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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

“Bloodthirsty” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #99

The last of the scattered beams from First Sunset would bring about Second Sunrise soon enough. Those rays turn the rocky terrain, typically grey and bleak, to a rather ominous shade of crimson. It's fitting, as I'm out for blood. And I plan to get it from this thing laying on the ground, fresh hematoma on its head and a gash in its right front leg. I didn't cause the gash, it had that before I caught up to it. The lump was all me though.Are the guttural sounds an attempt to plead for its life? I have no idea. We don't speak the sa...

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“wishes vs. storms ” by Claire Huettl

Submitted to Contest #99

Icy wind slashed at his face and the air turned black around him. David squeezed her hand trying hard not to lose her but he could feel her fingers slipping away. He tried to run after her but his feet were no longer on the ground. The black wind spiral lifted him off the ground and high into the sky spinning around and around, David curled into a little ball and squeezed his eyes shut, wishing to be back on the ground. he opened his eyes and, slowly he started drifting toward the ground, his wish the only thing in his head, until he saw Kat...

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“Endless Embers” by James Holgate

Submitted to Contest #99

The divide between the shadows of the night and the dazzle of daylight becomes truly apparent at the dawn of dark. ‘The dawn of dark’, some may call it sunset yet those of society who choose to live at such a time decide it’s true purpose. That of which being the time when words turn to whispers and abysmal horrors unfold. Duncan’s dreary head laid rest upon the begrimed bench, overlooking cliffs that competed with skyscrapers. As he calmly stared forward he couldn’t help but acknowledge the flames of a thousand infernos staring back at hi...

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“Midsummer Night's Wish” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #99

I was wearing my favourite butterfly wings over a one-piece the day I met my future husband on a beach in Scotland. He was busy building a campfire to light after the town’s solstice celebrations. I approached him with my arms full of driftwood. “Can you use these?”“Hey, that’d be handy,” he said, smiling and pointing to a conical pyre on the high tide line. “It’s for tonight.”“Do you like toasting marshmallows?”“Mum has kebab skewers but---”“I’ll fetch a packet later and grab you some midgie spray.” “Thanks,” he said, scratching h...

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“Brown Leather Couch” by Deborah Angevin

Submitted to Contest #99

To Bella, My legs were on the brown leather couch, but my mind was somewhere else. Your dad was standing in front of me, handed me a mug of tea, prompted me to take the drink with his eye. And so I did. And as I reached out my hand, I could see the red colour left on my fingertips. Dried, yet clearly contrasted itself to the white mug in my palm. And I was once again, reminded of you. And the gruesome scene I had just viewed a few hours ago. The red colour was wet and warm, yet clearly contrasted itself to your pale white skin and cold...

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“most people do not realize they have not seen real sunshine since 2000. ” by Clinton Siegle

Submitted to Contest #99

Sunlight- I miss you really I do. Up bright in the sky light I miss that sunlight. Makes me wonder. So do you I suppose. I wonder about you. During the summer sun shine you look at things and wonder about this is this or that is that. Not paying attention. Not caring really about what is about to befall mankind. I like that about summer time light. Makes you forget about everyone trying to kill you. Kill you? What do you live in a game? Laughter of course I do.. I live just as you do. In a game. You do not realize it but yo are playing in it...

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“The Treasured Summer ” by Faiza Khan

Submitted to Contest #99

Thirteen-year old Laila woke up early, beaming with excitement! Now that summer holidays had started, she was finally going on a road trip with her parents which was however no less than a long- five-hour-agonizing-journey. “But it was going to be worth it!” She thought to herself. After quickly changing, she took her bags downstairs. Climbing down the steps, she noticed Mom was already busy packing food for the long drive. She hugged Mom from behind with a big smile on her face. “I love you Mom! You are always busy making meal...

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“No Trespassing” by Suneel Nadipalli

Submitted to Contest #99

Long drives aren’t really my thing. So, I was surprised when my wife convinced me to make the trip to this cabin we rented out in the woods, a couple hours from home. Maybe part of the reason I agreed is that I wanted to save our marriage, and this was our last shot at fixing it. Things... weren’t smooth between us. I was working too much, she wanted more time, it was a mess. Both of us wanted to push past this rough patch, both of us wanted things to go back to the way they were, in the beginning...Launa and I met in college, and after 5 ye...

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“That Time of Year” by Shannon McCumber

Submitted to Contest #99

“The most beautiful part is, I wasn’t even looking when I found you.” - Atticus ~~~The heat of the day still clings to the air, radiating off the pavement below. The sun has slowly made its way throughout the sky, only a couple more hours of sunlight left. The harsh winds changed to a gentle breeze, allowing the sweet smell of nature to flow around us. The harmonious melody of birds chirping filled my ears as I leaned back in my chair, and glanced at my husband, Blake. His hazel brown eyes, golden like whiskey in the light, twinkled as he sm...

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“Summer Vacations” by Dhwani Jain

Submitted to Contest #99

Over the years, summer vacations have been the favourite part of the year for me. Eating ice-cream, going to my grandmother's place and enjoying the cool A.C. breeze were some of my favourite tasks during those days. Here are some of my favourite incidents that have happened over the past summers. ~Delhi Darshan (Tour of Delhi)~ The earliest summer memory that I have is waking up very early in the morning and visiting monuments all over Delhi with my uncle, aunt and cousins. We woke up and went to visit India Gate wh...

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“That Sacred Place” by Cathryn V

Submitted to Contest #99

C/W: terminal illness I found him lying on the sidewalk with a bloody smear streaked across his gray forehead. Black rim glasses lay nearby broken in two. Like me, he’d just left the gym on that mid-June day when the cloudless sky and fresh air made me glad to be alive. But the man hadn’t even made it to the parking lot. It had to be a heart attack, I thought, clogged arteries, dying muscle. The last ashen face I saw was my sister Conni’s on the day she died. Her belly had been swelling for months. It was Hep C the doctors said...

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“Summer” by Catherine Githui

Submitted to Contest #99

Are you ready? Katya just stared at her. She immediately started thinking about her job. How cool is it that you get paid to listen? She would love that kind of job. Then she remembered that she is a terrible listener. He had made her a terrible listener. She just couldn’t stomach the thought of listening to him. That option was definitely out of the table. “Katya!” she called out to her. She was startled back to reality. It dawned on her that she was not alone. She loved her office. It was very open with those glass walls, overlooking a gar...

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“Twilight ” by Jowairya Soliman

Submitted to Contest #99

She pushed her feet deeper into the moist sand; slowly, little waves wet the sand even more. She gazed up at the sky, watching the setting sun. Her brother snapped a photo of her placid posture, pretty smile, and the picturesque view. She tried to remember: how many times has she seen the sunset? She smiled as her parents took shape in her imagination. ******** A pregnant woman was sitting on a lounge chair; strong, manly arms were circling her lovingly. She leaned her head on her husband’s naked chest and looked up, sniffing the sea’s aro...

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“The First Light” by R S Harshini

Submitted to Contest #99

It was past midnight. She stood there in full light seeing her patient slipping into unconsciousness for the last time. She knew it was time. The 10-year-old girl had gone through a lot – her past years in pain and grief. She held the scalpel in her gloved hands and nodded to her assistants as they worked on machines that monitored her vitals. A streak of sweat passed down her forehead as she looked at the clueless face, wondering if she could ever see her smile again. Her brain was undeterred on the task at hand, but her mind pulled d...

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“A TRIP TO LA-LA LAND” by Sharmishtha Saha

Submitted to Contest #99

A newly radiant sun has jumped out from the arms of spring to wrap all the creatures into the warmth of summer. The summer showcases the dancing sunflowers, crimson poppies, the buzzing bees, darling daisies, the little hummingbirds flapping wings rapidly and not to forget that cute and greenish caterpillar crawling and creeping merrily munching the fresh viridian leaves of the summer plants. The sky is blazing blue and the chrome yellow sun is in full swing to celebrate the brightness of summer. Hugan family too, is very busy today. They a...

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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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