Write a story about a stranger coming to town and shaking up the order of things.

Posted in Character on Jun 23, 2023

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✍️ 57 stories

“Strangest Girl I Ever Saw” by Lauren Kawamoto

Submitted to Contest #204

STRANGEST GIRL I EVER SAW SOMEWHERE IN THE OHIUS PLAINS CRACK flies the bullet, BOOM thunders the horse’s hooves, and SMASH comes the sound of shattering pride. He howls and howls and howls, a terrible noise that could suck up all of the world’s despair if given the chance as he topples from his stallion, hands flying to the new crater in his leg. Courtesy of the rider still galloping at full tilt towards him. “No!” he screams, raising a bloody hand toward his assailant in a useless plea. “I already gave you everything!” W...

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“A Rootin' Tootin' Fight” by Nathan Baylet

Submitted to Contest #204

A Rootin’ Tootin’ Fight a short story by Nathan Baylet 6-29-2023 Reedsy short story contest #204 wild, wild west catagory: stranger comes to town word count: 2,958 “He’s here!” someone shouted. Rex clacked his empty shot glass on the bar, dawned his dusty hat, and strode out the saloon doors, silver gun ready on this right, and steel eyes fixed on the stranger down the street ridin’ into town, and dismounting a great horse. Patters of footsteps echoed around the wooden two-story buildings and clicks of locking doors, then silence, sunl...

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“Among the Willows” by Official Sun

Submitted to Contest #204

She felt it again, the exhausting drip of monotony slowly working away at her skin. Or maybe it was the torrid winds of sand gritting against her. But then she remembers. The grime of the dust bowl has settled by now, the land from plain to coast drowned in beige. Then the unease. Not taking her over immediately, but again, a slow drip. A reaction of discomfort rising and rising within her blood, shaking her nerves as if every atom in her body is at war. It doesn't stop. It never stops, not really, she simply just forgets. Forgets about the ...

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“Billy The Kid” by Rudy Babino

Submitted to Contest #204

Once upon a time, in the quaint and peaceful town of MeadowsVille, life flowed in a predictable pattern. The townspeople were content with their daily routines and the familiar faces they encountered every day. Life was simple in this seemingly perfect little town, but little did they know that their serene existence was about to be disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. On a sunny morning, like any other, a peculiar figure rode into town on a majestic blonde horse. The stranger, clad in a long cloak that billowed in the wind, ...

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“SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #204

It was just about noon when I heard an unfamiliar sound as the tavern's front door loudly creaked open. The welcome bell that hung on the door slammed strongly against it and then a loud bang followed as the door shut breaking the 'welcome' sign . You don't EVER come in here and do what this guy just did. Everyone in the town of Newport has the ultimate respect for this place. History is the number one calling card and always has been since this place became The White Horse Tavern, a comfortable eatery, serving libations since 1673. We were ...

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“The Ghost of Doc Cleary” by Jæmi Listo

Submitted to Contest #204

A man with a face wrapped in bandages to shield scarred-over burns rode into a little town in Arizona, notable only for its mining ventures. The stranger kept to himself, but that didn't stop many of the townsfolk from halting in their daily chores to watch him as he and his horse made their lazy way through the main concourse of town.If the man had been a trader, a marshal, hell even one of the few Indians still living in the territory, the local children would have gathered around the horse's ankles to bid the stranger welcome in their pec...

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“Seven” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #204

Seven shivered in the straw pile as she listened to the wind howling through the trees surrounding the barn. It was an eerie wailing like the sound of a soul being tortured. Or a wolf caught in a trap. A night hawk screeched, and another creature screamed briefly and shrilly. She curled up tighter in the dirty, flea-infested straw and wished she were allowed in the house. The log house had lights in the windows glowing welcomingly and the smells of meat cooking in a pot with vegetables. She detected onions and turnip...

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“All of it” by Bryan Saye

Submitted to Contest #204

Kate’s singing filled the saloon and shone despite the harsh droning of the off-key piano. The men stared in silent awe, eyes wide and mouths ajar. The drunks at the bar had turned on their stools, forgetting their drinks as they watched. Even the poker games lagged, the men gazing over their shoulders rather than concentrate on their game. Cornelius Walken—the saloon’s owner—stood just above her on the second-story balcony. His cheap suit struggled to contain his bulk, the buttons clinging desperately to the jacket like a drowning man to a...

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“The Monsters are Due at High Noon” by Allan Bernal

Submitted to Contest #204

A werewolf is a tricky thing to deal with; a violent murder or two once a month really doesn’t affect property values too badly. But on the other hand, once the town of Crimson Oaks fully catches on, I doubt we’d see much more growth. All my efforts to expand this town, to build it from the ground up and turn it into a tourist spot will become undone. All because a mangy mutt can’t control their monthly urges. At least I know how to temper my hunger. When I usually take my daily stroll through town, I’m hailed by a ceremony of smiles and...

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“A Lawless Land” by Antonio Casillas

Submitted to Contest #204

What becomes of an honest man when all his options have run out? When he's on the run? When he's already lost what's most important in this world? What becomes of that man? The scorching sun beat down on the cracked earth, relentlessly, day in and day out. A lone traveler by the name of John Hems rode across the empty plains. His green eyes scoured the horizon for signs of a town. For days he had been riding. He had only stopped to make camp once and his supplies had already run out. His stomach ached and his parched throat cried out for w...

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“Vic's Salty Visit” by Andrea Corwin

Submitted to Contest #204

The shiny Studebaker Avanti cruised along the two-lane highway passing corn fields of various heights. The corn should be knee-high by the 4th of July, his farm cousin Cate told him years ago during a visit. Vic slowed down behind a slow-moving farm tractor, not feeling any need to pass. A sign reading Fresh Watermelon ByTheSlice made his mouth water, his throat constricting some, urging him to pull over for a slice. His eyes roved ahead for the turn to the fruit stand and discovered it too late. "Damn! OK, a U-ey it is!" Dimples dented...

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“The Devil in Disguise” by Sruthi Thabati

Submitted to Contest #204

It was a day so hot that not even a tumbleweed dared to roll through the streets. No one could take a step out cause they be fearing that they’d burn to death. And on this day, he came. With the clicking and clacking of his horse echoing through the town, he entered my neighbor’s house. They recently moved, so I be guessing he’s the new tenant. I run over to my ma in the kitchen and ask her, “Y’know anything bout the new guy in town? He be looking real shady to me, ma.” She laughs a good laugh and hands me a hotdog.“Well, I’m sure they’ll te...

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Write a story about a stranger coming to town and shaking up the order of things.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 57 stories

“Strangest Girl I Ever Saw” by Lauren Kawamoto

“A Rootin' Tootin' Fight” by Nathan Baylet

“Among the Willows” by Official Sun

“Billy The Kid” by Rudy Babino

“SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL” by Debbie Curtin

“The Ghost of Doc Cleary” by Jæmi Listo

“Seven” by Tanya Humphreys

“All of it” by Bryan Saye

“The Monsters are Due at High Noon” by Allan Bernal

“A Lawless Land” by Antonio Casillas

“Vic's Salty Visit” by Andrea Corwin

“The Devil in Disguise” by Sruthi Thabati

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a desert town.

Write a story about someone undertaking a long, dangerous journey.

Write a Western-inspired story in a new genre or setting (e.g. a space western, fantasy western, etc.)

Write a story about someone seeking revenge for a past wrong.

Contest #204

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

300

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: