Write a story about a character who is moving on, literally or figuratively.

Posted in Narrative on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 58 stories

“All the dandelions were gone” by Flore Lazcano

Submitted to Contest #168

Goodbye house forever. I closed the heavy door and heard my footsteps on the wooden floor for the last time. I remember the good times and the bad times in high detail. I remember the quick lunches, and the dirty dishes exploding against the paper wall, the chairs moving fast and the stillness arriving after.There were sometimes violent storms approaching, and there were some other times when a weak insignificant dew washed it all. It washed away the good and it erased the bad.Days were beautiful when sunny, and dusks were dreadful when...

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“How I Came to Leave Hartfield Manor” by Aeris Walker

Submitted to Contest #168

CW: Sensitive themes relating to pregnancy/childrenI never thought I’d leave Hartfield Manor, but the train is moving now, and there is no going back. Everything I hold dear is stowed beneath my seat or in a bundle on my lap; I took only what I needed to start over. I shall miss the staff and little Peter and the twins, but they’ll all forget me soon enough. Once they’ve hired a new nursery maid, I’ll become a distant memory. Lord Thorne will probably fabricate a tale to besmirch my good name—something about how I was a fraud or a danger to ...

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“Tomorrow Is Yesterday” by Thom With An H

Submitted to Contest #168

June 6th 2000. Tomorrow is the day.I can’t believe it. I knew the day would come eventually but it’s actually here. A new chapter, a new last name, the unknown, an end and a beginning. I can’t imagine my life without him. I’m nervous and a little scared. I wonder what he’s thinking now. Does he have any regrets or cold feet? Will he sleep a wink tonight? I know I won’t. I want to call him but I know I shouldn’t. True love is rare, more so than I could ever have imagined. &n...

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“Rush Hour Crush” by Rebecca Miles

Submitted to Contest #168

To the blonde woman with a mischievous smile, wearing a green quilted coat and travelling on the train from Kings Cross to Leeds after work on October 12th. How about a Sunday evening stroll along the Thames? Duffle coat dreamerTo the hot, dungaree-wearing girl who winked at me this Friday as I got on the train at London Bridge station. I should never have left the platform. Hopefully I haven’t missed my chance. Guy in the red fleece with the black...

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“Crimson” by F.J Red

Submitted to Contest #168

When Fae began a painting, the bristles of her paintbrush would dance around the canvas, her hand whirling, almost impulsively. The shapes and shades flowed and melded together, fusing into a violent frenzy, and then evolving into a picture. It’s strange the way the magic happened. Fae sucked in a deep breath, her eyes slightly unfocused from staring too long at the dying succulent by the windowsill. She twirled a slim paintbrush between her fingers, before dipping it into a deep crimson red. As the red was about to invade the white, she pau...

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“Rise Above the Ashes ” by Anne O

Submitted to Contest #168

Bee looks down to see a new scuff mark on the toe of her right L.L. Bean duck boot. She smiles to herself; the first imprint of wear being made today. These boots aren’t right, they are the right size and the right style; but they’re not her boots—not yet. Her boots are gone. Gone with the rest of her things and cherished belongings. Gone with her home and her garden. Swelled up in wildfire and turned into ash.Bee and Luke spent the following weeks digging through the ash and wet dirt of the aftermath. What was left of their home and tangibl...

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“Derailment” by Lindsay Flo

Submitted to Contest #168

The train derailed in Joplin, Montana. Out of nowhere, and in middle of nowhere. The cause was still being investigated, a year later. People were angry and filing lawsuits against Amtrak, but Cara didn’t see what the point was. It wasn’t going to change the consequences of the derailment. Derailment. That word. It had been in her head for eleven months, two weeks and three days. Derailment. She had thought it, said it, slept with it so heavily the word had become warped, both in meaning and cadence. It sounded so benign, a placid deviatio...

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“Another Chance” by Taylor Hairston

Submitted to Contest #168

“Hey Siri, could you set a timer for 3 minutes?” Gracie asked her phone. The phone obliged her request as she made her way to the kitchen. In the grand scheme of things, 3 minutes isn’t remarkable. It comes and goes, usually without thought. For Gracie, thought could not escape her today. “Get a hold of yourself for goodness’ sake! You need to learn to relax and besides, Chance doesn’t even know. There’s no pressure.” She sat down in the bay window overlooking the yard, sippin...

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“Moving On (Eddy and Tom - Part IV)” by Mustang Patty

Submitted to Contest #168

…from the last chapter ‘Can life get any better? And that’s when Tom grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him passionately. The audible gasp from someone in the room reached Eddy’s burning ears. Why did he do that? And at what price?’ ** [STRONG LANGUAGE and VIOLENCE] Eddy felt his world crumbling under his feet. He didn’t want to look around the room. He especially didn’t want to look at his father’s face. It passed through his mind to slap Tom but then thought that would look even gayer than the kiss. He grabbed Tom’s upper arm –...

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“Time to Move On” by William Hogg

Submitted to Contest #168

Time to Move On. Fourteen is an awkward age for a boy. You're surrounded by life lessons. Sometimes you learn them by making mistakes, sometimes by making the right decisions, and sometimes from good mentoring. One of my most important lessons learned came from none of these. It was pure serendipity. I found myself headed to the Assistant Principal's office. That's not good, but even worse, being escorted by my favorite teacher of all time, Miss Taylor. So vivid to me even today was the trip. As a kid, you're usually in the hall before,...

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“Mama Wore Red Lipstick ” by Kathy O'Gorman

Submitted to Contest #168

No matter how many times I asked where we were going, my mom didn’t answer. I watched her face as she turned the steering wheel of our old gray Plymouth sedan down each street and around each curve, and I noticed that each time tears started to pool in her eyes, she batted them away. Her lips trembled but she held her chin high. Even though I knew she was upset, there was a look of determination in her face. Every minute or so, she looked in the rear view mirror. She patted my leg, smiled at me, and I stopped fidge...

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“Changing Views” by S.Eve Rossel

Submitted to Contest #168

Changed Views S. Eve Rossel Waiting. Parked in the “pick-up” circle with other middle school parents, I spy you, laughing, chatting with friends. As you spot our car, your face shifts, smile folds, head tucks. Simultaneously, my heart smiles and cringes. I move to super-Mom-mode, though not a place I inhabit with any honest real-estate. Hey Bud, good to see you. how was your day? My query, as you throw your backpack into the trunk. Lowering the hatch you say nothing. Ensconced in your seat, ...

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“I hope one day you'll find one, too!” by Mel Kolaja

Submitted to Contest #168

My hair is done, my make-up is ready, the long satin white dress is on, I’m ready to catch my train. I know it’s weird I insisted on getting to the wedding by myself and by train, but I felt like two hours on my own, with no friends or relatives were exactly what I needed before making this huge step. I’m sure the groom will manage the last preparations just fine without me. The wedding is right next to the station, so at twelve thirty my dad will be picking me up. I must admit I enjoy how people look at me today. Their confused faces turn...

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“First Heartbreak” by Lacey Hill

Submitted to Contest #168

Boston explodes into Autumn around us, leaves showing off in shades of flames, and that familiar smell that is uniquely autumn filled the air.Not that I was able to enjoy it.I saw in shades of gray, smells didn’t register to me, and if my surroundings were beautiful in any way, well…let’s just say I was less than receptive. I skipped classes, emailing that I was sick to my professors and ignoring assignments. Called my coaches and faked the flu, getting bed rest orders for the next week.I just wanted to hide.Disappear.The thought of facing p...

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“The Hell Coach” by PETER Inserra

Submitted to Contest #168

I knew the woman was bad news the second she entered the stagecoach. Though, more accurately, I should say I sensed she was bad, the knowing would come later. The horses certainly sensed it and did their best to flee her and the perceived evil that enshrouded her. The driver and his shotgun were able to hold them long enough for her to give them a look which calmed their demeanor faster than a shot of angel dust from old doc Metzger. After shrugging their shoulders at the hors...

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Write a story about a character who is moving on, literally or figuratively.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 58 stories

“All the dandelions were gone” by Flore Lazcano

“How I Came to Leave Hartfield Manor” by Aeris Walker

“Tomorrow Is Yesterday” by Thom With An H

“Rush Hour Crush” by Rebecca Miles

“Crimson” by F.J Red

“Rise Above the Ashes ” by Anne O

“Derailment” by Lindsay Flo

“Another Chance” by Taylor Hairston

“Moving On (Eddy and Tom - Part IV)” by Mustang Patty

“Time to Move On” by William Hogg

“Mama Wore Red Lipstick ” by Kathy O'Gorman

“Changing Views” by S.Eve Rossel

“I hope one day you'll find one, too!” by Mel Kolaja

“First Heartbreak” by Lacey Hill

“The Hell Coach” by PETER Inserra

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone looking out a train window.

Make a train station an important part of your story.

Write a story about a character who misses a train, for better or worse.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Bon voyage.”

Contest #168

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

281

Contest entries

105

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: