Write a story about someone looking for a sign in a dark sky.

Posted in Angst on Jan 5, 2024

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✍️ 56 stories

“The Truth is Out There” by Eric Reid

Submitted to Contest #232

Ben eased himself slowly into the folding chair. It was stiff from the cold. Leaning back he gazed up at the night sky. It was a clear winter night. Not one cloud in the sky, allowing for a spectacular view of stars and planets. Ben brought up his camera and snapped a couple of pictures. He then set the camera down on the table beside him and poured himself a cup of hot chocolate from his thermos. After blowing on it he took a sip. He then breathed a relaxing sigh and continued to gaze in wonderment at the cosmic array before him. ...

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“Optimistic and Hope” by Valerie Aulerich

Submitted to Contest #232

Sometimes you have to write what you really want to see. It is not a matter of slumbering or being inattentive. It is what you may ask of the universe. The birds of the air have already given me signs. However sometimes a feather is not enough. I mean don’t get me wrong, those signs have led me down a very divine passage. While I was unsure many times in my life a sign was always sent unexpectedly. An assortment of colors in ivory whites, light grays and obsidian blacks. Those feathers helped clear my self doubt. However now this may be sh...

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“Butcherbird” by Brad Chessum

Submitted to Contest #232

I will write out my story here, one I have told before but this time it won’t be regulated or altered. I shall tell it with no regard to how it can influence the outcome of my life, because now, it can’t. I will write with no care as to whether anyone will believe or even read my story, because they probably won’t. Forty years ago, a public defence lawyer had listened to my story in a small interrogation room. The truth, he said, doesn’t always help in a court of law. “It’s done for ‘til tomorrow when it’s light and then I can take a...

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“Nighttime” by William Glewicz

Submitted to Contest #232

The house is quiet. It’s just after midnight. Beth turned in early. She has a big meeting in the morning. I have three people coming in for interviews first thing. I can’t sleep so I head downstairs to go over their resumes. On paper they all seem solid. I make a few notes in the margins. After a while, my eyes finally heavy, I head upstairs. Down the hall, I notice Charlie’s light is still on. It’s a school night. He should have been in bed hours ago. I tap at his bedroom door and hear a sudden rustle of movement, then footsteps. The do...

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“My Many Unsuccessful Attempts at Self-Kidnapping” by Robin Owens

Submitted to Contest #232

Dear Diary, I’ve decided to get taken. Yes, taken, as in: stolen, kidnapped. No, this is not what Mom would have wanted, but Mom’s not here, as you know from our previous grief-stricken 48 pages together. Yes, she taught me all the ways to stay safe: carry pepper spray, make sure someone always knows where you’re going, don’t walk alone at night, keep your head on a swivel. Well, Mom accidentally gave me all the tools I need to make this happen: 1: Toss pepper spray. 2: Tell no one of plan. 3: Sneak out of house at night and walk alone...

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“A Star in a Lifetime of Darkness” by A. L. Marchant

Submitted to Contest #232

The ageing wooden bench creaked under her weight, but it was the only place she could sit near enough the coach stop that she would be seen. It was unsheltered; the rain had not long ceased to fall from the night sky, and the moulding panels were now passing their damp to her. It travelled through the linen and lace of her petticoat to reach her skin, and further still to seize the weakened muscles beneath. The bench was in a sorry state, and barely fit to be used as firewood—yet it remained, crooked and creaking, persevering nevertheless fo...

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“Light Refracted” by Catarina Alves

Submitted to Contest #232

I stumble up the few steps of stairs to the door, pulling my suitcases with me. The welcome warmth of the reception immediately starts to melt the snow clinging to my jacket, beanie and eyelashes. The familiar smell of this room – its green velvet couches, spruce tables and lively fireplace – is enough to bring me to tears. “Ah! You’re finally here! Welcome, how was your trip?” The man behind the counter approaches me, smiling. “Not too bad, my flight was only delayed once.” The big antique clock by the corner strikes midnight, though that ...

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“The Road Less Frazzled” by David Cropley

Submitted to Contest #232

“OK, I should be there soon. Bye. Bye.”The call ends and I turn my attention back to the road. Shouldn’t be too long now. It’s not that I’m late, or even in danger of being late, but I like to be ‘on-time’. I pride myself in being ‘on time’. I don’t like to be late. Hate it, in fact.“Where’s this turn off?” I mutter.“Exit 14A. Come on, where are you?”It’s hard enough driving on a highway, on the wrong side of the road, in an unfamiliar country, at night, but don’t these people have proper signage? And lights!? Come on! It’s like I’m floating...

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“Dark Constellations” by Joseph O'Connor

Submitted to Contest #232

Dark Constellations By Joseph O’Connor ‘You’re familiar with dark constellations?’ John shot the question over his shoulder as we approached the heavy, blue door at the end of the corridor. ‘Did them at Harvard,’ I said. ‘The very latest stuff, and most of the research came from here.’ ‘We don’t release the latest stuff to universities. You’re at least two years out of date. Today is when y...

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“The Moon” by Tommy Or Mell Griffin

Submitted to Contest #232

Standing in a field, Bruce gazed up at the starless sky. The wind tore at his skin, its icy breath beckoning him to go back inside to his house where the warmth would thaw him through and he’d be safe from whatever was out with him under the cover of darkness.But he couldn't. He wouldn’t. His eyes were fixed on the sky, the starless ink void. Where was she??? He couldn’t find her anywhere on the expansive canvas of quiet hell, a sight of which had used to comfort him. She was always there for him, hanging up in the sky, shining quietly down ...

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“I'm Not Hercules” by James Lane

Submitted to Contest #232

The sun speaks to me. He tells me I'm like the champions of old, and I'm a herald to be worshiped. He tells me that Zeus Pater is full of the pride he mocks and that Ares, the red son, has forged indestructible truth from slag - that violence is the furnace of power. And Venus, that celestial satan who I lust for; who I despise, has ensnared us all in her ambient seduction.BJ and Dicky of the Power 99.4 morning radio show speak to me. BJ tells me about the traffic on highway twelve and my twelve labours and the duties of the twelve apostles....

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“The Vault ” by Alexis Aebi

Submitted to Contest #232

Ever since I was a little girl, the darkness has brought me comfort. When I am encompassed with the intense nothingness and surrounded by silence, that is when I have always felt the most liberated. I've been told before that most people fear the shadows and they are terrified of the silhouetted furniture scattered throughout the room. Restlessly, they envision lurking creatures in the corner and intensely listen for the slightest noise as their anxiety reaches its peak. An unsettling feeling sets in that behind the twilight we are not alone...

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“The Green Firework” by Hilary Yelvington

Submitted to Contest #232

Fireworks were always a big to-do on the Fourth of July. Some considered the fireworks a nuisance — lights and sounds designed to wake children and traumatize dogs. Others treated them as the show going on in the background of more important things, like gossiping with friends and neighbors, kissing a new boyfriend, or keeping an eye on children in the dark. Joe Peterson was one of those children, the kind who watched the entire fireworks show from the first dinky firecracker to the final blast of the grand finale, whose only consolation a...

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“LOOKING FOR THE MOON” by Kathleen Mack

Submitted to Contest #232

This story contains references to alcohol, sex and violence. LOOKING FOR THE MOON The sky was midnight black even though it was just past eight. She sat staring blankly toward where the moon should be. Her hands wrapped firmly around her second beer. It was hot as usual. No wind stirred. The black sky hinted of rain, but it was only a hint. Despite the heat, she felt cold. She was dressed in her usual cutoff jeans and t-shirt. Her faded blond hair was just belo...

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“Moving Onward” by Sophie Parmaby

Submitted to Contest #232

“I wouldn’t miss you. Nobody would.” Ella signed as this same phrase repeated over and over again in her mind like a broken record, continuing to shatter whatever remained of her broken heart. Luke had moved out several hours ago, but his final words never left Ella’s mind. Even while she sat outside with the cool breeze brushing her cheeks and the grass prickling her legs, she wasn’t able to forget the flush on his face, the venom in his tone, or the anger in his eyes as he stormed out with a packed suitcase. They had been together for one ...

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Write a story about someone looking for a sign in a dark sky.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 56 stories

“The Truth is Out There” by Eric Reid

“Optimistic and Hope” by Valerie Aulerich

“Butcherbird” by Brad Chessum

“Nighttime” by William Glewicz

“My Many Unsuccessful Attempts at Self-Kidnapping” by Robin Owens

“A Star in a Lifetime of Darkness” by A. L. Marchant

“Light Refracted” by Catarina Alves

“The Road Less Frazzled” by David Cropley

“Dark Constellations” by Joseph O'Connor

“The Moon” by Tommy Or Mell Griffin

“I'm Not Hercules” by James Lane

“The Vault ” by Alexis Aebi

“The Green Firework” by Hilary Yelvington

“LOOKING FOR THE MOON” by Kathleen Mack

“Moving Onward” by Sophie Parmaby

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story during polar night.

Write a story set in a world with a dying sun, or where light is a scarce resource.

Write a story about someone witnessing — or trying to witness — a celestial phenomenon.

Write a story about someone who has been tasked to keep a flame burning, surrounded by total darkness.

Contest #232

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

106

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: