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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#85: City Living

There’s something deeply compelling about cities, isn’t there? Whether it’s the influencer-driven styles of LA, the laid-back sophistication of Athens, or the perfectly manicured greenery of Singapore, each one truly has its own unique soul. Those who visit are awed and at times overwhelmed, either falling in love or swearing them off forever — while lifelong residents take up a fierce loyalty that nothing can shake.

When writing, it’s often helpful to think of your setting almost like another character. Cities are an excellent way to explore this line of thinking, so for this week, pick a favorite and invite your readers in. What gives your city (whether real or imagined) its local “flavor”? And what impression do the people there give to the many tourists traipsing down their streets? Tap into your inner tour guide — it's time to travel the world!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a major city that your character has a love-hate relationship with.

Middle School – 153 stories

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Historical Fiction – 154 stories

Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Adults – 283 stories

Write about someone fighting to change their city neighborhood for the better.

Teens – 44 stories

Write about someone fighting to keep their city neighborhood the same.

Teens – 34 stories

Stories

“This Place Is Dead” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #85

The pale blue moonlight bathed Greywood Courtyard in ethereal brushstrokes.Darell Porter eased the back door to 13B shut, a dull click as the latch caught. In his hands, he held his DIY weapon. A broom with a six-inch butcher’s knife secured to the end of the handle. A bundle of string and duct tape bound the blade to the tip. He’d used too much, but he’d rather it be too secure than not secure enough.From the opposite side of the yard came the rattle of metal. Snarls and grunts. The clink of a chain. Something scraped and slapped against th...

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“If This House Could Talk” by Carolyn McBride

Submitted to Contest #85

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods. Adelaide put another stick of wood in the stove and closed the door, feeling every one of her 80 years. She filled the kettle and set it on the flat blacktop. Tomorrow, she would not have her evening cup of tea here. They were coming to take her away. To a home “friendlier to someone your age” they’d said. But she didn’t want to live anywhere else. She turned and ran her fingers over all the marks she’d made on the doorframe. The right sid...

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“The Girl In Green” by We All Feel Lost Inside

Submitted to Contest #85

Sunday, March 9th, Everyday is a new day to me. No part of any day is the same. Prosecutors are not the same. Well, I should introduce myself. My name is Alessia. I’m a senior in high school and I don’t have many friends. But I do have my dog Sparky. He is a German shepherd with lots of attitude and spunk to his step. But most of all, I especially love playing guitar. I sing and sing. Just like my dad. Anyways, I’m super excited for Saint Patrick's day in a few days because I have this super fab outfit I’m going t...

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“WARNINGS” by DEACTIVATED ACCOUNT

Submitted to Contest #85

Notification for readers: hi, can you please stop liking before reading, like that is kinda obvious. I actually don’t care if you don’t have the time to read, seriously. By the way this is one of my many versions of ‘Death’, sorry if it clashes with any of yours, it was not intentional. And sitting cross legged on a table is great for reading. And sorry for the typos, please point them out if you see them. AND sorry if you find this story confusing. Happy Today!, Thanks for reading. WARNINGS Death entered the room and looked aroun...

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“Hacker” by Tanay Jain

Submitted to Contest #85

“They can’t do that!” I told John. The robots were basically taking over the city. They elected a robot mayor too. One week ago they decided to fire a bunch of people and hire robots instead. All the companies fired all the people who did a simple job, like throwing away the trash or fixing cars. I was a software engineer and my friend, John was a car mechanic. Ever since he got fired, he has been living in my apartment. There were protests against this new change but nothing had been done to change it since the mayor is a robot. John ...

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“Sweet Dreams” by Holly Fister

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city- the shifting landscapes and otherworldly visuals never cease to dazzle me, but it’s the feeling of bliss, sweet and potent, that brings me back for more. Well, that and the contract.I walk into the hills that surround the city (today), following the meandering path of a placid river. Spongy soft grass propels each footstep without a sound, but the river babbles merrily. Is it calling to me? I wade in to find out, and the crystal waters flow around my ankles, my knees, my waist, until I float in the current o...

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“The Memories in this House” by Maraika!!! 😎

Submitted to Contest #85

2021 Katie stepped out of her car and looked at the house. It stood out from the other modern sleek houses on the street with its retro structure and cozy vibes. It looked one of those classic homes you see in old movies with its wide porch and simple exterior. The blue and white paint on the walls was beginning to chip off and one of the posts on the porch looked it was ready to fall over. It had seen better days, but that was the least of Katie’s worries right now. &n...

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“Her Last Note” by Svara Narasiah

Submitted to Contest #85

Absinthe Valven was hiding. She crouched in the shadows, her legs folded and tense. The tiny stained nightgown she wore was pulled tight across her knees, revealing grayish bloomers underneath. As she turned her head left and right, looking, her raven black braids brushed her cheeks.She was hiding from the monster.Only a few hours ago she was happy, eating a delicious dinner alongside her parents' party guests. They talked about her, and she liked it. About how shiny her black hair was, how pretty her face looked. They commented on her full ...

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“Fighting for justice ” by Alonzriah'a Washington

Submitted to Contest #85

Previous Next Black Lives Matter 2020 Impact Report See how we, as the organization leading the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement, responded to the challenges of 2020. Our Movement Is #SoMuchMore February 1, 2021 From the time historian Carter Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926 up through today’s celebration of Black History Month, the goal has always been to recognize Black Americans’ prolific contributions that had been ignored, dismissed or diminished in textbooks and popular culture… Tell Your Rep(s) to Support Rep. Cori Bush...

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“Patrick Cox's Resurgence” by Boakye D Alpha

Submitted to Contest #85

From across the city street, it looks like nothing. A building that was once a cradle of the great scientific invention for the old world now resembles a building that has been through the thick, unpardonable hands of war. To be fair, it has. Darthler’s hands are no less cruel. A building which was once called the ‘Tower of Hope’ for the future of science now stands in ruin, burnt, and abandoned. The gigantic metal doors that were the warm welcome of the Lab-Tech’s hub are all rusted, threatening to fall off. The glass windows that ref...

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“The Experiment” by Kim Kline

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. It was vibrant just eight months ago. Hard to believe by walking around now, but the streets used to bustle with activity day and night. Families casually wandering down the sidewalks, stopping to take pictures in front of the statues and murals hidden among buildings. Couples walking purposefully in and out of stores with their shopping bags. Men and women dressed in suits, rushing to or from business meetings. It used to be impossible to escape the sounds of humanity. The hum of thousands of conversations ...

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“That City” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing about this city…” mused the shorty with a jet black Mohawk and pencil thin mustache. “When you’re up you’re up, but as soon as you’re down it kicks you in the teeth. The girl in a sparkling gold dress, backless with the thinnest of shoulder straps looked up from where she had been weeping into her open hands. At the beginning of the night she may have been something close to beautiful but her hair was now a mess and her makeup had run like a stream after the snows thawed. From the neck up she was a wreck. “What? What do you...

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“CHANGING TIMES” by Sayani Sarkar

Submitted to Contest #85

YEAR 1965:“Stop running. Jesus. These damn kids! One day they are going to get seriously hurt.” Muttered Mrs. Patrakis from the fourth floor as she slowly climbed up the stairs with the support of railings. “God knows when they’ll fix up the elevator. It’s been months. People these days have no concerns for their senior citizens.” Mrs. Patrakis, widowed at the age of fifty, recently turned seventy. Her body ached every time she got up from her chair. Yet, she made it a point to step out to buy her own groceries, get her letter...

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“This Place Is Dead Pt. IV” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #85

The evening’s amber light trickled through Greywood 13D’s front door, thick and viscous.The light bounces through and glints off the broken glass like golden fragments.Chelsea Harding walked in, a large cardboard box held in front of her. Various knick-knacks and miscellany poked out of the top. An old football trophy. A couple of dog-eared paperbacks. A lamp, shade skewed to the side like a drunken man’s hat. A small houseplant, its fronds dangled over the sides. The words ‘Randumb Stuff’ scrawled across the side in black ink.Chelsea runs t...

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“The Pea and the Pod” by Maddy Writes

Submitted to Contest #85

"OH, MY LORD! TURN THAT CRAP DOWN ALREADY!" Jamie shouted against the wall, Old lady Pea's constant record playing drove him up the wall. " YOU YOUNGINS' HAVE NO IDEA WHAT "GOOD" MUSIC IS ANYMORE". Jamie instinctively ground his teeth, he waited for her to turn up the music. "1...2...3" nothing. "4....5.." nothing, he just needed to get to six, maybe she wouldn't turn it up even louder if he got to six. "s-s-sssssssss" Jamie wheezed, waiting. "RAMBLING ROSE" blared even louder through the apartment's thin walls. "For...

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Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 19, 2021 EST

A winner will be announced soon.

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.

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