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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

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

“A Party of Surprises!” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #281

Prompt: Write about a mysterious guest who arrives at a party-but no one knows who they are. A Party of Surprises! Wow! The Christmas party was in full swing! It was only 7:00 pm and I did not think our house could fit so many people. My task, since I was still under drinking age, was to act as watchman of the front door entry way. I also collected any car keys to avoid impaired driving and serious liability issues. I felt assured there would be no problems because everyone seemed totally absorbed in festive egg nog drinking, bois...

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“Dinner and Murder (Part I)” by Chris Ashline

Submitted to Contest #281

It was a cold stormy night. Alexander MacElroy had invited his family over for dinner and for an announcement involving the future of his company and a special arrangement for one of them in particular. He made his fortune in the manufacturing of light bulbs. He had always joked that it just an idea he had. The guests included his widowed sister Debra and her children Brian and Lilith. He still referred to them as children even though they were both well into their thirties. His company lawyer, Stephanie Livings...

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“Uninvited: The Nightmare Guest” by Marissa Twardy

Submitted to Contest #281

The mansion stood in eerie silence, its windows aglow with the soft light of candles flickering in the dark. Snow had begun to fall heavily, blanketing the grounds in a layer of pristine white, as if the world itself had been hushed for this one night. Inside, the laughter and clinking glasses filled the grand halls, a stark contrast to the desolation beyond the walls. It was the night before Christmas, and the Langley estate was hosting its annual holiday gala. The fire roared in the hearth, the scent of spiced wine and roasted chestnuts ha...

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“The Stranger” by Bill Gregory

Submitted to Contest #281

The two top floor apartments of the building at 1144 Fifth Avenue had long ago been converted to a single penthouse, 27A, known as, Park View. Walls had been removed, rooms enlarged with windows on Fifth Avenue, commanding sweeping views of Central Park across the reservoir to the West Side, remodelled to create larger openings to the huge balconies running the length of the residence.    The Halpern’s had lived at Park View for eight years since retiring. Both having had notable careers in law. Gregory Halpern, as a distingui...

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“Jingle Bell Rock” by Eric S

Submitted to Contest #281

The surround sound system plays Christmas music throughout the whole house. Jake and Sarah are hosting a large party on Christmas Eve in their new home, which they just constructed. They moved to the country, far away from friends and family, to escape the city. After obtaining loans, they found someone who put up their dream farmhouse. They invited old and new friends to a Christmas and housewarming party. They both started working new jobs when they moved out of the city and made some new friends as well. "Isn't this amazing?" Sarah whispe...

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“Frostbitten Christmas” by Abbey Ryan

Submitted to Contest #281

The house strained under the weight of garish Christmas. Something felt… wrong. As though caught in a chilly loop of stifled memories. Daniel ascended his front steps, wary of the banister strangled with garland. The cold bit at his skin, but it was the flood of holiday music that churned his stomach the moment he opened the door. He plunged into a home not his own, the door smashing behind him. His soaring ceilings were smothered with evergreen garlands and glaring lights. A towering tree bulged with flowers and mismatched ornaments, overst...

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“Burning” by Shanna Wilson

Submitted to Contest #281

Note: This story contains sensitive information such as mental illness and violence. Please read at your own risk. Looking in the mirror, I spot a small bump on my face. Great—just one more thing to add to the list of worries. As I prod and poke at it, torn between risking an even uglier scar or heading downstairs to face 15 people while hoping they don’t notice the volcano of pus on my face, my brother strolls into the room through the open door to my left. Flashing his annoyingly perfect, gleaming smile, he chuckles and quips, “At least i...

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“The Man in the Purple Dinner Jacket” by Billy Edaem

Submitted to Contest #281

It was the 16th night of December and the Bolvier’s were hosting their annual holiday black tie event where all the largest donors in the city would congregate, drink, laugh and open their wallets for charity. Mr. and Mrs. Bolvier lived in a rather rural piece of offshoot land just outside the city limits.      Mr. Bolvier was a trust fund child who routinely found himself in precarious positions with precarious people doing precarious things. That was, of course, when he was just a boy. He became a bo...

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“Everpresent Radiance” by Andrew Darrah

Submitted to Contest #281

“Who’s that fella over there?” asked one of the rabbits.“Not sure. I’ve never seen him before,” replied a deer.“Well, he kind of looks like you… except for, well, you know,” a squirrel chimed in.“Yeah… what’s the deal with that?” asked another deer.“And what’s he doing here? Was he invited?” inquired a chipmunk.“Hey, it’s Molly’s party,” said the first deer. “She may know him.”The woodland animals had no idea what to make of this mysterious guest. He just wandered into the clearing, where they were holding a birthday party for their friend M...

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“Unexpected Guest” by Tempest Phoenix Smith

Submitted to Contest #281

Content warning: Contains sexual undertones and suggestive imageryPart One. ObserverAs I made my slow progress around the fringes of the dance and revelry, trying to ignore the more passionate embraces of the masked dancers because they stirred feelings in me that made me want to join them, I focused on my father.Though nobody else would have noticed, I could see that he leaned more on his ceremonial staff than ever before. Eyes alert under the ever-unruly white hair, watching for any unwanted intrusion, he was the one unmoving point at the ...

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“The Jester” by Daryl Barber

Submitted to Contest #281

The Jesterby: Daryl Barber Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away…crooned the voice from the loudspeaker, as Lacy and John swiveled their hips in time to the music. “How about some drinks to cool us off?”, asked John, straining to raise his voice over the sound of the song. “Sounds great!”, said Lacy, giving a thumbs up sign. She continued to dance, while John made his way over to the refreshment table. It was a very festive scene. Red and green lights swirled from the ceiling, making colored dots on the d...

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“Party Foul” by Jane Flautt

Submitted to Contest #281

The Kelleys’ holiday party took place like clockwork every year, and, like clockwork, it was as predictable and mindlessly boring as Mrs. Pope’s small talk in the churchyard after Sunday services.  So, understandably, Merriam did not want to go. Not a bit. She pleaded with her parents: “Just say I’m sick!” “We said that when you missed the Halloween party.” “Well, then I’ve relapsed, or whatever! I don’t care what you have to say, just let me go to Kyle’s party instead!” “No.” And that was that, as far as Mr. and Mrs. Brook thought. So ...

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“Sixty Years Ago, She Came” by Sandrine Boniface

Submitted to Contest #281

We can hear the wind howling—a mournful sound rattling the cabin’s windows. The fire in the earth paints an orange glow across the faces as the six friends huddle closer under the blankets.Outside, the snow is piling up heavily, a pristine blanket muffling the world.It is Christmas Eve, and Ethan and his friends, like every year, decided to celebrate Christmas with Ghost Stories.“OK,” Ethan started, “Did I already tell you about my grandmother, Rose?”“The one who was almost killed?” asked Lucie.“Yes,” Ethan continued, “I will tell you what h...

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“The Stranger at Winter's Hearth” by Ken Ng

Submitted to Contest #281

It was Christmas Eve in the small, snow-cloaked town of Bellingham, where warm lights spilled from frosted windows and the air hummed with the faint echo of carols. At the grand old manor of the Van Houts, the wealthiest family in town, a lavish Christmas party was in full swing. The ballroom sparkled with gilded garlands, towering evergreens adorned with silver and crimson baubles, and a roaring hearth that bathed everything in a golden glow.The townsfolk mingled, wine glasses in hand, laughter and music intertwining as snow began to fall o...

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“SolaCelestial” by Kira Akina

Submitted to Contest #281

A grand chandelier dangling with crystals lights up the immense ballroom with cool lighting. Suspended from the highest tier, at the center of the glass ceiling that opens up to the starry night, it twinkles as if it were a cluster of stars. Enclaved by a gradual spiral staircase-like ascension of upper floors, the ballroom is the centerpiece of the ground floor. White gardenias, orchids, and lilies paint the pillars, and wisteria pour out from the vases. Silver and gold sparkle throughout the room like moonlight on a lake. Anticipation fill...

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