Your character picks up a fallen leaf and can’t believe what they discover underneath it. What happens next?

Posted in Fall on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 38 stories

“The Forest” by Renda Hanson

Submitted to Contest #118

If only I had not turned over the leaf. If only I had not found the hidden treasure beneath. If only. It was too late for “if only” now though and I was in the middle of the dark, cold place. A place I should not have been. A place between one realm and another, living and dead? I gave myself a mental shake and tried to retrace how I came to be here.Two days ago, I had decided to go on a camping trip, away from chaotic city life and to a place to rejuvenate by infusing myself in nature. I needed something to recharge me. I was burnt out, tir...

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“Maxim and the Ring” by O.R. Corporon

Submitted to Contest #118

(CW: mentions of sex)It was September of 1932, Moscow. Maxim was walking through a park, his head down. If he had looked up, he might notice that the leaves had changed considerably since he last took a walk through that particular park, or that brown leaves littered the ground and walkway. He might have also noticed that there were a surplus of ducks in and around the water, bothering old babushkas on the bench up the path for breadcrumbs. But he didn’t notice. Maxim had a problem, and he was trying to figure out a solution. It wasn’t an ea...

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“Falling Leaves of Autumn” by Danny G

Submitted to Contest #118

I still don't know what I was looking forAnd my time was running wildA million dead-end streetsChanges by David Bowie. It was my ringtone.Glancing around to make sure my boss wasn’t around, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the number.My heart skipped. It was the call I was waiting for.I ducked down behind my cart just in case Mr Burson saw me and ripped me a new one. We weren't meant to be on our phones during work hours. I pressed the button, “Hello” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “Hello,” I repeated, louder this time...

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“Expect No Less” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #118

Hardly spilling any of her mimosa, Alice spread her arms. “Where’s the magic? Countless fairytale princesses were wooed and won by their shining knights… Why won’t the universe…?” Mary and Jen made sad faces at Alice’s frustration. “My priest said ‘the universe doesn’t give a…’” “I know what your priest said, Mary. I can’t believe a priest would say that in church.” “He was just making a point…” Mary nudged Jen who stifled a giggle. Each sipping a mimosa, Alice, Mary and Jen slipped out of the lakeside restaurant. They strolled the rough p...

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“Autumn's Winter” by Mariah Heller

Submitted to Contest #118

The crisp air was invigorating as she went for her morning walk through the small acre of wild blackberries and Douglas Fir trees behind her house. The sweet scent of the morning dew permeated her mind, emboldening Olivia’s senses while registering the fine mist surrounding her. Her brisk pace woke her up daily, better than any morning cup of coffee ever could. As she was taking in the damp air, filling her lungs, and on her skin, she paused to pick a few wild blackberries. The tart juice was limited but still attempted...

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“Where To Look” by Sarah Rich

Submitted to Contest #118

She walked along the path with a soft comfortability. The wooded area near her home always brought her peace. It was something she could always look forward to. For a moment, she paused as she heard a rustling on a nearby stump. She flicked her eyes left to right before catching the source of the rustle. “A leaf,” she whispered. She crept over and carefully brushed away the orange and dried leaf that had fal...

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“Orange sparks, autumnal blaze” by Divya Narasimhan

Submitted to Contest #118

Araina walked swiftly, mumbling hasty apologies to pedestrians she blundered into, her vision blurred by tears. Cursing, she swiped angrily at mascara-streaked cheeks and bit down on her trembling lip. She would not break down. Three days. She had three days to break away from the life she’d built. Her heart felt like it was going to burst from pain, and she wrapped her arms tight around herself, as though this would stop her body from exploding into ash and smoke from a burning pyre of rotting terror.What was she going to say...

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“Ela” by Eric Diaz

Submitted to Contest #118

Ela woke to a very cold autumn Morning. Not wanting to leave the warmth and comfort of her bed, however, thinking she shouldn't let the day go to waste she forced her self to get up and sluggishly walked into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. Ela turned the cold water knob of the faucet and began filling the coffee pot full of water. Looking out the window she took a deep breath, then exhaled, "Must be the first frost of the season," she muttered while noticing a shimmer of white glistening over what used to be a lush green field o...

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“The Gift” by Anna Harris

Submitted to Contest #118

Well all right ... only because you’ve asked. What I personally think it is, is miraculous. And honestly, I do understand it’s one of those things you wouldn’t – couldn’t – possibly believe, unless of course, like me, you’d seen it with your own eyes but I can assure you it’s absolutely true.Some say miracles only ever used to happen in times past, before people began recording things properly and before magicians and illusionists were a thing. You know, like Jesus turning water into wine? I’d be interested to know your thoughts on that, by ...

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“Hidden Secrets ” by M. M.

Submitted to Contest #118

November 17, 2021Javier walked across his large yard as usual, taking his Australian shepherd Zooloo out for her morning run. It was still early, the sun was just beginning to rise through soft hazy shades of pinks in the sky, frosted puffs of cotton breath in the air, promising a crisp day ahead. Zooloo ran ahead of him, through the piles of leaves on the far side, near the maple and apple tree's, now darkened with the onset of winter; leaves fallen to the ground, branches bare and cold. Except for the wind rustling, silence permeated his ...

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“Rucci” by Justina Clark

Submitted to Contest #118

TW: Sexual assault mention, suicide.RucciI am Marquise L. Lanford. I am an artist. An aspiring artist to be exact, my current work of art was deemed "too insipid," for its trouble. A leaf is what I painted, a simple fucking leaf is why I am at odds with my work.Where did the inspiration for this painting come from? I remember it vaguely. The lies I tell, I remember it as clear as day.Week 1"Open your legs," I instruct the nude model as she wears a blank expression. She is twenty-two years old. A child in my eyes since I am middle-aged. ...

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“Decay” by Lee Ma

Submitted to Contest #118

TW: body horror. Lacy wasn’t in a particular mood as she was walking to the bus stop from work, it was the kind of day in which nothing interesting happened besides a mild discomfort from a 2:00 stomach ache. The honey sun shone through the Autumn trees lining the road and reflected off droplets from a brief rain, creating enough glare to cause the brunette to look down as she walked. Her non-heel work style shoes shuffled through the crispy remains of a vibrant season, and with a whimsical feeling she picked out crunchier looking leaves to...

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“Under a Leaf” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #118

In an old town hall half-filled with 50 to 60 people who are members of the local speakers club, a white-haired man wearing an ancient tweed jacket, a well-worn white shirt and faded brown pants begins his speech. The audience has no idea what his presentation entitled “I was on a walk one day” is going to be about. “I was walking one day through what I call the ‘alien forest’. I have not said this out loud to anyone before, as I didn’t want to answer any question...

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“Blown Away” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #118

Lindy jumped for joy as she saw Grace extricate her lanky frame from her little car. Grace was attempting to carry multiple bags, which she promptly scattered as she swept Lindy into a bear hug. “Still living up to your name, I see,” said Lindy, laughing. “Graceful as ever! Welcome, sister. So glad you could keep me company while Dave's away.” A stocky man with a buzz cut and ear protectors suddenly appeared in the garden next door. With military bearing, he began marching up and down the lawn, wieldin...

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“A Walk in the Park” by Thomas Farrell

Submitted to Contest #118

A Walk in the Park by Thomas E. Farrell Jr. Today, finally and yet dreadfully had come. The morning sunshine burst through the curtainless windows, awakening Simon; causing him to squint his eyes before turning his face from the blinding light. He drug his body up off the comforter beneath him. The make-shift bed that gave no relief from the bruises that appeared on his hips. Bruises caused by the bare hardwood flooring under the once comfy bedspread which used to cover and keep him warm at night on his long gone queen-sized mattress. This o...

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Your character picks up a fallen leaf and can’t believe what they discover underneath it. What happens next?

Submissions are closed

✍️ 38 stories

“The Forest” by Renda Hanson

“Maxim and the Ring” by O.R. Corporon

“Falling Leaves of Autumn” by Danny G

“Expect No Less” by John K Adams

“Autumn's Winter” by Mariah Heller

“Where To Look” by Sarah Rich

“Orange sparks, autumnal blaze” by Divya Narasimhan

“Ela” by Eric Diaz

“The Gift” by Anna Harris

“Hidden Secrets ” by M. M.

“Rucci” by Justina Clark

“Decay” by Lee Ma

“Under a Leaf” by John Steckley

“Blown Away” by Bettina Karpathian

“A Walk in the Park” by Thomas Farrell

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with “Today’s the day I change.”

Write about a character, animal or human, who is reborn as something totally different.

Write your story from the perspective of an outsider watching something or someone change.

Set your story during a sudden change of season.

Contest #118

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

206

Contest entries

140

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: