Write a story in which a character is running away from something, literally or metaphorically.

Posted in Angst on Jan 26, 2024

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✍️ 123 stories

“Never Been to Paradise” by Alexis Araneta

Submitted to Contest #235

Author's note: This story is heavily based on the 1977 Charlene song "I've Never Been to Me". I do not own the rights to this song or its lyrics.TW: Mentions of abuse, marital sexual violence**October 7, 1978Buckle Rod, AlabamaDear Charlene (or, whatever your name is),Firstly, yes, I can finally admit it: meeting you two years ago was indeed, as you put it, fate. I must admit that I was, at first, visibly annoyed when you, looking every inch like a Golden Age film star in your Hermès scarf, approached me at the park, only for you to preach -...

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“La-Z-Boy” by Hazel Ide

Submitted to Contest #235

Gemma's dramatic wails echo down the hallway, the tinny sound carrying like a sharpened porcupine quill, direct and unwelcome. Avery sighs, glancing briefly toward the hall where his wife cries—with the same emotional gusto as when her pick on The Bachelor doesn't win, so there's no telling how upset she actually is—then back to the credit card bill on the table.He pours a finger of scotch over ice, sinking his weary self into the old leather wingback in the darkened den. The contrast of the papers stacked on the low mahogany table is s...

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“Just Keep Moving” by Charlee Sage

Submitted to Contest #235

I’ve always hated this place…correction this place has always terrified me! The cold chill in the air does nothing to bring me comfort; just keep moving. The smell of disinfectant reminds me of the sterile mundane nature of some of the people who actively choose to be here and all they’re here for. The heavy weighted feeling of hearts who exist in either a state of shock, hope, or despair consumes me. Yet here I am…and all I feel is panic. As my mind continues to race with memories I have to remind myself that this, is not “that.” But now...

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“Shattered Mirrors ” by Hannah Anderson

Submitted to Contest #235

[Trigger warning: Mental health] I can never escape, she will be with me even when I'm alone. After all, who wouldn’t hate the person who killed their sister? Sweet, sweet, Laina never did anything to her. She tells me it was an accident. It was not! I know why she did it. It was because every time she heard my sister’s footsteps it made her want to scream, a little miss perfect was coming down the hall to greet her with flowers. The killer tells me over and over, again, again, she did not do it on purpose! How could you push someone of...

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“Put Me with the Cicadas” by Robert Egan

Submitted to Contest #235

I thought, for some time, that dying while holding hands with my soulmate would be romantic. It wasn't. First off, it took an awful lot of convincing, and when we finally did jump off that bridge together, I was preoccupied with ensuring our heads hit the pavement simultaneously. As for what came afterward, well, that's now, and it's just awkward. The other soul rubbing up against me is bland, well-rounded, probably whale-bound after a few more human orbits. It shudders because I'm all spikes, the type of soul who always ends up in a...

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“She's leaving home” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #235

Wednesday morning5:00 o'clockShe is sitting on the edge of her bed. It has taken days to pack. A little bit at a time, carefully hiding it from her parents. Trying to decide what is important, what is fluff. How much is enough?Sitting still, being quiet, because she can't wake Mommy and Daddy, and still keeping herself awake is hard. She can hear Daddy snore through the thin wall. But Mommy says she's a light sleeper. Marjory doubts it. As often as she has come in late these past few months, Mommy never seems to have heard her.She frets. Doe...

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“Dogs, rabbits and bears” by Vid Weeks

Submitted to Contest #235

I’m pushing up Huddleston Road. It’s a hard climb. I’m into my second mile. I push till the toxins build up and it burns. Burns bad, hurts; My body is pouring acid on my muscles. It’s telling me to stop. I ignore it. It scares me that I like the pain now. I look forward to it. I know the others burn too, but I’m tougher. I like the hills. The hills pays the bills, they say and I always push going down, no free rides. Let’s face it, it’s the only thing I’m good at. I am good at running long and hard. I’ve been on the cross country team sinc...

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“At Hampton Court Palace” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #235

The brush strokes are indeed amazing capturing my attention and halting my progress down the hallway. The portrait is huge, truly an impressive feat of artistry. A regal gaze stares out of the canvas and I am captured by the familiar face and stance, who would not recognise Henry VIII? His fleshy features surround those piercing eyes. He’s not a nice man. Powerful, proud, arrogant, yes, but not nice, yet the portrait fascinates me.With deep reluctance I move on from the painting to admire the next one. Our tour guide has drawn his ...

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“The White Tower” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #235

TW: some sensitive themes.The envelope joined the pile gathering dust on Mike’s oak table. He knew he’d have to read it at some point, just not now. Although it had been months since his last run, he wasn’t going to allow anything to put him off. The letter was a confirmation of demands that would seal his fate almost as surely as if he’d thrown himself off the rocks and plunged headlong into a sea that would be close to freezing. Mike briefly imagined the churning oblivion. But no. In spite of everything, he wanted to live.Besides, Jeff wo...

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“Why Your Daughter Won't Come Home” by Angela M

Submitted to Contest #235

Trigger warning: This story contains mentions of physical abuse and self harm. Running is a poor man’s exercise. So why am I even doing it? Oh, yeah. Because I’m poor now. These sneakers are tight but my budget is tighter. Dad bought me these shoes before he cut me off. I mean, Dad also used to hit me before he cut me off. Sneakers for some bruises. It was a fair trade, I guess? We don’t need to think about that anymore, though. I’m free now. And broke. No gym. Just running. At least this neighborhood is safe. Well, technically, ...

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“Runner in the Rye” by Jack Kimball

Submitted to Contest #235

“I’m sorry Granddad. It’s just Holly Hill is… is..."“I know, expensive," I said, saying what she couldn't.“That doesn’t mean you can’t live with me and Bill.”But seeing the way Annie put her hand to her chin as she was driving in the drizzling rain, the way she averted my eyes, how she teared up, we both knew there was no space in her tiny apartment.She pulled up to the light at the entrance to the mall, the traffic all backed up, the whites and reds of car lights in the gray light, the slow slapping of our windshield wipers. I looked around...

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“Gone by Morning” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #235

When going downtown, say for a walk in the old park, in the early hours of the morning – especially when the sun has yet to rise – it’s never a bad idea to be aware of your surroundings; you’ll never know what else is there in the dark with you. This public park is not unlike any other; you’ve probably seen one just like it near your home. In this particular park, a young man named Michael Wren is walking home from the night shift at the twe...

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“Racing Thoughts” by Ty Warmbrodt

Submitted to Contest #235

I’m an Iron worker, and a foreman. This past week we have been working twelve-hour days through the hottest part of the summer trying to get the Highway 47 bridge complete. I have had to deal with missing materials, late deliveries, on-site injuries, absences, and a boss breathing down my neck. We’re behind schedule and a lot of that heat is falling square on my shoulders. So, I need a day, my day off. I get one a week. One day a week to sleep in. One day to relax and enjoy some time with my family. I had planned on waking naturally with a g...

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“The Boy at Robins Pond” by KC Fetch

Submitted to Contest #235

The small body of water became Jean’s sacred place away from the complications and expectations of the Wicked Witch of Massachusetts. Cattails, bullfrogs, lily pads, and the cloudy, moonless sky welcomed her as she submerged into the chilly water. It was here that she first learned of her gift. Albeit, a useless gift these days, according to Mother. Any chance she could get, the wench would find a way to knock her daughters down a peg. That weighed heavily on her mind as she thought of her little sister, Kimberly. Not even ten and Mot...

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“What Lies Beneath” by RC Riggs

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #235

In the deep, far, far beyond where the last flicker of sunlight fades away into an inky blackness, where the cold slows heartbeats to a nearly imperceptible pulse, and the incredible pressure of the ocean above warps the bones of ancient ships that lay deathly still on the seafloor, an unseeing eye blinks sleep away. Eons had passed along the surface as the creature slept. Puffs of clay muddies the water as it slowly writhes, working out its body's stiffness from its long slumber. In the deep, something dark stirs, one thought rippling acr...

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Write a story in which a character is running away from something, literally or metaphorically.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 123 stories

“Never Been to Paradise” by Alexis Araneta

“La-Z-Boy” by Hazel Ide

“Just Keep Moving” by Charlee Sage

“Shattered Mirrors ” by Hannah Anderson

“Put Me with the Cicadas” by Robert Egan

“She's leaving home” by Trudy Jas

“Dogs, rabbits and bears” by Vid Weeks

“At Hampton Court Palace” by Michelle Oliver

“The White Tower” by Helen A Smith

“Why Your Daughter Won't Come Home” by Angela M

“Runner in the Rye” by Jack Kimball

“Gone by Morning” by Nicholas Thomas

“Racing Thoughts” by Ty Warmbrodt

“The Boy at Robins Pond” by KC Fetch

“What Lies Beneath” by RC Riggs

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with one or two characters going for a run.

Make a race an important element of your story.

Write about a character who suddenly cannot run anymore.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “You can’t run forever.”

Contest #235

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

312

Contest entries

121

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: