Write a story about someone coming across their doppelganger.

Posted in Mystery on Nov 17, 2023

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✍️ 48 stories

“FIRST IMPRESSIONS” by Chip Kirkpatrick

Submitted to Contest #225

FIRST IMPRESSIONS I’ve always heard you only get one chance to make a first impression. Apparently that’s not true. I had just arrived in Middleburg. Fresh out of the Army, I was eager to re-enter civilian life. I got off of the bus and hoisted my duffle bag over my shoulder and started walking towards the motel I spied two blocks away. I had a job interview lined up for tomorrow and I was eager to get familiar with the town that may be my new home. Middleburg was your typical small town, just like the one I grew up i...

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“It Wasn't Me” by Joan Evans

Submitted to Contest #225

As Tara swung her silver Mercedes sports car into the entrance to her driveway, she thought she saw someone sitting on her front steps.With a frown puckering her dark forehead, she began to search her mind to recall who she may have made an appointment to see. No one came to mind who she would be meeting at her house.Then she grew cross."It had better not be another reporter looking for a story," she grumbled out loud.Tara tried to get a good look at her visitor as she drew closer, deliberately driving slowly to give her time to complete her...

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“The Shadow” by Matthew Madsen

Submitted to Contest #225

A modern retelling of the fairy-tale The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen. I knew a guy who died from choking on birthday cake at someone else’s party. ‘Knew’ is a strong word. We weren’t much more than acquaintances. I heard the news, felt a little bit sad, and then got on with my life. Sometimes, though, I can’t help thinking about how many tragedies are wrapped up in that one little point in time. Family and friends mourned, of course, grieving the unexpected loss, but whenever I think about the guy who choked on birthday c...

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“Dinner With My Better Self” by Dylan Martin

Submitted to Contest #225

Who the fuck owns a home in Brooklyn? And in Greenpoint? What a slap in the face. Here I am, slaving away at this meaningless sales job, just trying to find a studio in my budget—a single room!—and this asshole owns an entire address doing God knows what. Can you imagine placing a delivery order and not giving them an apartment number? No way this guy is leaving the house for takeout. His address stands in stark contrast to the rest of the block, which is lined with rows of beige and brown houses most assuredly built during a world war. T...

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“A FAMILY AFFAIR” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #225

A FAMILY AFFAIR What the hell are you doing back here, James, old chap? I ask myself this for the umpteenth time. I’d sworn never to set foot in this house again after the debacle of the will but, maybe, just maybe, she is now looking to make things right. I smoke another spliff. At the thought of my mother, my bete- noire, I feel the sudden craving for a real fix possess my body.Surely to God, logic dictates that, as the eldest, I should be named as the rightful heir to Blandford. It’s what father would have wanted, would have ensured, if t...

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“My Reflection” by Carlos Arce

Submitted to Contest #225

My Reflection By: Carlos A. Arce My eyes pop open, and the sunrays of another God-forsaken day shine down on me. “Great, just great, another day.” I throw the sheet over myself, searching for the dark and isolation that have become my close friends. The sounds of the outside world start to creep in and scare away the last vestiges of sleep I have. I sit up and curse my chance at life again. “When will you allow me to come home?” My arms reach up, pointing towards heaven, begging for mercy from my own existence. “Luz, I miss you.”...

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“The Doppelganger” by Don Lubov

Submitted to Contest #225

The Doppelgangers Megan awakes to the sound of her door being closed. When she looks out, the hall is empty. Something’s wrong. Even the attendants shouldn’t be here. No one should be roaming the halls at this time of night. Who’s closing doors this late? She hurries into her clothes, slips silently out of her room, and, with her shoes in her hand, tip-toes down the stairs. A full moon floods the hallway and the dark, shiny, wide-planked floors with a cold, blue-white light. In her socks, Megan glides smoothly across the floor, up to...

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“Who was the One?” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #225

It was late one Saturday afternoon, after the exams. The four future conquistadors were having a kickback time. Beers were flowing, all they could afford. The pizza delivery was timely, soon the 'boys' were enjoying a televised race meeting, where they were all sticking to the rails. They were all on a tight student budget. So, Tomasio, Brent, Oscar and Marty were placing imaginary bets. It was all contributing to their lifestyle, imagining how much they won on each race. It made sense to them, okay? As yet, love's young fling had not won t...

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“Metamorphoses” by Arthur An

Submitted to Contest #225

This story can also be enjoyed as a parallel plot to my previous submission The Night Gathering. *********Maurice Kahlo looked down at the dead body of Maurice Kahlo.Approaching behind him was the pitter patter of Sy Green running breathlessly on the pavement of the one of New Orleans’ back alleys, which are perennially wet and sticky from rain, flood, spelled beer, and bodily fluids. Sy looked down, up, and then down again. “What the fuck Mo?”“My brother.” Kahlo uttered, more to the corpse then to Green. “Will this be th...

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“Inexplicable” by J. I. MumfoRD

Submitted to Contest #225

Nobody on the ground was hurt in the crash, Thames Valley Police said, but the extent of the pilot’s injuries is unknown. *** My wife saw him first. She’d heard my stories, even liked the song I played for her. Lyn pushed me forward. “You’ve met him already. Just say hello,” she said. “I can see the resemblance. Though you’re wider than him. And he’s better looking.” She made a show of wiggling her eyebrows. “Ask him if he’s single. I might trade up.” “Thanks.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve got some shopping to do for Wren…and you.” With a quick ...

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“Anna” by D Bostar

Submitted to Contest #225

Elizabeth O’Connor was someone that everyone in Rosewood just loved. She was a perky, thirty-two-year-old bank teller and mom to a set of eight-year-old twin boys named Ethan and Jared. She and the boys’ father, Rick, a well-respected deputy of their small town in Iowa, had married straight out of high school. They were known by the locals for being very much in love, and for being wonderful parents to their adventurous little boys. Most of the residents of Rosewood knew, and admired the O’Connors, as they were deeply...

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“The Identity Gamble” by JR Lane

Submitted to Contest #225

Hunter settled into the plush, first-class seat. He looked down at his board shorts and flip flops. For once, he felt liberated. Not because he ditched the suit and tie, but because he actually was calling the shots now. He slid his hand into his laptop bag and fiddled with the small electronic device. What the hell have I done? There was no turning back now. The twin Rolls Royce engines roared and the Airbus 350 ascended skyward. He let his head melt into the headrest and replayed the last six hours.His phone buzzed at exactly 3:4...

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“The Bizarre Case of The Murder of Marcus Thompson” by Alexey Dirigo

Submitted to Contest #225

“I must warn you, Detective Sean,” Officer Serena said, “this case might shock you. He has shown not a sign of regret.” “He is either cold-blooded or a nutcase, I’ve interrogated a lot of people like him,” Detective Sean replied. “It’s probably the latter. All evidence pointed towards him, and he didn’t refute any of it. Well, technically. You’ll see for yourself. Also, there was an odd sense of merriment in him during the arrest.” Officer Serena adjusted her beret before shutting the door. “Good luck with the interrogation.” Detec...

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“Especially for You.” by Rose Lind

Submitted to Contest #225

@@@@÷÷÷#@###___<<=#$&&&&&&&#Warning sexuality mentioned.@@@######@@@#########@@@It was Perfect, well maybe- perhaps- possibly- it was perfect! To Claire, the environment was at equilibrium. Looked in her mirror, it swung in a two-and-fro rhythm on a solid gold chain; it was sort of hypnotic? IF you believe in that? Do you believe in that??? Perhaps you better say NO? YOU'RE MINDS TOO STRONG HUH? No, don't answer me, as far as I'm concerned it's forgotten, I've paper shredded it!Out the back yard, Claire's cl...

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“Brocken John” by Sean McDonnell

Submitted to Contest #225

This story has some violence (not gory) and a scene where someone commits suicide (also not gory). 2002:Hidden among the wreckage of winter were hints of spring, clues leading to a thriving landscape where warm days and abundance would soon heal the landscape. Big John thought this lost on Jenny. But she saw it, and she appreciated it. The truth was, she enjoyed nature more than she let on. Her father didn’t know she and her friends would drive up the winding Santa Cruz mountain to Castle Rock on the weekends; during the day, they would expl...

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Write a story about someone coming across their doppelganger.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 48 stories

“FIRST IMPRESSIONS” by Chip Kirkpatrick

“It Wasn't Me” by Joan Evans

“The Shadow” by Matthew Madsen

“Dinner With My Better Self” by Dylan Martin

“A FAMILY AFFAIR” by Charles Corkery

“My Reflection” by Carlos Arce

“The Doppelganger” by Don Lubov

“Who was the One?” by Julie Grenness

“Metamorphoses” by Arthur An

“Inexplicable” by J. I. MumfoRD

“Anna” by D Bostar

“The Identity Gamble” by JR Lane

“The Bizarre Case of The Murder of Marcus Thompson” by Alexey Dirigo

“Especially for You.” by Rose Lind

“Brocken John” by Sean McDonnell

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone buying a cursed — or perhaps blessed —mirror from an antiques store.

Write a story about someone trying to paint (or otherwise create) a self-portrait.

Write a story about a character who one day notices that their reflection has taken on a life of its own.

Set your story in a house of mirrors and make the atmosphere increasingly eerie.

Contest #225

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

106

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: