Start a story with someone saying, “It’s mine, and you can’t have it!”

Posted in Dialogue on Feb 10, 2023

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 25 stories

“It's Mine, You Can't Have It” by Karen Snell

Submitted to Contest #185

“Whoa, that’s great rock pile! There must be a thousand rocks in there. And some of them are huge. I could really use those to fill in the hole where we are going to lay the concrete slab for our house.” “Oh no. These rocks are like my friends, we’ve been through a lot together. I wouldn’t let you drop them under a concrete slab!” I was taken aback that the old lady was going to hold out on giving me those rocks...

2 comments 2

Read story

“On-Hand Off-Grid, Part 2” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #185

The cabin. It looked almost as fresh as the day it was commissioned five years ago. It was sealed off from all kinds of parasites, from bugs and vermin to stray animals and homeless people looking for an easy place to squat, with Jerome being the only one who can get in. Upon arrival to this beautiful set-piece in nature's theatrical environment, he stepped out of his Jeep and took the craftsmanship in. Simple, sturdy, and the perfect home away from home. With a great happiness welling in his throat, he turned toward the direction of the cit...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Volcanic Music” by Paige Ladd

Submitted to Contest #185

“It’s mine, and you can’t have it,” he says, looking like a child despite his thinning hair, and his neck wrinkles.I look from the selection in the vending machine, to the crackerjack box in his hand, and I have serious concerns about this guy. We have only known each other two or three days. I‘ve been doing double time on my short legs to keep up with his long ones all morning long. I’m used to that, of course, in the marching band . . . but still.People warned me that Naples would be confusing. One guy even told me, “At least there’s vendi...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Cluttered Life” by Jewel Storm

Submitted to Contest #185

“It’s Mine, you can’t have it!” Mary had always been an avid collector. As a child, she had kept every toy, every book, and every trinket that came her way. As she grew older, her collecting habits only grew stronger. She spent hours scouring thrift stores and garage sales, always on the lookout for the next treasure to add to her ever-growing collection.At first, Mary's collecting was harmless. Her apartment was cluttered, but it was manageable. But as the years went by, Mary's collecting habits grew more extreme. She started hoarding every...

4 comments 4

Read story

“The Devils Temptation ” by Floral Forever

Submitted to Contest #185

"Its mine and you can't have it!" "Stop being selfish Ivy." "Yea I agree with Sarah, you shouldn't answer tough times like these with greed!" "Shut up Lucy No one wants to hear you preach all day!" "How about you all be quiet? I think the amount of dinner is pretty good today, especially with our current circumstances." As Christine said that, we all began to look at the deserted piece of land that we had no choice but to make do with. Honestly, I never thought I would be sitting on an island catching unlucky birds and eating wild berr...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Jack And His Sticks” by Chelsey B

Submitted to Contest #185

“It’s mine, and you can’t have it!” Jack shrieked. He yanked a stick out of Dominic’s hands, then whacked him on the head with it, before tossing it into the growing collection at his feet. Dominic howled as he rubbed the side of his head. Tears spilled from his eyes, and snot dropped from his nose. The other children in the playscape stopped to stare at the small boy cowering on the ground, and the tall boy glaring down at him. When Teacher Tess heard Dominic’s cries, she rushed to the scene. “Dominic, are you okay?” she asked, crouch...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Songs of the Spanish Renaissance ” by Jerrine WIRE

Submitted to Contest #185

10. Songs of the Spanish Renaissance “Art critics, be damned.” “He’s so creative, it blows my mind.” “He’s got to be one of the most talented painters in America.” “Everyone at the MFA thinks Charlie’s a genius.” &nb...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Broken Mind” by Melody Hart

Submitted to Contest #185

Trigger Warning: This story has depictions of Alzheimer's/Dementia in it. “It’s mine and you can’t have it!” I speak out loud to God, from the comfort of my own bedroom, clutching my journal to my chest. Someone knocks on my door. “Come in!” "Good morning, Leila! How are we doing this morning?" I am asked as Shelby walks into the room and sets down a breakfast tray, and a little plastic cup of pills. "A bit foggy, but it could be because I haven't had my coffee yet." I say. I count on my fingers one to five, repeating the memories in my ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Afters” by Sam Poelstra

Submitted to Contest #185

"It's mine, and you ... can't .. have it!"The cup of blood slipped from Mystic's hands and hurled itself into the air. It was one of those moments that's freeze-framed. Record-scratched. Suddenly I was no longer wrestling her for it. In this extended scene in my mind, I'm able to walk up to the two of us dueling it out on the linoleum, Mystic's arm outstretched to choke me while I bat her away. I push my own arm to the side and move hers so that it looks like she's going to town on some giant booger. Idiot. I easily grab the suspended cup an...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Stephen Oracle Salis” by Iris Murphy

Submitted to Contest #185

This story implies death of many kinds and abuse. Discretion advised. “It’s mine, and you can’t have it!” May screeched, pulling the toy away from me. Her grubby hands yanked the stuffed dog back into her clutch. “It used to be mine! I don’t want you to get it dirty!” I protested. I had fond memories of that dog. His name was Rusty, and he protected me from my nightmares as a child. Mom says I don’t need to sleep with a toy now that I’m ten. I still have nightmares, but I’ve learned not to scream and cry. I don’t mind letting...

0 comments 0

Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about someone who doesn’t know how to let go.

Dramatic – 121 stories

Someone’s beloved collection is destroyed. How do they react?

Adults – 25 stories

Write about a dragon who doesn’t know what to do with their hoard anymore.

Fantasy – 63 stories

Set all or part of your story in a jam-packed storage unit.

Mystery – 46 stories

Contest #185

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Hoarding Away

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

138

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 17, 2023 EST

Won by Lynda Williams 🏆

Title: Jesus and Jockeys

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Start a story with someone saying, “It’s mine, and you can’t have it!”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 25 stories

“It's Mine, You Can't Have It” by Karen Snell

“On-Hand Off-Grid, Part 2” by Steffen Lettau

“Volcanic Music” by Paige Ladd

“Cluttered Life” by Jewel Storm

“The Devils Temptation ” by Floral Forever

“Jack And His Sticks” by Chelsey B

“Songs of the Spanish Renaissance ” by Jerrine WIRE

“Broken Mind” by Melody Hart

“The Afters” by Sam Poelstra

“Stephen Oracle Salis” by Iris Murphy

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about someone who doesn’t know how to let go.

Someone’s beloved collection is destroyed. How do they react?

Write about a dragon who doesn’t know what to do with their hoard anymore.

Set all or part of your story in a jam-packed storage unit.

Contest #185

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

138

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: