Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write about a character who is allergic to heat.

Posted in Summer on Aug 2, 2024

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.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 26 stories

“Scorch” by Derrick M Domican

Submitted to Contest #262

"Attention inmates. This is an advisory notice. Today’s HEAT, previously scheduled for 16:33:07, is now expected to initiate at 16:06:34. Anticipated duration: Fourteen minutes. Revised intensity level: 20. All prisoners will cease operations imminently. All Scorpiens will return their charges to their Habitats. Protective protocols must be complete by 16:04. Notice ends."The garbled message, issued from the speakers in her helmet, ended with a crackle and Eva lowered her welding gun from a grid of metal girders, turning to look at her guard...

48 comments 48
Read story

“THE LEGEND OF ELIAS THORN” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #262

A young man named Elias Thorn lived in the secluded town of Aldergrove, where ancient trees whispered tales of old. Elias was an enigma to the townsfolk, a mystery shrouded in whispers and superstitions that swirled around him like the mist clinging to the forest floor. His peculiarity was not of his own choosing but a curse he bore from birth: Elias was allergic to heat.Elias's condition, a rare genetic mutation, tested his resilience. This anomaly caused his body to react to heat in extraordinary and terrifying ways. As an infant, whenever...

20 comments 20
Read story

“Luxuriating in the Cool Dark Night” by KA James

Submitted to Contest #262

Midsummer, and we’ve left the longest day behind, the dreaded solstice interminable, but still we must contend with day after day of the warmth. Twilight, the heat lingers well past the setting of the sun, radiating leisurely back to the ether from those objects, from the very land itself, that sat baked in light in the hours from dawn ‘til dusk. Even the clouds, when present, cannot completely repel the illumination and thermal rise of the daytime. On this evening, not a puff of a breeze as the daylight succumbs, the air stagnant, providing...

8 comments 8
Read story

“Fire & Flint” by Julie Squires

Submitted to Contest #262

Almost everyone who has lived to adulthood has seen the portal to the other world at least once in their life. We’ve all witnessed people being drawn into it, returning as spirits—ghosts resembling younger, more beautiful, translucent versions of themselves. They wander the streets at night, announcing that they now reside on the other side, happier than ever. Lucky them, I muse as I polish the counter in Marco’s gothic art store yearning to be one of those fortunate ones. Longing to escape from this creepy place where I'm a cashier, a sales...

6 comments 6
Read story

“The Private Hotel” by Rebecca Hurst

Submitted to Contest #262

On a high sedimentary cliff overlooking a small fishing town in north Devon, England, there stood a rather unique hotel. It was built in the 1880s, which made it something of a parvenue in comparison to its shoreline neighbours, some of which could remember, within their walls, witches dragged from their rooms, the hooves of Cromwell’s horses, and various and sundry drumbeats of early-modern history. The town church, and several buildings adjoining it, had been around since the Second Crusade. The town pub was built in the rei...

11 comments 11
Read story

“The Candy Man” by Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #262

Candy Man by Amanda Stogsdill "Judy? Judy? Can you hear me?"In my dark closet, I stifle giggles, listening as Nancy's footsteps fade down the hallway. Releasing a silent laugh, I emerge from my hiding place."There you are! Mom's been holding dinner." Nancy flashes a big grin. "You can't fool me, Judy. I know where you hide." Leave it to Nancy to ruin my afternoon! I think. Showing my irritation by ignoring her, we head downstairs to dinner.Nancy and I are stepsisters. When my parents got divorced when I was little, Mom married my stepda...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Can't Escape the Heat” by Kyle Kaye

Submitted to Contest #262

When most other students think about this time of year they think, ‘classes are out and it's time to hit the beach.’ Parties, swimsuits, and relaxing rule their lives. Not for me, though. I loathe this season. I live for the cool mornings and evenings of early spring and late fall. The mild temperatures that keep my body in check. They keep me from losing myself and feeling like I want to crawl out of my own skin.  My parents are the only ones who understand my allergy to the heat. Friends ask me to do so much during the summer without ...

8 comments 8
Read story

“Moving On Up” by CJ Sieling

Submitted to Contest #262

Being born in Florida in the late 21st century seemed to be a difficult enough burden for anyone. That didn't seem to be enough for the powers in charge of this world. The first adventure I had in this crazy and broken world was nearly my last.  My well-intentioned parents put me in the best stroller technology had to offer at the time. One-handed fold, dual cup holders, diaper bag slot with fold-out changing tray, and a phone holder with solar panel charging station made it top of the line. It even had a little spot left over for an in...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Double Edged Sword” by Abby Powers

Submitted to Contest #262

Containment breach…Containment breach…Seal all doors… The sirens above blared incessantly. I backed away from my door, person after person flying by the little plate glass window set into it. It was like a tiny movie, each character falling deeper into madness as the monotone voice overhead screeched at them over and over and over… Lockdown initiated…Starting cooling sequence…In 3, 2, 1… Then the already frigid air around me cooled even more, making my fingers and toes tingle. Oh joy. I let out a sigh and sunk down onto my bed, wrapping the ...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Unlocked” by Nao Sei

Submitted to Contest #262

Feeling its breath on the back of my neck, biting and icy, the gloom envelops me. The thrill of belonging to a shapeless mass makes me smile ear to ear. I've fought a lot against this darkness. It wasn't mine to begin with, it resisted me, I feared it. Why couldn't I escape you? I wanted to flee this bleak space with its moisture-molded wooden walls and immerse myself in the outside world. There was no breath of life within these walls. Still young and foolish, I hoped to warm myself in my expectations. In search of some form of fun, comfort...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Vampire Girl's Hot Girl Summer” by Julia Seitz

Submitted to Contest #262

Years of schooling and student debt have planted her right in the middle of the Arctic. She shuffled in place, feeling the snow crunch through her thick boots. Her hands opened and closed like the gills of a fish breathing underwater. Blood flowed from her heart towards the ends of her extremities, keeping her warm at the extreme end of the world. The heat crystallizing from her breath is the most she can take. “She’s come knocking on your doors,” Vampire Girl whispered. “The vampire girl is here.”She laughed and watched her shadow move belo...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Fire and Ice” by Lindsay Nicole

Submitted to Contest #262

Grandwood wasn’t a place one would find on any map. Tucked away in a secluded valley and embraced by tall, protective trees, it resembled a sanctuary—a haven for someone like Ava Taylor, who had a unique condition. Ava’s allergy to heat was an ailment that had shaped her entire life. Over the years, she learned how to manage the aspects of her daily routine, from the clothes she wore to the meals she could eat, but most importantly, her sun exposure. The slightest touch of warmth could result in serious consequences, so it was safe to say th...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Mr. Darcy” by Eva Esne

Submitted to Contest #262

Every summer, sometimes spring and fall as well, I open Pinterest and search for outfit inspirations. Thousands of beautifully combined pieces of all colors and shapes appear. But I scroll, and scroll some more, looking for something specific. So specific, I might as well start a trend of my own. The one that anyone with cholinergic urticaria can look at and go: “Finally!”. Choli-what, Danielle? My apologies for the confusion. Allow me to introduce the bane of my existence, the “hot girl summer” killer, the one thing nobody will take away fr...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Fried Eggs and Bacon” by Sarah Jo

Submitted to Contest #262

My life wasn't always this way—holed up in my house, a recluse during the nicest days of the year. I remember when I was still a child. Just a boy who spent his days going to the beach with his friends, whistling at girls twice our age in their skimpy bathing suits, and catching sunnies with our fishing rods off the dock. They fluttered up out of the murky seaweed to investigate the bait, scales shimmering in the scattered sunlight. Every one of them took it, too. Catching sunfish almost wasn't fair, they made it so easy. My dad would fry t...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A vacation to remember” by Shannon Edeburn

Submitted to Contest #262

Sandra looked wistfully at the cute short set that she had packed, fingering it briefly before pulling the ankle-length light blue skirt and a matching top out of her suitcase. It was thirty-two degrees outside, and she’d love to take a dip in the cold pool before dinner. Her room was on the shady side of the villa and a faint breeze fluttered the curtains in the open windows, but without air conditioning it was only slightly cooler than outside. Even though it seemed deserted now, she knew the pool could quickly become busy. Sighing, she dr...

4 comments 4
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a summer vacation gone wrong.

Summer – 66 stories

Start or end your story with a heatwave announcement.

Summer – 34 stories

Center your story around an unexpected summer fling.

Summer – 53 stories

Set your story during the hottest day of the year.

Summer – 87 stories

Contest #262

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Turn Up the Heat

$250

Prize money

266

Contest entries

91

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 09, 2024 EST

Won by Tess Ross-Callahan 🏆

Title: Hair-Dryer Day

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢