Write a story that takes place across ten seconds.

Posted in Kids on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 256 stories

“3:25PM” by Daniel Nyarko

Submitted to Contest #74

Ali Hot afternoon weather here in the center of Ghana is like carrying red hot coals on your head and watching it spill like molten lava down your back. If the sun showed any emotion it would have looked down at us and smirked like the psychopath it was. And the traffic did nothing to help. Drivers loudly honked at eachother as if that would make the traffic move any faster. The vehicles with functioning air conditions had theirs on. I suspect most of them to be corrupt in one way or another. The passengers’ bus I was in was at the tail of...

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“The Mission” by Sydney Hawi

Submitted to Contest #74

8.50 a.m. The sun was already out and had cast a luminescent glow upon Eighth Street. There were fewer people than normal on the street, which was fortunate for the pedestrians since normally the street was brisk. Along the street, stood the Pacific Bank. It was on the ground floor of a high-rise building. It had a medium-sized revolving glass door, tiled floors and pendant lights hanging from the ceiling. Rope lines were already set up that each led to a counter booth with a teller behind the glass window . Harry saw the time dis...

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“Saint Mary’s” by Johanna Leo

Submitted to Contest #74

He carried a pregnant quiet, and a snow-like powder rested on the collar of his shirt. He once heard his wife describe his eyes as burning red. Perhaps. What he knew was clear to her was his unhappiness, he remembered this in the seconds that currently elapsed as well as in every frame beyond these breaths. Still, he could not shake this feeling off; he did not know any better. He remembered when she said, “I am leaving. Is there anything you need for the house before you’re left to yourself?” And she felt him wince. He did not know any bet...

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“Hotel Lobby” by Emma Park

Submitted to Contest #74

When their eyes locked, all thoughts flew right out of Paul’s head. Not because she was beautiful. She wasn’t breathtaking--not by a long shot, if he was being perfectly honest. She was completely and utterly normal. No eyes-the-color-of-sapphires, or hair-that-danced-around-her-like-a-flame. She was pale, but not strikingly so. She didn’t have a lip ring, or a nose ring, or even have her ears pierced, as far as he could see. Totally unremarkable in every way. She also wore the drabbest grey hoodie with a faded smiley face on the chest, the ...

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“A Mercy of None” by Jennisa Jairam

Submitted to Contest #74

The children's laughter filled the air with a sense of happiness and tranquility. Their eyes wore a luminosity that brightened the days and their innocence calmed the many around them. The birds joined in the happiness and chirped happily, singing joyously with the children. The scene mirrored beauty on Lipowa Street as residents spent another day in Bermingham Park to bring a sense of normalcy to the community. The soft air caressed their faces and provided little comfort to the sick mother in the wheelchair. Her heart was heavy as her ...

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“The Other Side” by Elizabeth Hansen

Submitted to Contest #74

The pressure is different from the ones I have felt before. It’s a pressure that I can no longer control and move away from. But it doesn’t feel bad. No, this pressure feels good—natural. I don’t even mind that I can’t control it. However, with this slight change in how I feel, I know it means an even bigger change must be coming. A change that I can’t stop. A change that I don’t know if I am ready for or even want to happen. Even though I know I am not on my own, it feels that way. In the past and now, I hear voices from people who love m...

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“quietus.” by Myo Sotis

Submitted to Contest #74

"10, 9, 8," Looking back, my time here - the memories, the adventures - it all feels like... a waste. The joys of being with my family, well... friends, I guess is what I should be calling them. Right? On one of the many summers of the decade, we went hiking, then to a carnival. We set up little tents and messed around like we were still the same careless teenagers we used to be. There was a time one of my friends were climbing a tree then jumped off into the river, we all did it, it was so scary but so thrilling and fun. That time, I fe...

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“A Life, Reduced” by Jim Mendenhall

Submitted to Contest #74

I sometimes spend an hour on YouTube watching movie trailers before bed. They are fast, energetic, dramatic, exciting, tense. They are remarkable works of compelling triviality. They make anything look good - any melodramatic treacle, any frenetic thriller, any self-important art house sermon. Movie trailers are what directors wish their movies could be. Just the best bits, set to music, with obscure critics promising you a “dazzling,” “electrifyingly brilliant,” “heart-rending” experience. Watch a trailer, and the cares of the world melt aw...

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“Seeing her” by Jmen Seso

Submitted to Contest #74

I leaned against a wall as I observed the low-funded party occur in front of me. The football players seemed to have different partners since high school ended. I bet that couple in the corner are arguing about some dumb event that happened a long time ago. Why did I accept their invitation when I never even relate to them at all? Their fake smiles, fake personalities, fake intentions. I saw through it all, except I was late at realizing that I almost fell on their choking hands. I shouldn't have attended this idiotic party anyway.&n...

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“War and War” by Charlie Sebastian

Submitted to Contest #74

It was the war everyone did prepared to loose. They can’t give up their kingdom as long as they are alive. Their patriotic souls couldn’t allow them give up their motherland while they are still breathing. So yes. They decided to give up their lives while fighting. It’s a mass suicide. Suicide? Yes Suicide. What are the odds of winning of 400 soldiers army against a ten thousand soldiers. This is the truth the Prince remembered just before he got stabbed from behind. The prince on his horse made his face look like no lesser than a lion...

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“Maybe ... It Won't Be So Bad.” by Reyna Mary John

Submitted to Contest #74

One sheep. Two sheep. Three shee— yeah this ain't gonna work. He can't sleep. The night's too silent and the light's too loud. Even though his curtains are closed, and the neighbours have been blasting music since 5pm. They are way too loud and energetic for him. Grabbing a pillow, he covered his head in a poor attempt to block out the noise. Or the lack of it. Or both. Yeah, didn't work. Why did he think it would? He threw off the cover and slipped on his grey bunny slippers—a gag gift from Adam. The bastard thought it would be funny if ...

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“The Last Ten Seconds” by Julie Ann Filter

Submitted to Contest #74

This is the end. I can’t believe this is happening. But, now I’ll know what comes next. It’s not fair. Who wants to know this? Will I ever see them again? Will I remember them? Will it hurt? God help me. How can I do this? I can’t. I don’t. I am just not ready. Don't take me yet. I - I haven’t done enough. I haven’t done it all. I’m - I'm not finished yet! There’s so much more I wanted to do. Never got to travel with her. Work doesn’t count. And alone. Always alone. Airports. Planes. Business. This isn’t living. But I chose it. Idiot! Why? B...

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“This is My Loss...” by Wahu Kariuki

Submitted to Contest #74

"It's okay, baby girl."Her sister's voice felt like a stab right in her chest. How could she say everything was okay? Nothing was okay, and she hated that people always felt the need to undercut the sting of death with false reassurance.What was okay? The fact that her father, the one person whose love she had known, was dead? Was that what was okay? That the man who made it his mission to see his children for who they are, not as a whole, was dead? How could it be okay if she felt the most alone she had ever felt in her life? All her life, ...

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“Countdown for the better” by Living In Fantasy

Submitted to Contest #74

The loud explosion of the firework made even me jump and the poor dog bury her nose deeper under my hoodie. I sat on the bathroom floor with my dog on my lap. The door was closed and kept the whole family in. My parents passed me a glass full of champagne and looked at the watch on their wrists. For the past week the dog would hide in that bathroom to keep away from fireworks so not wanting to leave her alone we all decided to be there with her on the day. After all, all we needed is each other. My mom raised up a finger for a few seconds an...

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“Getting a cup of coffee ” by Thea Clover

Submitted to Contest #74

The morning sun was only peeking over the French hillsides. Slivers of light began sneaking into the Paris streets. The cafe she was seated at felt as though it was out of a story book. It’s bright red trim travels its way around the window and doors against an old brick exterior. Enormous purple wisteria flowers come tumbling over the balconies above. Seated outside the cafe near the window with a flower basket that fills the morning air with fresh carnations. She sits patiently waiting for her coffee, but the young woman is prepared. Dress...

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Write a story that takes place across ten seconds.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 256 stories

“3:25PM” by Daniel Nyarko

“The Mission” by Sydney Hawi

“Saint Mary’s” by Johanna Leo

“Hotel Lobby” by Emma Park

“A Mercy of None” by Jennisa Jairam

“The Other Side” by Elizabeth Hansen

“quietus.” by Myo Sotis

“A Life, Reduced” by Jim Mendenhall

“Seeing her” by Jmen Seso

“War and War” by Charlie Sebastian

“Maybe ... It Won't Be So Bad.” by Reyna Mary John

“The Last Ten Seconds” by Julie Ann Filter

“This is My Loss...” by Wahu Kariuki

“Countdown for the better” by Living In Fantasy

“Getting a cup of coffee ” by Thea Clover

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone scrambling to finish a goal in the last few hours of the year.

Write about someone keeping track of time with tally marks on a wall — until one day they discover that all the marks are gone.

Write a story that takes place across ten days.

Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.

Contest #74

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

727

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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