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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of contemporary short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

11160+ Contemporary Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. All the newest modern day stories to thrill and inspire, all in one place.

Contemporary Short Stories – Page 692 of 745

A Sparrow from Bermuda

Submitted to Contest #73

"How sadly the bird in his cage,watches the butterflies."-Kobayashi IssaWhen things do not go my way, I let them be. It’s common sense, really. The world won’t spin in reverse just because I don’t like the bursts of wind against my face. Time won’t take a few steps back just because I hate December twenty-fifth. And the road won’t turn left just because I want to go home and sleep everything away. “But I don’t want to be in that stupid party!” My sister says, but Mom just drives faster. “We do this every single year, but the Christmas B...

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Abracadabra

Submitted to Contest #74

December 18It is the beginning of the end; the first time that I find something missing.I have OCD. So, I know where everything is. I don’t even have to look at what I am bringing out of the cupboards.When I put my hand up for my cappuccino cup and felt an empty space, I was flummoxed. I looked in the sink, on the draining board, on the bedside cabinet. Nada. Zilch. I took out my second-favourite cup, and… I discovered that all the mocha pods were missing. December 19 Ah. Today it was a light bulb from the chandelier in the ballroom. I notic...

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proposal times 5

Submitted to Contest #73

Hello everyone, I'm Verdie Feldt. I am so pleased to be speaking with your today via Zoom about one of the most joyous yet tremulous events of my recent life. This afternoon, I will share with you the intricacies that encompassed my engagement proposal for Christmas 2020. I now wonder at my surprise, given the erratic rhythm of this past year. I invite you to close your eyes, picture a tree full of garland, blinking with white lights, boughs bursting with bobbles of every shape, sheen, all in tints, tones of currant, crimson, cherry. My mo...

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Ten Days in September

Submitted to Contest #74

Monday, Labor Day, September 7th, 2020. As we prepared to get a good nights’ sleep before a three hour drive in the morning, the wind started. We had been warned beforehand that it would. However, it was coming from the east which was unusual. The term “historic” was bandied about. Three wildfires were burning north and east of the area we locals call "the canyon" which includes sister cities of Gates, Mill City, Lyons and Detroit. Certainly concerning but nothing to worry over. Little did I know.The later the hour, the fiercer the...

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The Second he saw her

Submitted to Contest #74

Melanie Iredale Melanieiredale@outlook.com Reedsy Writing Contest #223 10 Seconds The Second I Saw Her By Melanie Iredale Chad Bradley an Single bachelor architect whom was racing the final blueprints to a highly established new construction company downtown of the city’s new Courthouse for final approval. If they accepted this could not only mean the deal of a lifetime it would also mean his name and his work would soon be well known around the city. Chad not wanting to be late, jumped in the elevator of this twenty seven ...

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Top Ten Pandemic Emotions

Submitted to Contest #74

10. Excitement. Be suspicious of anyone who denies that the onset of Covid-19 triggered a primal thrill. This does not mean it was welcomed, or that it didn't give way to horror, despair, loneliness, among other feelings that will be covered. When I first learned Covid reached America, it was personal. I knew Patient Zero. It was exciting to know Patient Zero. Am I awful? I prayed for his recovery and his family. But still, you know what I mean? You could see that glint in the eyes of reporters and of friends you met, when you could still se...

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The Crow of Spirit and Longing

Submitted to Contest #73

I force the laugh out of my lips, clinging to the hope of it changing everything. It sounds harsh. Cold. Simply wrong. But no. It has to be right. I don’t allow the thought of it being incorrect to reach my brain. Because if it reaches, it will never leave. Like lice amongst hair. I will have to comb through it and even then I may have to cut it all off. No, it's too dangerous. I can’t risk it. I can’t I unwillingly force my head up and out of the hollow of my neck. My eyes meet my own in the mirror. They pierce back at me, black, cold....

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The Greatest Christmas Gift

Submitted to Contest #73

“Good morning.” Abrielle’s boyfriend’s face was inches away from hers. “Morning,” Abrielle yawned. “You’re too close, Niall.” “Oops. Sorry.” Niall backed away as Abrielle sat up. “I was just too excited.” “Oh, right. It’s Christmas Eve.” Abrielle loved this time of year, mainly because Niall loved this time of year.  “I got this for you.” He handed her a small silver box tied with a wide periwinkle blue ribbon and bow. “Are we doing presents this early?”  “Yes. And spoiler alert, there’s going to be more presents for you to o...

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Citius, Altius, Fortius: Faster, Higher, Stronger

Submitted to Contest #73

Write about a young nobleman whose greatest wish is to become an Olympic long jumper Citius, Altius, Fortius: Faster, Higher, Stronger  Being a nobleman’s son has its benefits. You enjoy many advantages and you realise from an early age that your Christmas stocking will always be full of goodies. George was born in Norfolk and he lived in a stately home which could have been the setting for Downton Abbey. He used to get spooked with the portraits that were peering out at him in the hall and and on the landings. His father would ofte...

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A Partridge In A Box

Submitted to Contest #73

Tonya is lying on her couch; snuggle up in her favorite blanket, and watching one of her favorite holiday movies. In her one bedroom apartment its smells like Christmas time all through the small, but cozy apartment. The scent of her seasonal candle, “Hint of Christmas” burning the holly jolly in the room as her little Christmas tree stands illuminating by the window of the fire escape. Lying on the couch with the sound of “Roman Holiday” and the crunching sound of popcorn to mouth, Tonya’s night is all set. A large knock on the door...

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What's Love Got to Do With It

Submitted to Contest #74

What’s Love Got to Do With It? “You made it. I had my doubts. What with everything going on I wasn’t sure you’d be able to get here. Any trouble?” “No. I am fortunate. Working for the airlines gives me a certain amount of flexibility others don’t have. I do not apologize for that. Everyone has advantages others can’t utilize. It is the way the world works.” Jean believes in a world that exists because it has too. We are born by circumstance into a life, inherit the tools provided, and when old enough...

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Uncle Rudy's Last Gift

Submitted to Contest #74

Uncle Rudy’s Last GiftBy George Key A chill came over Sticks as he prepared to make the short journey to the annual “Break Bread and Jam Til’ the Rooster Crows Christmas Party”. Taking that last glance at the broken mirror just to make sure he was sportin’ his lady killer best. Sticks knew that every musician in Tucson that was anybody was going to be there. Christmas gigs were few and far between on the average Christmas, however, Christmas 2020 was beyond bleak. COVID-19 shut down most venues and the city placed an early curfew on its...

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Game Over

Submitted to Contest #74

Trigger warning: Death They took off my ventilator. Ten seconds left. Before I lose. Ten. I stayed at home. I washed my hands. I wore a mask the rare times I went outside. I adapted to the online classes, the Zoom birthday parties and the occasional awkward family group call. I texted till my thumbs were sore and watched television till my eyes were red. Nine.I did it all. I tried. But it wasn’t enough. Clearly. The people who did nothing to save themselves were saved. I did everything to save myself. But it caught up to me. I ran until my l...

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Nuts To You, Jennifer

Submitted to Contest #73

     On the evening of December 14, Greg rang Jennifer’s doorbell.      “The company is transferring me north and I can’t take Cyril with me,” he said, thrusting a rather large cage with a sea-green cover topped with a big red bow into Jennifer’s reluctant arms. “I’d like you to have him.”      He had taken off his mask and had the hangdog expression that made it hard for Jennifer to say “no” to him. He replaced his mask, shut the door, and walked away witho...

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Cocky

Submitted to Contest #73

I was enjoying my smoothest bowel movement in months when the doorbell rang. “Focus” I coached my intestines as they threatened to concertina in fright. “Aahhh” I breathed out, sighing loudly to drown out the continued buzzing. I surveyed the log that symbolised all the unwanted baggage of the year for a moment before pushing the flush. Feeling considerably lighter, I swung the front door briskly open. No-one. I was congratulating myself on having avoided some unwanted encounter when a loud screech startled me nearly out of my skin. Settling...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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