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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

“Divinities of Euphoria” by Lexy A.P.

Submitted to Contest #79

The sun was slowly advancing above the horizon as they sat on the dock. As her feet grazed the chilled water, ripples vibrated across the tarn. He grabbed her hand and weaved it throughout his. Her head rests on his shoulder as the wind blows them closer. “The clouds ruin every sunrise,” Audrey whispered. “Never a dull moment with you,” said Gavin. “I feel like everything is wrong. Like something is out of the ordinary. I can feel it. My father never really shared any problems, important or simple. I don’t want to do that.” “It wil...

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“When the blood runs cold” by Sara Johnson

Submitted to Contest #79

As far back as I could remember, I knew I was different then the rest of my family I was the baby of 3 and the only girl. As the years passed, I've came to realize I was the black sheep of the family. My heart and mind was nothing like my brother's. I felt it every day, and as years passed by it was proven to be true. My life was a chaotic mess, filled with lots of hurt, trauma and brokenness. No one could do no wrong, besides me. And when life took it's evil turn, I was Left with a fear and realaztion that, my life I was born in, was not my...

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“Babysitting My Best Friend's Kids and the Trainwreck that Followed” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #79

After the doorbell rang, Nora opened it with a giddy and half-drunk smile with a bottle of tequila in her hand. “Alright, who’s ready to get wasted for gir—” She stopped mid sentence when instead of her thirty-four-year-old best friend, Nora found her best friend’s seventeen-year-old daughter instead standing next to a man in a suit that was one size too big. With a huff, Nora lowered the bottle and her eyes. “Thing One? What are you doing here? Where’s Thing Two?” “My sister is at sleepaway summer camp until next Saturday,” Taylor said wi...

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“Daddy's Home” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #79

NowIt was three o’clock in the morning when Elsabeth realised she wasn’t alone.***ThenElsabeth frowned at the photograph the agent had slid across the table.“I don’t understand,” she told Harding. She hadn’t warmed to him, despite having seen his face every month for the past three years. Elsabeth had liked the previous agent better. But, as with all good things, Rowan’s tenure ended. Retired. Still, he deserved such peace, after having kept an eye out for her for over five years. He’d made the witness protection program that bit nicer.“I’m ...

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“Betrayal at the Border” by David Brown

Submitted to Contest #79

A single powerful 1886 Winchester rifle shot reverberated off the canyon walls five miles east of the Davis Mountains and two miles north of the Rio Grande. Texas Ranger Lieutenant, Moses Mitchell, fell to the sandy ground behind a small stand of trees; obviously his little brother, Bat, had gotten much better with a long gun since he’d been on the lam.Blood trickled down from the lawman’s temple and through the layers of dust caked on his ebony cheek; he tasted the salty fluid at the corner of his parched lips once it had navigated the obst...

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“Aunt Indigo's Confession” by Niveeidha Palani

Submitted to Contest #79

Authors Note: This was a little rushed. I don't quite like the title, so I'd be open to any suggestions. I promise I'll get a better story out, but for now, this will have to do. Open to criticism and feedback. Enjoy! I flop on the couch, stretching stiffly. I notice my aunt staring at the window, as teardrops ooze down the window competitively. "Are you okay, tante?" Aunt Indi gets up quickly and spins towards me. I can't help noticing how her eyes are pretty puffy and red, and how her cheeks are flushed. "Jeanne, I told...

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“Dear Primrose” by ✰ 𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐞 ✰

Submitted to Contest #79

Dear Primrose, Do you remember that time in sixth grade when we stayed up until twilight, the sun just peeking over the horizon, ready to warm the familiar suburban city? We stared up at the sky for hours, hoping we might happen to catch a glimpse of the dazzling meteor shower we knew was happening above us. You leaned back on the picnic blanket and stared at the sky. We created a make-shift campsite on your porch for the special occasion. “I want to be an astronaut,” You said as you ran yo...

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“Soul Connection” by Zahra Daya

Submitted to Contest #79

“Hiya” “Hi, may I help you?” “Yes, I lost my room key, are you able to give me a new one?” The sound of bubble gum popping. Then, after a moment’s silence, “Sure, name?” “Elisiana Tugab” The rhythmic tapping of acrylics on an old-fashioned, worn-in keyboard accompanies the usual din of a hotel lobby. The marble floors wink at me, reflecting the light cast by the majestic chandelier up ahead. Only one day here and I already know I will miss it when I leave in a week. Rio De Janeiro has invited me warmly, its city lights serving as a...

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“The Forbidden Peak” by Arwen Dove

Submitted to Contest #79

James awoke, startled by the downfall of an acorn which had decided to fall straight into his open mouth. He hurriedly spat it out. James had faced worse for morning wake-ups, like the time his Aunt had poured a bucketful of water over him, or when his mother had thought he was dead and had gone poking and prodding him to make sure he was alive. His mother.James clutched his knees closer to his chest, blinking back tears. Why did she have to go? He fingered the little red button his mother had given him as a baby.&nb...

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“Torn in Two” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #79

“Why did he have to do this?” he asks under his breath as he rapidly writes on a piece of parchment under candlelight. “Sir, are you positive you will carry through with this?” a voice whispers in the darkness. “When have I not? You know, Paulio, that he’s absolutely forcing me to do this. I am innocent and to prove to the country that I stick to my word, it is unavoidable for me to let him off the hook,” he sighs sorrowfully until a spark of anger fastens his eye, “after all, I have a duty to perform to my kingdom and his love affair won’...

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“My Friends Call Me Red” by Michael J. Conroy

Submitted to Contest #79

'What's he doing here?'The look on Ruth Jenkins' face suggested she thought she had more time.'Red, please. Now is not the time,' she said.'What, you can't speak now, is that it?' Red asked, pointing, not at his wife but the figure in the corner.'Merry Christmas, Dad. I –''I knew it was you,' Red interrupted. 'The minute I saw them, I knew it was you.''Saw what, Red? What did you see?' Ruth asked.'Shoe prints! Dirty shoe prints on my hall floor and the blades of grass he dragged in with him,' Red said.'You jumped the wall...

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“The ties that unbind” by E Ameganvi

Submitted to Contest #79

Lunch breaks were always too short for busy people hungry to go run errands. 23 minutes. That was how much time Harold had left, before he had to go racing back to his non-official grease monkey job, working out of a small space in the old auto parts factory. Money paid under the table every 2 weeks, just how Harold liked it. Ex-convicts were hard up on finding decent jobs in Southern Nebraska. But Harold was known for being resourceful. Even now, looking down the messy isles of this god-forsaken grocery store, Harold smiled to himself remem...

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“The Stranger I Never Knew” by Eddie Thawne

Submitted to Contest #79

It rained heavily the day father died. I can still remember that day, vividly. I can still see his face and feel his stubbly cheeks. I still remember his smile. His broad smile, like he hadn't a problem in the world. The last time he smiled at me-at us, was when he bent over us and promised my brother, Justin, and me that he would take us on vacation in Paris immediately he got back from his trip. We were overjoyed. Our little hearts danced for Joy and we felt butterflies in our stomach. He placed his large hand on my shoulder and kissed me ...

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“Defining Family” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #79

Sometimes two people who have gone through something very intense can feel like they are family - like a parent and a child, like siblings, something like that. We assume the persons who find themselves in this situation have experienced the same thing, and that they were together when it happened. If, on the other hand, the people involved experienced the same, or almost the same thing, but were not together when it happened, one might look askance at the idea that they could have been brought together so closely as to feel like they a...

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“Meet Insanity” by DEACTIVATED ACCOUNT

Submitted to Contest #79

Meet Insanity A boy sat in the darkness; on the banks of little brook which ran in the woods just outside the crooked house. He looked at his clean hands. He marvelled at his hands. To him, something have changed about them, after he had washed them in the fast flowing stream, after he had washed away the mud and blood. His hands looked firmer, as if the slight shiver and ineptness were separated from them. The boy turned around and looked towards the crooked house, at the twinkle of lights, which were visible through the f...

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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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