Write about a character who isn’t nostalgic about their past at all, and show readers why.

Posted in Angst on Feb 2, 2024

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✍️ 54 stories

“Some Deserve To Die” by Lark Malloy

Submitted to Contest #236

My mom died last night. I haven't shed a single tear. I haven't told my wife yet. Or my kids. Soon."Anthony, get yourself dressed. We're going to be late," Sheila says, striding into the kitchen. Her honey-blonde hair is tucked behind her ears, and her arms sway at her sides. She is wearing a silk gown with an open back and gold hoop earrings. “You look stunning.” She drapes her arms around my shoulders and rests her piercing eyes on me. The green in the gown brings out the green in her gaze. She raises an eyebrow. “Don’t flatter m...

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“Reunion ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #236

Bags by the door, waiting for his car, Dashiell Holt rang up Aria, his ‘sig-o.’ Their shorthand for ‘significant other,’ ‘sig-o’ recently went viral on social media.Hearing her phone, Aria called for a break in the modeling session. The photographer nodded. Aria waved the make-up girl away.Dashiell said, “Hi, sorry to interrupt, babe. Calling to tell you I’m off to my reunion.”“You’re leaving now? Don’t go alone. Catch the next flight…”He said, “It’s okay. You’re busy. It’ll be dreary torture. And probably embarrassing.”“That sounds like a t...

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“THE MORNING DONUTS” by Joe Forgue

Submitted to Contest #236

Crap! Jake still couldn't let himself say: O shit! He remembered it was his turn to bring the donuts. There was still time to drive over to the Kroger bakery. He'd be back lickety split with the donuts, long johns, and bismarks. The motley crew of old guys, come every Monday morning, always looked forward to the sugar and starch treats. Not a one was under seventy; but, to listen in on their conversations, the fifteen year old in each came out in style. Yet, after the risqué double talk subsided, another pattern repartee surfaced. Funny thin...

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“Nostalgia, Not.” by Fletcher Fox

Submitted to Contest #236

TW: PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, PTSDYou can’t feel nostalgia anymore. You’re not sure if you ever could - can a child be nostalgic? You had difficulty understanding emotions as a child, especially ones involving other people, like embarrassment. Nostalgia doesn’t fall into that category, but it is an emotion that’s easier to feel when there’s someone to share it with, someone who was there at the time. The feelings your parents feel when reminiscing about your childhood just don’t exist in you. Maybe because you’re not that kid anymore. Ma...

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“The Invitation” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #236

Marcus Trent seated himself in the Taxi. He had his overnight bag with him.“Can you take me to 1445 Ross Avenue, please. Amli Fountain Place”The taxi driver headed off down the road. The early morning rush had dissipated, and Marcus didn’t anticipate any hold-ups as he settled for a less stressful ride than when he first arrived in Dallas.He hated being in the city. The wide-open spaces surrounding the Ranch where he lived suited him better.It surprised him when his daughter Victoria invited him to her apartment, even though she had promised...

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“Memories Are Made of This” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #236

If there’s one thing Astea DelMonte loves, it’s casual walks in the woods. The fresh air and freedom clear her head, and the walks also help fulfill her commitment as Chairperson for the town’s neighborhood watch. Her favorite section is a clearing with tall trees and a thick floor of pine needles called Sunspot. Astea has spent many hours in Sunspot lying against a fallen log, listening to the birds chirp as she contemplates how to kill her neighbor’s dog. The sound of bushes and leaves rustling catches Astea’s attention. Somethin...

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“Her Tech life ” by M. M.

Submitted to Contest #236

THIS STORY CONTAINS CHILD-SEXUAL ABUSE SENSITIVE TOPICChicago, summer of '73: Lorna McKenzie got home late from work that day, a dark cold sky threatened snow, it was late February 2024. She pulled off her heavy coat, hung it up on her coat rack by the doorway and kicked off her boots - her feet were cold, toes numb from walking home ten blocks. As soon as she got into the kitchen she pulled out a pre-made dinner and popped it in the microwave. She pulled out a diet soda, ice and a glass, and sat down at her designer table next to the kitche...

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“Retro Remorse” by Jordan Tyler

Submitted to Contest #236

(Potentially triggering to those who grew up bullied or in toxic households) My heart skips a beat as I pass the window showcasing the retro, cardboard cutout of my once favorited, blue, little speedster: Sonic the Hedgehog. I was giddy with excitement as if I were once again six years old unwrapping the game’s box for the first time. That is until a sharp, stabbing pain in my side knocked the smile off of my face. My heart stops fluttering and shatters. Like a smoker who recently quit getting a whiff of the smoke trailing off of s...

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“The Death of Nostalgia” by John Jenkins

Submitted to Contest #236

I’m not nostalgic about my past. That would be too easy. I’ve been thinking recently. About everything. About how the Determiners came. Their swords of light tearing through the night sky. And while no one in the Frayed Districts can be said to have had it easy these past few years, I’m the last person to be nostalgic over spilled milk. I’ve been thinking a lot about Bena. She was the love of my life, my commanding officer. Colder than a salamander’s belly. But she understood things that no one else did. Things about duty, honor, Transpende...

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“Kleine Schwester” by HC Edwards

Submitted to Contest #236

“My first day was at the reception center. I was only sixteen but I wasn’t the youngest,” he said in that deep raspy voice that sounded like two stones rubbing together, his accent so thick it was almost a parody.“Uh huh,” Penny replied, perusing instagram videos on her phone. She hated being here. Spending her Sunday afternoon at an assisted living center was far from her ideal circumstance. Several rationalities came to mind. First of all, it smelled. The scents were hard to discern. Rather Penny labeled them ‘old people’ smells, a co...

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“I've Tried Before” by D'Spencer Luyao

Submitted to Contest #236

Trigger Warnings include: Mental health issues, implied trauma, parental neglect, substance abuse (alcoholism), withdrawal, suicidal thoughts, mentions of implied suicide, mentioned parent/spouse death. Please read with caution. This story is a continuation of I Don't Know What to Tell You and The Fucking Ugly Truth which are on my profile, but can be read on its own. Evan had seen what trying looked like while his mom was still alive. With her, trying was a dark cloud that hung over every step she took. She smiled and laughed, an...

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“The Wife Experience ” by Natalia Medeiros

Submitted to Contest #236

(Note: contains sex and violence sensitive themes )“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned,” he mumbled over and over under his breath in a repetitive chant, as he rolled the worn oak wood rosary beads around in the palm of his left hand. He stared long and hard into the fiery orange flames as the sunset hues turned blurry through his tears of agony. Her perfect slim yet curved silhouette danced in the flames as her raven hair flowed like velvet silk, bewitching him all over again. He had paid to light so many votive candles tha...

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“Vacationland Turned Femicideland” by Cryn Johannsen

Submitted to Contest #236

TW: Substance abuse, violence, and sexual violence People from all over the world pack up to go to Maine, or "Vacationland", as it’s dubbed and slapped on every state license plate, for their getaways. Southern New Englanders, which, we, Mainers, consider anyone living south of the Piscataqua River, are the biggest suckers for Maine (although it’s a tight tie between them and the Canadians just north of us). They – mostly the southern New Englanders – haul all their shit up for summertime and, oftentimes, stay as “peepers” for the leaves ...

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“Ruby Red Scar” by Tyler McGraw

Submitted to Contest #236

Eyes pierce through my flesh everytime I walk through a door. When I’m just trying to buy groceries, pump gas into my car, walk into the bank, I can feel it. I can feel their gaze fixated on me. Their eyes, it feels like a stab in my heart. Everytime. Everytime I walk through a door. It never gets better. They always stare. They always judge. They always talk. I mean everyone likes to be the center of attention sometimes, but not me. At least not in this way. I can hear their whispers. I can feel their eyes, and I force myself to look down s...

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“Isabella” by Tammy Haskins

Submitted to Contest #236

It was Isabella’s junior year in high school. She stormed out of class after a group of teenage mean girls was standing outside her class calling her abhorrent names. Fed up with their bullshit, she stood up, kicked some desks over, and said, “I'm sick of this shit.” Wouldn’t you know it, the teacher sent HER to the office.Mr. Grayson, the Vice Principal, had gone through the last 2 and half years of endless bullying with Isabella. He was the only person that ever made a difference in her life during her high school years. She felt like...

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Write about a character who isn’t nostalgic about their past at all, and show readers why.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 54 stories

“Some Deserve To Die” by Lark Malloy

“Reunion ” by John K Adams

“THE MORNING DONUTS” by Joe Forgue

“Nostalgia, Not.” by Fletcher Fox

“The Invitation” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

“Memories Are Made of This” by Michael Jefferson

“Her Tech life ” by M. M.

“Retro Remorse” by Jordan Tyler

“The Death of Nostalgia” by John Jenkins

“Kleine Schwester” by HC Edwards

“I've Tried Before” by D'Spencer Luyao

“The Wife Experience ” by Natalia Medeiros

“Vacationland Turned Femicideland” by Cryn Johannsen

“Ruby Red Scar” by Tyler McGraw

“Isabella” by Tammy Haskins

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character finding a retro piece of tech they don’t recognize.

Write a story about someone finally gaining access into their family’s very old computer.

Write a time-travel story where a character from the present finds themselves in the 80s or 90s.

Write a story about a grown-up sharing their favorite childhood video game with their child.

Contest #236

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

181

Contest entries

81

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: