Breaking Free with Bruce

Wow!!

That was the first word that came to my mind when I saw the entries for Writing Contest VI, themed “Breaking Free.”

When I first announced the theme, I honestly wondered if I’d made it too difficult. Entries weren’t coming in at first, and I started thinking, “Oh no… maybe people aren’t feeling this one.”

But then… right before the deadline, the stories started pouring in, and every single one was top-notch. The depth, creativity, and emotional honesty blew me away.

So first, a big thank you to everyone who took part..Marine, Aarya, Anonymous Writer, LemonAfterLove, Bruce, and yes, me too (extra thanks to myself for hosting it) 😅.

You all made this one of the most meaningful contests we’ve ever had.

And now, we have a winner.

Bruce and “Born Free”

Above all, Bruce’s entry captured people’s hearts and emerged as the winner of this competition.

Now, a few words about Bruce himself.

He’s one of our community admins, calm, thoughtful, and always ready to handle any situation with composure (and the occasional dad/lame joke that sometimes… barely lands 😄).

He’s hardworking, reliable, and genuinely kind, one of those people who make the community a better place just by being around. Also, not to forget, our resident 2nd best cinephile. 

Everyone can have different interpretations of his story, because we all see it through our own lenses. So I’ll urge you to draw your own conclusions… but since I’m the one writing this article (and not you!)I'm going to share my interpretation of it. 

When I read Born Free, I saw a completely new side of him. The story had emotional depth, poetic rhythm, and a quiet kind of courage. It follows a narrator who’s drowning… both literally and metaphorically, with a boulder tied to his feet. As he reflects on regret, cowardice, and all the emotional weight that kept him down, he eventually lets go… and finds freedom through acceptance. It’s bold, intense, and deeply human, a perfect fit for the theme “Breaking Free.”

When I finished reading it, I even messaged Bruce to ask if he was okay…😅 (that’s how powerful it was).

Reflections on the Other Entries

Every story this round offered something unique and deeply personal.

Marine’s “A Firefly” explored a child’s suffocation under parental expectations, capturing that small but profound moment when he looks out the window at night and feels free, even if just for a second. It reminded me that sometimes freedom is found in the smallest pauses, a breath, a look, a moment of stillness.

Aarya’s “Teal is the Color of Defiance” told a story of love and empathy as acts of rebellion. In a world that punishes difference, the characters choose compassion anyway. It was a story that said, to love despite fear and judgment is itself an act of defiance.

The anonymous writer’s “To the One Who Was Once ___ of My Life” reads like a letter to the past, a goodbye to control, manipulation, and pain. It was a story about how heartbreak can become a teacher, showing us what love isn’t, and how recognizing that truth can set us free.

Lemonafterlove’s “The Boy Inside the Glass Factory” was haunting and surreal. It described workers trapped in a factory of mirrors, repeating reflections of who they’re told to be. One boy dares to notice the cracks and steps through them, into the unknown. It was poetic, strange, and brave, the kind of story that lingers long after you finish reading.

And then there was “The Half-Eaten Apple” , my own little rebellion against the “polites of the society.” It was a quieter kind of defiance, about refusing to pretend to be perfect, about doing what feels real instead of what looks right. Writing it reminded me that freedom can also mean letting go of guilt over imperfection.

Closing Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this contest, it’s that breaking free doesn’t always mean shouting or running away. Sometimes, it’s as simple as telling the truth, about who you are, what you feel, or what you want. Sometimes, it’s not about being loud at all. Maybe breaking free isn’t loud and grand; maybe it’s just being honest about who we are.

Congratulations to Bruce for Born Free, and to every writer who dared to share a part of themselves through their stories. This contest reminded me that freedom takes many forms, but it always begins with the courage to speak.

Written by Laxman