Set your story during a total eclipse — either natural, or man-made.

Posted in Fiction on Apr 5, 2024

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✍️ 73 stories

“The Bulbous Thing In The Sky” by Farai Gotora

Submitted to Contest #245

*** Depictions of racial insensitivity.***From 1789 to 1792 a series of volatile events erupted in France and collectively became The French Revolution. For decades, the ordinary and unheralded people of France took increasing umbrage with the absolute rule of the monarchy and engaged in actions that ultimately saw the dissolution of the French monarchy and the beheading of King Louis XVI and his patronizing wife, Marie Antoinette. These acts plunged France into a new era and this sent shockwaves amongst French nobility and across Europ...

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“Dark Skies ” by Kenzie Weitzeil

Submitted to Contest #245

Warm, humid, and dark, the cloud bank high in the sky didn't look like it would be going anywhere anytime soon. The air was heavy with moisture, making everything feel wet. Caroline glanced ever so quickly at the sky, confirming what she saw: a full-on solar eclipse casting an eerie shadow over the landscape. The brightness of the day never had a chance to show itself, replaced by an otherworldly dimness as if nature itself held its breath. Caroline couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was a rare event that just made t...

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“Eclipse Trials” by Lady Senie

Submitted to Contest #245

"Are you ready for this?" I looked at my love with disdain as his eyes fell to his feet in shame. What the hell kind of question was that? This event was likely to leave me scarred and bloody. I could die. Was I ready? The answer of a resounding no!The only reason this was even happening was Jerika Dookins had seen us making out three moon cycles ago. Everyone knew that Quentin Lirauge was off limits to everyone but her. The golden boy of Shainen Village, every woman wanted him. And why wouldn’t t...

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“Marylou” by Linda Kenah

Submitted to Contest #245

<<->> Friday - JonesyJonesy had the weekend all planned out. He was leaving after work on Friday to go camping with the guys. He really wasn’t too thrilled about camping, but this was the first time they had included him, so he was reluctant to decline the invitation. Plus, the girls were coming to the campsite on Sunday morning. They were going to bring coffee and stay to watch the solar eclipse. Viewing was supposed to peak at noon on Sunday. Marylou would be there, he had heard. He would do almo...

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“Opportunities” by Kevin Alphatooni

Submitted to Contest #245

The horn sounded its’ loud warning tune, echoing far beyond the wooden walls of New Haven. Everyone who heard it stood frozen and listened, fear gripping them tighter with each subsequent blast. Birds picked up from their roosts and took to the skies, squawking frantically. Five times the horn sounded. The dreaded fifth was seldom heard in New Haven. Men, women, and children all stopped what they were doing and ran. Shops were abandoned, work fires were put out, and those in fields took their tools with them as they beelined to the tow...

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“Gen” by Victoria Welter

Submitted to Contest #245

She’s asking me about work. About how my young students are doing… if they’re learning Spanish as quickly as they are English. I tell her that they are. That they know how to count, recite the alphabet, and name shapes in both languages. I’m talking to her. And she is responding. I can see her. She is in front of me. With her short salt and peppered hair that’s more salt now than pepper. Her undeniably brown eyes. Her skin, always tanner than mine. Moles. Freckles. Slightly crooked nose. I’m looking down at her 4’11 stature to my 5’2. I grab...

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“Puppets” by Glen Wiley

Submitted to Contest #245

Tom smiled as he heard his friend knock on the door. “Rod! Thanks for coming over, I was worried that you wouldn’t make it, we only have a few minutes before it begins.” He needed an escape from all the conspiracy stories filling his social media. It would be nice to sit back and chill with his high school buddy. “Thanks for inviting me man, sorry, traffic was nuts.” Rod reached into the fridge and helped himself to a beer. “You’re a smart dude, I know you understand all that tech stuff. What do you think of 5g? Are they trying to contr-” To...

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“Eclipse Escape” by Eric Smith

Submitted to Contest #245

The rust-colored Mustang sped down the road. Although it didn't look like much from the outside, its small block V8 purred along smoothly. The stereo blared loudly, providing melodies that went along with the rhythm of the engine. "Hand in hand in a violent life. Making love on the edge of a knife. And the world comes tumbling down…" With the top down, the Mustang sped along. The driver and his passenger's black hoodies and cargo pants stood out against the duct tape and off-white cracked vinyl interior. Behind the wheel, C...

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“Turn Around, Bright Eyes” by Kayleigh Ficarra

Submitted to Contest #245

Today was the day. Today was the day Nora Elizabeth Grant would finally screw up the courage to tell Imani how she felt. What better opportunity than the solar eclipse, the last total one in North America for the next twenty years? It was perfect. Imani had been raving about it for the last month, the NASA posters on her wall seeming to glow just a bit in her excitement. She had already made posts on all of her socials. Nora smiled down at a post that showed Imani with sun-and-moon inspired eyeshadow. There was no question about it. No...

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“I Will Wait” by Heather Bresslaw

Submitted to Contest #245

The hot sun beats down on the crowded stone port of Ugarit, an ancient city. The Sea Peoples’ primitive ships wade in the shallow water, ready to pounce if anything were to go awry with their regular trade run. The Sea People are fearsome and are known to be excellent navigators of the stars. A young couple are shaded by a small stone and plaster wall, near the wharf.“I have angered my God, your Gods, not to mention my father, look up at the sky, you can see”. Kostas tilts his head up as his sage green eyes gaze towards the sky and he sees t...

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“The Dark” by Suzanne Munn

Submitted to Contest #245

This story contains mention or suggestion of rape, murder and possible mental health issues. None are overly explicit and are essential to the story.She had known for most of her life about this day. The inevitability of it dulled the dread of something she had insufficient knowledge to understand, yet instinctively knew was evil. Despite her mother’s confused protestations and the servant’s hopeful reassurances she recognised the incomplete rationalisation for what it was. Fear.Simogen tossed and turned in the soft sheets, and sweat prickl...

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“PATH OF TOTALITY” by Brice Matte

Submitted to Contest #245

Sofie walked into the police station and looked around. It wasn’t as busy as she was expecting. But, then again, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Today was the first total solar eclipse in almost seven years. Everyone all over the country had been talking about it, and the citizens of Rucker, Texas were no different. In the week leading up to it, people were starting to go a little stir crazy in anticipation.“Hey, lieutenant!” Troy smiled. “Didn’t think you’d be coming in today.”“And miss all the fun?” Sofie smiled back. “How’s it be...

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“The Darkness of IT” by Hannah Broering

Submitted to Contest #245

The sky became filled with the dark shadows of the moon, covering the happiness that once sat throughout this small town. Everyone tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen. Now we have to suffer the consequences of their actions. We have to live through this nightmare, while they watch in astonishment. The blasting sound of everyone's screams filled my ears as I ran along with the crowd. I need to find her. My legs filled with achiness as I ran faster than I ever had. The sky seemed to lean over us, mocking our horror. The scientists did...

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“Darkness to Light” by Skye Adkins

Submitted to Contest #245

Stanley grimaced as the Whiskey burned down his throat in an agonizing but pleasant way. Shouldn’t he be used to the sensation by now? He couldn’t remember how many drinks he already had. The barman was quick in taking away his empty glasses and replacing them with full ones. If only life would work that way too, he thought bitterly. Replacing everything that’s gone with something new. He had lost everything. First his wife, his kid, and now his job. And no replacement in sight. The empty glass clanked on the sticky counter. He caught t...

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“A Fear of the Dark ” by Julia Kennedy

Submitted to Contest #245

Why are we afraid of the dark? Is it the inky blackness? The swirling shadows closing in on us? The way the light is squeezed out of every inch of our sight? Or is it the unknown that really scares us? Is it the feeling of not know what is behind you and what is to come? The feeling of being left in the dark. I have seen a lot of darkness in my life. Dark people, dark times, dark deeds. I should know that there is no black and white - there are only a million shades of grey in between. I should know that everyone has a shadow, no matter how ...

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Set your story during a total eclipse — either natural, or man-made.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 73 stories

“The Bulbous Thing In The Sky” by Farai Gotora

“Dark Skies ” by Kenzie Weitzeil

“Eclipse Trials” by Lady Senie

“Marylou” by Linda Kenah

“Opportunities” by Kevin Alphatooni

“Gen” by Victoria Welter

“Puppets” by Glen Wiley

“Eclipse Escape” by Eric Smith

“Turn Around, Bright Eyes” by Kayleigh Ficarra

“I Will Wait” by Heather Bresslaw

“The Dark” by Suzanne Munn

“PATH OF TOTALITY” by Brice Matte

“The Darkness of IT” by Hannah Broering

“Darkness to Light” by Skye Adkins

“A Fear of the Dark ” by Julia Kennedy

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in which a character navigates using the stars.

Imagine an origin myth that somebody might use to explain an eclipse, or some other celestial event.

People have gathered to witness a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon, but what happens next is not what they expected.

Set your story in a world where astrology and the movements of celestial bodies deeply impact the lives of inhabitants.

Contest #245

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

227

Contest entries

90

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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