Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Posted in Adventure on May 22, 2021

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✍️ 148 stories

“Virtual Reality Show” by Rayhan Hidayat

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...

206 comments 206 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Silver Ring” by Wolfy 🐺

"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, wh...

39 comments 39

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“Dear Noah ” by Malz Castell

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.

59 comments 59

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

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 con...

227 comments 227

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“Who Loves Lives” by Writer Maniac

“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 ...

27 comments 27

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“They Didn't Break Me” by . .

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 embrac...

59 comments 59

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“Red Fire, Black Fire” by Yolanda Wu

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 ...

26 comments 26

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“Fall Of the Stars” by Mr. Brohirwani

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 would...

8 comments 8 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Failed Mission” by Natalie Dafoe

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. Thei...

6 comments 6

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“The Miracle” by Yasaman Ghobadi

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 ...

2 comments 2

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“The Axe Murder House” by Enenche Elizabeth

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 ...

55 comments 55

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“The Tank” by Joshua G. J. Insole

“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 numb...

24 comments 24

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“Aichen't Do This” by Molly Leasure

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 informati...

23 comments 23

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“Limits and the Force of Blood” by Emmanuel Olaleye

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 h...

19 comments 19

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

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 ...

9 comments 9

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Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 148 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

594

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: