“Young man, please tell me you're not serious?” May looked across at Tom, who was busy pouring their tea.“I certainly am,” he replied, sitting down and helping himself to a ginger biscuit. “And why not?”“Why not? Well, it's not...

13 comments 13 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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This week's prompts

Write about a pirate captain obsessed with finding a mythical treasure.

Adventure – 145 stories

Write a thriller about someone who witnesses a murder… except there’s no evidence that a murder took place.

Thriller and Suspense – 222 stories

Write a romance where the characters pretend to be dating each other in order to win a reality show.

Romance – 71 stories

Write a story where one character needs to betray the other, but isn’t sure if they can.

Dark – 175 stories

Write a space adventure story that features a visit to an alien marketplace.

Science Fiction – 125 stories

Stories

“Your Poor Rick” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

Trigger warning: depression and suicidal ideation “We saw your poor Rick,” they say in the grocery store aisle. I smile, unconvincingly, and compare jars of spaghetti sauce that I don’t even want. “We heard about your poor Rick,” they say, half turned on the pew in front of me at church. I sit alone and nod at their thoughtful concern, which is, in truth, neither thoughtful nor concern. “How is your poor Rick,” they say to me ...

404 comments 404 WINNER 🏆

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“Witness” by Riddhi Shedge

She saw him. She saw him get killed. She saw the life drain out of his eyes. She heard his screams of pain. She heard the footsteps of the murderer as they ran away. She felt a tingly sensation course through her. She felt a tight knot form in her chest. She witnessed it all. But no one believed...

400 comments 400

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“How It Happened” by Anna Elizabeth

The banging on the door thundered in the room. The receptionist bounded out of her chair and ran to the door. A woman tumbled in, soaking wet from the rain and covered in mud. Tripping and slipping, she hurtled herself to the desk and cowered against it. The receptionist closed the door and slowly approached her. “It’s alright, you’re safe now.” She extended her hands in a pacifying and soothing manner. “Can you tell me your name?”“M-m-Mary.” She shivered and curled in on herself. “Mary Burns.”“My name is Abbie. ...

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“What Is Your Emergency” by Heidi Slowinski

“911, what is your emergency?” “Yes, I’m calling to report a murder,” she said in a cold, distant voice. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Did you say you’re calling to report a murder?” asked the dispatcher. “Yes,” answered Victoria. She stared vacantly. “I’m going to need some more details so I can send help. Let’s start with your locati...

45 comments 45 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Wind” by Wolfy 🐺

Vera lay still in bed, listening to the wind howl and the waves crash onto the small island. A silent tear rolled down her cheek, for today was the day she would have to kill Matthew. She didn't want to do it, she didn't even know for sure if she COULD do it, but she had to. She glanced down at a small slip of paper in her hand, and whispered to herself the familiar, menacing words as she had every day fo...

198 comments 198

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“Lost in a World of Snow ” by Malz Castell

She caught you one day, doing lines of coke on your kitchen table while your four-year-old slept two doors down. She had known about your addiction for months now. You had fought about it many times before. Your parents, your sisters, even your friends had tried in vain to intervene. But this time, it was different. This time was the first time that you had gotten high in the home that you shared with her. She had reached her limit. She couldn’t take it anymore. She got up in your face whispering angrily, desperat...

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“living by a script” by 𝕜𝐞𝕟𝐝𝕣𝐚 𝕤𝐭𝕠𝐧𝕖

I glance at Camille, who looks as nervous as a shivering opossum. We both do, but for different reasons. “Ready?” I whisper. She barely nods. Bridget climbs out of her seat, shaking. Her eyelids are so low they look shut. Her palms reflect from the handful of sweat. Perfect acting. “Well, I’m going to head to the bathroom,” Bridget says, breaking the silence. “You guys are acting kind of strange.”

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“FAKE” by Angelina Tran

KNOCK, KNOCK!Summoning the courage, Julia frantically knocked on the door of Mark’s house, fidgeting nervously as she waited for the door to open.Creaking, it opened, and Julia took a deep breath. Mark stood in front of her wearing sweat pants and a plain white t-shirt. Crossing his arms, he raised an expectant eyebrow eyebrow.“Let’s do it.” She looked up at Mark’s tall figure.He nodded, having expected this. She sighed, exasperated with his...

107 comments 107

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“Don't Take The Money” by Lina Oz

She saunters stiffly beside him, her hands clenched into small fists at her sides. She looks directly ahead. Her counterfeit smile does not reach her cold blue eyes. Her long, satin magenta gown swishes around her feet with each step, a cascade of sparkles flashing before every photographer’s eyes.His pursed lips morph into a grin as he follows her into the light of the stage and looks out at the crowd, displaying perfectly white teeth. He pumps his fists in the air––to which the crowd hollers in glee––and flaunts his magenta bow t...

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“Before you go🖤” by Ari Berri

I watch a girl walk down the hallway to her room. She can't see me standing in the dark corner, covered by shadows.She opens the door, and grins. I don't move, already knowing who’s in there. He smiles at her, the same way he smiled at me. He pulls her into the room, and I hear the click of the lock."Fine, I'll do it." I mutter.Micheal materializes beside me, smirking. "Thought you would.""Shut up." I snap. "When does it need to be done?""Sunrise, if you do it." He says. "And keep the girl ali...

114 comments 114

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“Glass Ceiling” by Lina Oz

I stare at my crew.Of course, they whisper. My life is full of their endless whispers; it’s a goddamn constant presence on this ship. I roll my eyes.“Smithson.”“Yes, Captain?”“Please relate to my crew that if I find them discussing the matter of my sex again, I will personally rip their balls from their bodies, freeze them, and use them as ice cubes to chill my next bottle of rum. Got it?”Smithson grins. He’s always been one to stand by my side. A good lad, of course.One of the only go...

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“Seeing You In a Different Light” by Amany Sayed

“Jack!” I whisper-shout at him. He pulls me into a random room and we plop down on the chairs inside. We take one look at each other and begin giggling. I cover my face with my hands in an attempt to silence them, but it does nothing to help.“We-ohhh my god.” I let out one last laugh before looking at Jack, who’s smiling, face flushed from our running before.“What now? Where are we anyhow?” There’s a small pamphlet on the table, and we reach out to grab it at the same time. Of course, him being him with his impossibly long a...

165 comments 165

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“The Phantom Doctor” by Natalie Dafoe

She nods her head reassuringly as I tell her, her eyes bulging and her ceramic-white teeth clenching. When I finish, she purses her deep red lipstick heavy lips and sighs.“I know,” I say, my hands trembling. “It sounds like I’m crazy. But you have to believe me - I saw it. With my own two eyes!” My voice takes on a high-pitched tone, and she set her hand soothingly on my knee. A singular silver ring lay on her finger, and it rubs against my leg. Something about her feels vaguely familiar, but I can't rememb...

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“This Moment” by Writer Maniac

“Hello.”“Hey. Are you willing to be my fake boyfriend for a month?”******I’m woken up by the aroma of pancakes and bacon.I open my eyes and am warmly greeted by the lens of the camera, a blue light flashing, announcing that I’m currently being filmed.Audrey is standing right behind it, smiling at me, her perfect white teeth blinding me more than the flash from the camera.The camera crew fills my bedroom, expecting a reaction from me...

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“Everything” by Phoebe Barr

The air, when we dropped anchor, was the kind that froze your bones in place if you stood still too long. I never loved these climates in my younger years; the tropics were the place for me, warm breezes in my hair, sun glinting off my sword’s blade when it found another bloody mark. But recently I’d come to like the cold quiet of the north. It made me feel something akin to peace, at moments. A rare thing for me.“You’re sure this is the place, captain?” said Lucy.I surveyed the view in front of me. A meager hunk of rock, no...

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$50

Prize money

738

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Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 13, 2020 EST

Won by Deidra Whitt Lovegren 🏆

Title: Your Poor Rick

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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