Write a story about someone feeling powerless.

Posted in Narrative on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 284 stories

“A Gleam in the Dark” by Melissa Hassan

Submitted to Contest #58

It was like a scene straight out of a painting. The sky was bathed in brilliant purple and orange hues as the sun was beginning to set. In the distance, a flock of seagulls flew past framed by the bright golden sun. A few small fishing boats dotted the sea as they bobbed up and down on the water. The bright purple and orange hued sky mirrored through the water as if it was one big giant canvas of colours. Adam gazed out far into the horizon totally mesmerized by the brilliance of it. He closed his eyes breathing in the fresh salt...

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“The life of a princess” by Palak Shah

Submitted to Contest #58

Living in a palace is not all bad; there are some benefits that come into it such as not having anyone to talk to or having a set routine; which is monitored. Furthermore, not getting the choice to make your own decisions. Wait these are all the bad things. I don’t think there are actually any benefits. Well I would describe the palace as a cage; a cage where you can’t get out whatsoever. I feel like I’m a prisoner; suffocating here having no air to breathe and slowly drowning. I’m trapped and there is no way out. I search for someth...

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“The pink carpeting” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #58

“I think it’s time that someone did something,” said Jennifer. (Jen for short.) We were having our weekly prayer and share meeting in Sharon’s living room, and the pale pink carpeting was driving me nuts. It seemed that Sharon (the pastor’s wife) had insisted on pairing the new carpeting with chartreuse sofas. Finally, Sharon had pulled the look together with bright pink and yellow plaid curtains. The curtains were pulled back from with windows with cheap sunflowers from Jen’s arts and crafts store, Sonshine Creations. Anyway, the pink carpe...

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“Fear the Fall With a Deathly Heart - The Four Moon Cycles Part Three” by Yolanda Wu

Submitted to Contest #58

The market was filled with people eating moon cake. Giggling, laughing, drunk people.It wasn’t like Rhyvahr to shy away from the festivities of the month-long moon festivals. He spent most of his days alone, so he could use a good celebration or two. He doubted that his wild partying years were over, but tonight he felt… empty.He used to spend every other night at some ball or party.Now, Rhyvahr spent his nights on the balcony, gazing at the moon. Whether it was waxing crescent or waning gibbous.He kept thinking about the ‘someone’ that Fenn...

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“Lights out” by Moon Lion

Submitted to Contest #58

"Hey, you want some of this jelly?" I glanced up tiredly at Anya, who was holding out a cup of the vilest looking green goo I could imagine. "No thanks," I answered sharply, too exhausted to even fake politeness. Anya stared at me for a moment, clearly wanting to say something, but she chose not to, opening the hospital issued Jell-O with excessive force. She leaned, holding it out for me again, her arm stiff. "You've been here for hours, eat something." My mouth tasted bitter as I looked at the bandage circling her arm, and I leapt ...

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“Her Poetry Part I” by Grace Reardon

Submitted to Contest #58

“Chin up Adora,” mother would say, “there is no use sulking around and feeling sorry for yourself. You need to be strong.” I still cherish her words, after all these years. I feel a salty tear slide down my cheek. Then another, and another. Back to reality, I thought. I focused my gaze on the grave in front of me. It was Mother’s grave. I gently placed the daffodils I had just picked in front of the large stone. “Denise Arwell 1979-2011” I sigh...

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“A 'Real' School” by Regina Perry

Submitted to Contest #58

I sat in fourth-period social studies, spacing out. The three branches of government were boring. We'd done them last year at my old school, and I figured I already knew all there was to know about them. I had much more important things to worry about. I needed to fill my quota by the end of the day or I might lose my job, and I did not want that to happen under any circumstances. Not that I particularly liked my job, but someone had to do it, and I figured it was best for everyone involved if that someone happened to be me. I moved to Ocean...

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“Crybaby” by Holly Pierce

Submitted to Contest #58

Kayley I felt strong hands on my shoulders, shoving me down before I could react. His laughter echoed in my ears. I felt a sharp pain in my back as I stood up and continued on, walking as though nothing had happened. I refused to cry, holding in my tears. Against my wishes, a single tear fell from my eye. The first one to be seen by anyone in years. “Aww, look at the little crybaby,” he mocked, grinning at me.Isaiah“Aww, look at the little crybaby.” I pouted, pretending to be sad. I grinned, laughing at her. My smile faded. I expected t...

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“The Ruins Between Us” by Eve Naden

Submitted to Contest #58

Trigger warnings: child abuse, sexual assault She could not remember the last time Uncle had let her out of the house. While he only usually spoke to her once a day, at breakfast where he sat at the head, not looking at her, he would never let her stray without permission or a chaperone. Either one of Uncle’s friends or a married woman that he knew. The girl was named Minerva Edri and she was to be married before she bled. Lying in those humid sheets, in the room that would never be hers, no matter how many times ...

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“Montis Absentia Pt. III” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #58

The two paths split, and the righthand branch — which led down to the cemetery — descended further into the nebulous fog, whilst the one they followed rose up an incline. A steep bank of mud separated the two, and before long, Steve felt waves of vertigo wash over him.Although neither one said it, both Mary and Steve were puzzled that they’d not cleared the greyness that encroached upon them. It pooled around them, thick as soup, swirls left in their wake as they waded through the haze.“It’s not as simple as all that,” said Mary.“How is it n...

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“The Tank” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #58

Bubbles felt refreshed. The water was cool and clear; Mr. Ronald had taken to emptying it that very afternoon. Cleaning day was never the most comfortable – Bubbles really hated that bag – but it was worth it. Not a speck of dirt in the tank, no sir.The tank was small. Just some purple and green rocks, a couple pieces of seagrass and a tiny stone castle. Bubbles had nibbled on the seagrass first-thing when Mr. Ronald dumped him in the tank. He was furious to discover it was plastic and proceeded to spend the next few minutes giving Mr. Ronal...

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“The day my life changed” by Katina Foster

Submitted to Contest #58

Author’s note: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 out of 2,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide. On average, it takes 10 years from symptom onset to diagnosis. About 75% of these cases are classified as Type 1: Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. This is my diagnosis and for me the journey took 12 years. This story is a combination of real life events that eventually led to my diagnosis 10 years ago. I’ve included more links and information in the comments if you want to learn more. ***My clumsiness has officially becom...

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“Returning” by Tessa Takzikab

Submitted to Contest #58

As I wave to the surging crowd, I grin hugely. They love me. Or at least they think they do. I shove away the thoughts that threaten to overwhelm me, straighten, and grin wider. My security team blocks the crowd from coming closer. I quickly head to the long black limousine that awaits me at the end of the side-walk. As I turn to wave to the crowd one last time, someone manages to push to the front. He looks to be around my age, but I can’t tell if he’s college-age or still in high school. He’s wearing a suit and down on one knee, his head b...

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“Happier 😁” by Ari Berri

Submitted to Contest #58

Trigger warning: abuse My name is Jack. I'm technically a superhero, but my powers suck. I can talk to animals. It's a cool power, but they won't do anything for me. At least it's somebody to talk to. The only person I can talk to, is Agni, the cities greatest superhero. Sadly, he kind of hates me, even though I'm his "sidekick". I don't leave because I'd get in huge trouble if he found me. He was forced to take me in, and just makes me run errands for him. If I get something wrong, he'll use his ice and fire powers to punish me. I've...

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“The Sour Taste on the Silver Spoon” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #58

When she was little, Eustacia had an impressive collection of dolls. She was never quite sure whether people gave them to her because they thought she liked them, or because it was an easy choice of present. If asked, she would have said, “Well, I didn’t dislike them.” And that wasn’t being tactful, though she was, somewhat reluctantly, learning the habits of tact. She hadn’t been one of those technical minded tomboys who clamoured for trucks and trainsets instead of dolls, and, more than onc...

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Write a story about someone feeling powerless.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 284 stories

“A Gleam in the Dark” by Melissa Hassan

“The life of a princess” by Palak Shah

“The pink carpeting” by Ruth Porritt

“Fear the Fall With a Deathly Heart - The Four Moon Cycles Part Three” by Yolanda Wu

“Lights out” by Moon Lion

“Her Poetry Part I” by Grace Reardon

“A 'Real' School” by Regina Perry

“Crybaby” by Holly Pierce

“The Ruins Between Us” by Eve Naden

“Montis Absentia Pt. III” by Joshua G. J. Insole

“The Tank” by Lani Lane

“The day my life changed” by Katina Foster

“Returning” by Tessa Takzikab

“Happier 😁” by Ari Berri

“The Sour Taste on the Silver Spoon” by Deborah Mercer

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone who purposefully causes a power outage.

Write a story where the power goes out on a spaceship or submarine.

Write about a character who’s stuck in an elevator when the power goes out.

Write about a family who decides to camp out in the back yard during a power outage.

Contest #58

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

880

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: