Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Posted in Historical Fiction on Jun 10, 2021

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✍️ 154 stories

“The Reign Of Confusion” by George Davis

Submitted to Contest #85

The Reign Of Confusion—George Davis In my business I meet a lot of strange people. I have held a PI license for the past twenty years. The story I am about to tell you is true. I know. I lived it. My name is Damien Blake, born in the small town of Bickford in Maine, a rural area thirty miles northwest of Portland. I moved to the big city to set up my practice. The building known as Watson Towers is the tallest structure in Maine. At eighteen stories high it has no equal. It is in this building my story begins.&n...

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“Threads of Time” by Amanda O'Driscoll

Submitted to Contest #85

Footsteps echo on the wooden floorboards outside the parlour. I raise my head languidly towards the direction of sound but pay it little concern. It's probably Annabelle rushing about preparing the corridor for our coming guests tonight. Damn girl should've had my equipment ready this morning. I have half a mind to leave the heat of the fire and scold her, but reason against it. By supper I'm expected to make a decision regarding my work but, despite all my efforts, time is not on my side.For months I devoted my energy to unlocking the secre...

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“The Toils of a Scribe” by Sierra Tkacik

Submitted to Contest #85

“Welcome, students, to the castle of Laceit!” The teacher beams at them and holds her arms out, trying to add more pizazz to the grand building that lies before them. Moss and vines crawl up its exterior, giving Eleanor the sense that the structure was natural, when in fact, it was anything but. A tour guide swathed in velvet crosses the massive drawbridge to join them. “Hello, citizens!” He intones. “I am Lord Fredrick, and I will be your guide to the hallowed halls of the Laceit reign. Historically, it was written, Laceit castle had ...

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“The Mystery of Burleigh House” by Siobhan Mulalley

Submitted to Contest #85

Burleigh House 2021 Mike Calloway looked in to the hole in the flowerbed in the middle of the main lawn. He had recently purchased the derelict Georgian manner for a knock down price. The magnificent facade belayed the sad interior, neglected for the last 50 years as the previous owner had let the building decay. Damp and mould had overtaken most of the building, and as yet he had not ventured up the stairs as the once magnificent oak stair case appeared to have rotted most of the way up. The former staff cottage was currently home. The lo...

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“Martha and Sarah” by Robin Owens

Submitted to Contest #85

With sweaty palms, Martha opened her borrowed attaché case and slipped her resumé out to review it while she waited on a pew bench in the extravagant lobby. This would be her third interview that week, and her nerves were nearly frayed. She would be showing in no time, and she knew no one would hire a pregnant woman. Martha had stuttered during the second interview and had fought back tears as she walked home in defeat. On this morning, more determined than ever, she practiced her old speech exercises as she walked the 20 blocks to tackle he...

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“City Lights” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #85

1978 First Impressions I have arrived. Here I am, a small town kid who just got a good job, my first job that wasn’t working for friends of my parents. I am an employee at Woodbury’s Financial. And it’s in the big smoke, the city. I did not ever think that this would happen. I have to admit that I am a bit intimidated. Everyone seems so sophisticated, so big city. I wonder whether the people I am working with are going to think of me as the very opposite, almost smelling like I come from a small to...

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“Them, Forever” by Lyn Carstone

Submitted to Contest #85

1926 Pearl can’t help being a little awestruck as she stares up at the Hotel Finch. Forty floors of pure opulence. Anyone who was anyone came here for the parties and tonight for just a little while she would join them. “You sure about this?” Pearl glances to her sides. Henry shifts from foot to foot, his nerves getting the best of him. “Yes. I’m very sure.” Perhaps surer than she’s even been about anything in her life. “Thank you for walking me Henry, but you can go on home. I’ll be fine.” The look Henry gives her says he very much doubts t...

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“Gift of Love” by Anita Neal

Submitted to Contest #85

“Well, what do you think, John?” asked the pastor. “I don’t know Sam. The leak could have come from several places because it is a wide spread leak. We know this is part of the original exterior wall. And that adjacent brick structure was the chimney that was part of the original boiler. This church is over 100 years old, so I won’t know anything until I get in there,” said John as he looked through the attic beams trying to pin point where the leak was coming from. The trails of water were still damp where then ran down the length of the br...

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“Then and Now” by Gabe King

Submitted to Contest #85

Then and Now By Gabe King I walked into the office building not knowing what was happening. Our wifi had been shut down and service too. I couldn't watch the news or look anything up. With the coronavirus going around I had heard people talking about a new virus spreading but I thought it was just another string. I got to my office and started on my work. Since the power was out in my office I had to type using a typewriter. I brought the work I had done to my boss and he checked it over. “Write a ...

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“Escape” by Silver Erudite

Submitted to Contest #85

Dust covered her fingertips as they glided across the walls. The wooden planks creaked as her weight shifted with each step she took. Green vines peaked in from the outside uninvited. Mirror shards decorated the ground signifying a story lost to time. All the while there was only one word she could think of to describe this place—an escape. Just like there was only one word he could think of as he looked around the place—escape. He had to escape. It was a prison disguised as a beautiful mansion. He knew he should be grateful. Not many ...

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“Silver Diary” by Trista Shea

Submitted to Contest #85

Sarah sought refuge atop the roof outside of her bedroom window. She does this often in an attempt to escape the constant yelling coming from the living room downstairs. This time her mother was losing her mind over a text message John received from “some skank.” Other times they argued about Sarah and her “shit attitude,” according to John. But most of all they fought over drugs. Most of the yelling was over who did the last of it. Followed by who would be going out to get more and finally, who would be paying for it. This has been Sarah’s ...

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“Double Answer” by Adra Verse

Submitted to Contest #85

I just walked through the entrance. The door closed itself, but very tightly. I don’t think there is an exit anymore. Still, I have to move on. I have to keep walking. This is the place, I’m sure. I kept on walking, and walking, and I quickly came to realize: this building is changing. The corridor I was walking two minutes ago, isn’t a corridor anymore. It’s constantly shifting, and it feels like a labyrinth. Maybe I should’ve stayed outside, but I have to find the answer. This building is very tall, has 300 floors, and each floor is a maze...

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“Once” by Scarlett Gardiner

Submitted to Contest #85

I was once nine and ran though empty corridors, wooden sword clutched in my hand, sprinting after a girl with long brown hair who moved like the air. The castle filled with our laugher and screams of fright. My days were spent in the sun and my evenings on my fathers lap, attempting to get a word of praise or the promise of a new sparring lesson. Life was simple and sweet.I was once thirteen and loud, my arms thrown over the shoulders of friends as we strutted to the dining hall after practise, we talked of new books and lessons and the thou...

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“The Move” by Scarlet Scribe

Submitted to Contest #85

“Mom. I can’t believe the bargain I got on my new apartment. The movers are due any minute then I’ll be out of this rat infested hole in the wall I have lived in for the last three months. It was all I could find when I came to Philadelphia but my new apartment is on the best side of town. I was able to take a life-time lease on it at almost the same as I paid for this old one. Tonight I sleep in luxury, well, I will when the furniture is delivered. Tonight I sleep on an air mattress on the floor but at least I won’t worry the rats will atta...

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“Ashes to ashes” by Georgette Ball

Submitted to Contest #85

A fine layer of dust sat upon the angel’s shoulders and halo. The tiny pink flower held between her praying hands was nearly indistinguishable under that same gray, but her cheeky smile and playful shrugging shoulders made him grin. She didn’t get here by accident. This area of the library was not often visited as it held aged children’s books, which had been donated by a local author, and as every lover a books knows, you can’t just throw a book in the garbage when no one wants to read it anymore. You must love and care for it as you woul...

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Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 154 stories

“The Reign Of Confusion” by George Davis

“Threads of Time” by Amanda O'Driscoll

“The Toils of a Scribe” by Sierra Tkacik

“The Mystery of Burleigh House” by Siobhan Mulalley

“Martha and Sarah” by Robin Owens

“City Lights” by John Steckley

“Them, Forever” by Lyn Carstone

“Gift of Love” by Anita Neal

“Then and Now” by Gabe King

“Escape” by Silver Erudite

“Silver Diary” by Trista Shea

“Double Answer” by Adra Verse

“Once” by Scarlett Gardiner

“The Move” by Scarlet Scribe

“Ashes to ashes” by Georgette Ball

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a major city that your character has a love-hate relationship with.

Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Write about someone fighting to change their city neighborhood for the better.

Write about someone fighting to keep their city neighborhood the same.

Contest #85

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

671

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: