Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Posted in Adventure on May 22, 2021

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✍️ 145 stories

“The Contest” by Jenne Gentry

Submitted to Contest #66

The sound of metal clanging ripped the young woman from her drug-induced slumber. Her grogginess dissipated quickly as she surveyed her surroundings and found that she was locked inside a cage. There were eight people around her, each locked in a cages. At a glance, the people appeared to be of varying ages, sexes, and physiques; seemingly a random mix. She had no recollection of how she had gotten there or how long she had been trapped, but she found that she did know where she was: Skull Island. With this realization came another: her fami...

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“Si Vis Amari, Ama” by Maccine Joy Thellervo

Submitted to Contest #66

The gun glimmered menacingly under the low tungsten lights. Vic just stood afar, staring at us with her dull, piercing hazel eyes."Make your choice," she said, now rhythmically tapping the nose of the gun on her hand, which made me wince.I glanced at the others in hopes someone would give me a look of reassurance, that none of this is truly happening. That I'm not seeing Vic with her finger resting on the trigger.But no one has looked away from her. Their eyes were darting back and forth on the gun and the three crimson red envelopes propped...

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“No Way To Win” by Monica Chaddick

Submitted to Contest #66

Joel was considered a rather handsome young man. With his dark, wavy hair and deep blue eyes, he made quite the striking picture. His sister Lucy, on the other hand, had dark, piercing eyes and long, honey blonde hair. Joel had recently broken up with his girlfriend. He was in college and wanted to focus on his studies. Besides, she was way too clingy. She was even jealous of him spending time with his sister. He and Lucy were close, and he refused to...

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“Contestants ” by Emery Maple

Submitted to Contest #66

The air turned black around me. A horrible rotting smell making me gag. There's a sudden pressure coming in with the breeze, making me lightheaded and dizzy. The winds pick up and get furious around me. It picks me up, and the pressure gets worse all over my body. I shut my eyes and tense in hopes of helping my body do something. It all lets up too suddenly. The shock of it going sends me to my knees. I heave and gasp for breath; my body shakes violently. I open my eyes, but shut them again after a wave of dizziness and pain spikes throug...

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“The Black Wilderness” by Oyedemi Idowu

Submitted to Contest #66

They call it the underground. A building built 12feet under the ground of Mulkansas occupied by terrorists who are planning to strike the purple house to make their debut entrance to the crosshairs of the world. A looming darkness stuck in time like a fairy tale gone awry. Guardian of dark secrets covered up with rubies and diamonds. They are called the Cabal. The militants are majorly Kruslem, their leader, a skilled assassin called Yusuf Mariq. He Is well versed in the holy book and comes from one of the war-torn v...

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“The Reaper” by Reagan Weckerly

Submitted to Contest #66

It is almost time, tomorrow we will see who would be getting sent to the reaper. It is a mandatory contest for all children between 7-16. They pick 4 names and those kids go to the Reaper, and they don't come back. They are never seen or heard from again. Some people say they are killed, others think they are sent to a special school, but I think that they are tortured for most of their lives until they get old enough that the Reaper is bored with them. The sun is out and the sky looks absolutely beautiful, but I can't enjoy it. How could I...

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“All the Right Reasons” by Stella Pasqual

Submitted to Contest #66

We’ve had enough twenty-three year old girls looking for a lifetime guarantee of brand deals on their instagrams while exploiting the vulnerable hearts of handsome men looking for love. Year after year we have contestants on the show who aren’t here for the right reasons. If they’re not here for our Bachelor they shouldn’t be here at all. This decision is not one we have made lightly - we’ve sacrificed Bachelor in Paradise by making this call. But we are certain that this change to the way that we run The Bachelor will not only produce more ...

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“Death-Escape” by Lowrey Lowrey

Submitted to Contest #66

Five seconds more for this Death to die. Jonathan and I hastened to cross the river only to encounter another Death clone. The giant clock rang, dispersing the usual yet perpetually infuriating noise of sheer danger. 24-hour Death Escape ended and the succeeding level transition met us almost immediately. This has been our 19th year on-game. One rule, one aim. Survive. Jonathan's grip seems to break my petrified soul from the passing Death clone before us. However blind, it can ideally perceive fear. We continued to walk past it and s...

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“ The Battle of Death ” by Sarah Chet

Submitted to Contest #66

Adam teetered at the cliff edge, looking down into the murky waters below. How ironic that something as silly as a fear of heights would mark his downfall. No, he wouldn’t let this be his Achille’s heel. Holding his breath and looking straight ahead just as he had practiced, he took off at a run and plunged off the edge of the cliff, instantly feeling the scream leave his mouth as his stomach plummeted with the apathetic force of gravity. Crashing on the waves below, he felt a mixture of relief along with the sting of his thighs hitting the ...

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“Make a Wish” by Ana Patricia

Submitted to Contest #66

"Dear contestants, welcome to the annual Reina King's 'Run For Your Wish' contest," a woman's voice sounded through the speakers in Maia's pod. "First of all, as a general procedure, we need to go really quick over the rules. As you all know, there are three mandatory stops for all ten of the contestants and, at each stop, you’ll face a challenge. If you manage to complete the challenge, you get to advance to the next stop, if not...well it’s because you died,” the voice chuckled as if she had just told some lame dad joke. “The first one to ...

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Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 145 stories

“The Contest” by Jenne Gentry

“Si Vis Amari, Ama” by Maccine Joy Thellervo

“No Way To Win” by Monica Chaddick

“Contestants ” by Emery Maple

“The Black Wilderness” by Oyedemi Idowu

“The Reaper” by Reagan Weckerly

“All the Right Reasons” by Stella Pasqual

“Death-Escape” by Lowrey Lowrey

“ The Battle of Death ” by Sarah Chet

“Make a Wish” by Ana Patricia

🌟 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

582

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: