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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#95: Decision Time

One thing I’ve noticed while working alongside the wonderful volunteer judges who help run this contest is just how indecisive I can be. I’m always the last to cast my vote, tossing up options until the very final moment. Some of us embrace the act of choosing, knowing our own minds inside and out, while others are decision-phobic — and I fall firmly into the latter category.

However we feel about them, decisions — both big and small — are a part of life. Besides the obvious watershed moments, we quietly make decisions every minute of the day; one cup of coffee or two, walk or take the bus, say something or stay silent. It’s the sum of these microdecisions that makes up the fabric of our existence — and so with this week’s prompts, I want you to examine choices of all magnitude, and the ripple effects they can cause.

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone being presented with a dilemma.

Character – 216 stories

Write a story about someone who’s extremely impulsive — or extremely indecisive.

Character – 105 stories

A character stands in front of two doors. Write a story about what happens after they choose one to enter.

High School – 237 stories

Write about someone making a seemingly inconsequential decision, which goes on to have important consequences.

Narrative – 153 stories

Write about someone finally making their own choices.

Middle School – 203 stories

Stories

“IF ONLY I CHOSE BETTER” by Irene Gitau

Submitted to Contest #95

Kelvin Baron had everything anyone could want in life. He had the money, a loving family and loyal friends. He grew up in privilege therefore he had nothing to complain about. He went to the best schools both in high school and college. He basically had everything he asked for handed to him.However he was not happy. His dream was to become a doctor. He always wanted to help people hence the choice of career. He did not get to do what he wanted, because his father wanted him to study business. His father was one of the richest people globally...

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“i'm sorry” by Echo Sundar

Submitted to Contest #95

The rain pounded the car like angry bees. The windshield wipers had their work in for them as they cleared the window over and over again. Thunder rumbled in the distance like a melody of drums up in the sky. Everything was grey, that plain drab color, the color of lunch meat and belly button lint. The car was soaked in a coat of mud and it was hard and crusted near the bottom. Nevertheless, my mom was just as cheery as ever which almost made it worse. If my feelings were attuned to the weather I think the current forecast would be pretty ac...

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“The Mulberry Memory” by Scott Skinner

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #95

Content warning: addiction, drug use, violence, sexual abuse, child abuse Danny’s been a good boy for a long time. He’s cut back on red meat, only buys organic, and never drinks soda. He exercises regularly, presses his clothes, takes two showers a day, and shows up on time for everything. His coworkers know him as a reliable team player who cleans the coffee machine. Danny treats himself and others with respect; he smiles and holds office, elevator, building, and car doors. He’s patient. He talks to people in every department, even t...

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“Eyes Made of Fire” by Corbin Sage

Submitted to Contest #95

Asher knelt in the remains of his house. The sky was darkening, and he pulled out his flashlight to see the crumbling walls of the place he used to live. It had deteriorated almost to the point of unrecognition, but he knew where it was. How many times had he trudged up the inclining driveway, had run through the neighborhood in childhood glee? The hazy glow of his formative years all took place here, and now it was all gone. His flashlight illuminated the skeleton of a table, where he had fallen and hit his head on when he was four. He was ...

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“Situation 19” by H L McQuaid

Submitted to Contest #95

[Content warning. A naughty clown and some swearing]EXT. AERIAL SHOT: CEMETERY – NIGHTDense fog rolls through a decrepit cemetery, the tombstonesjutting from the earth like rotten teeth. An owl hoots in thedistance, but otherwise an otherworldly silence envelops the graveyard.EXT. CEMETERY – NIGHTA large black raven perches on a grey tombstone, the full moonrising behind him. Below his grimy claws, the inscription:Johann Herz1966 - 2021Son of a bitchThe TINKLING of old-timey player piano, faintly at first,then louder. It's playing Julius Fuc...

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“The Treasure of Adarlan” by Ashely John

Submitted to Contest #95

Storm clouds danced in Dimitri's steely grey eyes as he studied the tall, silver tower that stood before him; he could feel the power that it radiated. It shone gracefully under the setting sun's rays, with breathtaking beauty. Its ruggedness and austere simplicity drew him in. His ears perked at the sound of ice crunching, " Your excellency, we must enter before nightfall. Wild wolves roam these parts. " Malakai said, bringing Dimitri's stormy eyes on him. Malakai cowered under his gaze. Dimitri sighed, " Kai, we are like brothers. Ho...

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“'I' am also important” by One Soul At A Time

Submitted to Contest #95

Sometimes it's hard to live with people, because most of the hurting comes from the ones you devotedly love. My name is Rilan and this is my becoming I'm about to tell you. Everyday I woke up to the most wonderful family with food on my table and a roof over my head. I was always grateful, I still am. I had amazing friends and a lover I cherished. It's a beautiful plot line so far if you are wondering. So what is this becoming I'm talking about? Most times we do not see the entire picture because what we see in the centre is always so beaut...

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“The Waiting Room” by T.H. Sherlock

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #95

Nathan never saw the black taxi as he stepped out into the road on the day he died. By the time he was conscious of the beam of headlights and steel grille bumper hurtling towards him it was far too late. Tyres screeched as 1500 kilograms of black metal travelling at 50mph smacked into Nathan’s soft, fragile body. He experienced the peculiar sensation of flying and viewing the world from upside down, just before his jaw shattered on the pavement. A sharp pain lanced through his skull, mingled with the taste of grit and iron.The last thing he...

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“Decision Devision” by James Holgate

Submitted to Contest #95

The strange thing about fate is that it always seems to present itself in the most inconvenient of times. Such as when I fell from great heights, both metaphorically and physically, and fate appeared before me dubbing me dead, yet I arose and overcame. Unfortunately I don’t believe this is a situation I can escape. It began 17 days ago when I woke up, began my pandiculation and immediately got shot with a dart and fell face first upon the oaken floorboards. Not a brilliant start to a Saturday. I awoke (yet again) that day to the solemn chi...

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“The Dragon Races- Part 28” by Mira Caplan

Submitted to Contest #95

"Fine." Everlys looked around. She met Therin's eyes, jumping to Eriene, Jen, and finally Alaric before glancing back at the Sinistrian."Fine, then. Raya doesn't love you. But I assume that you care at least a bit for the rest of us, considering that we're all stuck here and need each other to get out of whatever and wherever this place is." She gestured down the tunnel, back in the direction of the place where someone had fallen at her hand. "We can either go forward or back to the cave with three dead people. Choose."Eriene ducked bac...

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“'Final decision '” by Asha Pillay

Submitted to Contest #95

Avi was fed with living a dual life, and he wanted out. The stress was too much, and it was affecting his physical and mental health. It's high time he charted out a new course for his life and made a decision soon, he thought, or it would be too late. Today he would speak to his wife Nima and confess everything. She will be shocked and hurt, but he hoped she would forgive him eventually.The phone rang, and he snapped out of his reviree, it was his Boss."Avi please come to my cabin with the project report."Avi picked up the f...

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“LETTERS AND INK” by Josephine Samuel

Submitted to Contest #95

San Diego, 1997.CHARLES ASTON could swear there was a little girl in Rancho Bernardo, always sitting by the gazebo in an old park.Charles loved the quiet of Ranch Parkway. He worked in Lauren Hill Lane, and would walk by evening past Silver Pine way, New Rochelle, get a robusto in Shelborne street and hold it lopsided in his mouth, muttering to the chirping starlings and people who changed lanes once they saw him coming.Then he'd come to Rancho Bernardo and see the girl sitting beneath a red birch, staring at the cardboard turnips laid round...

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“The Gecko ” by Dhwani Jain

Submitted to Contest #95

Dear diary,Tauktae. Tau’Te.Weird name, right?Well, it may sound absurd, maybe funny even, but it did quite a lot of damage to us. You see, (well, you read) I live on this little island in the Lakshadweep group of islands. I am the daughter of the tribal chief of our island where we've been living for over a century now, which, thanks to the Government of India, acts as a safe haven for us. No one can come here to preserve our culture and our heritage.. Whenever I go to Kavaratti {the capital of Lakshadweep Islands}, I hear India is develop...

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“FINDING GEORGE HUGHES A BRIDE” by Josephine Samuel

Submitted to Contest #95

1802, London. Business was business, and seduction was seduction, or a nitwitted invitation to lust, whether George Hugh agreed or not.The young women at the pannychis flaunted an ungodly amount of their bosoms in satin ornates. One woman approached him, her plump lips flecked with Carmine, with a tam-O' shanter that reached her brows; though he could almost see her crinoline, and the chintz of her corset, he withdrew, feeling nothing but pity for her. She accosted him with seduction, whispered profanity in his ear and had almost brushed he...

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“Family Getaway” by PJ Aitken

Submitted to Contest #95

“WHY ARE YOU BEING LIKE THIS, MUM?? WE NEED TO TURN AROUND!!!” “Isabelle, please don’t shout! Your father is trying to drive!” “YEAH! Away from where we should be looking! I can’t believe you’ve decided to give up. Is this how you treat all members of this family?” “Of course not! We just need to head home and can look again in the morning” “He could be dead by then!” “Don’t be silly! He’s very resourceful. I’m sure he’s found somewhere warm for the night.” “How do you kn...

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$50

Prize money

920

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 28, 2021 EST

Won by A.Dot Ram 🏆

Title: Moira's Day Off

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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