Write a story about someone living vicariously through someone else.

Posted in Character on Jul 21, 2023

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✍️ 32 stories

“The Piano” by Maggie Holman

Submitted to Contest #208

Just as twilight was turning to dark night, Catherine quietly slid open her bedroom window and climbed out onto the flat roof of the first-floor extension. She crept along the edge, to keep her weight on the strongest point, and then jumped down and landed neatly on the lawn. Her escape was accompanied by the faint sound of piano music coming from the open living room window. She could picture the scene; her mother sitting tidily in her favourite armchair, her hands folded on her lap, her eyes closed, as she listened to recordings of Chopin,...

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“Eight Seconds of Revelations” by Larry Litton

Submitted to Contest #208

“Do I have to do it?” Myles asks his father as they walk towards the arena, their spurs clink on the hard caliche leaving little clouds of dust in their wake. “You ain’t got to do anything,” his father says. “Walk away now if you want. But there may come a day you’ll wonder ‘what if’.” The west Texas sun begins to set and bloodred clouds reef out into the western horizon. An owl screeches from a nearby oak and it flies into the air with great wings silhouetted against the reddening sky and lightning flashes from distant bl...

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“One day at a Time” by Sam Lambe

Submitted to Contest #208

It was a Saturday, and a few weeks before his 40th birthday that Laurent Wilson stared out of the dirty window that overlooked his back garden. The weeds were overgrown, to the point that it was impossible to see the grass beneath. Dark grey clouds threatened to burst. He hadn’t been out in the garden in quite some time – always excusing himself from fixing the abomination which it had become by complaining about it being either too hot or too cold. When Laurent and his wife Elizabeth had moved into the house on Partick Crescent the garden h...

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“Take Me Out of This Ballgame” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #208

Three curious teenagers sit on a hill above the baseball field watching Jovanny “Jumbo” Rotelli lumber around the bases. “It’s ninety-eight degrees and he’s been running wind sprints for the past half hour,” Aiden Burke comments. “When we beat Jumbo’s team, Mr. Rotelli is going to wonder why his son was gassed after three innings.” Pushing her glasses up off the end of her nose, Polly Progreski gives Aiden a challenging look. “You’re so sure you’re going to win?” the gangly brunette asks. “Two years ago, we beat the Bison’s 12-3 for the ...

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“Lilee” by Robin M

Submitted to Contest #208

God damn she really can pull off those gold aviator glasses. I mean, who do you know that can pull off blue light gold aviator glasses without looking, I don’t know, strange?! A bit out of place? I have to admit, it’s pretty badass. Like, I kind of want to be her friend. Not necessarily to know all about her but to have her listen to me. Is that odd? Lilee is often the quietest one in the room. They say those are the ones you should look out for. It’s the talkative ones that leave it all out there, but the quiet ones… they observ...

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“Epic Run” by Shane Cooper

Submitted to Contest #208

Chocking back tears, Aaron watched his little brother walk into the room. Through blurred vision he trailed his siblings silent saunter. Circumnavigating the bed, Clayton plopped into a leather chair, peaked his fingers together and cracked a grin. Straining to see his brothers cocky smirk, he blinked back the wetness wishing he could wipe before his little brother noticed. “Tell me everything!” He stammered.Clayton punched Aaron on his soft muscular shoulder that hand’t lifted from it’s silky prison in years. “Brah, it was epic.”Aaron’...

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“Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Sav Lightwood

Submitted to Contest #208

Outside, the inky cloak of nightfall. A starless night cradled a city of muted steel, bathed in the glow of sterile streetlights and the whirr of infrequent cars. Inside, however, was a different realm entirely. Like the peak of dawn, the tavern was ardent with activity, alive with hearty cheer and the glow of warm firelight. Ale and lager flowed vivaciously on tap, the odd scent of scrumptious pub food and excited patrons dissipated into the high, crystal-crusted ceiling. Bustling backpacks. Clinking coins. No matter what time of day, the...

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“No Jon” by Becky Steele

Submitted to Contest #208

"Are you there?" Nothing. "Nick, if you'd like to discontinue our chat today, please let me know you're safe and we can end the session and follow up later." Nothing for a few more seconds, and then an ellipsis icon appeared in the thread. I exhaled with relief. At least he was still there. "Jon is here. Gotta go. Thx for the chat." The chat window closed. Nick didn't opt to take the survey and in a way, I was glad. Nobody completes the surveys--well, almost nobody--and the few who do have nothing good to say. It wasn't favorable f...

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“The Vicari-ers” by Ryan Nix

Submitted to Contest #208

"Press the red circle at the bottom of the screen and begin speaking clearly into… oh it’s on, uhm, alright, I guess this is my first log entry in service of Vicari… Vicariant #75139, dated Monday October 9th at 6:15 PM. I acknowledge that I am under no circumstances to contact Vicariant #75139 and furthermore I am to remain inconspicuous yet observant throughout the duration of my conscripted service. I further pledge to follow all instructions provided and complete all assigned tasks in support of Vicariant #75139’s success. Thus concludes...

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“The Witness” by S. Gardford

Submitted to Contest #208

And so he takes center stage just as the lights dim throughout the theater. And the spotlight shines like the strange eye of some god, highlighting the strong bones in his face, leaving a ghastly impression. We all hold our collective breath as his eyes harden and he believes deep in his soul that he is Othello himself, in all righteous indignation and insecurity. "IT IS THE CAUSE" he bellows and goosebumps cascade across my neck and arms. The rest of the monologue ripples through the audience with similar fervor and power and we are left wi...

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“The Allure of Tracy Station” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #208

Tessa had worked at The Whiskey Barrel for nearly four years now. The town folk knew it for its cheeseburger and stake fries, cold domestic beers, and enough whiskey to drown a horse. If she wanted to stay in the small town of Frankville limited her choices of employment and the fear of leaving this place was nerve-racking. The owner of the Whiskey Barrel coached her high school soccer team so it was an easy in. Most people in this town worked at the local slaughterhouse, but the smell had caused Tessa to become a vegan ear...

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“Stylus” by R H Sallow

Submitted to Contest #208

Carl’s gaming chair, with its cracked upholstery, multitude of off-white and reddish-brown stains, and faint, rotten sweet stench, was only the centerpiece to his vile quarters. There were less putrid decorations strewn about – dirty laundry dating back two months (which amounted to five or six outfits) and knick-knacks and peeling posters of animated characters – but the corners of his room hid the most offensive filth. A moldy, maggot-ridden trash bin was toppled by the closet, welcoming anyone brave enough to enter with a paralyzing odor,...

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“Garrett Ruiz” by Lou Riel

Submitted to Contest #208

Garrett Ruiz was not only beautiful, he was also painfully charming. And hypnotic. And intoxicating, like the world’s most expensive cocktail. It didn’t matter what your palette or your tolerance was, you could never consume enough of him. Both of his smiles, his cheeky onscreen smile and his sinless offscreen smile, could generate power for a thousand cities until the planet gave out. His skin was lightly tanned, his proportions were exceptional; not even including the lean muscle gained from vigilant weight training and cardio, he had been...

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“Goodbye” by Sivashankary Gopalsamy

Submitted to Contest #208

March 10th. 2015 As the sun sets in the distance, the mourners start to disperse. One by one, they turn and walk away, giving Roxanne a gentle pat on the shoulder, or a sympathetic nod as they pass her on the way out. Eventually, she’s the only one left, stony-faced, still staring at the fresh mound of earth beneath which her best friend now rests. Pretty white and pink roses are strewn on the grave, and as the trees sway in the cool, gentle breeze, the weight of the reality finally hits her: Janet is gone. Her best friend of 30 years is g...

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“Glory and Sacrifice ” by Eric E

Submitted to Contest #208

The clouds hung low in the sky like pillowy mountains that were mysteries to those who gazed up at them. Above them the sun burned evenly, spreading an indolent haze. Below them, it was the first day of Wimbledon and the green was strikingly verdant against the array of colours the spectators wore. Nikola Marusic was preparing to serve, and he approached the ball boy behind him who brought out three balls. The ball boy’s name was Max Hunter and he tried his best to stop his hands from shaking as his idol approached him. Marusic towered above...

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Write a story about someone living vicariously through someone else.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 32 stories

“The Piano” by Maggie Holman

“Eight Seconds of Revelations” by Larry Litton

“One day at a Time” by Sam Lambe

“Take Me Out of This Ballgame” by Michael Jefferson

“Lilee” by Robin M

“Epic Run” by Shane Cooper

“Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Sav Lightwood

“No Jon” by Becky Steele

“The Vicari-ers” by Ryan Nix

“The Witness” by S. Gardford

“The Allure of Tracy Station” by Madeline Honig

“Stylus” by R H Sallow

“Garrett Ruiz” by Lou Riel

“Goodbye” by Sivashankary Gopalsamy

“Glory and Sacrifice ” by Eric E

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story where the characters start to realize that they are, in fact, just characters.

Write a story about a character who finds a childhood toy that brings back memories.

Write a story about someone who is constantly being put into a box by others.

Set your story in a rosy-pink world where everything is rainbows and unicorns… until it isn’t.

Contest #208

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

238

Contest entries

85

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: