Write about someone rediscovering something old they thought they’d lost.

Posted in Fiction on Mar 31, 2023

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✍️ 67 stories

“Soil on The Skin ” by Liz Johnson

Submitted to Contest #192

‘Hey!’ I shouted firmly. I can’t see her but the patter of her feet stop immediately. I hear her start to take one more tentative step. ‘Don’t you dare!’ The foot retreats. This back-and-forth with Maddie is the most excitement we get in this house these days. That sounds more depressing than it really is. You get used to it eventually, the only sounds in the house being your own plus maybe some tired paws. It has become more of a comforting silence than an empty one, but it did take some time to see it that way. I finish stirr...

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“To Be A Man” by Edward Smith

Submitted to Contest #192

To Be A Man By E. V. Smith Nash pulled his ’53 Skylark into the driveway around eight in the morning, and for a wonder he was sober. Well, mostly sober. The drive from Nashville was a fever-dream, having taken forever in the blink of an eye. It was, he supposed, the way anyone might feel, the way the traffic getting out of town had been maddening, knowing that it didn’t matter if he simply pulled over and parked. It’s bad enough, he thought, getting a call like that at...

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“The Painted Man ” by Jess Horowitz

Submitted to Contest #192

The Bistro was quiet by 7 o’clock that evening; a muffling dampness stilled the air, mixed faintly with the sweet smell of caramel treats and bitter coffee beans. A rustle from a reader’s paper, and the light crackle from the warmth of the fireplace were bare distractions for the gentleman seated, biding his time on a comfortable leather chair concealed behind the barista’s counter. Centered on the wall across from him was a rather abstract Persian painting in which he had been silently contemplating for the past hour and a half. He found hi...

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“The Nightgown” by Brianna Abbott

Submitted to Contest #192

As she was walking amongst the shelves in the storage unit, just as she was about to turn the corner, she saw something…just out of the corner of her eye. Something pink, presumed to have been lost or donated long ago. She turned her head out of disbelief, but there it was, the old rag doll with the pink nightgown, tattered in areas at this point, but overall not that bad especially not knowing how long it had been in storage. It was Brina’s doll with that same pink nightgown she finally snapped over and –borrowed’ so long ago. Her eyes well...

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“A Letter and a Broach” by Laurène Boutin

Submitted to Contest #192

A Letter and a Broach I was two weeks away from a career-altering move to France, where a job at an outdoor school awaited. I was part of a pilot project introducing the concept of plein-air learning to high school students and my job was to teach them English. I sat on the floor of my living room, going through papers hurriedly rammed into random drawers or tossed into forgotten spaces in a former time, this, in preparation for the move. I thought of stuffing the lot into a garbage bag and throwing it down the chute. But, as promised, ...

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“Lost” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #192

Before the final tallies, Kelly waited, hoping she was wrong. But when the announcements are made and she is out of a job, her eyes left the tv. Searched for Leah. In a plush chair, Leah runs fingers through her dark hair as though weaving thick ribbons. On her lap she is holding a plush black pillow. Under Kelly’s gaze, Leah blinks her wide blue eyes. “Can you and Paulo go and set up the Hillsborough place?” Kelly asks. Leah nods, uncrossing her legs, and then recrossing them beneath her. Her hands go to the pillow she is holding, s...

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“Hopes and Dreams ” by Rya Johnson

Submitted to Contest #192

‘Yes ma’am, this is a courtesy call from ABC self-storage. We will be auctioning off your storage unit on March 8th, so you have till the end of the week to remove whatever belongings you would like to keep.’ The woman professionally informs Emeri. ‘The end of the week? Auction off my belongings? On my birthday? Seriously? What are you talking about? My ex-husband, Johnathan Archer, pays for that unit. It’s in our divorce decree for him to pay!’ Emeri rambles as confusion distorts her face. ‘Yes maam he was but he removed his credit card six...

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Write about someone rediscovering something old they thought they’d lost.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 67 stories

“Soil on The Skin ” by Liz Johnson

“To Be A Man” by Edward Smith

“The Painted Man ” by Jess Horowitz

“The Nightgown” by Brianna Abbott

“A Letter and a Broach” by Laurène Boutin

“Lost” by Nancy Hibbert

“Hopes and Dreams ” by Rya Johnson

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone finding a treasure in an unexpected place.

Set your story at an antique roadshow.

Write a story about someone trying to reinvent themselves after spending a long time in a rut.

Write about someone stuck in an endless cycle who finally manages to break free.

Contest #192

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

248

Contest entries

144

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: