Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned — but there are ways to get around the rule.

Posted in Dystopian on Jul 12, 2024

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✍️ 25 stories

“The Hand That Delivers” by Shrub S

Submitted to Contest #259

Every day, Wren would wake up to the sound of the Tyche Party’s anthem blaring through the speakers that filled every street in Ariste between 7:00 a.m and 7:30 a.m. She would toss and turn for a few minutes before getting out of bed to brush her teeth and wash her face. Over her usual breakfast of overnight oats, Wren would turn on the TV and watch the morning news and Alvar Order broadcast.The Alvar Order was the official religion of Ariste, led by Lily Fabian Finn, the High Priestess of the Order. Lily’s word was law, truth, and gospel; a...

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“Stay Positive” by Kat Best

Submitted to Contest #259

Dry leaves tumbled down the empty street. Samantha stared out her window. The cloudy glass made it difficult to see out clearly. Yet, she knew no one was out there. No one ever was out there. Why aren’t children playing? She turned and walked back to the kitchen. She needed to figure out what to make for dinner. Opening the fridge, she leaned in searching the shelves. Nothing. I need to do the shopping. Samantha sat down at her computer and launched the grocery website. She scrolled through the food options and selected the usual...

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“Mums the Word” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #259

Prompt: Dystopian- Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned-but there are ways to get around the rule. Mums the WordImagine a state or society where there is a totalitarian government with suffering and injustice. Yet that society is situated in picturesque rolling hills, verdant forests, and agrarian farmlands. Parades frequently occur showcasing the nation’s greatness with thousands of spectators showing their devotion. Are these words merely descriptive, theoretical, or deceptiv...

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“The silence of angels. ” by Ben Ebert

Submitted to Contest #259

The sunlight failed to break through the thick grey clouds that rested over the town and threatened to start thundering against the gloomy molding wood and brown mud of the town of Augthorpe. The town had a ripe stench of pigshit that no one seemed to notice after a week or two. Twelve houses, a couple of kennels for livestock, and a single pub for passing travelers, not that Augthorpe got many visitors these days. Not since they built the church, triple the size of the other buildings, and the only one to be built of stone and lined with fi...

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“Dragonflies and fireflies.” by Daisy R

Submitted to Contest #259

The stale air tore through his hair as he leaped across an alleyway. Angry cursing followed behind him. He couldn’t help but spare a glance behind him. The dolts looked ridiculous, wearing neon skin tight uniforms that only accentuated their lack of optimal physique. Not to mention they glowed, some stupid thing about them being the physical representation of ‘the light to follow’ or whatever.He looked back ahead of himself and slipped back down to the ground. Even though the enforcement down here wasn’t the most disciplined, what they lacke...

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“The People's Vindication” by Carlos Hernandez

Submitted to Contest #259

THE PEOPLE’S VINDICATION It’s in events such as these in which Sheila would get to stop and see the ample view of how she’d gotten here; how we all had. After all, Vice President Coe never noticed when he had crossed the line with the rest, letting the very death of democracy fade into the past before anyone could express their pain for it… It’s a good coping method, that of denying, then oversimplifying, and finally letting such tragedy grow old too fast so as not to bother the new order as if it weren’t new at all, but the way things shoul...

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“The Coiled Snake” by Remington Lamons

Submitted to Contest #259

Mark’s hand rested on his bloated intestines as he hobbled into the doctor’s office. He took the clipboard and gingerly sat. Nerves mixed with pain as he determined what to write. He rehearsed (in his mind, of course) his word choice and hand motions. He hoped his concerns were unwarranted. He’d likely be assigned to a room that hadn’t been retrofitted yet. He drove past three other hospitals to get to County General, which was one of the last still under renovation. He tried to ignore the professionally cheery...

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“Don't Mention the Match! (Word Count: 1,110)” by LC Munro

Submitted to Contest #259

Earth, 2101‘Ohh! What a goal!! What perfect timing! You can hear the home fans in their jubilation! If you’ve just joined us, where in the System have you been?! In the dying moments of the first ever Solar System Soccer World Cup, the Earthlings have beaten the Martians three to two thanks to twenty-year-old Ariana Bruce. What a match… Steve?’‘That’s right, Jim. This young lady has propelled herself - and the globe’s team - to intrastellar stardom for sure! Our children… our children’s children - will...

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“The Day The Music Lived Again” by Peter D Tutty

Submitted to Contest #259

Steven Wilkins. A rock legend. A genius of his craft. The fact that he was unbelievably gorgeous just added to his massive fan-base. Steven had dominated the music scene since 2030, and the beginning of the Great Rock Purge. All discussions about Rock and Roll were outlawed by the United Nations and ratified by all 206 member states. There was no discussion allowed. You could play it, but you couldn’t talk about it. Blame the riots of 2027. After Donald Trump came to power in ‘24 and all restrictions on carrying guns were abolished and that ...

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“The TRUST Directive” by Melinoe Renata

Submitted to Contest #259

Cass expected an ordinary day with her books and coffee. Then, she saw it. Official Notice. TRUST Directive. The notification hung menacingly to the decorative glass inset of the wooden door. Cass rolled her eyes as she snatched the nauseating yellow notice off the door. As it loomed over her thoughts, her methodical routine of preparing the store comforted her less than usual. Every morning, her body moved through the store, completing each task. Odyssey Books, her beloved sanctuary, had just turned five years old. The familiar smell o...

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Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned — but there are ways to get around the rule.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 25 stories

“The Hand That Delivers” by Shrub S

“Stay Positive” by Kat Best

“Mums the Word” by Pete Gautchier

“The silence of angels. ” by Ben Ebert

“Dragonflies and fireflies.” by Daisy R

“The People's Vindication” by Carlos Hernandez

“The Coiled Snake” by Remington Lamons

“Don't Mention the Match! (Word Count: 1,110)” by LC Munro

“The Day The Music Lived Again” by Peter D Tutty

“The TRUST Directive” by Melinoe Renata

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about two people who aren't admitting their true feelings for one another, despite it being obvious to outsiders.

Place your characters in a tough situation, where nobody wants to acknowledge the reality of what's happening.

Write a story that includes the line, "Is nobody going to say it?".

In a small town, a powerful family have a dark secret that nobody wants to discuss. One day, an outsider arrives, who's not happy to simply drop it.

Contest #259

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

293

Contest entries

142

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: