Imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity.

Posted in Dystopian on Apr 19, 2024

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✍️ 59 stories

“Folly- Episode 1: Adam” by Syed Mashud

Submitted to Contest #247

Warning: contains themes of violence, substance abuse, and mental healthThe people of Avaritiae do not know beyond what they have been provided access to. Most of their lives, they have lived in these lands, which are abundant in produce but have rotted away their souls. Their souls are barren and can yield nothing that etches the fervor of the human heart. The men here have the freedom of speech but are stripped of their freedom of thought. Life is a mechanical procession of thoughts devoid of exploration. Minds are like caged birds, capabl...

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“Breaching the Invisible Wall” by Rachel Zabrina Zammit

Submitted to Contest #247

Never go past the walls of the city district.There was never a reason. Never a very good one in my opinion anyways. But there it was, the rule to never go past the clear forcefield wall that provided so-called safety to its residents. One could not even see the wall itself; as the wall that surrounded the city district functioned much like a screen – looking like a desolate wasteland beyond.I walked the long way home from the market to pick up herbs and various spices from the underground co-op. No one could grow anything in our own gardens ...

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“Something Better” by Kyle Gardner

Submitted to Contest #247

The sun had begun its descent, casting her final, frostbitten rays of pale light upon the greyness of the earth. What once was the true giver of all life, the one true god we all collectively as a species so divided united under was now nothing but a broken sphere of molten rock, its surface bare and ashen. But what else could man do? We had broken everything else. It was nothing personal against Earth herself, it was just our nature. It was simply only a matter of time. Rubbi...

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“The Great Escape” by Leslie Cieplechowicz

Submitted to Contest #247

He waited, seeing if she would catch her mistake, his ebony body looped in coils in the corner. The UVB light irradiated his smooth scales and the stiff, plastic plants in his enclosure cast sharp shadows across the sand, reminding him of his prior home. His tongue winked in and out, tasting the air, his slitted golden eyes watching. The young zookeeper hunched next to the back of the king cobra’s exhibit, her fingers tapping wildly on her cell phone, a tear from her nose hitting the screen. Her blond hair clung to her...

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“The Play” by Tereza Bartošová

Submitted to Contest #247

The woman gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh through the thin fabric. He avoided the woman's piercing gaze, the unnatural joy holding the corners of her lips upwards. He chose to ignore her twitching eye, the tears humbling her face. This woman was his mother, or so he believed.The woman shook him, voice laced with fear, "Never question, obey."The boy lived in a rather strange place - a nameless world. A world in which life seemed scripted, much like a play in theatre. Now, the curtains were closed, the next scene yet t...

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“Just A Little Longer?” by Taylor Weeks

Submitted to Contest #247

I wouldn’t say I’m a rule breaker per say. A rule bender, definitely, but I’d never purposefully disobey my parents. And I’m bad at it anyway. Dad would be able to hear my racing heartbeat in a second and then I’d be caught and grounded even faster. Which is why I waited until they were both out of the hut for the day. We’ve needed more wood for a new table ever since Mom accidentally broke it climbing to get something from the top shelf, so I knew they’d be gone all day. The plan was simple: Wait until Mom and Dad are past the clearing...

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“The Discoverer” by Joseph Keener

Submitted to Contest #247

Letter to the Institute of History, Dear sir. Below are the last words on Nelson spoken by my grandfather, as transcribed by my late father. Your institution has pestered my poor, elderly mother quite enough with its idle threats of disavowal and excommunication. Our faith is not your faith, but still regardless, you have scared her enough. My grandfather was a man who cared very little for who heard him talk and the manner of his speaking, so direct all complaints of the letters’ contents to his grave. Go rot, Gaston du Armont "Where do I ...

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“Secrets of the Swampland” by Jean Ballard

Submitted to Contest #247

Content warning: gore to do with injury, body horror, mentions of snakes/snake attack Sevi pulled her scarf quickly to cover her face as if that would allow the guards to let her pass through the gates if she were discovered. Even at night, her linen clothing clung to her skin, the humidity of the swamplands forever unforgiving. The swamplands, a sinister and encroaching force, were not just a physical barrier but a symbol of the Rovnish government’s iron grip. They surrounded and encompassed Rovinia like a persistent shadow; their energy ...

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“Beyond the walls” by Kolton Jennings

Submitted to Contest #247

In a society where exploration beyond the confines of the known world was deemed too perilous, Lily found herself yearning for more despite the risks. Trapped within the confines of her tightly regulated community, leaving was out of the question – a notion reinforced by the stern warnings and surveillance of the authorities. But Lily couldn't suppress her innate curiosity, a spark that flickered defiantly in the depths of her soul. She longed to see beyond the sterile walls and monotonous routines, to discover what lay hidden in the world b...

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“Beyond the Walls” by Penelope Caldwell

Submitted to Contest #247

Links to my other books: https://editor.reedsy.com/s/wsaTP7u (Magic After Midnight)https://editor.reedsy.com/s/ON2zB3v (Crimson)Since I was young, I've always felt like I've had hundreds of eyes on me.Watching me.As I've aged, it's only occurred to me that I do.The government watches me. My family. They make sure neither I nor my mother do as much as glance outside. If we do, we could be put to death.The curtains are drawn closed, and the wooden door has been perfectly put into place so no cracks of sunlight shine through.The government hate...

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“Through the Storm Drain” by Levi Michael

Submitted to Contest #247

Edgewood Creek swelled quickly when it rained, pooling into a swirling pond at the opening of the double culvert that fed the network of tunnels providing drainage to the sprawling sleepy suburban neighborhood of Jack London Park. During the summer it became a dry creek, its bed lined with cement-bag-shaped stones and surrounded by a heavy grove of poplars, cottonwoods, oaks and privets. The two culverts laid side-by-side, each three feet high. The face of the bridging walkway passing over them was painted with both vulgar graffiti and...

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“Forbidden Expedition - a Covert Exploration” by Elysa Casselman

Submitted to Contest #247

Forbidden Expedition – a Covert Exploration The air is dense with silence. My energy is focussed on resisting the soothing draw of mesmerisation, a natural by-product of rhythmic breathing: breathe in, hold for three, pause, breathe out, repeat. When my focus fades and my thoughts slip into the pre-sleep relaxed unconscious state, I pinch the tender skin on my stomach, jolting me back to consciousness. Mindful of the night vision camers, I keep my eyes closed tight, ignoring the tiny electric green glint that flashes in the top corner,...

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“This Life” by Sofia W

Submitted to Contest #247

IntroductionThis life is so limited. I am confined to my town, to my people, to my home. Although, it does not feel very homely. People are watching. In this life, people always watch. Behind every corner, every nook and cranny, nowhere is safe. You can never be alone. This life is a life not worth living.My mother and father do not love me. They lock me in my room whenever I wander, when someone finds me attempting to climb the wall that separates me from the world beyond. They fear me escaping and finding out this world's secrets. This lif...

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“Home body ” by Sahara Carter

Submitted to Contest #247

I made my home, next to a liquor store, in a wooden house as cold and unappealing as I was.The "open" sign provided a glowing metaphor in March:there is light in the dark.A kitschy sign hangs in my living room too, above a stack of firewood, acquired from a nearby yard sale that says, "Home is your sanctuary."I discovered that it is easy to preserve the sanctuary - just don’t leave.And don't we all know how easy it is to just not leave. Those sweet weekends of pure dilapidation, the unruly lacking, the euphoria of di...

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“Beneath The Plateau” by Paker Fine

Submitted to Contest #247

The fog marked the edge of the world. It marked inexplicable pain, suffering, and certain death. But I’ve touched it now. Why was I still alive?I was back again, bag packed, standing at the edge. Nobody would notice, nobody would think to notice. I wouldn’t have. Why would anyone think to willingly step into a raging fire or lay face down in the hot spring?The fog swirled just below my feet. The first time was an accident, maybe I got lucky. The scrape on my leg from the fall still ached.I was going to touch it again.It was colder than I rem...

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Imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 59 stories

“Folly- Episode 1: Adam” by Syed Mashud

“Breaching the Invisible Wall” by Rachel Zabrina Zammit

“Something Better” by Kyle Gardner

“The Great Escape” by Leslie Cieplechowicz

“The Play” by Tereza Bartošová

“Just A Little Longer?” by Taylor Weeks

“The Discoverer” by Joseph Keener

“Secrets of the Swampland” by Jean Ballard

“Beyond the walls” by Kolton Jennings

“Beyond the Walls” by Penelope Caldwell

“Through the Storm Drain” by Levi Michael

“Forbidden Expedition - a Covert Exploration” by Elysa Casselman

“This Life” by Sofia W

“Home body ” by Sahara Carter

“Beneath The Plateau” by Paker Fine

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of diary entries, written by an explorer as they make their way through what they thought was an untouched location.

Set your story on a spaceship exploring the far reaches of space when something goes wrong.

Center your story around a character’s personal exploration, whether it's trying a new hobby, visiting an unfamiliar place, or learning something completely new.

Write a narrative about a group of scientists exploring the deepest parts of the ocean.

Contest #247

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

258

Contest entries

102

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: