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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

“Today, At The Beach” by Bob E

Submitted to Contest #99

So I’m bleeding to death with what must be a broken leg, almost certainly no ribs left in one piece, and bits of tooth swimming around the various fluids I keep spitting and dribbling out of my mouth. That’s not even mentioning the unholy shitstorm of ruptures, splits and failings that must be going on inside. It hurts. And what am I thinking? What bright shining light of wisdom and redemption is illuminating my sprawling mess of a thought process? Why didn’t I just admit th...

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“The Forever Day” by Quai Quai

Submitted to Contest #99

'I give her by the end of the week to survive' said the doctor, as he escorted my family and I to the elevator to leave the hospital. How could this be explained, how can we come to terms with this. No one should have to face this kind of pain. Death is easier handled when you don't have to prepare for it. How do you prepare yourself to lay your family member to rest. What do you tell her children at this young age? Do you keep it from them or do you try to explain that their mother wouldn't be alive to see them grow into beautiful young lad...

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“This is Not My Beautiful House” by Deanna Salser

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: violence, kidnapping, rape It was the sound of voices that woke me. I lay still for a moment trying to figure out who was talking. As far as I knew we didn't have any guests and since our son had moved out last month, my husband and I lived alone. As I continued to lie there listening, I began to notice small things that clued me to the fact that something was very wrong. Number one; the voices weren't speaking English, and B; the surface I was laying on was definitely not my soft, comfortable bed. The last thing I remembered was doing s...

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“Sunny Days” by Jubilee Lubov

Submitted to Contest #99

I’ve never been a fan of sunshine. Or warm weather in general, I suppose. When it’s sunny outside, people always insist you go outside and do things, be productive, and whatnot. In spring especially, there are always people outside frolicking in the grass, admiring blossoming trees, laughing with each other, and looking far too happy for their own good. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t even a little jealous.I prefer when the weather is what all the happy people consider “bad”. Pouring rain, blizzard, clouds, even just chilly. So, on sunn...

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“WITH YOU” by Trisha David

Submitted to Contest #99

He remembers the days where they always don’t forget to go, their favorite place. Where, all their problems are temporarily gone. Only laughter, only storytelling prevails. And not the sadness and misfortune of our lives. Especially on the day of his birthday .. "Happy birthday!" "Aww! Did you really prepare for this today? Thanks." "Blow your candles!" He happily blew out the candle placed on a small cake. Which, enough of the two of them. "Thanks for the food!" .. The day they were both blamed for a sin they did not com...

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“Signs of Life on the Horizon” by Kyle Poland

Submitted to Contest #99

“We should never have come back here” I thought to myself. Although I wanted to voice my concerns to the rest of the group, I could tell they were already unsettled and didn’t need me planting more seeds of doubt. We continued trudging along on the dusty surface. Each step kicked up a cloud of grey dust that nearly eclipsed the way forward when it met the light of our headlamps. We were surrounded by total darkness, barely able to make out the silhouettes of the rest of our group who had hurried on ahead of us. “We better tell them to slow d...

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“The Long and Short of It” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #99

I remember a time when they lied to us, of course they did. Lying is part of their persona. It tells us in not-so-subtle ways, that we are not intelligent enough to understand the diverse problems they are forced to deal with, on our behalf. I can understand that rationale, even if I don’t agree with it. Arrogance and assumptions make good bed fellows, if you are stuck in Alaska in an igloo with your worst enemy, and survival has become your shared goal.But things have changed, but then they always do. Somewhere in t...

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“The Magic of Being One At Last” by M. A. Q. Rizvon

Submitted to Contest #99

The tedium of waiting is unbearable to most people. Especially when they are young. Life is so demanding. There is so little time. And there are so many things to be attended to. They are in the prime of life. And it is a constant rush, to keep pace with others of their age. They appear to be on the go always. But, to a young woman in love, the story is different. The moments of waiting, for the lover boy to arrive, become sweet too. Nigar sat still. The room around her was encased in darkness. It was lit only by the moonlight streaming in ...

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“A mysterious night” by Krishnapal Gohil

Submitted to Contest #99

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!!! Umm... What! BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!!! I woke up by this annoying noise, turned off the alarm, I just noticed that it was still midnight. I was exhausted, I don't remember setting the alarm to this hour. Yes I needed to wake up early next day, but I remember that I had set it correctlyDING DONG!!The doorbell rang. Who would it be?It was dark outside, just some strange lights shutting on and off probably a car's parking light I peeped from the keyhole, saw a tall young man still wasn't clear, I let him in anyway"Who are you?""...

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“Sunrise with my love” by Kajal Thakur

Submitted to Contest #99

Today is the day Emily and Jack decided to see the sunrise together because the next day he is going to back to his country for taking over his family business and Jack wanted to spend his whole day with Emily today, may be they both will not be able to meet in person too soon.September 2, 2020Emily was still asleep, her face was suddenly tapped , and there seemed to be a voice of Jack speaking on the top of her head."Get up, hurry up"Jack patted her face and saw that she waved her hand and turned to sleep. He had to pinch her nose.Emily, wh...

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“The Night of the Rain” by Mayumi Q

Submitted to Contest #99

drip, drip, patter. The drizzle of rain turns into a drenching waterfall. I run to the window and gaze through the rain-covered windows. I smile. I turn, checking the clock on my nightstand. It's 12:27 am. Tiptoeing downstairs, through our old farmhouse, without waking up my parents is an ordeal. When I'm out the door, I breathe in the fresh, yet humid air. The rain soaks through my hair and my clothes. I feel it running down my body, encompassing me in its wet cloak. I lift my chin to the sky and twirl, my hair flying out, drenched as it is...

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“Into Sunshine” by Anthony David M

Submitted to Contest #99

I was content with my lot. Every day, my father would lead me to the road where I would sit and beg. He would then go away to the little blacksmith shop we had near our home, to eke out a living for our family. The world was full of sounds for me. I could easily recognize the baritone voice of my father and the gentle voice of my dear mother. A few other voices also would ring a bell of recognition. &nb...

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“The Karate Kid Daniel Broke” by Eagle Vision

Submitted to Contest #99

The summer of 1983, a high school student, a sophomore, cycled the California streets to West Valley High School. With headphones attached to both ears, sunglasses to cover the bruises on his eyes, a red and black plaid shirt, light brown tuxedo pants with a belt. Inside his rolled-up shirt with the buttons attached he wore a plain white T-shirt. It's an appearance that really doesn't need to be explained. The Tape Recorder is tucked into his right trouser pocket, playing Bananarama's Cruel Summer. Here's an excerpt: “Summer streets and side...

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“Pegasus” by Anna Carter

Submitted to Contest #99

The silence of the room was more than she could take. No one dared to speak, all of them just sat and stared at her as if there was nothing more interesting in the world. The white walls of the room paired with the cold light, lack of windows and the cheap chairs that the spectators occupied only made the space more unsettling than it already was. The people that surrounded her were of various ages, ethnicities and builds but the blank stare that they directed towards her looked the same on all of them. If you’d ask her how she found herself...

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“Distant memories ” by Eva Anagnostou

Submitted to Contest #99

She lay there motionless. Her fingers searched for the silk sheets, the smell of lemons and lavender all around her, so refreshing and relaxing. Next to her, there was a stuffed small dinosaur in the tones of light green with big brown eyes and a funny face. It was laying always beside her, next to the other pillow, a gift from her deceased father. She had lost him from an incurable illness months ago despite the efforts of doctors to save him. Rosalie picked up the small dinosaur in her hands – her father had bought it for her when she ...

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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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