You arrive at a destination you promised an old friend you’d visit after they passed, only to find them there too.

Posted in Mystery on Oct 13, 2023

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✍️ 66 stories

“Happy Birthday Liam” by Venus Lucy

Submitted to Contest #220

The sun dipped below the horizon—clocking in for the night, and Eve stood at the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. This was the spot she promised Liam she’d visit after his passing, a promise she made seven months and thirteen days ago. Their spot. She promised that every year on his birthday she’d give him this gift; She’d angle her head heavenward and tell him about her life. About how she was living for Liam who no longer could. Are you sure I shouldn’t angle my head towards the ground instead? She had jokingl...

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“Howler” by Lori Colt

Submitted to Contest #220

Coffee skin and almond eyes, Rae had the most ferociously infectious laugh. I was in awe of her ability to stir up humor in the most dire of predicaments, her head often rearing back exposing a mouthful of cackling teeth. It never mattered what we did, I knew it would always be a deep dive into something that would fill my otherwise dreary little life with wonder and surprise. Once we found ourselves abandoned in the city, the bus leaving our seventh grade field trip without us. I had begun my meltdown, while Rae crafted us an unadulterat...

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“Her Last Request” by Elizabeth Williamson

Submitted to Contest #220

Her Last Request It was odd how someone’s perspective could be changed entirely by a single event. Before, the grand oak ensconced in the middle of the park would have seemed awesome and beautiful. Its preeminent height and mass setting it apart and cascading cool shadows across the park lawn. The warm coat of orange and reds painting its leaves paired with the cool autumn sunlight would have seemed pristine and wonderful. But now, it seemed so different. &nb...

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“What The Hell” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #220

When you think of New York State, it first thing that comes to mind is the city named after it. With its unique skyline and the home of the Statue of Liberty, it’s easy to understand why. But in truth, New York City is only a fragment of the state. Upstate, you may say, consists of Albany, Syracuse and even Buffalo. You would still be far off the mark. In fact, most of New York is either a giant field of small towns slowly withering away, farms, or forests. But all was not lost. Hidden within the green desert near the foothills of the Adiron...

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“The Cabin In The Woods” by Miriam Esessien

Submitted to Contest #220

Soledad, pretty and young, stood by her window with a glass of wine. The morning rain clouded her windows and she couldn't see at all. Even if she could, it would all be grey, but somehow she knew she would be fine. There was a nagging that ate away at her soul for weeks, even months. It grew even stronger by the hour that she felt she must go, in order to be focused enough to finish her fifteenth book. So when the rain died, she jumped on a train first thing. Before she got locked in by another round of hail and storm. To fulfill a promis...

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“It's Only Death” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #220

As I stepped out of my electric blue Nikes and removed my ankle socks, I felt the grass was cold beneath my feet but it felt good and refreshing like a stick of spearmint gum for my feet. I moved my feet around, feeling the blades between my toes and the wet mud underfoot. I could hear the ocean waves crashing on the sharp rocks beyond the cliff. I stood close to the drastic edge, maybe too close, and I looked up into the blue sky. Why did it seem more blue here than any other place on earth? “I’ll miss ...

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“Back to the Beach” by David Knickmeyer

Submitted to Contest #220

The sun was hot, and the walk was a lot longer than I remembered. I finally made it to the cliff edge and found the winding path that led down. It was much as I remembered it except even more overgrown. Tropical foliage pressed on both sides as I made my way down. At my age the decent was a bit treacherous but at last I made it to the edge of the ocean. Now it was just a long walk at the base of the cliff, a sharp turn and I would be at my destination. The beach. Seth and I had done the whole 'final road trip' thing...

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“Picture me this” by Sara Pothmann Cullen

Submitted to Contest #220

Dad held her hand tight through the whole funeral, like he was afraid she might disappear, and she supposed she could, not that dad knew that. It hurt a bit, but he was shaking and crying so much, she thought it better not to say. There was a lot of people there. Mum had been popular, more so than she knew or understood, Mum was always very friendly, that must’ve been it. Each person was as distraught as the last, you couldn’t tell the pretenders from the real ones. A woman who was already half keeled over, pushed herself forw...

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“Isn't He Dead part 1” by Tahel Levental

Submitted to Contest #220

Ever since my parents died when I was eight, I have been living with my aunt and her husband. We lived in their manor near a forest. The manor, a big and imposing structure, stood tall amidst the trees. It had been passed down through generations in my family, a testament to their wealth and importance. But now, it belonged to my Aunt Marry and my uncle, Henry. The manor was set precisely next to a beautiful forest. The manor's grand opening stood tall, welcoming people in with its elegant appearance. When one stepped onto the ...

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“Cruising beyond death” by Sissi Tursi

Submitted to Contest #220

As I stepped out of the car at port, a mix of nostalgia and sadness washed over me. I had promised my dear husband, that I would have gone back on board our first cruise ship after he passed away. So, the day in which Mark died I simply promised him that I should have gone on board the cruise ship, which voyage we already reserved since a while. He hardly wanted to sail for that cruise as it was the trip to celebrate his 60th birthday despite his terrible lung cancer which in one year only took him away from a life full of love and satisfac...

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“invited. ” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #220

“I’ve been waitin’ for you. Watchin’.” She whispered and beckoned me to follow her. I was immobile with unbelief. Dante grabbed me by the right arm and pulled. I reached for her other arm and turned her by the shoulders so I could look into her face. Those eyes. Those mocha brown, swimming in chocolate and honey brown eyes. I was convinced at her graveside that I would never see them again. “I know you are confused but we don’t have much time. I need to get you out of here.” She warned. “I’ll explain later.” I refused to move my feet. “How c...

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“Lost Soul” by Abigail Brown

Submitted to Contest #220

Tragedy, no… worse. Devastation. Once upon a time hasn't always been there for everyone, especially Willow. Childhood stories were cut off for her because of one death, her best friend, Anna. Untold secrets fill Willow's mind with fogged thoughts. "Willow!" Sara, Willow's mother yelled from the kitchen. Stomping down the stairs, Willow speeds into the kitchen to eat breakfast before school starts. Sitting down, a plate full of food is placed down in front of her. Digging in, she thanks her mother with a wide smile. "Slow down, sweetie!...

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“Red Identity” by Janelly Valdez

Submitted to Contest #220

This was always on our bucket list. “Tokyo for our 30th birthday” Except I have to go alone because it’s been five years since I’d last seen you. Five years since the paramedics pronounced you dead, when it should have been me. After all, I was the one driving that night. I was the one who made you go out when all you wanted to do was stay home, snuggled up with a book. But I just didn’t want to go to the party alone. You made things less scary for me. You were the outgoing one, while I was always the awkward one who could barely keep a ...

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“Dead to Me” by Desiree Daniello

Submitted to Contest #220

Dead to Me The morning sun pierced through my curtains, assaulting my eyelids. I reached for my comforter to pull over my face like a little girl that didn’t want to go to school. If I could hide within my feather filled fortress, the sun would cease fire and retreat. With eyes still closed, my hands explored their surroundings, only to find couch cushions and a throw blanket that was purely decorative. It could barely provide warmth. How was it supposed to s...

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“Lake Life” by Fredrick Dios

Submitted to Contest #220

“What took you so long mate? I died three years ago,” a voice called out from a lounge chair on the deck.Len barely thought before speaking. “I’m sorry?” he said, standing with one foot on the deck and one on the last step up. He paused to take in the full features of his dead friend lounging comfortably. He looked good, really good. Better than ever before. Len's eyes dashed back and forth between the lake view and his friend. He stood doing that for a long moment and gathered words together in his head to make a sentence. “What's goin...

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You arrive at a destination you promised an old friend you’d visit after they passed, only to find them there too.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 66 stories

“Happy Birthday Liam” by Venus Lucy

“Howler” by Lori Colt

“Her Last Request” by Elizabeth Williamson

“What The Hell” by Howard Seeley

“The Cabin In The Woods” by Miriam Esessien

“It's Only Death” by Madeline Honig

“Back to the Beach” by David Knickmeyer

“Picture me this” by Sara Pothmann Cullen

“Isn't He Dead part 1” by Tahel Levental

“Cruising beyond death” by Sissi Tursi

“invited. ” by Lara Deppe

“Lost Soul” by Abigail Brown

“Red Identity” by Janelly Valdez

“Dead to Me” by Desiree Daniello

“Lake Life” by Fredrick Dios

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character walking through a desert landscape, when they stumble across something unexpected. “That shouldn’t be there,” they muse.

As a child you’re helping your grandparent bake. When you’re sent to the pantry to fetch an ingredient, you discover something odd.

Begin your story with a protagonist taking shelter under a bridge during a thunderstorm. An animal scurries past which shouldn’t exist. Against their better judgment, they decide to follow it out.

You’re awakened from your nap by someone asking, “Are you hungry?”. You fell asleep somewhere else entirely.

Contest #220

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

253

Contest entries

129

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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