Write about a character seeking forgiveness for something that happened in the past.

Posted in Angst on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 67 stories

“A (True) Friend for June” by Rachel Kenley Fry

Submitted to Contest #116

In the grand scheme of things, it was a minor trespass. I didn’t kill anyone, or reveal a precious trade secret. And, I keep reminding myself, I was a child. June and Bill Hecker were like affectionate grandparents to me. A bonus, since I also had two other complete sets of grandparents close at hand, both loving, attentive, and physically and mentally whole. However, the Heckers took an interest in me without obligation or inherent love borne from genetics. Which, to me, meant I was special. June, especially, made me feel precious. Perhaps ...

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“Ask and You Shall Receive” by Marly Smith

Submitted to Contest #116

“Are you ready to give your statement?”“Yes”“Wait one minute, stenographer, are you on the line and are you ready to transcribe?”“I am, thank you.”“Okay, go ahead, officer.” “Thank you.” She took a deep breath, “I realize that this is my fifth impact statement that I am giving to oppose the release of Edward Charles. I get so caught up in how difficult it becomes for me every 18 months to prepare myself to face the possibility of his release, that I have a hard time seeing others and what they do. So, before I start, I do want...

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“Guilty As Not Charged” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #116

CW: Reference to ADHD Does every criminal know this? That her unpunished crimes bury themselves deep and gnaw at her best moments? I lower the window of the staff car in which I am driven past the impressive portico of the private school, the one from where I retired today. After serving for 25 years. In a rare gesture reserved only for the most loved teachers of the school the principal himself stands at the steps leading to the foyer along with the staff and a few senior students. A banner is propped among them that glints in the af...

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“Human Error” by Ian Gonzales

Submitted to Contest #116

It's when I see the look on her face that I realize the mistake I’ve made. Ten days of hiding it, and every minute it was like I’d stabbed her in the back, and she just hadn’t felt it yet. But when we wake up from the first sleep cycle, alone on a spaceship hurtling through the void between stars, I can’t take it any longer. So, I tell her. Only it isn’t really ten days later. It’s nearly ten years. The first segment of our transport mission is 2,847 days. Then we come out of cryostasis, with seven days to perform maintenance. Then...

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“An open letter to you” by Olive Bassey

Submitted to Contest #116

I failed you as a partner. My love was not a creek, overflowing with passion, intimacy, and desire. I took you for granted when you needed me the most. I failed you as a friend. Our connection was strong and unbreakable. Yet, I ruined the bond that took years to build. Most importantly, I failed you as a human. You wanted to feel like you belong and I pushed you away like an outsider. My intentions were never to hurt you, but something was missing from our relationship. We stopped having deep conversations, and life became mundane. We went f...

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“How a Woman Forgives ” by Paola Figueroa

Submitted to Contest #116

What deceiving words to live by that violence does not solve problems. Violence has been the true instigator of change and that I know in my hear to be true. Fernando also knew this to be true, but some infectious pest has been making him weak of mind and blind to the lies of his so called council. Once an honorable friend and now a lifelong foe. Oh how he poisoned my heart and how I wish to poison him with my lips. His action endlessly tormenting me each minute in my bed chambers; a never ending spinning wheel of torture. But at last, ma...

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“Dr. Sickle Part 1” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #116

The roar of applause thundered through the auditorium, as I stepped on the stage. Staring past the glow of the spotlights, I scanned the faces of the crowd. Blind, I thought to myself. They know not who they cheer for.At that moment, the President Bush placed the Medal of Freedom around my neck, shook my hand and blared in the microphone, “Let’s give our congratulations to Dr. Sickle. He’s certainly earned it.”Applause and cheers echoed, as I was escorted to the podium. The din died down and the nameless faces waited for my speech.As I peere...

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“Germinating seeds of forgiveness .” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #116

There´s a part of me, who lies all the time, to tell myself a truth, I´m afraid to bear. That part of me has many names and none. It cries it howls, it is caged. It is sad and it is lonely. It wants to break free from its burden. It wants to wash. It wants to breathe. It wants forgiveness and to give absolution. It craves the light; it longs for warmth. It labors to forgive, to pardon! To break its chains and bathe in the sunlight. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn´t exist. &nbsp...

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“Today Tomorrow, and Forever” by Sam Seabolt

Submitted to Contest #116

Today, Tomorrow, and Forever Sentinel Park was chilly today. The light wind of late winter, early spring, tugged at his jacket like the soft hands of a child, he flipped up his collar, so the air didn’t go down the neck. Rolling along the empty paths he listened to the sounds aroun...

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“The Reckoning” by Catherine Gravely

Submitted to Contest #116

There was that soft “plop” in the front hall, which set the dog to barking and scratching at the door. Moving into the hall to shush Ruggles, I gathered the scattered mail, before it could be shredded by his exuberance. I instructed him firmly to be quiet, to be a ‘good boy’. As usual. But this was not to be a usual day. That realization landed, like an unwanted guest, the moment that I had spread the envelopes across the kitchen table and looked at the return addresses.Only a few letters arrived, these days. Mostly, they were requests ...

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“Confessions of a Sinner” by Marcia H.

Submitted to Contest #116

The box was small and dark. I hated going in there.I hated the darkness but every Friday I didn’t have a choice. I made it to the front of the line and waited my turn. In my head I was thinking of the things that I was required to say when the door opened to the box and the person before me stepped out. I really didn’t have anything to say but that would not do. You were expected to say something once you entered the box and the door closed. I wiped my wet sweaty hands on my uniform skirt and tugged at the bottom of my sweater. S...

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“Living Water” by Jessie Hartness

Submitted to Contest #116

TW: drug use, self-harm, languageAll she knew how to do was run. So she ran. But this time she ran towards the truth, not from it. She ran fast, and she ran hard. Her hair blocked out the sun, causing those behind her to wither and die. Her hands directed the winds, generating a blast of destruction. Her feet trampled the earth, shattering the surface into a million pieces, shards flying behind her as she quickened her pace.She was almost there. She saw that blanket of blue infinity. She kept running. She was so close. As she lunged towards ...

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“Earning my Place” by Karena G

Submitted to Contest #116

(Excerpt) Heather June 10, 2016 Fredericton, New Brunswick You are good enough. You can accomplish anything. The world respects your sacrifice. Once again, I think my reflection is lying to me. My mantra, I chant it every day; maybe one day I’ll believe it. For now, I cover up my insecurities with a coat of lip gloss, a spritz of hairspray, and my best practiced smile. Today is a new day. “Mom, are those my jeans?” Anna is mortified. “I don’t know. Are they?” I laugh. “Your mother is the only woman in town who could get away with t...

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“Counting Raindrops” by Christopher Stevens

Submitted to Contest #116

I did something horrible. Or at least, that is how it has been described to me. Horrible. Awful. Terrible. I don’t remember doing it. I don’t remember anything about it, to be honest. I have seen photos and videos from the incident many times, before the trial and many times during it. In the videos it appears to be me. The scenes are disturbing. I mean, who wouldn’t be disturbed after watching it? During some of the viewings I’d get these weird flashes, like a bright light pulsing ever so quickly it’s gone before I even knew it was ...

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“Forgiveness” by Tracy Mason

Submitted to Contest #116

Rachel stood alone, looking down onto the freshly lowered coffin. There were no tears, but feelings of anger, shame, sadness and guilt consumed her. She imagined the lid opening and Holly sitting up, laughing infectiously, proclaiming this to be a bad joke. That would be so typical of Holly’s personality. Always happy, wanting to make other people smile. She smiled sadly at the thought. A light rain started to fall, mocking Rachel as her eyes remained stubbornly dry. Rachel stood for a minute longer, not wanti...

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Write about a character seeking forgiveness for something that happened in the past.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 67 stories

“A (True) Friend for June” by Rachel Kenley Fry

“Ask and You Shall Receive” by Marly Smith

“Guilty As Not Charged” by Suma Jayachandar

“Human Error” by Ian Gonzales

“An open letter to you” by Olive Bassey

“How a Woman Forgives ” by Paola Figueroa

“Dr. Sickle Part 1” by Howard Seeley

“Germinating seeds of forgiveness .” by F.O. Morier

“Today Tomorrow, and Forever” by Sam Seabolt

“The Reckoning” by Catherine Gravely

“Confessions of a Sinner” by Marcia H.

“Living Water” by Jessie Hartness

“Earning my Place” by Karena G

“Counting Raindrops” by Christopher Stevens

“Forgiveness” by Tracy Mason

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character breaking a rule, but for good reason.

Start your story with someone being forbidden from doing something.

Write about a character who is being asked for their blessing, but is reluctant to give it.

Write a story that centers around a parking permit.

Contest #116

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

174

Contest entries

112

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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