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Write about a mysterious guest who arrives at a party — but no one knows who they are.

Posted in Dramatic on Dec 13, 2024

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✍️ 60 stories

Rescued by the Giant Octopus - Voyages of the Destiny's Dreams

Submitted to Contest #281

“In the ancient codices, how does the sun come back after it sinks into the ocean on the longest darkness of the year?” When the storyteller Ana spoke, she saw the shining eyes of nineteen-year-old Xochitli, the scholar of Nahuatl ancient history and myths.Xochitli's face and eyes showed someone with depths that held many secrets. The young Nahuatl woman spoke. “The sun, Tonatiuh, he who goes forth shining, is reborn as a hummingbird. It is in the hieroglyphics of the ancient codices.”She continued. “We must find the ancient codice...

46 likes 31 comments 31
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In the Bleak Midwinter

Submitted to Contest #281

The tall man spent some time scanning the list of names on the white marble tablet, ignoring the usual spiel at the top of the pediment. A list of thirty two men of the parish. Men of Piccadilly. He heard the footsteps, the deferent, diffident tread of a clergyman, impossible to ignore in the empty sepulchral space. ‘In from the cold?’ a voice enquired. ‘In all ways,’ said the tall man. He turned to face the fleshy vicar, and knew at once that he had been a padre in another life. The extensive decorations, the comforting smell of s...

31 likes 16 comments 16
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Sinister Wish

Submitted to Contest #281

Tom Williams walked into his office party and it looked so festive. The buffet was unbelievable. It was Christmas Eve, so it was bonus time for all the employees. Tom's top three were in attendance. Mr. Williams, Tom, started his department chain by hand in the hills of Arkansas. Before Tom, it was only the big box stores. He broke the mold though, and now these three were in control. The company put together this party to honor the three and everyone was dancing, drinking and having a good time. As he looked around the room, he only saw g...

27 likes 17 comments 17
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The Snow Globe Guest

Submitted to Contest #281

The Christmas lights cast dancing shadows across the living room walls as Daniel nursed his third glass of wine, watching the party unfold from his corner sanctuary. His notebook lay open on his lap, its pages as blank as they’d been for the past eight months. Even here, at Sarah’s annual Christmas gathering, he couldn’t escape the crushing weight of his writer’s block. “Still hiding in corners, Dan?” Sarah appeared beside him, her emerald cocktail dress catching the light. “You know, the whole point of a party is to actually interact with p...

25 likes 16 comments 16
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Pendulum Swing

Shortlisted for Contest #281 ⭐️

Tick, tick, tick. The party started at eight-thirty, but nobody could recall when the man arrived. The lady with the pink boa, quite extravagant for such an occasion, swore she saw him dance in. He swept through the double doors, she said, with a flourish so dramatic it must have been rehearsed.  Surprisingly, this grand gesture had drawn no attention besides her curious eyes. The lady with the pink boa had noticed other people at the party too, for she had a knack for noticing things. Not the things most people paid attention to. No, h...

23 likes 17 comments 17
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Whose Party Is It Anyway?

Submitted to Contest #281

Whose Party Is It Anyway?                         “Many are called, but few are chosen.”                                                       &nbs...

21 likes 3 comments 3
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The small impression that we leave

Submitted to Contest #281

Another knock at the door and Susan hastened down the hallway to welcome her friends.  “Come in, Alice, Bobby, oh, I love that dress, wine, oh thank you!” “How are you Susan?  It’s been ages since we’ve seen you.” “Oh, you know, here, give me your coats, Darren, Darren?!  Can you get a drink for Alice and Bobby please?” “Hello you two, good to see you!  What will it be Bob?  Beer, whisky?  G and T Alice?” Darren led Alice and Bobby to the modest, mid-century living room where the other friends and neighbours wer...

17 likes 4 comments 4
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Ironic Hubris Party Guest

Submitted to Contest #281

Oh, how delightful it is to be here among such intriguing companies! The audacity of it all is undeniable, isn't it? A certain bravado, a charming overconfidence, permeates the air, dancing around the table like a well-rehearsed performance. Isn't it almost like we're all part of a grand prank? The conversations swirl with a mix of wit and whim. Isn't it fascinating how irony unfolds? It's that delightful twist where what you anticipate takes a surprising turn, leading to the opposite of your expectations. Quite the conversation starter, wou...

16 likes 5 comments 5
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The Witch Who Came to Christmas

Submitted to Contest #281

The town lay wrapped in Christmas's warm, glowing embrace, its streets alive with the mingling scents of pine, cinnamon, and wood smoke. Snowflakes danced like tiny crystal messengers in the flickering light of decorated trees while the sounds of bells and carolers wove through the air like a spell. It was a season of traditions, of joy and togetherness, yet beneath the soft hum of holiday cheer lingered the shadow of a recent tragedy—a loss so profound it seemed to cling to the snow-covered rooftops, refusing to melt away. And as laughter s...

16 likes 3 comments 3
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The Stranger in Silent Night

Submitted to Contest #281

Brittle branches hung limp like remnants of forgotten joy as the small donated white office tree leaned in its corner. Its brown needles flaked off with every movement, leaving sharp, dry debris scattered across the floor. A cobble of twisted broken candy canes, frayed Christmas wrapper bows, and a meager string of popcorn and dark berries hung from the sagging branches, desperately trying to hide the tree’s sorry reality, but failing miserably.Connie moved slowly around the kitchen, perfecting the turkey stew. She’d tried to make the evenin...

13 likes 4 comments 4
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Impulse Control

Submitted to Contest #281

Disclaimer: Mild language and sexual nuance.“Where the hell is it?”Nancy was fussing about the kitchen, looking for the wine opener. She crashed through drawers, slamming them shut after nearly taking them off their runners jerking them open. She could feel Thomas was watching from the doorway.“Having fun?” She quipped sarcastically. “Nope, just hoping it'll make you aware there are other people around.”Nancy sighed. She hated when she got like this. It was always over stupid, pointless things, but her whole body would shake with violen...

13 likes 5 comments 5
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The Masquerade's Curse

Submitted to Contest #281

The grand ballroom shimmered with golden light, every corner aglow from chandeliers dripping with crystal. The party was in full swing, the hum of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. It was the social event of the season, hosted by the enigmatic Lady Rosamund in her sprawling estate atop Blackwood Hill. Everyone who was anyone had received an invitation, each gilded card inscribed with the promise of a night of revelry, mystery, and grandeur. But no one had expected the stranger. The figure appeared at the entrance just as the clo...

12 likes 4 comments 4
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Eve of Repentance

Submitted to Contest #281

New York City12/24/1928 Ritzy piano fills the halls of Benjamin’s mansion with a bombastic tune of Jingle Bells. As the exquisitely tailored host himself peers from the top of his staircase upon the sea of glimmering acquaintances, prancing with drinks in hand, Benjamin M. Kent thinks how thankful he was to be in here rather than in the unrelenting Christmas Eve cold. How gracious was he to invite so many to this party on such a harsh night. How lucky was he to carry such distinguished company, Benjamin told himself, coming down the stairs t...

12 likes 6 comments 6
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Uninvited

Submitted to Contest #281

                     On New Year’s Day private investigator Gary Tomlinson awoke at 7 am and tried to clear the throbbing pain from his head.  He then began mentally reviewing  the strange turn of events from the night before in his mind.     For the third year in a row, Gary had gone to the same country club party to which one of his clients had dragged him.  He only had attended the galas as a gue...

11 likes 1 comment 1
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Three's a Crowd

Submitted to Contest #281

In a season full of twinkling lights and rosy cheeks, there exists a bubble suspended in time. Frost covers the dark, wet ground underneath the feet of two people. Nothing about this moment is significant to anyone in the world, except for the shadowy figure squatting unceremoniously between the juniper bushes. The icy breeze brings tears to her eyes, at least she tells herself it is from the wind. Janice presses her palms firmly against her temples; her mind, normally bustling with sound, repeats the same shrill note.  The wind starts ...

11 likes 2 comments 2
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