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

“Smoke and Lights” by Li'l Sushi

Submitted to Contest #281

CW: Death, PTSD VE Day, 1945. Somewhere in London. The pub is drowning in the light. The stench of strongly-scented perfume and cigarette smoke seems to seep from its pores, filling up every corner in a manner that should be suffocating, yet is instead somehow liberating, just in its very existence. Jazz music plays at the side and champagne flutes clink, pulsing in sync like a collective heartbeat. Florence weaves in and out of the exuberant crowd, inhaling the elation, the freedom. She plucks empty glasses out of strange hands th...

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“In Return for the Gloves” by Zachary Thomas

Submitted to Contest #281

It was two weeks before Christmas, and Marty Blevins had just finished installing the last LED bulb above his fireplace, which was now lit up like a shrine. It was the final accomplishment, the final brush stroke, on his home remodeling work of art. Calling it “art” was probably high-minded, but Marty knew he was standing in a large new living room that had once been just a dirty old carport. Marty’s wife Gloria had been busy arranging chairs around the tables and fumbling with the stereo remote, to get the music just right. She wore a ...

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“Im Sorry, Bri” by Dara Norris

Submitted to Contest #281

“The parties this saturday, MY NEW YEAR’S PARTY! Everyone's welcome.” ….Exactly. I was thinking the same thing when I heard that sentence come out of Sasha Grean's mouth. The last time Sasha threw a party it didn't go quite well. A man had us all scared inside the house while he was banging on the window in a Ghostface mask with a knife– I mean the police showed up and it was just the angry neighbor next door who hated the parties Sasha would throw but as a 16 year old teen, it was traumatizing. Now I’m 18 and a senior, I haven't been t...

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“The Uninvited Guest” by Charlie Christmann

Submitted to Contest #281

The temperature plummeted to record lows on Christmas Eve as the quaint New England town of Havenwood was preparing for its annual celebration. Frost crept across windowpanes in delicate patterns, and breath emerged in visible puffs as townspeople hurried through the streets, arms laden with last-minute party preparations. The town hall's warm lights beckoned like a beacon through the gathering dusk.Inside, twelve-year-old Lily Morgan helped her mother arrange cookie platters, sneaking a snickerdoodle when she thought no one was looking. "Mo...

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“Tom's or John's or Steve's or Mike's Friend” by Elizabeth Rich

Submitted to Contest #281

The house was lit up inside and out. A ten foot tall Santa stood moored to the front yard, inflated and lit up from within. He was surrounded by a ring of 24-inch wooden elves, each one raising both arms skyward, as if they were worshiping this guy who wore a strange red getup, trimmed out in white fur, who stole into people's homes in the dead of night. He must have been in cahoots with the man who drove the ice cream truck in the summer or some creepy guy in a white panel van who cased neighborhoods for unsuspecting children. How could thi...

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“Yule Horns of the Birch Branch” by Evvan Erb-Liddle

Submitted to Contest #281

The carriage trundled its way through the snow. The farmsteads outside blanketed and silenced. Small glimmers of light escaped from behind drawn curtains of the houses that passed. Dilapidated structures losing their battles against the weather, providing meager warmth to the creatures hidden within. Some nearing igloos, buried in the relentless depths of winter. The carriage passed through tall iron gates embedded in thick brick walls. Out of the window Emile could see the mansion ahead, its towers and brick work ensconced in white. A monum...

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“Burning Truth” by Austin Lucero

Submitted to Contest #281

“It pisses me off.” Daniel took a sip of his drink. “Most of the promotions have already been handed out,” said Daniel. “Even that HR lady. Casey—Carol— or whatever. She got promoted too,” said Daniel. His gaze drifting to the gleaming chandelier lights reflecting on the polished floor of the venue. The vast space was adorned with green, red, and silver trees, twinkling lights, and every festive touch money could buy—courtesy of being one of the top tech companies in the world and hiring decorating professionals.Jacob leaned in. “It’s a...

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“Plum Pudding Puzzlement” by Cindy Miller

Submitted to Contest #281

1819 Tambray-Thames, EnglandLady Millicent George, acting governess in the Moorcroft household, was seconds away from setting the plum pudding on the festively-adorned, snowflake-covered table in the dining room. General Alastair Moorcroft, 15th Marquis of Tambray-Thames, along with his wife Susanna and their three children (ages 5, 4 and 3, respectively) – Petunia, Pansy and Patrick – were gathered for a Christmas celebration to welcome their cousins for a visit for the holidays. Family were traveling from Paris, and the journey was typical...

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“Christmas at Emily's” by Kristen Papach

Submitted to Contest #281

“I wish your sister would decorate the house the way she used to.” Trevor frowns at me before responding. “What are you talking about? It looks great in here.” I shake my head in his direction. “She used to make it much more festive. It looks like she forgot to decorate and threw something together last minute.” He rolls his eyes. “Give her a break, Mom. It’s nice enough that she’s hosting everybody at her house. Besides, she doesn’t have as much time to spend on decorating now that she’s got children of her own.” I suppose Trevor’s right. E...

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“A Sinister Symphony” by Ivana Pavićević

Submitted to Contest #281

This story contains sensitive content only by mentioning: Sexual assault, Abuse,Child abuse, Suicide, Murder, PornographyGolden chandeliers hung like imprisoned constellations, their light smothered by the stifling scent of pheasant, perfume and wax: intoxicating those lost in their own power.The hall devoured time in golden mirrors, while crimson curtains hid gardens where flames licked the infernal. ...

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“The Man in the Blue Suit” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #281

Monica stepped onto the verandah, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The fireworks had just gone off to celebrate the New Year of 1922. For a moment, the explosions had returned her to her nursing days at the front lines and her heart was still pounding. She pulled her wrap around her, shivering in the frosty air. The older guests had departed. Inside the house, her sister Dalia was rolling back the carpet with the assistance of her friends and cranking up the gramophone. Soon the frenetic strains of ragtime filled the air, punctuated b...

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“The Stranger in Crimson” by Caroline Guirgis

Submitted to Contest #281

The Barrington Christmas Eve party was always the highlight of the season. Helena Barrington had spent weeks ensuring every detail was perfect. The twelve-foot tree, adorned with heirloom ornaments, stood at the center of the grand ballroom, its star twinkling like a beacon. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled with the soft strains of a string quartet, creating a picture of Christmas perfection. This year, however, the festivities had an unusual edge. Helena couldn't shake the feeling that something was... off. It wasn't anything tangible...

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“A Discordant Carol” by Bec Newton

Submitted to Contest #281

“Who's ridiculous idea was this?” the woman asked bitterly as she pulled her furs higher under her chin. She seemed not to notice her flaking makeup dusting her collar in a sad mimicry of the snow falling outside. “Come now, Marcia,” her companion droned in a nasal monotone. “You know full well that Randell likes to play his silly games. The more uncomfortable we are, the more he delights.” Marcia’s nose crinkled as her lip curled. “Couldn't he play them somewhere warmer? It's the coldest night in ten years and he decides to host his party i...

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“Christmas Cocktail” by Roxana Enculescu

Submitted to Contest #281

WARNING! This story contains sensitive content: physical violenceIt was Christmas Eve and the Bradford family was hosting a dinner party, to which they had invited 20 people, sadly 8 of them were unable to attend.Lady Bradford was already dressed and ready at 4 p.m. The party wasn't until 6 p.m., however she took pleasure in keeping a watchful eye over the staff of her household. She was floating around the dining-room in her red chiffon dress, her hair up in a tight ballerina knot, her make-up and accessories gleaming impeccably, however th...

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“Patient 47” by Andra Patterson

Submitted to Contest #281

“God damnit Florence, the guests will be here in under 5 hours, and the goddamned lights are the wrong color and the fucking chicken is rubbery.” “I understand ma’am. The proper resolutions are being implemented as we speak. Johnathon is over with the electrician now, adjusting the wiring and ensuring a stronger connection. It appears the cables were at an odd angle, and the pressure was causing a decrease in the power outlet. Once that’s done, they will all be the same even shade of rose gold. As for the chicken, well it was not as fr...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 60 stories

“Smoke and Lights” by Li'l Sushi

“In Return for the Gloves” by Zachary Thomas

“Im Sorry, Bri” by Dara Norris

“The Uninvited Guest” by Charlie Christmann

“Tom's or John's or Steve's or Mike's Friend” by Elizabeth Rich

“Yule Horns of the Birch Branch” by Evvan Erb-Liddle

“Burning Truth” by Austin Lucero

“Plum Pudding Puzzlement” by Cindy Miller

“Christmas at Emily's” by Kristen Papach

“A Sinister Symphony” by Ivana Pavićević

“The Man in the Blue Suit” by Bettina Karpathian

“The Stranger in Crimson” by Caroline Guirgis

“A Discordant Carol” by Bec Newton

“Christmas Cocktail” by Roxana Enculescu

“Patient 47” by Andra Patterson

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with someone receiving a strange — and possibly sinister — gift.

Write a story from the POV of a non-human character.

Set your story during the coldest day of the year.

Write a story that includes the line “Be careful what you wish for.”

Contest #281

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

309

Contest entries

154

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: