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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#72: Shocking Developments

Have you ever heard that there are only so many types of stories in the world? Some people say seven, some say three, some six… Regardless of the number, the idea is that you can boil down any narrative into universal templates.

While it’s true that many stories do follow familiar structures (and understanding them can help you learn how to craft a compelling narrative), there’s so much variety in how those structures unfold that the best stories still feel fresh and original.

One of the ways writers manage this is by filling their stories with unexpected details — so this week, our prompts are all about characters finding themselves in situations they’d never have imagined. But to really get something unique, don’t stop there: ask yourself what would happen if your characters made each of the possible choices before them, then write the one that surprised you the most!

This week's prompts

Write a mystery where the detective realizes at the last moment that they have the wrong suspect.

Mystery – 117 stories

Write a romance where your character falls in love with the last person they expected to.

Romance – 193 stories

Write about someone getting a job offer they never would have thought to apply for.

Adults – 94 stories

Write about someone who gets an inheritance from a relative they’ve never heard of, but they’ll need to do something completely outside their comfort zone in order to collect it.

Teens – 144 stories

Write a science fiction story where all human behavior can be predicted — until your character does something the algorithm did not expect.

Science Fiction – 139 stories

Stories

“Robotic Natures ” by Sydney Begin

Submitted to Contest #72

In the early mornings of the hour, a sunrise casted over the tall, silver buildings, painting them in shades of red and yellow. In the penthouse of one of the skyscrapers, a young woman with golden blonde hair stepped into the bathroom. She glanced into the mirror and tucked a hair behind her ear. Her golden eyes were hidden behind a pair of thin glasses with lines of code running in the corners of the lenses. She reached out and grabbed a sticky note hanging on the corner. It read, ‘Hey Caroline, I went to get repairs on my car this morning...

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“Somewhere in the Unknown Part 1” by L U C A .

Submitted to Contest #72

PROLOGUE “He’s getting out of control. He needs to be stopped.” said the voice in the shadows. “He’s only fourteen.” “That’s old enough. I mean he fooled the machine, he has to be dangerous.” There it was again, the man’s sickly machine that kept all mankind “in line” or so he said. Just yesterday a boy was found in the warehouse where the machines were made. This is the most unsuspected thing. That is saying a lot considering we have a machine that knows what everybody in this state is going to do, has done or even might do. Thi...

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“Terribly Happy” by Guadalupe Vial Ulloa

Submitted to Contest #72

Once I read that 100 years ago, when war and famine still filled Africa, when corruption and oppression still ruled Asia, when death and past mistakes still haunted Europe, when ignorance and ego still tried to take hold of Oceania and culture and opinions were shunned in America. There was one thing that kept humans together. That was, the constant search of happiness. It was the reason to live and die, the motor that moved every person to work together and how they came to build a dysfunctional society. This journey never could be finished...

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“Someone Unlike You” by Brittany Moss

Submitted to Contest #72

At Pervading Bank, there are three types of members we help. The Distracted, The Quiet, and The Loud. The first of our members are the ones with their faces stuffed in their holograms, keeping up with the newest trends of our society. Their sero-chips are so full, they don’t need human connection like the rest of us. Although they may seem rude, they’re actually the worst off. They’ve become too dependent on their chips to supply their daily dose of serotonin that it’s become its only function. Unless they need our help to refuel it with c...

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“Checkmate” by Jordan T

Submitted to Contest #72

Emmett sat at the park table, chess pieces set up in their starting positions. Five years, and not once had Albert been on time. The man had a knack for being late. “Don’t look at me like that. I couldn’t help it. Traffic.” Emmett made his first move, not waiting for Albert to sit. “Traffic? You walk here. I can almost see your apartment through the trees.” Albert gave a shrug and started the game. Ten agonizing minutes later, and Emmett resigned. Albert won again. “How do you do it? H...

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“Heaven” by Craig Chernov

Submitted to Contest #72

Jaime Southbridge remembered clearly how he died. He couldn’t, however, remember how he got onto the train platform he was currently standing on. Just a little while ago he had been walking home from the local packie with a couple of six-packs and was murdered in the alley behind his apartment building by a strung-out junkie. Jaime remembered bleeding out, the lights going out, while he lay on the pavement waiting for an ambulance. He remembered smiling as the sound of the sirens approached and he coughed up the last of his breath in a bubbl...

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“Flim Flam” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #72

Flim Flam “You are telling me you don’t even own a gun. You’ve never even shot a gun. You are afraid of guns, and yet when we tested your hands for residue, we found evidence of gun powder. Please explain.” I like to go over the evidence before trial, especially one I’m supposed to testify in. I find playing both roles gives me a perspective that helps once I get up there before the defendants shyster lawyers. Of course he’s guilty. Science does not lie. Anything short of having a picture of someone else h...

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“That Doesn't Seem Write” by Evelyn Thurber

Submitted to Contest #72

The shrill tone of the telephone ringing woke me from a deep sleep. I had been dreaming about a pleasant vacation in the Bahamas and was cut off at an ironic sentence, “I’m just glad I don’t have to hear that cursed telephone ring--” I groaned, rolling over and pushing some of Jean’s hair off my pillow. I closed my eyes but they flew open again as the telephone let out another other shrill scream. “Oh for goodness sake Dear, just go get it. It won’t answer itself.” My wife of 10 years shifted slightly in bed pulling her pillow over her deli...

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“Long lost” by Jay -

Submitted to Contest #72

The station smells of coffee and lies. He’s certain that he’s caught the right person, for all the evidence points to the suspect. But there’s just a doubtful feeling at the back of his mind. He brushes it off. “So,” he begins, looking the killer in the eye, “start talking.” The killer stays silent. The detective is becoming impatient. “Look, every piece of evidence we have points to you,” he says. “And what exactly did I do?” the killer spits. “You killed a girl. And not just any girl. You killed the mayor’s daughter.” “I didn’t,” the kille...

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“The Ripper Case” by Jason Morton

Submitted to Contest #72

Nightfall came, pouring rain beat against a decade old black Charger. The rain, fell hard and fast, making it hard to see through the window. With all the dings, the dented front fender and rust spots on the rear, nobody knew this was an off duty vehicle. In the darkness of night, beneath heavy rain, nobody noticed the lone detective sitting there, hunting a serial killer known as The Ripper. Jackson Cross was from the south, spending most of his ca...

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“Innocent one” by Anuja Baral

Submitted to Contest #72

On the slight upper part of wall,beautifully sprayed green wall paintings were found while lower to it, pool of blood.Blood patches were splashed all over lower wall as if they were carefully made like those paintings forming small red pools over green background.Two dead bodies were lying with completely unrecognisable state.Once a small sweet family of four was completely shattered as two of them elders were lying in floor while two of young ones weeping in vain.After a moment detective asked 12 years old daughter if she could explain the ...

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“Red eye” by Toluwani Dahunsi

Submitted to Contest #72

The stench of blood is everywhere. I hold a handkerchief closer to my nose as I walk deeper into the room. I freeze as the scene in front of me unfolds. There’s a head on the dresser, the body is neatly dressed on the bed with the blood still slowly oozing out of the neck. I feel the bile rising in my throat. I gulp to swallow it back down. I can’t throw up here. I can’t throw up now. I take some pictures. ‘’No sign of forced entry’’ My partner, Zero says to me. ‘’Looks like whoever did this knew this lady.’’ ‘’Ajoke’’ I say her name, as I l...

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“Phoenix” by Nikos Dbz

Submitted to Contest #72

Phoenix Gary entered his home. The stench of spoiled milk, semen, and dry vomit struck him like a punch, making him feel dizzy, although he was used to living in this filthy atmosphere. He had returned from work, and all he wanted to do was to throw himself on the couch and eat the burger he had brought with him, watching the shitty program playing on TV. It was a busy day at the factory, and he just wanted to relax before going to find some girl to fuck. He jumped on his uncovered couch, took out his casually...

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“And then...” by C Alexis McGregor

Submitted to Contest #72

DCI Corey Frapes's fingers tap the keyboard with forceful speed, words streaming onto the crime case report template filling the screen. His cup of coffee sits cold and curdled. DS Ingrid Smuthy's brow furrows, noting the DCI behind his closed door. She stands like a statue, peering through the glass door, her fingers folded, prepared to rap. "Ingrid, want some advice?" She turns, facing Constable Eric Hum. "Spill it." "He doesn't like to be interrupted while writing — trust me — won't be pretty." Ingrid glances towar...

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“Midnight's Tragedy” by Chetna Kaul

Submitted to Contest #72

Detective Charles Osbourn was sitting in his armchair, sipping coffee from a decorated earthen mug on a regular Thursday morning, in the company of his tape recorder when the telephone rang. He and his wife had become immune to it ringing every morning, exactly at this hour. Despite submitting tens of written applications for a mistaken swapping of numbers with the news agency in the directory, nobody cooperated to make the desired changes. Although it was no news that Charles himself could get anything done, he preferred not to misuse his s...

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$50

Prize money

687

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 18, 2020 EST

Won by Julie Ward 🏆

Title: Currents

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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