Write a story about a character who misses a train, for better or worse.

Posted in Adults on Oct 28, 2022

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✍️ 33 stories

“The Last Train” by Zoë Page

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168

One moment, I breathed freely and healthily. The next, my feet were pounding on a substance I could not identify, and I was desperately trying to sprint faster than humanely possible. I ran on something that was soft and delicate all at the same time as being hard and gravel-like. I didn’t breathe, and I felt no exhaustion, but yet it was still difficult as ever to run much faster than an overweight dog. At first, I didn’t really register why I was running, then I noticed the train beginning to slowly move along the tracks not far away fro...

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“Happily devastated” by Miro Lippoldt

Submitted to Contest #168

Linus' suicide attempt was unsessful. And he was devastated because of it. He sighed as his mother blocked his way and snatched the house keys from him. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair resembled a bird's nest. She had been crying again. "I'm just going for a walk, Mom." She frowned and closed the front door. "I thought going for a walk would help,” he said as if he asked a question. “You want me to feel better, don't you?" His shoulder bounced against the doorframe. Waiting, he eyed her and when she turned, shaking her head, he grabbed her...

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“Naked People” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #168

The last cars of the train rolled quickly ahead him as he stood on the platform for the last time. Jimmy Erasmus felt the train leave before he actually saw the caboose and thought about how the world was laughing at him. What a pathetic way for this to end, he thought. This is really the last one for me… He rolled his suitcase to an empty bench and sat for a moment. There was no other announcement on the PA. The day was over for his plans.But was it over for the rest of the them? Jimmy was a part of a particular sect that had no sense of hu...

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“Passengers Will Please Refrain” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #168

That song kept going through my mind, over and over again, “Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilets while the train is in the station.” I really had to go, and the train was just pulling into the station, and I would have to wait too long before I could go, do my bladderly duty and flush the toilet. If I refrained from passing water then it would unquestionably pass through both underwear and pants. I definitely could not let that happen. The meeting I w...

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“No Second Chances” by Dawn Kaltenbaugh

Submitted to Contest #168

I ran after the damn train, yelling, hey mister, can’t you see me? It was a hopeless endeavor, as no engineer or conductor is even going to slow down for a 60 something geezer who got to the station a couple of minutes late. If they only knew how important that day, that train ride was to me. I was on my way to an interview for what could have been the opportunity of a lifetime. I threw both my hat and my art case down in frustration. No use crying over missed connections. I sat down on the nearest bench, mopping m...

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“Our Train” by Kyle Bennett

Submitted to Contest #168

"I rode our train for the last time today. I'm going to miss it."Jake looked out at dozens of confused faces. His walker stood to one side, the podium itself enough to support his frail body. His eldest son, Joseph, himself an old man, stood at his side to steady him, to support him if necessary. God, give me the strength to say what I have to say, he thought to himself. Just these last few minutes before I rest. They need to know it. They need to know Mary as I knew her. Especially the young ones.He continued his eulogy. "I rode that t...

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“37 Dollars, A Broken Watch, and a Desert Heart” by Delbert Griffith

Submitted to Contest #168

A broken watch, Jacob thought with a fair amount of bitterness. He took another bite of rattlesnake meat and stared into the fire, wondering how the hell all this happened. This is how it happened. ************** He looked in horror at the still hands on his watch – thirteen minutes too late. Sprinting through the streets of El Paso, dodging pedestrians, and jumping over curbs didn’t get Jacob to the train on time. He stared at the departure board. Not a promising start to a career as a corporate lawyer. Still, he had hope. Uber. The de fact...

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“What Happened to Tom?” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #168

Tom and Jimmy had been best friends since the second grade. Tom tripped on the broken pavement on the sidewalk, fell, and his books, lunch, and art project scattered everywhere. The sidewalk, the neighbor's lawn, and onto the street. This caused Tom to burst into tears, something boys were never supposed to do in the 1930s. Several older boys laughed as Tom struggled to get up. Jimmy raced to the rescue, and everything was saved except for Tom's small glass bottle of milk. After Tom was back on his feet, tears drying, and the sandwich ...

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“Buttter Croissant and Cappuccino ” by Peter Gerber

Submitted to Contest #168

“Ah fuck!” shouted out David as he saw his train depart to Milano without him. ‘Mom? Yes, mom hello?” “Hello darling, is the train full?” “I didn’t make it mother, there was terrible traffic in Zurich. I think those crazy vegans were protesting again’’ ‘’Lord saves us all. What are you going to do now?” ‘’I'll wait for the next one, but I’ll definitely arrive late. Anyways, just wanted to share my sorrows with you.” “Darling, you’ll be fine. Get yourself a nice warm tea and something to eat.” “Ok mother.” “… and make sure to cover yours...

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“The Good Worst Choice” by Julia Tocarchick

Submitted to Contest #168

I stood there. Knowing the consequences, I still stood. Not moving anything but my mind... but even that was almost still. I am numbing myself from reality. If I choose, I will be held responsible. How can I? How can I hold myself high with confidence when the weight of a decision is pulling me down?I cannot choose to throw away what is good. But am I even choosing to throw it away? Or am I preserving it?We are given opportunities to change and with those opportunities, it almost always seems that the chances are to be hoped for, but what if...

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“True Heros” by Nyxlan Marigold

Submitted to Contest #168

Running through the large open fields toward the great forest was like running through the shallow landing of water on a beach. Cosmo needed to get to the train, not just because of the need to survive; but also the need to protect his family and friends. If he could get to London in time, everyone might just survive. If he could make it, then Thistle could live a good life. Thistle is Cosmo's best friend. He was always there for Cosmo and he trusted Thistle with his life, not that there was much to live of it. With Cosmo being 15 and Thistl...

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“Karma” by Ava Black

Submitted to Contest #168

Concealer under my eyes to cover the bags. Visine to clear the red lines. Mascara, even though it will inevitably smudge. The front-facing camera on my phone is broken. I’ll need a pocket mirror to touch up my make-up on the train. I’m tired of being a broke student. But after years of schooling, I scored an interview for one of the best paid legal internships in Vancouver. I glance at the stained walls of my crumbling apartment. Paid. With Grace Wexley, no less. A criminal lawyer famous for defending addicts in the Downtown Eastside. If ...

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“Midnight Dining” by Lucky Ooog

Submitted to Contest #168

The train lurched, almost throwing me off my seat, and harshly waking me up. I had a pounding headache and badly needed a drink. Everything was spinning, even while I was lying down. My chin rested on something sticky, I recoiled in disgust and got up after all. I felt the stain with my hand, I must have drooled on the seat cushion while I slept. I wiped my mouth and took in my surroundings. The doors of the train were open and blowing in the cold night air. I had no idea where I was. There were no passengers I could ask in the train wagon a...

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“Ride or Die” by Ella King

Submitted to Contest #168

Trigger warning : Death, Slight blood No one knew when they arrived. No one knew how they got there. Some called them demons, others called them angels. To Thorn, they were the doom of all humanity. His parents were taken first. Thorn was with them that night, on their walk home from the grocery store when something large suddenly landed inches from them on the sidewalk. Seemingly being thrown out of midair, Thorn’s mother had screamed and his father put on a protective stance, ready to fight whatever it was. When the object ...

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“Buy Now, Pay Later” by Kieran Coghlan

Submitted to Contest #168

Paul Lyndon skidded to a halt as the train doors slammed shut in front of him, the engine chugging as the train set off from the platform, disappearing down the subway tunnel, the yellow glow of its rear lights fading into the gloom. He threw his half-drunk cup of coffee to the floor, kicking the cup onto the tracks for good measure. ‘1:32’ his watch declared; there was no way he was going to make that interview now. A few people shuffled past them with their heads bent down, no wish to engage with his anger or to find out what sparked it. W...

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Write a story about a character who misses a train, for better or worse.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 33 stories

“The Last Train” by Zoë Page

“Happily devastated” by Miro Lippoldt

“Naked People” by Kendall Defoe

“Passengers Will Please Refrain” by John Steckley

“No Second Chances” by Dawn Kaltenbaugh

“Our Train” by Kyle Bennett

“37 Dollars, A Broken Watch, and a Desert Heart” by Delbert Griffith

“What Happened to Tom?” by Patricia Merewether

“Buttter Croissant and Cappuccino ” by Peter Gerber

“The Good Worst Choice” by Julia Tocarchick

“True Heros” by Nyxlan Marigold

“Karma” by Ava Black

“Midnight Dining” by Lucky Ooog

“Ride or Die” by Ella King

“Buy Now, Pay Later” by Kieran Coghlan

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone looking out a train window.

Write a story about a character who is moving on, literally or figuratively.

Make a train station an important part of your story.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Bon voyage.”

Contest #168

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

105

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: