Write a story about two characters whose paths briefly cross, but are actually going in opposite directions — whether literally or figuratively.

Posted in Dramatic on Jan 27, 2023

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✍️ 93 stories

“Of Harpers and Heroes” by Laurel Hanson

🏆 Winner of Contest #183

A smattering of applause dappled the last notes of his song. He let it die out in the darkening tavern before rising, joints stiff from the long performance.“Play the one about the Hero of Faron,” a voice slurred from a dim recess.“Aye, that’s a good ‘un,” Harrow acknowledged agreeably, hoping to collect his dinner without a confrontation with yet another inebriated villager. Slinging his guitar over his shoulder, he called out, “mayhap tomorrow night.”The drunk set up a complaint cut short by the innkeep harrumphing her way between them lik...

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“Snapshot Holmes” by Wendy Kaminski

Submitted to Contest #183

I'm pregnant, and I'm desperate to have my father be a part of her life, read the Facebook message. Mom refused to tell me anything about him, but I found this in her nightstand drawer. I'm hoping it might help. I reviewed the digital attachment, then messaged the sender – Carmen – to drop by my place that night after work with the original. Carmen had come to the right gal: I advertise on Facebook as Snapshot Holmes, Crack Image Detective, but my small following of fans just call me “The 2-D P.I.” Librarian by day, my true loves are photo a...

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“The End of the Line” by Rebecca Miles

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

The waveYour lips are telling me you love me and that you’ll be home tomorrow. I watch your legs briskly walking away. With decisive steps, you mount the train steps and the doors slide shut. When you sit at the window, I think perhaps it is so you can see me one last time; but when the train pulls away, you are already checking your messages. I raise a hand and wave to your bowed head. Is this gesture to catch your attention? Look at this tableau: your wife waiting on the platform, hand half raised.As you depart, an announcement crackles ov...

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“Mirror Mirror” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #183

So about the last thing I expected to find at Walmart was a haunted mirror. I wouldn’t have even gone, but Molly broke all of my mirrors when we parted ways, only she screamed about me breaking her heart or something, but let’s be honest, that’s a little dramatic. I didn’t have to spend three hours carefully sweeping shards of heart off my apartment floor. Mirrors break – hearts don’t. And the thing is, she knows how much those mirrors meant to me, and how much I detest screaming. It’s very unchill, my regimen is extremely demanding, and she...

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“Present and Beyond” by Corey Melin

Submitted to Contest #183

After reading the text, I had to sit down before I collapsed in shock. The one friend I spent much of my younger life with has suddenly died. “Too young to have died,” I thought as many memories as possible of us together came to mind. Memories of us before we went our separate ways. We just started middle school when we met for the first time. We sat next to each other and star...

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“A Matter of Life and Death” by Nona Yobis

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

At the edge of a dying forest stood Death, a shadow, tall and gray, mysterious and ominous. The forest had recently been the victim of fire, which ravaged its plant and animal life. Death moved along slowly, touching trees as he went, causing them to lose their remaining leaves and fall to ashes. He came across a fallen sparrow whose feathers had been scorched by the flames. Bending down gently, Death whispered, “Come with me and be free.” The little sparrow raised its weary head, looked up at him and sang a weak song, as it recogn...

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“Ending and Beginning: a Camino de Santiago Story” by Samsara Lind

Submitted to Contest #183

Nadia was navigating the GPS route on her app while holding Michi, her 2-year old labrador on lead as they zigzagged their way through rush hour traffic in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, the start of their Camino de Santiago[1]. It had been quite a whirlwind year for her and she was just glad that she managed to get there safely, and with the pup in tow too. As her mind wandered off, she failed to spot the step on the broad pavement and her ankle gave in, twisted, and lunged her whole body and the 10kg backpack she was carrying forward. ...

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“Aerelian” by C.B. Chribby

Submitted to Contest #183

Aerelian felt the fangs of the pijavica snag on his left shoulder, perforating his Imperial-issue tunic. Blood began to drip, if only for a moment before it was all licked away. He thrashed and kicked, rolling in the dirt. The monster’s silhouette in the torchlight was truer to its form than the image of a girl before him. Her hair was lilac, her skin was dark and healthy. Pillowy lips clasped around his wound. Though he thrashed and wriggled, her movements were nothing but graceful, mesmerizing. The only trait betraying her nature w...

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“A MIRACLE” by BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #183

Many people would agree that to raise and love a child is the only thing in life that has any real meaning. Wealth, fame, athletics, even intellectual pursuits, all amount to empty achievements in comparison to the profound importance of creating and nurturing life. One might even say that accomplishments such as winning a race, composing a symphony, or painting a beautiful portrait represent two-dimensional creativity, since, once completed, are set in stone, so to speak. They no longer have the opportunity to change, grow or transform. Whe...

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“In Too Deep” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #183

*Note: The following events are true, as remembered by me, aged 11.*Albany, on the southern end of Western Australia, is cold, windy and wild for most of the year. Yes, there is an exception of a few months where it is comfortable and rather warm, but there is very little time in the year where swimming, for a normal red-blooded mammal, is advisable.It was one of those times of the year where swimmers (the people who swim, possibly called ‘bathers’ in other parts of the country) had not yet begun to venture forth, even though the days were b...

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“Not A Nice Girl ” by Rissa Bee

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

****Triggers: Mental HealthSubstance AbuseSuicideThe boardwalk was moving. Side to side as if it was timed with the ocean. At least that’s what my brain was telling me, as it went through motions of a very outdated tab of acid that I was pretty sure didn’t fully dissolve on my tongue. It was a cool night for June, but I was starting to sweat bullets, while trying to tell my mind not to panic. I don’t know how enjoyable it could have been, considering what I was doing in the first place. Drugs weren’t the right choice, but they were the best ...

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“The Gladstone Bags” by Amanda Ellison

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

First to notice that their bags were identical was the velvet-clad bundle of menopausal flush, all feathered turban, red lipstick and suede winkle-pickers. In no other way were the two adjacent passengers similar. Is it even possible that this iPhone-clutching, business-suit-wearing wunderkind by her side would choose the exact same artfully- battered brown Gladstone bag as herself? You know, the type who probably prefaces every adjective with ‘super’ and interjects every third word with ‘like’. Most likely called Biba. Or Florence. Someth...

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“Julia Goes Down the Rabbit Hole with ChatGPT” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #183

(Julia) I hate my boyfriend. (ChatGPT) It's understandable to feel this way sometimes in a relationship, but it's important to communicate your feelings and try to work through any issues before making any decisions. If your relationship is causing you unhappiness and it cannot be resolved, it may be best to consider ending the relationship. (Julia) Yes! (ChatGPT) If you have made the decision to end the relationship, it's important to do so in a respectful and considerate manner. Communication is key, and having an open and hone...

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“Klingons Have Feelings Too” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #183

“Ah, Mr Chekhov, I was just admiring your gun.” As a chat up line, it isn’t great, but we’re at a Star Trek party (the original 1960s TV series, not any of the spin-offs or the much cooler, recently reimagined films), organised by my friend Jake, who just happens to be Nick (aka Chekhov)’s housemate. “It’s not a gun…” – his words are laced with flirtation – “…I’m just really pleased to see you.” He’s lying, of course – no one, no matter how well-endowed, has a detachable member that he can conveniently tuck into a holster at his side. But...

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“Sunflower” by Tracy Johnston

Submitted to Contest #183

Five miles in and I'm tired already but I feel the buzz of a new adventure moving through me. I set the purple backpack on the picnic bench and take a deep breath before opening it. Day 1 on the trail and I have a turkey and cheese tortilla wrap ready for me. Fresh food. Yum. I've already lost my appetite after two bites. I continue to chew, slower now. I look at the engravings and pull out my phone to take a picture. "Bill Bryson is a . . . " I read and then look down at the picture. That's right. He didn't finish. At least he tried. At lea...

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Ended on 23:59 - Feb 03, 2023 EST

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Title: Of Harpers and Heroes

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Write a story about two characters whose paths briefly cross, but are actually going in opposite directions — whether literally or figuratively.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 93 stories

“Of Harpers and Heroes” by Laurel Hanson

“Snapshot Holmes” by Wendy Kaminski

“The End of the Line” by Rebecca Miles

“Mirror Mirror” by Michał Przywara

“Present and Beyond” by Corey Melin

“A Matter of Life and Death” by Nona Yobis

“Ending and Beginning: a Camino de Santiago Story” by Samsara Lind

“Aerelian” by C.B. Chribby

“A MIRACLE” by BRUCE MARTIN

“In Too Deep” by Michelle Oliver

“Not A Nice Girl ” by Rissa Bee

“The Gladstone Bags” by Amanda Ellison

“Julia Goes Down the Rabbit Hole with ChatGPT” by Scott Christenson

“Klingons Have Feelings Too” by Jane Andrews

“Sunflower” by Tracy Johnston

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about someone who is cursed to always say the opposite of what they mean.

Write a story about two opposites finding themselves surprisingly attracted to one another.

Write about a character who uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism.

Write a story that includes the line “We’re just too different.”

Contest #183

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

249

Contest entries

125

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: