Write a story where someone’s paranoia is justified.

Posted in Mystery on Jan 20, 2023

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✍️ 78 stories

“My Belinda” by Allie Rose

Submitted to Contest #182

Part 1 Milk, bananas, cereal, ground beef, and laundry detergent. I stared numbly at the items on my shopping list. In the back of my head there was a nagging thought that I had forgotten to add something to the list, yet I couldn’t bring myself to care what it was. It was hard to say why I agreed to going to the store at all. My husband was insistent that I should “get out of the house and take a breath of fresh air.” Supposedly it would be healthy for me. I think he was just tired of running all the errands while I recovered from my surger...

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“Paranoid Dr. Freud” by Ethan Zimmerman

Submitted to Contest #182

We’ve been following you for some time, Dr. Freud. Where did you come from? I just told you. No. I mean, are you a figment of my imagination, or are you real? I believe you should be asking yourself this question. Are you, or are you not, the expert here? I suppose I am, but since you showed up, I’m no longer sure. You’ll have to come with us, I’m afraid. And where, might I ask, are you planning on taking me? I’ll give you one guess. The asylum? You see, I told you, you were the expert. What if I refuse? You know what happens to people who ...

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“Centre Stage” by Ian Warren

Submitted to Contest #182

‘You’re shit!’ Where on earth did that come from? Everyone in the room turns to stare at me. My heckle may not be very sophisticated but I think it’s justified. My girlfriend stares at me in disbelief and quickly drops her gaze in embarrassment, staring deep into her half-empty G&T. I sense a general uncomfortable air of awkwardness for the so-called comedian on the small raised stage and I feel the audience are waiting for a suitable put-down response that might kick-start his act. ‘Err – yeah well, ...

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Write a story where someone’s paranoia is justified.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 78 stories

“My Belinda” by Allie Rose

“Paranoid Dr. Freud” by Ethan Zimmerman

“Centre Stage” by Ian Warren

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a home alarm system going off.

Set your story in a society where everyone is constantly aware of unwanted surveillance.

Write about a character who wishes they could just disappear — and then they do.

Start your story with someone entering a taxi and saying ‘follow that car.’

Contest #182

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

237

Contest entries

154

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: