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Write a story titled 'A Tale of Two Cities'.

Posted in Adventure on Apr 26, 2024

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✍️ 33 stories

A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

May 12, 1984To the Parent-Teacher Association Moms of Alamo Elementary School:Yes, you may pick your jaws off the squeaky, dusty basketball court hardwood now. Oh, don’t think I didn’t see it all: the eyes flying over to me like a seagull when I opened my mouth to cheer for my lovely daughter singing onstage, the tide of confusion crashing upon your made-up faces, the gulp you had to stifle to paint an expression saltier than San Francisco Bay. Nevertheless, yes, you heard correctly indeed: contrary to what you had pre-conceived of a petite,...

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A Tail of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

The tiny suburban city of Branchberg had many appealing qualities, but a dog park, sadly, wasn’t included on that list. Still, Banshee’s favorite word was spoken at least twice a week, making her tail wag so hard, she’d often find herself wanting to chase it. PARK was only a ten-minute car ride away in the neighboring city of East Isle. Truth be told, the drive was just as much an adventure for the pretty fawn pitbull as the actual romping she’d be doing with her friends once they arrived. She hung her head out of the window and let her jowl...

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A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Submitted to Contest #248

In the bustling streets of Celluria, life pulsed with urgency. Red blood cells streamed like scarlet rivers along capillary avenues, their swift passage a testament to the ceaseless rhythm of existence. Each cell, a tiny traveler in a vast network of pathways, carried the precious cargo of oxygen—a duty woven into the very fabric of their being.The city of Celluria sprawled before us, a sprawling metropolis teeming with life and activity. Every corner was alive with motion and purpose, from the bustling arterioles to the winding capillaries....

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A Shimmer on Sunday

Submitted to Contest #248

She didn’t seem to hear me, but used the light on the acrylic glass for a mirror to check her bangs. Her computer flashed something, the screen faced the other way so that public couldn’t view it. The immigration official fixed her glasses while viewing what had come up. Air Conditioning pumping through the vents proved to my ears just how large the Valon Customs Entry Port was. Much bigger than Brentwood. “It looks like you’ve overstayed your visa.” She looked in my direction, but it was clear that her eyes were focused on the glass. Not mu...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

It was the best of times, I woke up to the sound of birds singing. Instinctively, I looked out the window, which I routinely left open to wake up with the sunrise and the chirping of birds. However, it was the worst of times, I was no longer in Phalopia, my homeland, where real birds frequented my window, but in Hibernum, where I had been living for over 10 years. The sound of the birds was artificial, coming from speakers embedded in the ceiling, which I couldn’t turn off. At least I could choose which alarm I wanted, and the sound of the b...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

I looked across the battlefield at the opposing army. They weren’t big, but then again, neither were we. They came from the city of Walnut, a land of dark wood and even darker intentions. It was no surprise to see them on the battlefield again. Our two cities had an eternal feud, always clashing, always competing. Maybe one day we’d sort things out and make an alliance, but today was certainly not that day. Today, we fought. To the right I saw my friend Leonard take the first charge forward. Like me, he was one of the foot soldiers on the fr...

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Sambas and Birdsongs: A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

João Santos, Music Journal, April 1, 2024, Rio de Janeiro They say once you lose your groove, you never get it back. But they are always wrong. I climbed on the mossy rock in the heart of Tijuca Forest and closed my eyes, letting the sounds resonate. The rustling of the breeze, birds chirping, and a waterfall's distant roar vibrated the earth beneath my feet. This was the place my Mom, Beatriz Santos, had taken me before she passed away. Growing up, we camped in this secret spot and explored the Rainforest together. Mom taught me t...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

The day finally arrived, and it was a glorious one. All the emissaries, leaders, and generals of both Judah and Israel were present to witness this historical moment. Not one dignitary dared to turn down the invitation. Through struggle and strife, David was finally being anointed king of both Judah and Israel. Despite all the odds that were stacked against him, he still came out victorious. If ever he had any doubts about a living God, they were whisked away in the summer breeze. Joy and excitement filled his heart as he admired his wives s...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

People always say that they want to turn back time, that they wished that they had the power to do so. It was stupid, it was so utterly stupid that I could just throw up.  I told myself that wanting to turn back time would be the last thing that I wanted. At least I thought it was the last thing I wanted.  I never thought about it until now, until I met her.  Her name was Violet, and she was the best thing that ever happened to me. My life growing up wasn’t the best. Between my dad being out of the picture and my mom working a...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

Dearest Percy,I have begun to work with the clockmaker. I am just cleaning, of course, but I have been taking the scraps. You won't tell, right? Since Collie worked in the bookstore, we access to reading material that tells us how to make you a pocket watch. A fine young man such as yourself needs a fine watch, after all. Love you always,Annie and Collie "Who's Annie and Collie?" Percy observes the watch. It's not fine like Fathers, with silver and sleek edges. It has its own charm, though, with the way it clicks as the seconds pass in an al...

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A Tale Of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

I heave a heavy breath as I stare at the walls in front of me, contemplating all of my life's decisions. It was night, the air was chilly as the full moon shone over Auschwitz. Many of the other prisoners were unconscious, sleeping, passed out from exhaustion, or dead. My calloused hands ran over the bricks, as I observed the sounds on the other side. Many guards were there, speaking German in their harsh tones. "Ich wette, Herr Hitler würde uns zu Weihnachten keine Pause gönnen. Dieser hässliche Bastard," said one, and another replied, in a...

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A Tale of Souls City

Submitted to Contest #248

Hello there from Souls City of the lost and forgotten. We have been here for a very long time. I am the spokesman for the city and will be your contact point from here on out. If you feel the need to reach out of the spectrum of the city you may be banned for any future contacts, family or not. We are a very close colony of lost souls. I have been ask so many times what is your purpose in this colony of lost and forgotten souls? Our purpose to collect the forgotten of the two cities. Some have called us the trash collectors of sorts. Is...

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"A Tale of Two Cities"

Submitted to Contest #248

I grew up on the outskirts of Wayne County. It's a small little town full of curious people. These were the folks that you would see at all the town events. They wanted to know everything about anyone that was moving in the area. "The Center Street Jams" brought us all out for music and fun. The parades brought us out for competition among high schools. The football games were for everyone. We would have pep rallies on Fridays before the games. My friends and I would remain afterschool for those games. We wanted to see who the other players...

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A Tail of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

“Well now, ya cocky Whippersnapper, what makes ya think dis ere alley ain’t good nuff for ye?” the old rat asked. He was large with angular pink limbs and greasy grey fur that stuck out in tufty tufts all over. He leaned over his fat round white belly while gnawing on a toothpick stained with barbeque sauce and was nose to nose with one of his 436 grandchildren.Whippersnapper stood defiantly, black whiskers bristling, pink paws fisted so tightly his sharp little claws drew pinpricks of blood in his palms. “Grampy, you’re down to 129 grandchi...

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A Tale of Two Cities

Submitted to Contest #248

In the ancient city of Embercrest, nestled amidst towering spires and shimmering citadels, twin princesses of celestial lineage dwelled—Lyra and Kara. Born of a union between a mortal king and the ethereal Ember, whom the people revered as a god, the sisters embodied a rare blend of human strength and celestial grace.Embercrest was named to honor their mother, the divine being whose luminous presence illuminated the city. The people of Embercrest lived in awe of Ember, their deity, and held her offspring in the highest regard.However, fate t...

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