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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#79: The Family You Choose

They say blood is thicker than water — but is it always?

The truth is that not all families offer healthy relationships to each other, and sometimes the harsh act of cutting them out of your life may be the best course of action. Fortunately, we can still meet people who love us no matter what and become our new families. Not to mention adoptions, blended families, and all the wonderful ways people connect with and support each other, regardless of whether they share any DNA. It's fair to say that family is a lot more than blood!

This week, we’re going to turn family life upside down and examine all the ways that family succeeds — and fails — for our characters.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who decides it’s time to cut ties with a family member.

Sad – 260 stories

Your main character is approached by their long-estranged parent who wants to reconnect. How do they react?

Dramatic – 193 stories

Write about someone who discovers the only family member they have left has just betrayed them.

Sad – 160 stories

Write about two characters who’ve gone through something so intense they now feel like family.

Adults – 190 stories

Write about a “found family” who are finally able to get together again after a long time apart.

Fluff – 100 stories

Stories

“Sisters Fornever” by Demisha Saunders

Submitted to Contest #79

Cassidy's life fell apart like the ruins of an old castle. Family and loved one's death tore their family bonds apart as she sauntered into a dark emotional state. The only person that she could call family was her twin sister, Camille. Sisters know everything, right? Not with Cassidy and Camille though. Cassidy was hiding a secret that could ultimately ruin her entire future. Camille didn't know of course. But it's only a matter of time before that would change. Cassidy bit her upper lip as she lightly tapped her silver pen o the near ...

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“Less Time” by Theresa Williams

Submitted to Contest #79

“Everyone down on the ground. Don’t move and nobody gets hurt”, the male voice yelled as he waved a short barrel shotgun around the room. A stern and forceful female voice silenced the room, “Listen up, all we want is the money and we will be out the door and you can go right back to your normal little lives.” Using her Glock, she motioned toward the clerks behind the counter, “I need all of you to put the money in bags and make it quick. I know someone here has already pushed the button and we have only a few minutes. Don’t make me shoot so...

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“April Showers” by Elle Weaver

Submitted to Contest #79

It was a drizzly day in April when I walked in on my sister, coincidentally also named April, having sex with my fiance. It was hard to say who looked the most surprised, her or Calvin, or even who looked the most guilty. Calvin, at least, had the decency to look away from me while covering his lower half up with a sheet I had gotten at our bridal shower. As if I was the intruder, the one who shouldn’t be seeing his private moment or private area. April just stared at me, a deer in headlights. Her large green eyes were one...

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“Blood Money” by Adra Verse

Submitted to Contest #79

They say blood is thicker than water – but is it always? It’s been 10 years now. Been living with my brother since then. We share a small house. Can’t afford anything. We were living with almost nothing in our hands, but at least I had him. He was like a dad, that doesn’t exist. It wouldn’t matter if we had food or not, as long as my brother was there. But surprisingly, one day, something amazing happened. My brother came home, burst through the door, and rushed into the living room. He had good news. A stack of cash came out of his pockets ...

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“Cleaning up Our Mistakes.” by Lunaria Dragonix

Submitted to Contest #79

How in the world can i write about having the only family member i have left betraying me? They were not the one who Fraudulently Filed My Taxes, three times in a row. Once when I met my father, who left me and my brother. Why, who cares? We did not get a good start in life. At first I heard over and over again we are all we have. While I was given an ultra wedgie on the fence post by my older sibling? I wish it was simple as sibling rivalry that was at play but it was not. Bullying comes in many forms. Well let me get back to what i was say...

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“The Age of Anguish ” by Leslie Bedenbaugh

Submitted to Contest #79

Eighteen birthday candles. One for every year of my life. They stood, unlit, atop my homemade chocolate birthday cake. I didn’t normally make my own cake for my favorite day of the year, Papa did. One of many things that he has done for me. And he was coming home today! I could hardly contain my excitement. I had spent the whole day making sure the house was neat and tidy for his arrival. Countless hours of vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing. But it would all be worth it to see him smile as he walked through the door, his countenance ...

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“You betrayed me!” by Madisson James

Submitted to Contest #79

Nicky looked across the street and put on a half smile. It was Nan. She was standing under a lit lamp pole. It was dark and the street was only partially lit up. But that's ok. They grew up in this neighborhood. They could both walk these streets blind folded and reach their destination with no problem and no time spared. But tonight was different. Nan had not come down this way in over 6 months . She lived on the upper side of town now. They barely spoke since the last incident. There were so many incidents in the past 2 years. Nic...

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“The day I realised ” by Keira Tay

Submitted to Contest #79

January 26th 2018. That date would forever be etched into my memory. The flames grew wilder. The sweat and tears running down my face trickled faster. The shouts and screams grew weaker. I tried to save them. I really did. The night of the fire would forever be etched into my memory. We don’t know who started it and we don’t know the reason behind it. What I did know however was that it took out my whole family. My parents, my siblings, my grandparents. It was supposed to have been a memorable day for it was my grandpa’s 80th bir...

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“A Merciful Queen ” by Kaydence 3

Submitted to Contest #79

The sun catches on my dress as I pace the room. I have finally done it, my wicked cousins are gone and I have been given the throne. The lands will be peaceful again and the villages will get their riches back. I am nervous to be queen and today I have my first meeting with the monarchs from over seas."My dear you will wear the carpet down."My lover and soon husband, James, pulls me in a hug."You will be the most wonderful queen. Your parents would be proud of you."I rest my head on his shoulder. He is the only one who makes me calm, he foug...

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“You betrayed me....” by Tae Bae

Submitted to Contest #79

It has been eight years since I have heard from any of my family. They each cut ties with me back when I was ten, but I had no clue it would go this deep. It started with my mom and then my dad, and so forth. Maybe it was destined for things to be that way, or maybe I was very disliked by my family. I would never know because I could never speak to them. My name is Lilly and I am now eighteen years old, I have been living alone by myself from ten years old to now. I have yet to hear from any family, but why ...

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“Fragmented” by Chiagozie Okoye

Submitted to Contest #79

Mom–the woman in the hospital bed finished her stories. Every part of me wished that they were fictional. But, it seemed that every fictional story was grounded in some truth. “Elijah,” the woman began, “you have to understand that I did it for you, to protect you. I love you, Elijah.” I gained back a little of my voice. “No,” I whispered. The woman’s face broke at that word. “No, you-you’re lying. But-but—” A sob broke my words. The woman shook her head. Tears appeared in her eyes. “You killed them?” I asked. Nothing was making sense. She...

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“Left on Read” by Lunar Night

Submitted to Contest #79

Left on Read Inspired by the prompts at reedsy.com You see, I’ve always not had much family; My parents died when I was little, the memories I have of them are starting to fade even now. For a long while I lived with my grandmother although I had to take care of her, which is how I learned to cook and clean, which still has stuck with me ever since. When I was around 14 my grandmother died of natural causes, it was hard, but I knew it was time to move one because I needed to find someone to live wi...

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“The road trip to a gas station” by Zoya Sabnani

Submitted to Contest #79

“Road trip!” Maddie yelled to me “What?” I said my eyes glued to my phone “We never go on road trips! What’s going on?” “Nothing!” Maddie said quickly I narrowed my eyes at her Maddie swept past me grabbing all my devices “Hey!” I shouted “Give those back! I was texting my friends!" You can talk to them instead.” Maddie said “What?” “I invited your friends to come!” “What?” I shouted even louder “You need a bigger vocabulary than just ‘What’ ” Maddie mocked me “Anyway, I emailed they’re parents last night and everyone is coming!” Maddi...

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“One of life's victims” by Nigel Dougill

Submitted to Contest #79

The wind blew like a gale and the snowflakes which Sarah had always found so romantic and exciting seemed to grow bigger and more perishing by the second. The coldness they produced proved daunting and lonely almost frightening. Indeed as it fell all around you it almost seemed to draw you into a place you really did not want to be. As there Fathers coffin was lowered into the ground Sarah shed one solitary tear for the man who had run her life for so many years. At last she was free no more obligations just her chance to grab a r...

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“Title” by Lia Cross

Submitted to Contest #79

We are all authors, writers of our own story we make the words and sentences with the actions we do and what we say. Most may have a name for their story at first but it’s the end that determine its true title and when its all done that dreadful day we all wish never comes, in that moment looking back at it all my second question is, what will you call your story? Will you be smiling that you have lived your best days or you will be overwhelmed with regret….. In that time my friends, what will be the title of your story? Well mine has...

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$50

Prize money

905

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 05, 2021 EST

Won by Reha A 🏆

Title: Puzzle Pieces

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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