Start your story with someone saying, “We’re running out of time.”

Posted in Middle School on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 77 stories

“A Question of Time” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time.” I say that under my breath as I read the latest news, a plume of steam billows out from my pursed lips and into the cold city air. I stand there and watch it rise and dissipate, just like my chances of making this work. If anyone hears me, they are too savvy to acknowledge my words. I’m on my own and I think I always will be. I slump into the seat of my car and slam the door shut, even then it doesn’t sit right. Nothing sits right, but that’s fine by me, or if it isn’t then I don’t care, not anymore. ...

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“A Sorrowful, Precious Second Chance ” by Bernadette Beauchamp

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time.” Crystal barely heard the declaration even though Brian was right next to her. She was too absorbed in the decorations to be completely present. Balloons made to look like bubbles were strewn around the gymnasium, green streamers hung from the ceiling, and purple and blue lighting glided around the floor making it look like it was meant for dancing that night. Is “Under the Sea” still a popular theme, Crystal wondered. Maybe it was just easy and hence, still popular. “Out of time? No one arrives at parties when th...

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“Dear daughter” by D A

Submitted to Contest #154

Dear daughter, You are now six years old. You are sitting on the floor next to me, listening to endless Russian skazki and drawing exquisite sketches of princesses. The remoteness and solitude of the place we live in trigger a unique combo of sadness and self-reflection. I will use the second as my main ingredient and the first as a grain of salt. I believe this to be a perfect recipe for a healthy piece of motherly life advice that I want to share. Today I want to tell you about the importance of daring. When I was a six-year old,...

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“The Sins of the Malum Purpura ” by Ellzita Rochè

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time.” Shirley gasped, her hands trembling as she clutched a crystal close to her chest. The once brilliant colours a mere shimmer of faded hues. Kevin’s eyes flashed to Shirley in the rear-view mirror, too scared to mention that her once vibrant red hair is now a dull copper grey. Shirley lifts her hands and with a flick of her wrist the car lurches to a higher speed, Kevin grips the steering wheel. “You’re not going to help the situation if you get us killed before the time” he snaps through clenched teeth.Shirl...

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“The Story of Shawn and Josie” by Johanna L

Submitted to Contest #154

** This story might be difficult for those who have struggled with family planning challenges ** “We’re running out of time.” Josie’s voice broke as she sat in a therapists’ office with her husband, Shawn. Josie and Shawn have been married for almost seven years. Their marriage had its ups and downs, but they have stuck by each other through it all. Josie and Shawn fit together like puzzle pieces. Josie thought that this was why they have managed to endure all of the hardships of their marriage. Josie was a strong woman who supported he...

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“Career Day” by Danielle Jumper

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time, please continue,” Mrs. Finch said, while tapping her nonexistent wrist watch. I still knew what she meant by tapping her bare wrist, unlike these kids, who had never seen a wristwatch. They looked at their phones for the time and had no idea what the hands on the clock above Mrs. Finch meant. “Yes, Ashtyn, I’m a writer.” I said. I sat on a stool in front of a bunch of kids, one of them being my niece, telling them about my career as a writer, because my sister was too bothered to come to her daughter’s career da...

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“Keep Them In Fear” by Richard Morris

Submitted to Contest #154

Keep Them In Fear By Richard W. Morris 1,100 words “We’re running out of time.” Dark Elf held a steely and forbidding face as the picture morphed to a dark elf image, then faded to the network logo and bumper music. Dark Elf was the nickname of The Daily Disaster news anchor, Poisonella Undercoffin. “Clear,” the director said. The cameraman walked toward her. “Good show, Poison-Ella.” Her face grimaced with disgust. “My name is pronounced ‘Po-e-sone-eh-ya.’ I’m Hispanic on my mother’s side.” “That’s why I call yo...

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“I Really Wanna Be With You” by Chanyah Sherrod

Submitted to Contest #154

I Really Wanna Be with You: Short Story As the plane was set to leave Rachel and Lester had one last moment to see each other. “We’re running out time” Lester said “I don’t wanna leave you” Rachel said “I have to go but I’ll never forget about you” Lester said “Lester, I Love you” Rachel said “I love you Rachel” Lester said Rachel is heartbroken that Lester has to leave to go in the Army she was upset because she’s worried that she’ll be alone but like he said he’ll never forget about Rachel wh...

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“Life’s Rushed Thoughts” by Maria Paula Riofrio

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time!” Juliet shouted as she directed her words to her lovely cocker spaniel companion, Rocky. “My life seems pretty much numb, I cannot find the right path my dear Rocky what should I do? It’s so frustrating how it feels to be left behind in life, am I right?” Juliet used to give her 12-year-old pal an immersive speech of therapy in her weekly moods and daily tasks in an extroverted but fun manner. The pacing of the days seemed to go slower as her vacation approached an end, and the real-world obligations to enter col...

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“Out of Time” by Angel Vargas

Submitted to Contest #154

This is a speculative fiction piece regarding the recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Out of respect for all involved, names have either been ommited, switched or changed. This material is sensitive and may be triggering to some readers. Discretion is recommended. www.lessquestionablenewssource.comOut of Time: The Story of Xavier CuevasBy Hash TaggertIf this is a story about time, we’re out of it.Xavier Cuevas was out of time the day he was shot and killed by law enforcement officers at an Uvalde, Texas elementary ...

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“Try Again” by Hope W

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time.” Sirens are blaring and red lights flash overhead. There’s a dead guard on the ground and blood on the walls. They’re nowhere close to the main room. Casey laughs wetly, the sound coming out more like choking than anything else. “Isn’t everyone?” The look Mel casts her is poisonous, deadly. Casey, fortunately or not, is plenty used to the look and just smiles at her. The intended charming effect is ruined a bit by the blood between her teeth. “Can you take this seriously for 30 seconds, please?” Mel spits ...

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“Farewell, my Love” by Briannah H

Submitted to Contest #154

CW: mentions of death and cancerapologies for any formatting issues, this was copy+pasted from my google docs “We’re running out of time,” she says, her curly grey hair spread over my lap like a rolling fog. “No, we’re not,” I reply, running my hand over her hair, cherishing each winding strand. She amends, “I’m running out of time.” I don’t correct her. I can’t. She had always preferred unalterable truths, brave against reality like a rock standing still and silent against waves t...

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“I Changed My Mind” by Mei Scott

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time.” the man whispered. “I know.” I whispered back. A choice that would change my life was being rushed by a man with no significance. Assinine if you’d ask me. He scooched his body towards me and said, “now.” “Fine, I pick the bird.” I said and pointed to it. A shark, squid, moth, and a bird. They were all there. Representing the transformations that I would have to go through depending on the creature I picked. “Step into the pod.” the man commanded. Reluctantly, I placed myself into it. The inside was soft a...

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“The Mercy of Joan” by Liz Sugar

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time,” Joan says, not exactly to me, but there is no one else in the car that she could be speaking to. I do not feel the need to respond. The digital clock on the dashboard reads 11:32. The red, geometric lines flicker as the clock clumsily readjusts itself, the minutes ticking closer and closer to when we’re supposed to arrive at the party. But Joan and I are not even close. We are on the freeway and traffic is at a standstill. A mass of cars stretches before me like dominos gathering potential energy, waiting for t...

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“Car Crushing Canines ” by Marcia H.

Submitted to Contest #154

“We’re running out of time!” Lee screamed as she grabbed her friend, Addy’s hand. The two young women ran as fast as they could through the city streets not looking behind them. They knew what was ahead of them and behind them. The morning air was full of what was happening and what was going to happen. In one day the world that they lived in changed. The air was thicker, the tree leaves were browner, the grass was wetter. People were running and screaming in the streets. There was a new enemy that nobody ever saw coming....

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Start your story with someone saying, “We’re running out of time.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 77 stories

“A Question of Time” by Jed Cope

“A Sorrowful, Precious Second Chance ” by Bernadette Beauchamp

“Dear daughter” by D A

“The Sins of the Malum Purpura ” by Ellzita Rochè

“The Story of Shawn and Josie” by Johanna L

“Career Day” by Danielle Jumper

“Keep Them In Fear” by Richard Morris

“I Really Wanna Be With You” by Chanyah Sherrod

“Life’s Rushed Thoughts” by Maria Paula Riofrio

“Out of Time” by Angel Vargas

“Try Again” by Hope W

“Farewell, my Love” by Briannah H

“I Changed My Mind” by Mei Scott

“The Mercy of Joan” by Liz Sugar

“Car Crushing Canines ” by Marcia H.

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about someone who feels increasingly irrelevant.

Write a story — romantic or not — about two characters who can’t find the right timing.

Write a story about an object that has been around for centuries or passed down generations.

Write a story featuring an element of time-travel or anachronism.

Contest #154

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

112

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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