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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

“Southern Son” by Cynthia Booker

Submitted to Contest #99

Southern Son by Cynthia Booker The Southern son shielded his eyes and gazed up toward the blistering Southern sun. Ben hoped that if he followed its slow, relentless arc across the sky, he would find his way out of this God-forsaken marsh. He was confused by recent events that put him in this predicament, but the will to survive drove him to action. Wielding a long, sturdy stick, he followed an animal path, steadily sweeping the ground ahead for snakes soaking up the sun, or other critters hidden in the tall grasses. He figured all s...

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“Into the light!” by Secret Diary

Submitted to Contest #99

I still remember the day. In fact, the memory from that unfortunate day is so vivid, it has become one of my deepest and darkest scars. How I wish I could turn back time. If only I had one more chance, I'd like to live that day all over again. And this time, I'll make sure to do things right. I won't let them die once again! " Do you have to be like that all the time!? Why can't you just try and be nice for at least one day? Do you really want us, your 'bothersome' parents to die early? " These were the last words that I heard from my mom....

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“The Beasts in the Abyss” by Ramiled Rose

Submitted to Contest #99

The girl seemed to stick to me like I was her life support. She’d cling to my hand as we walked through the dark place. If I could barely see a few feet ahead of me she could probably barely see her own hands in front of her face.“Vi, let go of my hand,” I say to the girl whose name I’d barely found out maybe hours ago. She sobbed, slowly letting go of my hand, keeping a soft grip on my sleeve, “I’m scared… where’s my mom?”“I don’t know,” I say, how can she expect anyone to be found in a place where you can barely see. Hearing is a sens...

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“Step Into the Light” by Chris Rohe

Submitted to Contest #99

The flames finally stopped, and all that remained was a burnt totem of flesh that was just moments ago a living, breathing man. The ray of light disappeared as the disk of light above the grotesque smoldering statue eclipsed. The remaining five men in the dimly lit dungeon room stood and stared at smoking remains. The group showed little emotion. They had become desensitized to such an occurrence since five others had perished similarly in front of their eyes ever since they found themselves in this nightmare. “Maybe it’s hell?” one of the...

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“Circles” by Hannah Krzy

Submitted to Contest #99

Salvi lit a candle and then, with a last look at the sky, she stepped through the door. She followed the dusty tunnel downward into air that had a different, fetid staleness. She held her candle high to illuminate the tunnel. To her right was darkness. To her left, far ahead, she could see daylight filtering down. A shallow gully cut down the center of the passage, with bits of rotting detritus that she surmised had been washed there by the last rain. She left her first chalk mark at the base of the ramp: an arrow that pointed the way she wa...

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“Gold in the Green” by Iheanyichukwu Ozuzu

Submitted to Contest #99

GOLD IN THE GREEN I remember the screeching, like a piercing scream of infants as tyres burned against asphalt, leaving black against the cliff-road. I remember my father’s foot forcing a full brake. I remembe...

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“To Share a Dawn” by Michael Lane

Submitted to Contest #99

It was nearly dawn when the old bus arrived in the capital. It had taken five hours to bring Luna from her village to the city. She had sat silent and still throughout the night. Luna stepped down, left the depot. She walked towards a main street. She saw that the city never gave itself to the dark, so it might sleep properly. Places were still open, where they had never finished serving drinks and girls to the rootless.&...

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“Night of the Zombie Brain Wasps” by Bob E

Submitted to Contest #99

It was hard to sleep. The constant buzzing, occasionally drowned out by a helicopter overhead. The helicopters were still patrolling then, surely a positive sign? Saul sat against the wall, lit by light coming in from the open kitchen and hall doors where nobody had bothered to turn the lights off. Everyone else was at least keeping up the pretence of sleep. He watched over the top of his knees, pulled up until they touched his nose. More buzzing outside, every now and then a thud against the ...

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“Freedom in the Sun” by Sue Marsh

Submitted to Contest #99

Freedom in the Sun Suzanne Marsh “Y’all ain’t gonna never live to see the light o’ day Yank!” Words spoken harshly; as he spat tobaccy right between the captain’s feet.. Jase Pearson, 7th Texas brigade gave the Yank Captain another shove with the bayonet of his musket. “Jest keep a marchin til we git to the Rail section.” Pale, blood flowing from his injured arm Captain Owen Pierce longed for a drink of water, he could think of nothing else. He had no idea which prison he was going to; he prayed it would not be Libby Prison, if it was ...

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“Festival Day” by Connor Andrei

Submitted to Contest #99

It was almost time for the festival, and the streets were alive with excitement. The lamps were glowing a little bit brighter every day in anticipation for the most coveted day of the long year. It was so easy for the citizens to fall into this eager stupor as they went about their usual business in the run-up to the festival. The festival was, after all, the best day of the year. It was no contest. For one day every year, every citizen put down their toils and troubles. There was no work, no school, no strife. Even the bitterest of enemie...

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“Hello, Sunshine” by Adrian Tan

Submitted to Contest #99

I open my eyes. It is time to wake up. It is so serene. The sound of nature is always so welcoming. This is how my family and I like it. We live deep in the jungle, in a solitary home. I live with my parents and my older brother. Being the youngest daughter in the family has many advantages… and disadvantages. I have most of my chores done without even lifting a finger. Whenever my brother tries to drill me, my parents are just a scream away. “Little sister, you will have to scrub the toilet today and there is no better time ...

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“"ONE SUMMER DAY” by Robin Simon

Submitted to Contest #99

It was the summer of 1983 and Roberta was a year out of high school. She was so in love with a guy name Kane that she dated throughout Jr High and High school. They were so in love so you think. Talked about marriage and children and you would rarely see one with out the other during the years of their puppy love friendship. Kane had to leave for the army it was a hard time for Roberta, they were so young and usually relationships do not last when they are long distance. Kane really loved Roberta, they wrote one another and he called when ...

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“My fault” by Sriti Khanna

Submitted to Contest #99

"This summer it had been so depressing , Locked at home . By this time our vacations start and we enjoy watermelons and icecreams softies watching Doreomon" said Kimchi. The streets are empty . No people or cars or vehicles . The lonely sun baked road with the dehydated trees and shrubs . Claire said, " but this year we have no farewell , No dates of exam are announced . There is so much uncertainity in the air. I nodded in agreement . This was fact . Our entire session was online . At first we were enjoying the classes but then whenever wif...

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“Summer '13” by Ingrid B.

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: domestic violence I've always loved the sunset. Growing up, it was always the best part of my day. I distinctly remember sitting outside every summer evening as a kid and looking forward to it. I would wait, sometimes for hours on end, for the sky to wear its beautiful colors and bless me with its beauty. Those colors, they always fascinated me. The blue, the purple, the pink and the orange, which clashed hard at first, then slowly came together, blending into the most harmonious creation. Thinking about it now, maybe my favo...

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“Lavender Tails” by Elaine Baker

Submitted to Contest #99

Elsie walked through the tall,never-ending trees that grew in the pinewood forest behind her house. She hummed,watching the sunset and admired how the sun dipped below the trees,like a regal queen or something. It painted the sky gorgeous shades of gold,purple and scarlet,and she smiled. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen something so glorious. She felt a tug at her heart,and she pulled out her camera from it's old leather case. She focused the lenses on the setting sun,and a click was heard. She smiled to herself,and continued...

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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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