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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#99: Summer Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st is the ‘summer solstice’ — the longest day of the calendar year and, in astronomical terms, the beginning of summer. In my part of the world, this season evokes a plethora of scenes: sunbathing on river banks, al fresco dining with friends, and trips to the seaside, all punctuated by the heady scents of summertime — potent florals, sunscreen and food sizzling on the grill.

The solstice celebration has its roots in ancient Paganism — where people would gather at sites like Stonehenge and wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off the evil spirits who, according to Pagan folklore, walk the earth more freely at this time. From a spiritual standpoint, the solstice is all about embracing the sun and its awesome power. Whether you love basking in the sun or prefer to stay inside with the curtains drawn, I thought this week's prompts could be a way for us Reedsians to mark the advent of summer too. Happy writing!

This week's prompts

Begin your story with somebody watching the sunrise, or sunset.

Fluff – 275 stories

Write about the longest day of the year, or a day that never seems to end.

Summer – 99 stories

End your story with somebody stepping out into the sunshine.

Summer – 211 stories

Write a story about somebody reminiscing on an event that happened many summers ago.

Summer – 217 stories

Write a story about characters going on a summer road trip.

Summer – 104 stories

Stories

“Save Myself” by Ayla Bayli

Submitted to Contest #99

It was supposed to be the shortest night of the year. Still, she felt like darkness clung to the skies for longer than necessary. She has been counting hours (or was it minutes?). Nevertheless, she counted and her counts reached a number higher than the bodies on this shore. Only after it, the sun started to rise. She felt the warmth of the first rays on her shoulders. It felt painful. It felt excoriatingly painful, but she felt alive. As if the Sun too, had seen the horrors she went through this night. As if the Sun too, could...

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“The Wind Prince” by Ivy At Bear Ink

Submitted to Contest #99

The streak of murky dark blended with the golden strip that rose over the far horizon. The sun shone like a golden tunnel on their kingdom, dawning a new day like never before. As the sunlight brightened the valley, Zephyr closed his eyes, soaking in the warm and delicate morning. Opening his eyes, he noticed a massive flock of starlings crossed the sky and Zephyr wished for a moment that he could follow them, that he could fly away with them and leave the castle life behind. But he couldn’t. The responsibilities of a prince. A knock sou...

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“Let The Sun Die” by Aryansh Dubey

Submitted to Contest #99

The now gentle to the eyes orb had begun its descent in the oblivion. It's intensity of a white flame flickering.... slowly fading, becoming a somber red.... bleeding across the parchment of sky unevenly, where the sun was dying in the arms of those who refused to cover it's shame with clouds, as if wanting everyone to witness the decline of a glorious past, now moments away."......Dad, do you understand?" a voice pierced the obsessive inertness of Herschel's mind.".....yes....look...look at the sun....." he said, trying to hold on to his vi...

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“After The Sunset, I’ll Rest” by Cheriel Ann Pael

Submitted to Contest #99

[If you read the “I Killed Him, You killed Me, I'll Kill You.”, my entry in ‘Write a story about somebody reminiscing on events that happened many years ago’ ,this happened before that, and this is the another point of view of that story. But please read that before this entry (If they approve that entry).Every missing piece in this story will be found in that entry. Thank you] “What do you like the most the sunrise or the sunset?” Lila asked me after the long silence between us while seating on the rooftop of our high school Alma ma...

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“Lost” by Loulou Lauray

Submitted to Contest #99

Wispy pale orange lines, mixed inside dark tangerine streaks, with thick strands of deep apple red. My heart smoulders with joy, my mouth dries from thirst. Watching this spectacular sunset distracts me from the vast calm sea, and the slow bouncing rhythm of gentle waves. Lying down, drifting, looking at the sky, hoping, and praying for a rescue team to find me, is all I can think about.The small boat I rented hit a hidden rock this morning, which created a large hole, and within an hour it turned over and sank. Thinking fast, with adrenalin...

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“Peppermint Tea” by Cassidy Mason

Submitted to Contest #99

‘I can’t fucking believe you didn’t tell me! Why would you hide this from me?! I thought we were a team!?’ ‘ I didn’t need your permission! It’s my body and I will do what I choose!’ ‘I don’t care that it’s your body! That’s my baby too! You don’t get to be selfish and make that choice without me!’ The sun begins to set down upon the coast. An amber hue cascades over the beach as vibrant yellow light reflects off the neighboring high-rises. Sitting high above the city in my rooftop garden throne I can feel the fleeting light kiss my ...

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“Night Sun” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #99

Andy rolled over, pulling the light quilt along with him, then yanking it over his head like a monk’s cowl. The room was filled with dazzling lemony sunlight though it was only seven or so in the morning. And Saturday! ‘Darn, not again,’ Andy thought, ‘I know I closed those curtains before getting into bed last night.’ He peeked an eye out from his blankey-cave and turned curiously back towards the window. As usual, the cheery cacophony of bird voices wafted in through the east facing window. He recognized just...

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“He was a good man” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #99

The crowd of mourners started gathering when the message hit the airwaves. Some had heard through the grapevine, and others were neighbours who had never stepped into Errin's yard when he was alive. His widow was in the main lounge, watching the sunset reddening the distant horizon through the French windows, as she sat cross-legged on cushions, like the traditional African wife she had always been. Her young sister and other close relatives were hovering around trying to console her. They watched the proceedings and who was coming in and ou...

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“The sunset on New Year's eve” by Sita J

Submitted to Contest #99

Yesterday was New Year's eve. I drove to the beach, alone... to watch the sunset. The setting sun is metaphorically sad, yet hopeful like a year-end. Another day, another year, just around the corner. I watched the kids jumping up and down with the waves, laughing gleefully; their watchful parents fencing them to keep them safe. The tides grow stronger as the night draws closer. Lifeguards went around whistling and warning people to move towards the shore. I heard the distant clinks of a spatula hitting the iron pan; a fried-peanut trolley k...

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“Kissing Waves” by Jarrko Rayne

Submitted to Contest #99

"Its nice isnt it." Elodie said to me as she looked at me. I replied " it is and honestly there are few people I would like to see a sunrise with." Elodie and me were watching the summer sun rise over the ocean. Here we were, on a beach in the summer morning. As the sun was rising in the summer sky, something was off with her. She looked over her shoulder and at me. "Rye....whats wrong." Elodie is someone who is special. She is a special type of girl. For starters she is French, speaks fluent French, Italian and English. In fact I thin...

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“Guilty ” by Meta M Griffin

Submitted to Contest #99

Summer watched the sunrise above the trees just before she cranked her Toyota Camry and went to her grandmother’s. Her grandmother lived right around the corner from the University and always got up just before first light. Summer got out of the car and banged on the porch door. She could see Granny looking through the curtains. Granny opened the door. “What you want?" Summer smiled. "Some tea would be good. “Come on in. I think you need more than tea. But maybe my special formula will knock some sense into you.” Summer sat down at Gra...

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“The Sunsets of My Life” by Edy Stoughton

Submitted to Contest #99

The Sunsets of My Life &n...

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“Past” by Bobby Chowdary

Submitted to Contest #99

“You know, maybe this isn't the worst way to go, '' said Nero, as he stared off into the sunset. His abdomen had been pierced clean through, and he knew that he didn't have any chance at all of surviving. His mana had all been drained, to the point where he couldn’t even light up a candle. He thought back to the day he had first stepped onto the path of a magic emperor and becoming the most powerful mage ever 8 years ago WELCOME TO WHITE DEER INSTITUTE!. This is what every freshman entering the top magic high school in the entire world saw f...

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“The Creatures” by Ally Evans

Submitted to Contest #99

I sat atop the door steps, allowing the last of the sunlight to wash over my face as the sky filled with dark, beautiful pinks, purples and oranges. A deep sigh escaped my chest before I stood up and entered the battered house, sliding a chair in front of the door right after. “Ey, Dotty. You’re on first watch.” Rayna said, laying on the couch with her little hunting knife on her chest and her curly, black hair dangling off the side of the couch's arm. “Yeh, alright. You coming, then?” I said, gesturing towards the stairs. “I jus...

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“Sarah’s Sunset” by William Brown

Submitted to Contest #99

Sarah was blind. Yet, each Friday, she traveled to the beach to catch a sunset. Although her eyes had never sensed light, she would argue with anyone who would listen that she experienced the sunset as well as – strike that – better than a seeing person. She contended that no one saw a perfect sunset as she had. Because of this, every Friday, without fail, she walked the well-known route to the beach, feeling her way to her “spot” and crashing to the sand like the waves themselves. Sarah’s family worried about her making the trek, though s...

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$50

Prize money

909

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 25, 2021 EST

Won by Tom Vandel 🏆

Title: The Men and the Lake

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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