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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#68: Meet in the Middle

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the internet loves to argue. Perhaps one of the stranger fights I’ve seen is what constitutes a “sandwich” — you’d think the definition would be universal… and you’d be very wrong.

But whether you classify hot dogs, pitas, and burritos as sandwiches or not, one thing we can agree on is this: no matter how similar the components, there’s endless variety to be found when you combine the ingredients in different ways.

With that in mind, this week we’re celebrating the infinite diversity of fillings. To do so, we’re going to provide you with the beginning and ending of your story — and it will be up to you to fill these two slices of literary bread with whatever you can imagine!

This week's prompts

Start your story with two characters watching a sunrise and end it with one of them seeing the moon reflecting off a lake.

Adults – 301 stories

Start your story with someone admitting a secret and end it with someone telling a lie.

Dramatic – 180 stories

Start your story with someone robbing a bank and end it with two people driving on an interstate.

Dramatic – 86 stories

Start your story with the line, “This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives,” and end it with, “By then it was too late.”

Sad – 132 stories

Start your story with the line, “It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same,” and end it with, “[…] and that was all that mattered.”

Adults – 178 stories

Stories

“Fishing” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #68

- Well, considering this gorgeous lake we are looking at , and also the fact that we are renting a hut in this resort belonging to the lake, , we have to go fishing . You see, due to our age, It may be our last fishing in our lives, so, in order to take a big advantage of it, we are going to the lake harbour before sunrise – I told my dear old friend, taking his dentures in and out of his mouth, making such an awful noise that I started to take my hat in the same rythm of the noise of the denture : in-and-out, in-and-out , in-and-out,...

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“A Ballsy Proposition” by Lydi B

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #68

"What if I shared my most condemning secret?" Annette lifted her eyes from the dessert menu to meet those of her equally as decadent date. Ray had tapped into the essential plot element of intrigue with that line. His countenance had grown rigid, the humor of their previous conversation long gone from his otherwise glorious gaze. Every time she concentrated on those deep blue orbs, she felt a mixture of elation and enough jitters to about send her rocketing for the nearest toilet. Anxiety always made her nauseous. If she were a character i...

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“Your last wish” by Heather Van Rensburg

Submitted to Contest #68

7 September 2020 It was perfect. Wrapped in our blankets against the early morning air, we watched the grey clouds slowly transform into shades of pinks and purples, and then brilliant red. The morning stillness was broken by the twittering of a flock of little finches, then a butterfly settled itself on your blanket for but a moment. The mist rising from the lake allowed us to gaze upon the sudden flash of orange without being blinded as the sun peeped over the horizon. You turned to me and smiled, a smile more dazzling than any sunrise, ...

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“Adventurin’” by Dave Bolin

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #68

Jed and Tanner took turns rolling the barrel down the road as the sun rose on the Tennessee hollow. Tanner’s turn usually lasted longer because Jed was talking. Tanner’s father said that Jed talked like he was being paid by the word. But Tanner didn’t mind too much; if Jed was talking, then he didn’t have to. And Jed was always talking. “I’m tellin’ ya, Tanner. This is gonna be the biggest thing you and me have ever done. They will be tellin’ our story to their grandbabies one day. You just wait and se...

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“Voir Dire” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #68

'I once ran out of a restaurant to avoid paying for dinner. My date thought I was in the bathroom, but I had my handbag with me. Silly man. Very sweet, but not my type. And the food was terrible.'My face cracked. I knew that we should not be laughing in the court house, even in a separate side room, but they called us all in to deal with a case and I needed my laugh.It was my first time on jury duty, and Loretta was helping to make the day bearable. At least thirty of us had to show up on a truly miserable Monday to 'do your civic duty as ci...

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“Loving the Moon” by Sophia Thorne

Submitted to Contest #68

She came just before the sunrise.She sat quietly next to him, as quick and silent as a shadow, just as the sky erupted in a palette of blushing pink and yellow fires. He turned his head towards her, liking better the way her eyes reflected the view before them like two mirrors; and he watched as for a few seconds, a ball of fire rose within them."Hey," he murmured, tucking a dark strand behind her ear.A smile curled her lips, and she turned his way. "Hey," she answered, equally as quietly. Her hand came up to rest on his, feeling soft and sm...

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“Going Gray” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #68

Author’s Note: This scene begins the way scenes often do in theater or fiction: a character reveals a secret or tells a lie. One of the two options is so common in writing, but both can be highly problematic. They can also be a relief. Secrets revealed can be so liberating. Lies (also known as untruths for those who dislike the immoral position of many liars and find the euphemism more palatable) can also serve to free the teller and the listener in a very good way. Some lies are lifesavers and that is not an exaggeration. They kee...

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“Making a Difference” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #68

“Jake, it’s no good, I have to tell you this,” Katrina said, her voice small and tight and yet seeming to echo and resonate. “You have to know. It’s – no good us pretending we have any kind of a future together if I don’t. And yet we might not if I do …..” Jake bit his tongue before he told Katrina that she was speaking in riddles. And the truth was she wasn’t saying anything that surprised him. He loved this quiet, kind, soft-spoken woman more dearly than he had ever loved in his life. He also thought she ...

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“Sugar spectres” by Raymond Lawson

Submitted to Contest #68

Sebastian and Marcel lie on a rooftop gazing at the the sunrise. Neither one of them slept from excitement. The rooftop they were on was an old castle they bought and transformed it into a luxurious bakery. A "haunted"castle in an abandoned neighborhood was a hard sell, but they bought it. The two had a plan. Sebastian and Marcel were aware that in today's world anything can be shipped. The locals had warned them about the reputation of the castle, but they did not heed the warning. Plus, curious tourists ventured to the bakery to experience...

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“Memory Gap” by An Echo

Submitted to Contest #68

It has been twenty four years since I'd last seen it, but the place looks exactly the same. My grip tightens around the seat belt, as we pull up the driveway. My stomach churnes. I fear the Burritto, I got from the drive through, would be on the carpet of my Toyota Tacoma. Breathe Catheleen. Breathe. "I was so happy when you called yesterday. I couldn't believe it..." Except, I don't remember. I don't remember calling her or asking her to bring me back...here. Was I drunk again? That would explain why I was passed out when she came...

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“Rest Easy, My Midnight Queen” by Brandon Johnson

Submitted to Contest #68

Dancing gales of wind blew past the maple trees and brought a barrage of leaves to destinations unknown. The orange glow of the waking sun sleepily peeked over the horizon, far in the distance. Even though the piercing Autumn weather lashed at my exposed skin, I had been warmed to my heart’s content with the little furry black ball sitting on my lap; her fur was darker than the previous midnight sky and silkier than any mighty panther. She made a tiny snore that told me she was having a wonderful dream; maybe she was chasing butterflies...

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“A Badge Is Only As Good As The One Who Wears It” by Trinity Womack

Submitted to Contest #68

“You remember the plan?” John nodded and tried to ignore his shaking hands. “I do. I will go in while you wait here in the car. I will find the manager of the bank and then tell them that their money is counterfeit and needs to be confiscated. Then I will take the money and bring it to the car. Once we have it there, we will drive away and make our escape.” Officer Peter nodded. “I wish it did not have to come to this, but we have to d...

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“The vicious mafia, Nakimura.” by Oyediran Esther

Submitted to Contest #68

Dylan's POV " I have to go Dylan, my boss needs me at the office"she said carrying her bag from the table. "Alright" I said moving towards her and pecking her lips. "I'll come to pick you by 2:00pm" I told her. "Yes sweetie, I should be done by then" she said getting out of the door. Hannah has been my girlfriend for two years now after I ran away from Thailand. She's the only person that knows me and why I have been in hiding. My parents and two brothers all did in a car accident with I being the only sur...

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“Secret's Aren't For The Keeping [Part 2]” by Trinity Womack

Submitted to Contest #68

“I killed my best friend.” Alea Newman glanced at the young man standing in front of her. She had expected to hear a secret about him having stolen money or cheated on his girlfriend, but not a confession of murder. Alea tried to hide her shock, but he noticed nonetheless. “You promised not to tell. You must remember that.” She nodded, angry that he would think she was going back on...

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“The Ouroboros Tale” by Saizen 🦜

Submitted to Contest #68

"Ophidum. That's what you're looking for." The old woman finally said.Piero pondered. He had never heard of that. Then again, his mind was no longer the same.Having completed his apprenticeship as an alchemist, Piero worked as a shopkeeper at one of the guild's shops several shifts a week.Outside of work, he frequented the workshops, researching different formulas.Countless patrons came to Piero each day, expressing their distress and frustrations. A growing dread loomed over the city.A mysterious plague was spreading quietly. It afflicted t...

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$50

Prize money

877

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 20, 2020 EST

Won by FJC Montenegro 🏆

Title: Silence

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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