Center your story around a character bargaining for something that's important to them.

Posted in Dramatic on Jun 14, 2024

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✍️ 43 stories

“The Fallen's Plea” by Martin Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

The Fallen’s PleaThe celestial courts of Heaven were a sight to behold, bathed in divine light so pure and overwhelming that it was hard to look directly at it without feeling a surge of reverence. Angels sang in harmonious choirs, their voices weaving an ethereal symphony that seemed to float on the very air. Their sounds were a testament to the eternal glory and peace that filled this sacred realm. The presence of God was everywhere, a palpable force that imbued every corner with an essence of unwavering love and justice.Amidst this celest...

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“The Wolf-Stag” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #255

The wolf skull in the abandoned mine was sitting atop a rock. The skull itself was covered in spiderwebs and lit by the blue, bioluminescent bacteria that was hanging down in thin strands from the ceiling a few meters above it. Strangely, the wolf skull had very large antlers as well which were also dripping in cobwebs and bioluminescent bacteria. The walls of the cave were a deep, inky black: so black and smooth that it reflected the lights of the bacteria back and gave the place a neon-blue hue that permeated everything in it - including t...

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“I Am Not A Robot” by Peter Warnock

Submitted to Contest #255

I AM NOT A ROBOTJack and Gale sat back and marvelled at the stupidity. No matter how hard they tried, the robot program wouldn’t let them speak to a human.“Try this one.” Together they had tried everything they could think of. “Human in need of human assistance!”Jack typed it in, but the same answer came back.“I’m sorry, but I’m only a robot. Please ask a question so that I may help you.” This seemed to be the only reply that was available.Jack scrolled down the page, and started counting. “That’s an even 50.&nb...

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“The Bedtime Bargain” by Darren Hansen

Submitted to Contest #255

I anxiously watched the glowing numerals on my smartwatch, waiting breathlessly for those holy numbers to appear. All around me were flying toys, high-pitched screams, and wrestling toddlers. Oh, and the strong smell of sweaty children. If you have spent enough time with kids, you know the smell I am talking about. Finally, the screen flickered and those holy numbers which were declared to our forebears by angels of heaven in years of old, bringing peace to the aged and weary, appeared. 7:30 PM. “Bedtime!” I declared (joyously, of cour...

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“Whispers of the Music Box” by Jeannine Grillo

Submitted to Contest #255

Wexlern pushed open the creaky wooden door of the old antique shop, a small bell tinkling above him as he stepped inside. The smell of aged wood and dust greeted him, mingling with the faint aroma of something floral, like dried lavender. He paused, letting his eyes adjust to the dim, warm light filtering through the cluttered room. Shelves and tables were crowded with artifacts from another time: ornate picture frames, delicate porcelain figurines, vintage clocks ticking softly, and countless other curiosities. He wasn't here for just any ...

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“Madam Savior” by Phoenix Mingo

Submitted to Contest #255

*Note from Author* Cult and poison references, corpse references, depiction of being dragged to 'Hell' Rules of man are flimsy and ultimately uncaring. The notion of morals are forever changing depending on who is of higher power, so it hardly ever stays in the minds of those not of our realm. For insistence, the now popular notion of a person under the arbitrary age of eighteen being unable to sell their soul as they themselves are unconsenting property. Of course, demons do not have to abide by these rules to a point. What is occurring ...

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“The Consumable Rebel” by Alexa LoSchiavo

Submitted to Contest #255

He was taking his test this morning…The single most important test for any young person at the age of 18. It was May 25th, otherwise known as the Choosing Ceremony. This ceremony had become a tradition ever since the Earth became a place that could no longer be abundant, that could no longer carry all these people. Every adult who chose to have a kid since the year 2300 signed a paper stating that their child would be admitted into the Choosing Ceremony on their 18th birthday. Earth had become depleted, and its resources were spewing into th...

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“A Bargain for Redemption” by Douglas Render

Submitted to Contest #255

Lyle lived in a quiet fishing village surrounded by beautiful waterways. He had the largest, most opulent home in the village. The grounds were perfectly manicured by migrants hustling from the border to work for pennies. Known for his shrewdness in business and his silver tongue, he had built a prosperous life for himself but also made many enemies and committed countless sins in his relentless pursuit of wealth and power. As Lyle aged, fearing for his soul, Europa, his guardian angel, began to infuse images of eternal damnation into his d...

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“It's Just A Piece of Paper” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #255

Prompt: Center your story around a character bargaining for something that is important to them.IT IS JUST A PIECE OF PAPERIt was a blustery cold day when a group of us passed through the entrance gate with the words “Arbeit macht frie”. I was a young lad of 12 years so I was ready to do what the sign said. I will work hard to secure my freedom. My head was still hurting from the impact of a soldier’s gun during Kristallnacht. Others were not so lucky as they bled from their wounds caused by the shattering of windows that were Jewi...

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“Don’t Let Go” by Anat Kalinski

Submitted to Contest #255

“Please, Rachel, please! Let’s just go home.” Oli begged relentlessly while Rachel was weeping in front of him. “I’m so sorry, I can’t.” She cried. He knew deep down what was about to happen, even though it was so difficult for him to comprehend. “I know if we just go home, we can fix this. We can be happy together. Forever! As long as we’re together. I don’t need anything else, can’t you see that?” And she did. She understood him better than anyone ever did, and he her, but she also knew that ending things was the only way to stop the pain....

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“Internal Struggle” by Samantha Kabiling

Submitted to Contest #255

“Christine I’ll be better please, you have to trust me on this.” This is all I hear on the phone like a broken record player. I don’t want to hear Zack anymore. I don’t want to hear this stupid excuse anymore. I know I’m stronger than that. Staring at the voice message he sent me and replaying it over and over like it’s an addiction. He cheated on me and that’s it. It’s been five years and he’s messed up everything. I want him back, but I can’t. It hurts too much.*** I woke up to another voice message from Zack. I wish I had the strength to ...

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“Fearful Liaisons” by Summer Maynard

Submitted to Contest #255

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" I felt a kick in my side. I looked up into the eyes of Diablo, mastermind of the streets."Ohh," I started to whine. "Please you must leave me be. Pick on someone your own size, like a whale!" then I kicked and hit back. "Diablo winced in pain for a minute. Then he spat. "You're lucky I'm on my way somewhere or you be a meal in the dumpster for a rat!" he retorted."So then be on your way! Vite! Vite!" I tried to get up but couldn't. My fall I think had broke some bones."Eh." I rolled over and propped ...

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“Crossroads” by Michael Balliew

Submitted to Contest #255

TW: Death and disappearances Mia parked her car off the edge of a dirt road. She was nervous, having spent the whole drive here desperately trying to convince herself to just turn around and head back home, but her desire..no her need was greater than her fear. "I'm here now anyways," she said, shaking the thoughts from her head. Turning off the vehicle, Mia gathered a bag from the passenger seat and stepped out into the cool November night. She had a bit of a walk ahead of her. This wasn't someplace she was supposed to be perse, and while t...

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“A Plea Bargain” by Miller George

Submitted to Contest #255

I wake up to a tap on my shoulder. It is my father. My neck screams in pain as I attempt to wake up. I wince, but I open my eyes. It takes me a second to realize where I am. The insistent rhythmic beeping quickens my realization. As I shift in my chair, a book falls off of me. I must have fallen asleep while studying. I looked at my father, but he had already walked away. From the doorway, he tells me I'm going to be late. I look at my watch. It is 4:57 am. I take a long breath to prepare for the day. ...

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“Antique” by Christine MacPherson

Submitted to Contest #255

Even though it was well over eighty degrees outside, Crystal wore black jeans and a faux leather jacket over a red top; her lips smudged with bright red lipstick, her eyes shaded gray and black. She was nineteen, with a backpack full of her things strapped over her bony shoulders and almost no plans to speak of. She stood at the counter of the pawn shop, looking intently at the man behind the counter as he evaluated her item. “I can give you… twenty for it,” the man finally said. “Twenty?” Crystal said. “It’s got to be worth at least, I don’...

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Center your story around a character bargaining for something that's important to them.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 43 stories

“The Fallen's Plea” by Martin Maynard

“The Wolf-Stag” by Cajek Veilwinter

“I Am Not A Robot” by Peter Warnock

“The Bedtime Bargain” by Darren Hansen

“Whispers of the Music Box” by Jeannine Grillo

“Madam Savior” by Phoenix Mingo

“The Consumable Rebel” by Alexa LoSchiavo

“A Bargain for Redemption” by Douglas Render

“It's Just A Piece of Paper” by Pete Gautchier

“Don’t Let Go” by Anat Kalinski

“Internal Struggle” by Samantha Kabiling

“Fearful Liaisons” by Summer Maynard

“Crossroads” by Michael Balliew

“A Plea Bargain” by Miller George

“Antique” by Christine MacPherson

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a someone who's in denial.

Write a story about anger.

Start your story with a character in despair.

Write a story about someone finding acceptance.

Contest #255

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

365

Contest entries

142

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: