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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story where a character has to decide whether to press the button or not.

Posted in Science Fiction on Feb 3, 2023

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

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✍️ 70 stories

“A Mile In Someone's Shoes” by Nona Yobis

Submitted to Contest #184

*This story includes strong language, and includes themes of panic and being trapped*“Are you ready? We have everything set for the procedure.”I looked down at the pamphlet in my hands, then back up at the nurse. “Sure, just give me a few minutes to pump myself up.”She flashed me a clinical smile. “That’s fine. I know it’s an intimidating decision, and the ECT program isn’t for everyone. You take your time, and be sure it’s what you want.” The nurse bustled out the door and down the hall, her non-skid shoes squeaking as she walked. Left...

6 comments 6
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“The Plutocratic Affair” by Laura Pamenter

Submitted to Contest #184

The Plutocratic Affair By Laura Pamenter “Date of birth?” asks Tim—according to the nametag on his crimson shirt. “February 22, 2042.” “Oh! Happy birthday to you both. Are you two twins?” “Twins?” I laugh uncomfortably. My eyes wander over James’ tall athletic build, golden bronze skin, and caramel curls. In comparison to my short, curvy stature, and emerald hair, James looks like a Greek goddess. “Not twins, just friends since birth,” James says. “Our mothers shared a hospital room.” I nod along. James and I used to tell people we w...

3 comments 3
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“Meltdown” by Shane Murray

Submitted to Contest #184

A black and blue-striped muscle car sped down the city’s main, six-lane boulevard, red and blue lights flashing, horn blaring along the nearly deserted highway. The lights reflected off the top of the city dome in the late morning light. The bold white letters on the sides of the car glistened in the early morning light – New Anchorage Police Department.  New Anchorage, the proverbial shining city on a hill of five and a half million residents, was situated in Palmer Land of the Antarctic Peninsula, on the far side of Angle Peak near ...

5 comments 5
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“Resetting Regrets” by Jarod Smith

Submitted to Contest #184

“What do you regret?"“That’s a heck of an icebreaker.”“I promise it will make sense in a moment.”“Can we skip to that part?”The man in pinstripes looked down at his papers. Was that a file on me? Were they for show, the way newscasters shuffle notes as if to say, “Trust us, we’re in the know?”He cleared his throat. Definitely newscaster credibility papers.“What do you know about our project?” he asked, looking up with thoughtfully squinted eyes.“I thought you guys put bags over people’s heads and brought them here in vans.”“Ha, yes. We’re wo...

2 comments 2
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“My Magical Mystery Button” by Britt Garman

Submitted to Contest #184

Since the moment I noticed it, the mystery button had been a great, magical button that could brighten my whole day. I was hesitant to push it, unsure if I wanted to know what it did, or if I was even allowed to know. I wondered for days if it was something I was allowed to touch and, if I did, what it would do. Maybe it didn’t do anything at all. But I refused to believe that. I stared at it and struggled with the urge to reach out and press it. It was the only way to find out what it did instead of sitting here contemplating the mystery.&n...

3 comments 3
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“THE BRIEFING” by R. J. Garron

Submitted to Contest #184

Manny Ormann, Director of National Intelligence, watched the mannerisms of the President.  Her decorum was off kilter, as if she was stuck on a feeling she couldn’t shake.  Her hands fidgeted away behind the podium, so Ormann was unable to see what she was doing, whether she was handling something or was simply restless He waited for her to start, perplexed at what was vexing her since he submitted the daily briefing.  “You know,” she began, now visibly irritated, “since I’m now in charge, things should be going the way that b...

2 comments 2
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“Pushing Buttons” by Lady Beth

Submitted to Contest #184

       I've been waiting for this all my life. I wonder every day, will today be the day? Decisions, decisions. I don't have a name, or at least not in the humanoid sense, however the word release is tattooed on my face, so I assume that that's my name. Day after day, the president of the United States was faced with a daunting decision. On one hand, he could end a war. On the other hand, he can let it continue, and sacrifice a few for the good of many. He would be responsible for giving the order that woul...

4 comments 4
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“B825064” by Brad Heald

Submitted to Contest #184

B825064’s fingers fidget sitting in the captain’s chair fully absorbed in thought, he considers a difficult decision he will soon make. A 360 degree, high resolution screen surrounds the interior control room of spaceship Y82 Cusk. Dark green synthetic eyes fixed sadly forward at ocean blue Earth, 500 miles distant, a seemingly serene floating globe painted against the dark universe. Voice control commands produce insets on the screen of the requested information. Spaceship Cusk moves gracefully with Earth and sun circling the center of the ...

5 comments 5
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“Ebenezer's Dilemma” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #184

“If I had the power to remove all London’s wretched low lives and scum, I would. Either one at a time or all at once, it wouldn’t matter to me!” So says Ebenezer Crocket from an overstuffed chair at the gentlemen’s club. His voice echoes off the mahogany paneling and marble floors. “Oh, come now, Ebenezer,” pipes in Sir Wilfred Williams, III, a well-known assessor at one of London’s best clearing houses. “I believe you make a good deal of money from those poor, underprivileged souls.” IN 1837, and the division betwe...

1 comment 1
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“Plantery Peril: Earth's End #1” by Blake Vistocco

Submitted to Contest #184

The night was dark and stormy as Sarah stared at the glowing button on the console in front of her. She knew that the decision she was about to make would determine the fate of humanity, still, she couldn't shake a feeling of dread that filled her as she considered what might happen if she pressed it. Sarah had always been interested in science fiction, never imagining she would find herself in a real-life science fiction horror story. Yet here she was, deep underground in a secret government facility, staring at a button that promise...

3 comments 3
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“His and Her Buttons” by Dan Taylor

Submitted to Contest #184

The students at Bay Middle School were giddy. It was the last class on Friday. Kevin shared a lab bench with his best friend Aadesh, who sat directly behind Haley Bennett. Kevin’s seventh-grade class was paying attention to their Science Teacher Mrs. Greenlee. She was old but interesting, and in her distinguished career had won teacher-of-the-year more than a few times. But Kevin was paying more attention to Haley who was unfortunately in his line of sight to Mrs. Greenlee. Haley was the most beautiful girl Kevin could ever imagine meeting....

5 comments 5
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“Your Choice” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #184

Just another day on the job Karl thought, until he saw her. To him she was like a Phoenix with hair that shone like fire and the way she walked majestically. To all who saw her they froze in awe, if only for a moment. Any man would want such a regal beauty. Karl though enamored did not think he had a chance, he sighed and thought at best she'd exist in his mind as the woman of his dreams.Finally it was lunch, he had spent the whole morning thinking about her. To the ire of his coworkers. Usually he was the one who paid the most attention to ...

5 comments 5
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“The Perfect Surprise” by Laura Ethington

Submitted to Contest #184

It came in the mail. In unremarkable wrapping, a small, unprepossessing slim box about the size of an envelope. Leah rarely got the mail, so she didn't know when she received it since she only checked her mailbox every two weeks to simply toss out the junk mail that had piled up. Leah also had ADHD, and when she put it on her kitchen counter, it was quickly forgotten. It wasn't until later that week, when she was cleaning up before her boyfriend came over for the weekend, did she even remember it was there. Assuming it was the latest trick...

4 comments 4
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“High-Tech Meltdown” by Carey Thacker

Submitted to Contest #184

CW: Contains Mental Health, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, College, Parenting Mistakes Finishing up my final paper I was exhausted and excited all at the same time. I took a drink and wondered, “where is she now?”...Margot Kidder. My college essay was based on a famous person with a mental health disorder. I had finally completed my 12 page paper on her journey with a mental illness, Bipolar Disorder.  Through all of my research, I was fascinated by her strength and courage sharing her diagnosis and how she came to learn about what she ...

0 comments 0
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“How Everyone Lost The War” by Shinga Shinga

Submitted to Contest #184

OneThe grocery cart’s wheels wobble and squeak on the wet, badly lit floor. A floor which reflects back the scant silver of the flickering overhead lights, those intermittent oases in a desert of pitch blackness. They all threaten to fall from the weight of the winged creatures which have nowhere else to bask for many miles. Their continuous buzz has become a score of the thriller movie the world has become. A pair of Nikes shuffle closely behind the cart. One of them kicks a dancing hind wheel as it comes to a stop. It is to the brim with a...

1 comment 1
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Contest #184

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Ended on 23:59 - Feb 10, 2023 EST

Won by Michelle Oliver 🏆

Title: All the Lonely People

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