Write a story in which someone returns to their hometown.

Posted in Adults on Oct 28, 2022

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✍️ 81 stories

“Take Me Home” by Deserae McGlothen

Submitted to Contest #164

When I walk into the animal shelter, I am prepared to cry. I am prepared to fall in love. And I’m prepared to pull myself out if I suddenly get the urge to hum some Sarah McLachlan. But I’m not prepared for him or his smile. Or the way he cuddles that cat. I’m not prepared to stare, like a crazy person, or to wonder what it’d be like if that calico cat were me. Still, I watch him. Like a crazy person. And I wonder what it’d be like to have white paws and a one word vocabulary that consists of a monotone “meow.” &nbsp...

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“Still the Same Night ” by Hannah Simmerman

Submitted to Contest #164

Aimee crashed into the hillside, feet tangling in the long grass. She rolled once and came to a stop face-up. Above her, stars twinkled in a familiar way that instantly flooded her with a sense of relief. She didn’t know any constellations, but she did know that this sky held only the one moon. She was home. Dew had already seeped into her jeans by the time she sat up. She thought she caught the last glints of energy from the portal, an absence of light darker than the nighttime air. Then, it was gone, leaving just her and this...

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“Home At Last” by Christopher Abel

Submitted to Contest #164

“Jeremy Wilkins, as I live and breathe!” I stopped dead amid the exhaust smell of the Greyhound and the press of the other departing passengers, my grip on my suitcase gone suddenly and inexplicably weak. Hearing my name spoken aloud in that voice was like both seeing a ghost and walking through its incorporeal chill. I had heard that voice intermittently over the last few years, though it was always over the phone, warped by the tinniness of long distance. In person, I was shocked at how much it hadn’t changed from my memories. “Jeez Loui...

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“Devil Comes Home” by Paul Christopherson

Submitted to Contest #164

TW: Mentions of past substance abuse Horrus can’t help along, shaky sigh from escaping their throat as they approach the gates of Vo’Lanyr. Its walls block out the horizon and the city’s central spire seems to be as tall as the surrounding mountains “You looking forward to being back?” Horrus’ companion, Lor’Hai, a tall, lean woman with dark red skin asks. She wears a constant smirk and her outfit does little to conceal the physique she has spent a lifetime perfecting. “Can’t say that I am, this place doesn't exactly hold happy memories...

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“The Missing Piece” by Christiana Thomas

Submitted to Contest #164

It was a still, sultry day. In the little town of _____, a man loafing down the quiet streets surveyed in lazy interest a group of children flocked under a lone cottonwood. They were crowded around a boy in ragged pants and shirt, maybe twelve years old, though no one knew his age for sure. He didn’t know himself, having been an orphan since he was babe of two days. Being a hard worker, he managed to stay out of the orphan houses by supporting himself. He cared little for his physical state, living and striving for only one purpose. &n...

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“Wild Rock” by Devin Windham

Submitted to Contest #164

Colleyville, home of the Cougars, is just like any other small town. A couple of decades ago, it thrived, boasting a new movie theater – the only one for 30 miles. City lights illuminated the night sky, promising a bright future. And, teenagers cruised the strip through downtown. Without fail, you could expect a rowdy party out by Wild Rock every Saturday night. See, living in Colleyville, that was a fine thing to do. But, like most fine things forgotten, they tend to rust or rot as time keeps passing. Driving down main street takes ...

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“Braking For Butterflies” by Scoop Rittersblock

Submitted to Contest #164

I can finally speakof our parting:for the Tears YouGifted me,unwrapped inTreasured Sobsdripped Golden over adry, heedless Heart,bending my Rushing Riversurely Home...to...You‘It’s like there’s two fields,’ began Halo, ‘both Beautiful but one way more Beautiful than the other. In the first the colours are nice but a little faded and sad and in the other they're always Happy with Golden Flowers and Trees made of Light and butterflies so pretty it makes your Tummy Sing. The Fields are so close to each other, too, their Grass and Trees and...

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“A Hostile Hometown” by Marie White

Submitted to Contest #164

Passing the “Welcome to Gerald Heights” sign—antiquated green script on wood painted the color of yellowing paper—she broke the vow she’d made ten years ago to never set foot in this town again. She hoped that the residents had forgotten what had happened then but knew that they hadn’t. Towns like Gerald Heights remembered every retort one blurted, every sharp glare one sent, every snort one made while laughing, every sliver of spinach that had ever peeked out from between one’s teeth whe...

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“NO MORE” by Bailey Landis

Submitted to Contest #164

This town. This town. Why am I back? I could have just stayed back in my studio apartment in Nashville. But I came back. And Why? Because my old High School decided to have a reunion. It’s a stupid reason to come back. Maybe I came back because I wanted to show everyone up. Say Hey look, that little nerd you picked on in English is doing better for herself then all you idiots put together. I’m a New York Times bestselling author. I have a beautiful studio apartment on the top floor. With a huge balcony that over looks the town. I eat my brea...

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“We Have to Move” by David Ader

Submitted to Contest #164

Phillip turned the car into the gravel driveway comforted by the grassy hump down its middle, the part that car tires hadn’t trampled down. The hump had grown since he was a child. He’d always thought it looked like something you’d find at an English country home. Maybe in the Cotswolds, though he hadn’t ever been there. The old man sat on the porch staring out at him, a curious look that might have been mistake...

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“Homecoming” by J Stephens

Submitted to Contest #164

“Yeah Bowie, it’s now coming back to me. This is where it all started,” Sanford Thomas explained to his pup while strolling down Main Street. “Oh my! Can you smell that? There’s no mistaking the glorious aroma of Millie’s Bakeshop. It’s as if she’s baking those pies out in the street. The richness of the blueberry filling. The sweetness of her magnificent crumb topping... Wash that down with an Arnold Palmer and you’re close enough to heaven to tickle God’s feet!” Bowie howled. His owner chuckled. “Sorry my friend. No pi...

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“AFTER THE STORM” by Gladys Bauer

Submitted to Contest #164

1982For the survivors of killing fields, the 1970s hit: Tie A Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree struck a romantic, welcoming cord. Not so for Africa’s returning guerrillas. The warmth of the lyrics never sipped into their weary frames.In 1980, a virtually unknown racist conflict, the Rhodesian Bush War, ended with the country renamed Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe. We were free! Jubilant. Rid of the minority government of Prime Minister Ian Smith’s apartheid policies. The future lay before us like an asphalted highway devoid of curves a...

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“Undeserving Beneficiary” by Joseph Monachino

Submitted to Contest #164

Jeff drove down the steep, one-mile hill into the town of Signal Valley. When he got to the bottom of the hill, he parked in the first empty parking space he came across. He put his car in park and turned off the ignition. He was a city slicker living in Dale City in New York state. The landscape seems foreign as he looks around and does not see even 1 low-rise building. He gets out of his car and walks to the nearest convenience store. There, he will purchase a bottle of water. The temperature is a very hot 8...

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“Crossing That Bridge” by Natalie Sands

Submitted to Contest #164

I need a break from sorting out my parents’ belongings. My mum never packed my dad’s stuff away and she ran out of time, so it’s down to me. Their clothes are in boxes and bags, ready to go in the back of the car. At some point, I’ll find a charity shop or two that will take them, though they’ll probably linger in my boot for another couple of weeks. I’m keeping the books. They’re in nicer, sturdier boxes, and I’ll need to get new shelves. ...

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“Hometown Memories” by Yasmin Blake

Submitted to Contest #164

I hate my hometown. It is a small, drab sort of place. A dull town, full of inconsequential people who live their lives feeding off vicious gossip and booze. I left the day of my 18th birthday resolved to never return. And yet, here I am now. Graciously smiling, having meaningful conversations with everyone, giving out pamphlets. I lure them in with promises of a better future for our beloved little town. A political candidate par excellence. Men and women swarm around me at the flea market to hear my vision for this place. I can...

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Write a story in which someone returns to their hometown.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 81 stories

“Take Me Home” by Deserae McGlothen

“Still the Same Night ” by Hannah Simmerman

“Home At Last” by Christopher Abel

“Devil Comes Home” by Paul Christopherson

“The Missing Piece” by Christiana Thomas

“Wild Rock” by Devin Windham

“Braking For Butterflies” by Scoop Rittersblock

“A Hostile Hometown” by Marie White

“NO MORE” by Bailey Landis

“We Have to Move” by David Ader

“Homecoming” by J Stephens

“AFTER THE STORM” by Gladys Bauer

“Undeserving Beneficiary” by Joseph Monachino

“Crossing That Bridge” by Natalie Sands

“Hometown Memories” by Yasmin Blake

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character saying “Where I come from, …”

Write a story about coming of age in a big city.

Write a story where a local takes a newcomer under their wing.

Think of someone who stood on the periphery of your childhood memories (a classmate, a teacher, a neighbor) and cast them as the main character of your story.

Contest #164

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

235

Contest entries

91

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: