Write about a character who feels like they're cut off from something.

Posted in Angst on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 54 stories

“Help Me (Trigger Warning; Loss of a Loved one)” by Donavan Barrier

Submitted to Contest #115

“Honey, you have to talk to me.” The words could’ve come from miles away. The lady who spoke them to her might’ve just been a figment of her imagination. The world around her seemed so distant, like she was in the heavens looking down. However, she was not. Instead, she was surrounded by four walls, all covered in mementos from other kids her age. To her left were drawings crude, innocent. To her right, photographs of the lady in front of her with the others. The plastic chair under her butt was cold and stiff. It didn’t bother her, though. ...

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“Something Familiar” by Chris Geiger

Submitted to Contest #115

The dark and stormy nature of the night was accentuated, by the Witch Tower’s great height. It was so tall that at night, in the rain, you could not see the rest of the school, or it’s grounds. One had the sense of being trapped in a bottle of lightning. As such, Kiwi kept her blinds shut, better to not see the effect at all than to get drawn into the enchanting illusion, especially when there was homework to be done. Alchemy was a demanding mistress and wouldn’t be put on hold even for a storm like this.“Kiwi!” Into the cluttered room came ...

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“Rise Above” by Nichole Anderson

Submitted to Contest #115

I stack the logs in the oven and make it real hot before I put my biscuits in. Mama says if you want to make a good biscuit, you have to cook them high and fast, no one wants a half bake biscuit. I’m only thirteen but I think I can make them just about as good as Mama’s. I watch them carefully as they bake; they rise into a nice golden brown but I’ll wait just a little longer. We all like them crispy in this house. “Ooh-wee, what’s that you got cookin’ girl?” Daddy asks cheerfully. He grins revealing a full set of teeth, which is rare for...

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“Life Happens” by Shiloh Ord

Submitted to Contest #115

Communication is key, I remember my caseworker telling me. The scene plays out in my head vividly. She sat in the driver's seat of her little black sedan clutching the steering wheel as though I may try to take it from her at any second. It was almost amusing watching her eyes dart here and there as she navigated the interstate. I pretended to ignore her as I played on my phone in the passenger seat. "You know that, right Lilly," she asked turning a quisitive look towards me. "Communication can be the difference between finding a home and...

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“For My Father” by Greacian Goeke

Submitted to Contest #115

Trigger warning: Suicide, mental health Some mornings the feeling was of old lace, touch it and it falls to dust. On others she saw their little rat tails disappearing under the soffits and couldn’t grab even one to yank it back and see what it was. Most days it felt more like seeing cockroaches zipping away and gone before she was even sure they were there. It had been going on a long time, this disconnection from her dreams. They just did not stay long enough in her mind to even form an image. She tried all the remedies for remembering—s...

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“Hit The Bull's Eye” by Elizabeth Chin

Submitted to Contest #115

Write about a character who feels like they're cut off from something. Well, another usual day. Just had my PCR-test done in the morning because of someone else in the office but nothing to worry though because I was not the close contact. Anyway it was good, because PCR screening day, meant it was another day off for everyone. Hurray! Finger crossed. Nothing to fret. Nothing to bother. Just headed home, did chores, chit-chatted with kids and parents. Confidence level was 100%. *** Since it was a rest day, I thought I would just mak...

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“Through the Wireframe Mind” by David Fyne

Submitted to Contest #115

“Ella, meet Raymond. He was born in 1875. He lives in the telephone wires.” The man, George, was speaking. “Very few know about Raymond -- he realized it’s better that way long ago. You are joining a group I can count with just my fingers.” George turned, picked up a telephone headset. It was that archaic kind, with the rotary dial and rubber-encased wire that coiled round and round in tight little ringlets. “Hello, Raymond. This is Ella. She’s here to meet you,” he said into the...

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“Of personal growth and acceptance” by A. Kangiser

Submitted to Contest #115

Looking back at the other night, it seems so long ago. Not because it was nearly four months in the past but because of how much I have changed since then. Maybe it’s still fresh in my mind because of how many times I played it back in my head, only to return to it over and over again.I don’t know exactly what it was that I was making but it was something wrapped in a tortilla. There was melted cheese involved and I had gotten some of it on my finger. I was standing at the counter to the right of the kitchen sink when I turned to wrap it up ...

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“Farim's Journal” by B. Mather

Submitted to Contest #115

Cracking the pages as he reread them, Farim skimmed over his journal for about the third - no forth or maybe fifth time that day. It was a well worn device of his own creation. Once a smooth and flexible burgundy leather-backed book, it was now creased and sun-bleached to that same terrible tone of a decaying camel's fur. It had developed the texture of the sand that sat at their feet. The white pages had yellowed and even when it was perfectly sealed away and bound it had a musty smell that was so strong it repelled the mosquito and undead ...

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“50 Years Past” by Michael Wexler

Submitted to Contest #115

For fifty years the road stood unchanged. The road upon which an old man appeared. It was a cold day, gray as the man himself, who stood fixed upon the near ancient gravel glowering at the brownish cottage with white trim standing upon his right hand. His eyes turned away but his step failed to advance. He simply stood immobile, as if lost in thought, his weathered face and narrowed eyes reflective of a man struggling with a memory, a pattern of thought that would not form. The old man stood thus for several long minut...

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“Midnight Special” by Christina Jones

Submitted to Contest #115

In her head, in the last hours of 1994, Morgan had been exactly the person she is tonight. The bar is crowded and loud. A live band is playing the most popular, upbeat songs of the fading year from a tiny stage, and tipsy revelers sway and sing along with the familiar lyrics. They are wearing an array of flashing headgear and plastic jewelry announcing the new year. “2000” they glitter, a new millenium. Morgan tips her head back, staring up into the warm darkness of the ceiling lost in shadows. She is only on her second drink, but ...

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“Reconnected” by Glenda Goodrich

Submitted to Contest #115

The scalloped edges of rich green oak trees lined the rolling hills of Basket Slough Wildlife Refuge. Behind the oaks, billowing white clouds mimicked the curved arboreal flow of the trees. Stretched out in front of the oaks was a gold and brown field of dried Queen Anne’s Lace. I stopped on the path, took a deep breath, and let my eyes receive the landscape: honey gold, nutmeg brown, olive green, and dove white, all opening under a mantle of blue. It was a joy I’d taken for granted – clear views and breathing clean, fresh air. Wildfires h...

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“Crystals have energy. ” by Gigi L' Amoroso

Submitted to Contest #115

"Bro, I'm on my way, I'll be there in 20 minutes". I don't know why I expected any different. Things change when your friends have families and kids. I was on my way to my friends wedding, driving with a glimmer of hope that I won't be going alone to another social event. My friends Jason and Karla were getting married. We all met in physiotherapy school. Jason was with another girl when he started seeing Karla. Jason was stuck in Karla's group for an assignment, he hated her. She was bossy, mean, and did I say bossy? Eventually, he start...

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“Grapevine” by Kat Davis

Submitted to Contest #115

In early spring the grapes are finally ripe. Gramps and I walk down the gravel driveway to the vines he planted last winter. They coil around the wooden poles and reach for the sun like threatened snakes. I listen to the sound of our shoes churning the small pebbles beneath our feet. We stop so I can pick a dandelion. Before I blow it out I make a wish, pretending it is a birthday candle. The wind sends the flaky white seeds spiraling into the air. When we finally make it to the vines, Gramps pulls out two large buckets, one for me and one f...

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“Aimless” by Karen Lethlean

Submitted to Contest #115

Aimless So boring. No one her age. Already run out of books. Less to do than being at home. Sandra felt her feet get heavy in loose beach sand as she tried to dispel inertia by taking a walk. That’s what her mum said, ‘Sandy! For God’s sake go for a walk.’ Without missing a beat folding towels, not making eye contact. ‘Get out and find something you enjoy. Nature is therapeutic you know.’ Why the hell did her mum think therapy was required? What is so special about miles of sand, thick coastal Banksias growing almost to high water lines?...

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Write about a character who feels like they're cut off from something.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 54 stories

“Help Me (Trigger Warning; Loss of a Loved one)” by Donavan Barrier

“Something Familiar” by Chris Geiger

“Rise Above” by Nichole Anderson

“Life Happens” by Shiloh Ord

“For My Father” by Greacian Goeke

“Hit The Bull's Eye” by Elizabeth Chin

“Through the Wireframe Mind” by David Fyne

“Of personal growth and acceptance” by A. Kangiser

“Farim's Journal” by B. Mather

“50 Years Past” by Michael Wexler

“Midnight Special” by Christina Jones

“Reconnected” by Glenda Goodrich

“Crystals have energy. ” by Gigi L' Amoroso

“Grapevine” by Kat Davis

“Aimless” by Karen Lethlean

🌟 Similar prompts

One moment your character is talking on the phone with a friend, and the next, the connection is lost. Write a story about what follows.

Set your story in a town disconnected from the rest of the world.

Start or end your story with a character scrolling (or doomscrolling) through social media.

Write a story where a device goes haywire.

Contest #115

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

175

Contest entries

118

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: