Thanks to every entrant. I make no guarantees about when the other judges and I will make our decision, but rest assured that I'll keep you all posted. For those who still have stories in the works based on this prompt matrix, the Second-Born folder is always open, and now you don't have to worry about the word limit.

7909140 You have 27 entries. If you read 1 every two weeks, it will take you more than a year to get through all of them.

7909144
Hence the word cap rule. If it takes me two weeks to read 15,000 words, something has gone terribly wrong with the story, me, or both.

Ahhhhh so close. Stupid work deadlines.

7910411 Don't you just love that whoshing sound they make when they pass by?