Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Posted in Adventure on May 22, 2021

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✍️ 145 stories

“Virtual Reality Show” by Rayhan Hidayat

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #66

Mihara leaps into the air, barely escaping the fireball that should have vaporized her. It blooms into a screaming marigold below her, coaxing water vapor out of the marsh.It had to be Marshlands, she inwardly seethes as she splashes down in muddy water and tries to peer through the steam blanketing her vision. And of course I get matched with a pyromancer.“Once again, Rōnin avoids getting flame-grilled by the skin of her teeth,” broadcasts the invisible announcer. “Had she reacted one heartbeat too late, she might have paired well with some...

206 comments 206

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“The Silver Ring” by Wolfy 🐺

Submitted to Contest #66

"What is WRONG with you, man?" "Nothing, heh heh. Why do you ask?" "Bro, you're sprawled out on the floor, covered in blood, moaning about some long lost love, and you don't expect me to ask you?" Gareth lay sprawled out on the floor of the dormitory, scratched up and muttering about 'Julia'. Don't ask me who Julia is. I don't know. All I do know is that Julia was the reason we were here, which does not give me a very good impression. Let me give you some background context. I'm a college student and live in a small apartment with my br...

39 comments 39

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“Dear Noah ” by Malz Castell

Submitted to Contest #66

Dear Noah, You don’t have to do this. Do you understand me? You. Don’t. Have. To. Do. This. Stop it. Just come back. We’ll figure out another way. We always do, don’t we? So, stop acting like a stubborn ass and just come back. I know what you’re planning to do. You’ve blocked my calls, you’re ignoring all my messages, you’ve even blocked my emails. So, I’m writing this letter to you as one last attempt at talking you out of this insane plan. I know what you’re going to say. That you have to do this. That we have no other option. But pl...

59 comments 59

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“The Annual Life or Death Beauty Pageant” by ♡ ℂ𝕣𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕝 ♡

Submitted to Contest #66

Everyone tells me I’m beautiful. I’m serious, everyone. Strangers strolling down the street will drop their coffee on the sidewalk and gawk at me, then ask how my complexion is so clear. All of the girls at Wilmington Academy beg me to style their hair and apply their makeup. All of the boys practically drool whenever I pass them by in the halls. Everyone wants to be me. Which is why I decided to enter into the Life or Death Beauty Pageant. The Annual Life or Death Beauty Pageant - or ALDB Pageant for short - is a contest watched worldw...

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“Who Loves Lives” by Writer Maniac

Submitted to Contest #66

“You are going to die today if you don’t do this right. And I mean literally.”“I know,” I squeeze out between clenched teeth.I pull the arrow as far as I possibly can without breaking the bow’s string and aim.My fingers let go of the arrow.It lands a few inches away from the centre of the target.I curse.******It’s my WWL today. Who Wins Lives. I’ve been training for this day for the entirety of my life.To ensure that I have a life after WWL.Quite simply, whoever wins, lives.The title should have been Who Loses Dies.That is a more accurate wa...

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“They Didn't Break Me” by . .

Submitted to Contest #66

Why did it always have to be me? I’m not special. I don’t live a life of luxury or poverty. I’m not beautiful or ugly. I’m average. Yet still, they chose me. Still, they chose to uproot me from my home, tell me I’ve received a great honor, and shove me in a contest they know I won’t win. Waking up in the morning is the worst part, because I have to be let down again, have to recognize the truth of my situation and embrace it with open arms. After all, I don’t have a choice. It’s either go all in or die an outcast, hated by my country for not...

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“Red Fire, Black Fire” by Yolanda Wu

Submitted to Contest #66

Kier climbed up the ladder to the dust-filled loft that he and his brother used to share. He hadn’t returned to Karsen in a good few years – regrettably. He had spent his time travelling with the famed Corvina Varnseling – one of the most powerful witches in Rakatraah, and consuming every volume about magic that he could find.It was everything he had ever dreamed.But being back here, in Karsen with its old air was familiarity, was comforting.Even though the loft always smelt faintly of boiled cabbage, and the dust in the air made him cough –...

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“Fall Of the Stars” by Mr. Brohirwani

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #66

The heavens glittered with stars as the man silently drove over dirt and gravel, the thousand twinkling eyes mocking his desperation. Muttering a curse under his breath, he slowed down at the rusty security gate at the entrance of the abandoned mines. To an ordinary person it would be a half-broken gate with just a couple of night guards sleeping their shift away. But then again, the average person wouldn’t notice that the old equipment was strewn about almost too cleanly, or that the uniformed guards lacked an identity or a logo. ...

8 comments 8

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“Failed Mission” by Natalie Dafoe

Submitted to Contest #66

I didn’t realize there were still places like this left. Carefully carved stone made up the walls of the room, shapes curving into spirals etched in their sides. The shapes reminded me of ancient buildings, and I could imagine an architect pouring over every detail in the individual panels. I didn’t know how old the building was, but even in the modern world, it was a grand display of wealth. Mixed in with copper - or were they gold? - statues of dragons, acting as pillars, and holding up the majestic archways. Their paws held above the...

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“The Miracle” by Yasaman Ghobadi

Submitted to Contest #66

I was motionlessly leaning my forehead against the cave wall when I felt someone locking his fingers in mine and pressing his warm lips on the back of my neck with no hesitation. I abruptly and unconsciously turned around. Being able to see half of his shadowy face, lurking mysteriously in the dimness of the enclosure‌. - “Oh, Jack! Is that you? Nearly scared the wits out me!” (I said shaking patently.) - “Thought you might like some ambiguity in your life sweetheart.” - “My whole life is a vague terror with unforeseen happ...

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“The Axe Murder House” by Enenche Elizabeth

Submitted to Contest #66

Standing at my terrace looking through the creepy dark night and inhaling the cool romantic breeze of the night, I thought of the topic Jace had brought up earlier. The Synoda Axe Murder House; it sounds nice and I crave to see the magnificent ancient buildings and the beautiful sight I have always heard of. I finally gave it a second thought and phew!! I laid my back on my soft sofa reminiscing on the topic before I concord to the strong hands of sleep.I am Alejandro Mauricio from Venezula. I am the outspoken, intelligent world Genius who t...

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“The Tank” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #66

“Giiiiiiiiive it up for our five contestants!” The Crowd complied. “Contestant number one is Bull!” The Commentator’s voice was smooth like butter. Cheers and hoots from The Crowd. “Contestant number two is Oceanic Whitetip!” The excitement in The Commentator’s voice was palpable. The Crowd’s volume increased. “Contestant number three is Shortfin Mako!” Several screams and whistles. “Contestant number four is Tiger!” Thunderous applause, hands clapped against hands. “Contestant number five is—” the commentator chuckled “—...

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“Aichen't Do This” by Molly Leasure

Submitted to Contest #66

Click.“That oughta do it. Nervous?”“More than you can guess,” Aichen admits. He tugs on the restraints at his wrists. “These have to be so tight?”“Part of the safety protocol.” The computerized voice is warm, almost human. It’s been programmed with perfect attention to colloquial speech, but it still lacks a proper bedside manner. The questions it asks are never followed up. Is he nervous? Yes. No. It doesn’t matter how he answers.“So if I win—” he begins.“—I’m not programmed with that information.” Two beady eyes blink behind a flat screen,...

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“Limits and the Force of Blood” by Emmanuel Olaleye

Submitted to Contest #66

He had no sooner entered the arena, when he caught sight of Smart smiling at him from the VIP section above the roaring crowd. Everything had been perfect since he woke up that morning. But not anymore, as everything seem to feel wrong. The quirky smile that gave away at the edge of Smart's lips was something he had seen before, and it definitely wasn't something good.The last time Cosmos saw that smile, he lost his best friend to the cold hands of death, and he can sense that ambience hovering over him again.As he walked towards the ring, h...

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“Four Deaths + One Family = Not Good” by Bailey D.

Submitted to Contest #66

Cole was all she had. All she would ever have. Troy was all she needed. All she would ever need. Beck was all she wanted. All she would ever want. And that was her downfall. --- Three years ago, Cole Lockwood sat in front of the desk that was placed in the corner of his room. Country music played faintly from some other area of the house. Most likely from his mother. He crumpled his paper, ruining yet another science experiment idea. “Argh! This dang assignment is going to kill me!” Cole tossed the crumpled-up paper in his small tra...

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Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 145 stories

“Virtual Reality Show” by Rayhan Hidayat

“The Silver Ring” by Wolfy 🐺

“Dear Noah ” by Malz Castell

“The Annual Life or Death Beauty Pageant” by ♡ ℂ𝕣𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕝 ♡

“Who Loves Lives” by Writer Maniac

“They Didn't Break Me” by . .

“Red Fire, Black Fire” by Yolanda Wu

“Fall Of the Stars” by Mr. Brohirwani

“Failed Mission” by Natalie Dafoe

“The Miracle” by Yasaman Ghobadi

“The Axe Murder House” by Enenche Elizabeth

“The Tank” by Joshua G. J. Insole

“Aichen't Do This” by Molly Leasure

“Limits and the Force of Blood” by Emmanuel Olaleye

“Four Deaths + One Family = Not Good” by Bailey D.

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Halfway through a fierce competition, your character is given the opportunity to cheat their way to victory: do they take it?

Write about a character who makes a dramatic life change to pursue a goal they’ve secretly always wanted.

Write about a character who’s finally on the verge of achieving their lifelong dream.

Contest #66

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

584

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: