Write about someone who thinks they just got a great deal on something, only for them to realize…

Posted in Mystery on Mar 3, 2023

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✍️ 32 stories

“Near and Far” by Laurel Hanson

A bagful of popcorn kernels, three ripe tomatoes, three wire coat hangers, and six marbles. That’s all it’s going to take for me to be able to see without glasses. I am super nearsighted and have to wear these really thick glasses that I hate. I’ve been wearing them since I was eight and thought the bright pink frames were awesome. But now I’m eleven and they are not even remotely awesome. My folks can’t afford new frames, or better yet, contacts, so I have to take this chance.I know it is completely ridiculous, but...

75 comments 75 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Point of No Return” by Chris Campbell

“I’d like to return this TV, please.” Herbert Whistlebottum - a middle-aged man with the appearance of a college professor, had waited patiently for his chance in the Returns line at one of London’s top electronics stores. The January sales were in full swing with shoppers looking for bargains, spending gift certificates received in their Christmas stockings, and some, like Herbert, were trying to return unwanted items. “Certainly sir,” the young casually dressed shop assistant replied. “Have you brought your receip...

46 comments 46

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“Keep Your Eyes Open” by Aeris Walker

Walk along the walls where the floors don’t creak. Get your bag and take just what you need. Don’t turn the lights on. Don’t use the toilet. Pad the stairs, silent as shadow. Look in the mirror; get a good look. Memorize your face: the cut above your brow, your swollen eyes, the gash on your lip.Now slip into Julia’s room. Fill a bag with diapers, pajamas, her favorite bunny—whatever fits. Scoop her from the crib. Take the blanket too. Rock and sway as you leave. Don’t trip over the blocks on the living room floor—the ones you didn...

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“The Day the Music Died” by Rebecca Miles

Have you heard the rumor? The one going round town? About a no-hope kid, his luck just going down. Rumor has his number,Rumor's splashing it around;Rumor shouts: run, kid, your luck just hit the ground.Gnawing the stub of pencil, I look back at the lyrics. Not quite Bob Dylan, but the words sing my story; the ballad of the howlin’ no-hoper: Mitch Malarkey. It’s a freezing Monday in March and the wind tugs at...

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“Gateways and Doorkeepers” by Suma Jayachandar

Akhila slid through the grate. Into what used to be a storm drain. Before the big outbreak. A musty dampness enveloped her. She flicked her headlamp on. If she were lucky, she could harvest enough contraband to get Neel and herself real food till the next full moon. She didn’t count herself among the lucky though. Lucky were those who had fortified themselves across the River just after the big outbreak. O...

32 comments 32

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“Bridge Bargain” by V. S. Rose

Agor unfurled the crinkled yellow parchment and grinned at the deed in his hands. For a troll, securing the most trafficked bridge in Rhodinia was a life’s ambition. It had cost him, but even the depleted coin purse tucked into his loincloth couldn’t have dampened his spirits today. For the first time, Agor gazed upon Krakow Bridge. Stretching across the rumbling Tibeth River, the bridge was comprised of four arches, divided by three piers of interlocking stone. The parapets were the tallest he had ever seen, perfec...

30 comments 30 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Train” by Glenda Toews

“It’s em.”“Naw, can’t be em, he died, on the cross two thousand years ago.”“Mate, I tell yer, it’s em!”Both boys leaned off the raised platform peering into the train, noses pressed against the window trying to get a better look.“Bloody hell Bobby, I think yer right!” Mikey’s right hand rose making a cross over his body sanctifying and protecting in one swift motion.Jesus turned and saw the boys staring. Jesus smiled. Jesus scratched his beard. Jesus had a back pack on his lap. Army Green, an ...

18 comments 18

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“1963 Fender Stratocaster” by Marty B

Paul had found the fountain of youth, and it was slowing stealing his mind. It didn’t look like much, faded and worn. The retirement present from his old boss. The boss who forced him out of the business he built. Paul remembered the chubby and energetic kid he had hired and mentored for the past 10 years. Derek was twenty years younger, and through political maneuvering with the Board had taken over as CEO. If Paul still had the fire in his belly then maybe he would have fought harder to keep ...

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“Dick’s” by Deborah Allion

Jack preferred the old gas station Dick’s because he thought the cashier was pretty and she never carded him. He only went there after really rough games. He would buy a six-pack, play Xbox, and tell no one. Thursday was a rough game. Coach barely let him play any. After the game, Jack’s dad Mr. Davis offered a dead-eyed smile to the sweaty brown-haired boy before complimenting his little sister's tumbling and asking Mrs...

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“Motherhood is the Neck of the Chicken” by Rachel Kenley Fry

Otillia “Tillie” Duncan’s favorite part of a chicken was the neck—or so she claimed. I know this because she is my great-grandmother, and though I’ve never met her, I’m fascinated by her life story. Suddenly widowed in her early thirties, Tillie was forced to raise eight children and run a ranch during the height of the Great Depression, by herself. Somehow, she managed it. When Tillie made roast chicken for su...

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“Pete's Big Speech” by Sharon Farnsworth

PETE’S BIG SPEECH Pete Dunbar was about to make his first speech on behalf of the Pac-More Luggage Company. He was new at the company and had already made such an impression on the big boss he was chosen to give the annual speech at the Victorian Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. He and his wife, Debbie, rehearsed the speech over and over every night during the week leading...

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“My Money's Worth In Teeth” by Tracy Alele

Monday afternoon. Busy. I had just come out of the 3.30 appointment with my new dentist and it had gone well. Really well. My faced was flushed with excitement and my grip on Michelle’s hand was bone crushing. I hadn’t noticed until she yanked it to let me know it was time to let go. I apologized profusely.‘I just can’t believe how much it’s going for! It’s crazy!’ I shrieked.‘Oh hun, it’s a fortune! Nowhere in this town have I been met with such outrageous prices,’ said Michelle.‘I know. But free checkups for up to a...

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“The House that Wasn't Haunted” by Noah Aylward

I got my first house for more than $10K under market value. The low asking price made my mother nag at me to get every inspection I could pay for, but after the home inspector, the termite inspector, the radon inspector, and the structural engineer all came back with clean bills of health on the property, even she had to admit I'd found a good deal. The seller, an older fellow named George, took my first offer without an...

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“Highway Robbery” by Mad Bennett

It’s not a good deal unless it feels like you’re pulling off a scam. Ash had driven off the lot in her new truck like a thief, glowing with pride tempered by only the weakest press of guilt. She’d never set out to take advantage of anybody, but it’s survival of the fittest. Don’t go selling a truck before you know its worth. She’d found her victim hosting an estate sale. Ash was no antiq...

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“THE FLIP SIDE” by Ruby Zaidi

" Customized breakfast coming up !" I cry as l put a plate of sunny side up eggs in front of Ron and scrambled eggs in front of Sheila . ' Wow ! " they cry in unison . I am blissfully happy. Life has truly given me the best deal possible. In a few weeks Ron and l celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary . We have a large staff to keep our seaside villa spotlessly clean and to cater to ...

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Write about someone who thinks they just got a great deal on something, only for them to realize…

Submissions are closed

✍️ 32 stories

“Near and Far” by Laurel Hanson

“The Point of No Return” by Chris Campbell

“Keep Your Eyes Open” by Aeris Walker

“The Day the Music Died” by Rebecca Miles

“Gateways and Doorkeepers” by Suma Jayachandar

“Bridge Bargain” by V. S. Rose

“The Train” by Glenda Toews

“1963 Fender Stratocaster” by Marty B

“Dick’s” by Deborah Allion

“Motherhood is the Neck of the Chicken” by Rachel Kenley Fry

“Pete's Big Speech” by Sharon Farnsworth

“My Money's Worth In Teeth” by Tracy Alele

“The House that Wasn't Haunted” by Noah Aylward

“Highway Robbery” by Mad Bennett

“THE FLIP SIDE” by Ruby Zaidi

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that starts with the line “So, what’s the catch?”

Write about a character who would have complete happiness, if it weren’t for that one thing.

Write a story about someone who is determined to not have their day spoiled — but the universe is trying their patience.

Write about a character who’s attending a dinner thrown in their honor, but deeply embarrasses themself during their speech.

Contest #188

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

268

Contest entries

136

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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