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Center your story around someone facing their biggest fear or enemy.

Posted in Character on Aug 9, 2024

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✍️ 69 stories

Bernice

Submitted to Contest #263

Theme parks are the best, the roller coasters rule, but I didn’t want to go into the House of Horrors. It looked dark and creepy and I knew it was full of dead things and madmen, like the pictures on my dad’s scary videos. That kind of stuff made my insides squirm and threaten to erupt buckets of puke, but Bernice had the tickets and me by the hand, and she was dragging me along and wouldn’t stop.What was I supposed to do, sit down and cry? I’d look like a baby and Bernice would laugh. It was the first time she’d talked to me, so I didn’t wa...

62 likes 73 comments 73
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The Greatest Competition

Submitted to Contest #263

John Fisher saw his rival in the bathroom before the contest and knew he would lose again. His stomach dropped at the the other's aura of invincibility, standing ramrod straight, and a lean, fit physique.John did not know if he could beat him today; he still had the headache, and an vague imbalance from his poor sleep last night. John kept his head down, maybe he wouldn’t be noticed.“Hey.” The Man spoke as John washed his hands. John stopped, then looked up to catch his eye, reflected through the mirror. The Man wore all black, his coun...

38 likes 34 comments 34
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RETRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION

Submitted to Contest #263

Billy Matthews was a delicate child. Thin of build and sensitive of soul, he was just the kind of young person sought by bullies. And, as one would expect, bullies did find him. His tormenter, Scott Russell, was a hulking, aggressive boy with a huge chip on his shoulder. With the advantage of having older and younger brothers with whom to fight and play, his personality, confidence and physical skills were forged into a powerhouse. Boys like Scott tended to be charismatic as well, attracting a coterie of followers who feel empowered by being...

28 likes 17 comments 17
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Death in the White Room

Submitted to Contest #263

In the white room, always clean and full of light, Death had made itself at home. It lingered like an unwelcome guest, curling up in the dark recesses behind doors, or lying in wait beneath the bed’s shallow. Its ghastly form remained unseen, its wheezing breaths unheard, yet its presence was unmistakable, marked by the foul stench that clung to the air. It was a scent of old blood mingled with lye, and human refuse tinged with a sharp, lemony undertone. Arthur abhorred the lemon smell most of all — it was a poor parody of the fruit, all the...

26 likes 13 comments 13
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Superhero

Submitted to Contest #263

It was April 24, 2024, when my mother arrived at her doctor's office and heard that her mortal enemy and most significant fear was back, and she was going to have to face it all again.The shock carried her home, and she drove her car on automatic pilot. She exited the porch, entered the house, and collapsed onto the couch.She called my older sister, whom she lived with during the week.She said, "I have some bad news. I have lung cancer.""You have what? What do you mean?" My sister said that numbness took over her extremities.The two ladies s...

23 likes 12 comments 12
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The Hidden Life of Captain Alfonse on the Ship Destiny's Dreams

Submitted to Contest #263

The seafaring students in front of Captain Alfonse were not aware of the depths and layers, the secrets and hidden history inside of him.Contradictions had fought inside him on many sleepless nights. One side had won, with a little outside help.In 1898 Captain Alfonse stood smiling on the deck of the hybrid clipper ship and steamer Destiny’s Dreams. They were sailing off the coasts of Argentina and Brazil. He was so happy at the way things had turned out. Life was so full of unexpected twists.His was full of ocean waves, endless skies, ...

22 likes 12 comments 12
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Thyme to Give Back

Submitted to Contest #263

Chase came in from the evening, arms overladen with shopping bags. Jolon Dugal relaxed. He’d been half expecting the boy to refuse his requests because of insanity. He couldn’t hold it against Chase; the kid was only doing his job. But Jolon had to do this, no matter Chase’s discomfort. He opened his arms and smiled. ‘Chase, my boy! Good morning. How was the shopping excursion?’ Chase frowned for a fraction of a second but then erased it from his face. He paused, seeming to consider his words. He stared down at the many bags from many differ...

21 likes 6 comments 6
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The Deep Dive

Submitted to Contest #263

Sarah wasn’t sure when she had become such a big worrier. She had always been cautious, but as she approached 30 she had to push herself harder to do anything outside of her comfort zone. It was much easier to stay home and work in the small backyard garden of her townhouse or delve into one of her many crochet projects than to put to herself out there. Sure, she went to parties and events, but not without a million doubts and hesitations running through her head first. She was usually emotionally exhausted before she even left the hous...

20 likes 18 comments 18
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The Copious Cup Coffee Shop

Submitted to Contest #263

Marie had always found comfort in her solitude. As a child, she often opted out of social events, and when it was unavoidable, she retreated to a corner with a book. Able to lose herself in the characters, she could pretend to be as daring as Meg in Little Women, or as courageous as Maya in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. The outside world—loud, chaotic, unpredictable—was, for Marie, a danger zone. Marie’s parents recognized their daughter’s discomfort and supported her the best way they knew how. They protected her and shielded her and mad...

18 likes 4 comments 4
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Bookphobia!

Submitted to Contest #263

Terrified, Amber clung to the sides of her chair. This setting was all her worst childhood nightmares, coming to haunt her. There she sat, at the side of her one and only heir to the moths in her purse. Kristen was eagerly researching books she had accessed. Yes. Amber had been forced to take Kristen to their local library. Amber felt as if she was going to faint, perspiration was rolling down her face and back. She felt more than distinctly uncomfortable. She was usually a capable chick, a solo nester, having divorced Brandon Revolting.This...

17 likes 2 comments 2
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The Weight of Ignorance

Submitted to Contest #263

Anna Fletcher sat at her desk, the glow of her computer screen casting a pale light over her face. It was late, and the office was nearly empty, save for a few other night owls working silently in their cubicles. The quiet was a stark contrast to the whirlwind in Anna's mind. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the endless rows of data on her screen, each line a reminder of her growing fear.For Anna, numbers had always been a comfort. From a young age, she had been drawn to mathematics, finding solace in its logic and precision. ...

14 likes 6 comments 6
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Death Machine

Submitted to Contest #263

The rattling of metal on metal shook my skull as the car passed over my head. Screams of joy filled the air as the cart climbed to monumental heights and then dropped throwing the passengers back into their seats. My stomach flipped just watching the cart speed along the rail. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and a chill ran down my spine even as I stood there sweating in the summer heat.“I can’t do this.” I turned to make a not-so-elegant exit.“Sis.” My younger brother looked at me with knowing eyes. There would be no excuse for...

12 likes 2 comments 2
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Thunder

Submitted to Contest #263

I remember walking near the river on a summer day. Listening to the birds, sometimes watching them fly across the meadow or from one tree to another. Looking at all the flowers which the bees and butterflies visited. Looking was enough because mam was gone, so I had no one to bring them to who would care to have a bunch of weeds brought in from the fields. I had been told as much by the one woman who sometimes smiled at me since I came here after mam was gone. She wanted no more weeds from me.Besides, though they looked beautiful in the air,...

10 likes 4 comments 4
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Layla and the Dream Competition

Submitted to Contest #263

It was Friday evening, and she hoped to ace tomorrow’s competition.  Layla Mancini sat at the piano and let her fingers glide over the first movement of Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata.  This piece was second nature to her by now.  She had nothing to worry about.  However, pre-competition nerves prompted her to practice the sonata until she was sure she could play it even if she zoned out, which was always possible.  Layla was on the older side of the competition’s age limit at fourteen years of age.  This year w...

10 likes 5 comments 5
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Suicide Man vs. the Shadow

Submitted to Contest #263

The pages were strong in his grip. Each word pulled him from the demon within. Each chapter unravelled the bad thoughts—the final thoughts. Markus Welby had just turned 28, finished a five-year Psychology Degree at Traymore University, and landed a cozy job as City Director of Mental Health. Other offers, most promising big money and prestige, were tossed in the waste bin by his TV chair, along with endless junk mail. Director of Mental Health was a new position that oversaw Traymore City’s community centres. Congressman Mitchum ...

10 likes 1 comment 1
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