Write about a character who is trying to leave something or someone behind — only to realize they carry it with them.

Posted in Sad on Nov 4, 2022

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✍️ 72 stories

“Another one walking beside me” by Sutanu Mukherjee

Submitted to Contest #171

I think Hope is a bitch. Hope never left me or stayed with me. My mother, Asha Mann, spent most of her adult life snorting coke and doing odd jobs to fund her addiction. One such odd job brought me into this world. During an unprotected exercise of flailing her legs, she discovered the implications of "the odds are against you." I do not have much memory of my mother. But my neighbours in the slum where I live say that in her lucid moments, Ma used to call me Swayam. In Hindi, Swayam meant yourself. Maybe she hoped that, unlike her, I co...

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“The Lions Upstairs ” by Eunice S

Submitted to Contest #171

There is the sound of footsteps present in my house at all times, even when I am in bed. Even when there are no visitors, at least none that I know of. Even when there are no animals loose – there could not be – I do not own any. But it does not matter what I do. I search every corner of my house, and the sound still goes on. I think they might be Rebecca's footsteps, but I always forget; she is not here anymore. I have called the police, I have gone to therapies, there is nothing much I can do. I take my medicine and yet, nothing ...

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“Another one bites the dust” by Laura Ethington

Submitted to Contest #171

It was just a breakup, another mediocre relationship that had ended. It had nothing to do with her, her worth, or even his. It just wasn't the right fit. She knew that. Then why the fuck am I so damn pissed? She thought to herself as she stuffed all her hiking gear into her backpack. Whenever she went through a breakup, she did the same thing; she grabbed her things, a memento of the relationship, and went on a hike to bury it along with her feelings. She knew her therapist would read into this little ritual. She should work t...

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“Is It Going To Rain Lilly?” by Larissa Haynor

Submitted to Contest #171

My twelve year old sister, Lilly always said she could smell the rain, and made sure she said a simple, “I told you so” for all the times I denied it. Then I end up feeling the elegant droplets of water fall onto my arm a few hours later. She never sounded smug or egotistic, but instead always had a light smile on her face when looking up at the sky letting the rain wash over our skin. I loved seeing Lilly in the rain. Dancing and prancing in our front yard. I always made fun of her for having such a common and plain name, but she was anythi...

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“A Conversation Between an Immigrant Parent and American Daughter” by Letty Leh-ti

Submitted to Contest #171

I am bathing in the realm of darkness, after dusk there is no goddess that lives within the sky to shine light. As I go to undress for peace my flesh is isolated by the spirits of my ancestors before me. My Ma has told me stories of those who immigrated to the U.S in search of the American Dream, the good fortune. She tells me how they’ve encountered helplessness but were able to push through with determination. It is those stories that leave me questioning if their struggles were at all worth it and if they are at peace with how the generat...

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“Outrunning the Ocean” by Jeffery Young

Submitted to Contest #171

“I don’t know, doc. I just feel like they're still on me. You see? You know she and I met in college? I told you that story? We didn’t exactly hit it off, but hey, when you’re as awkward as me and as guarded as her, it’s a wonder we even remembered each other’s names! But those orbs! Those two, beautiful orbs! They haunt me, even when I haven’t seen her in so long. Sure, I feel that twang in my chest, that liquid cool like a bucket of water cascading down on me . . . she was beautiful in so many ways! I hung onto every word, gasped at every ...

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“Independence” by Richard McPherson

Submitted to Contest #171

Independence Richard C. McPherson “To William Ivey, Fort Kearney, Platte River Region, May 11, 1849. Sir: I have the sad duty to report that your wife Elizabeth Ivey died yesterday from the cholera. Given your absence, her church will be responsible for the remains and a Christian burial. Yours, Dr. Harold Cartwright, Physician, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.” Rose stopped reading when she heard Lenny’s high voice. ...

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“The Muscle Car Sound” by Judith Robinson

Submitted to Contest #171

In 1917 my great-grandfather purchased a Buick franchise. He later purchased Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and GMC. When the muscle car era started, I became a big fan of the looks and sound. I spent a lot of time with my dad, the service manager of the franchises. The muscle car started during prohibition from 1920 to 1933; during this time, moonshiners and bootleggers needed the fastest cars possible to outrun the police. They modified their vehicles to go faster, with improved cargo capacity and handling. After prohibition, they still got an adren...

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“The Long Road Home” by Lacey Hill

Submitted to Contest #171

1999 I come home from school to a dark house. It’s Friday, so there is no telling where everyone is. Callie could be at a neighbor’s house, with Mom, or in the woods for all I know. As usual, there is no note. Greg doesn’t normally come home until after 5:30 from work. He’s a mechanic at Sears Automotive, and he is always a little greasy and smells like motor oil and tires before he showers. After moving in with us last fall after Mom’s…ordeal, it was nice to have someone home to balance her out. Or it would have been nice if that had a...

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“The Three Photographs / Dave West” by Dave West

Submitted to Contest #171

The Three Photographs / David West My father is telling me a story. I’m helping him sort his belongings before he moves into the rest home he’s chosen, with a little bit of help from me and my brother. I’ve found an envelope with three old photos in it, and asked him about them. He likes to tell his stories as though they’re happening as he speaks, which is a bit odd. It’s like he’s still living in the past, and can’t let go. But it does make them more real, somehow. There’s an envelope tucked under the door to my room when I get back t...

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“Then as Always” by A. G. Whitmore

Submitted to Contest #171

It was an unusually warm and bright day for November. While the rest of the class made the most of the weather, Rory spent break time inside. He appeared to be asleep on his desk. From the splendid outdoors, no one could hear or see him cry. Though he did his best, he couldn’t fight the tears. They came upon him with no warning and rarely at the most opportune moment. He’d taken to finding solace in the bathrooms of late where he could be alone with his anguish, away from everyone else for he was certain no one could understand his p...

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“The curse of Candy” by Andrea Doig

Submitted to Contest #171

A mini-Memoir.We have valiantly tried to leave her in the nightmares of holidays past, but the legend of Candy and her malevolent modus operandi prevails. Her ghostly shadow of incompetence lingering on through many a mirthful tale.Like many great stories, ours began over a few glasses of wine. My good friend Tania informed us of yet another trip to visit her parents on the Italian Riviera. Rolling my eyes, at the injustice of being born to South African parents with no second home in Italy, or anywhere else, I poured another glass of wine. ...

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“The Desert of Truth” by Isaiah Ramos

Submitted to Contest #171

Alexander trudged across the flat desert. Guided only by twilight, he was startled when he heard a call not far from him on his left. “Ahoy!” Alexander flinched and turned to find a large, vibrant tree there; under it a man was waving at him with both arms. Unsure how he had missed the tree, he turned to greet the man. “Hello,” he returned. “I am Alexander.” “Alexander,” the man repeated thoughtfully. “What is your name?” Alexander asked. “Oh, I go by many names,” the man said mysteriously, “but you may call me Ezuwë. Tell me, what brings yo...

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“Peace-full” by Blüme Boyd

Submitted to Contest #171

Peace-fullDecember 26, 2007I try not to think too much about humanity. Unanswerable questions make my spine itch. That’s why didn’t study philosophy. Just grinding over questions day and night, only to end at “maybe this” or “perhaps that.” Nonsense. Everyone has their own thoughts there to guide them, let them go as they must. If that’s into the dust, so be it. I’ve had to come to the same conclusion with my parents. I’ve tried and I’ve tried to sway them toward the truth but they just won’t budge and it’s made me absolutely miserable....

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“Know Where To Run” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #171

Dead. Killed. Ended. All of them. I watched them die and there was nothing I could do. I witnessed every terrible second of their deaths, but now it doesn’t seem real. I’m cut loose in the world and I want to go back and discover that I was wrong and I only imagined those final tragic moments… But I can’t. I can never go back. I managed to escape. I had to get away. They’ll think I did it. The blood. So much blood. I washed it off of me, but I still see it in the corner of my eye. In my peripheral vision I see the blood, but wh...

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Write about a character who is trying to leave something or someone behind — only to realize they carry it with them.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 72 stories

“Another one walking beside me” by Sutanu Mukherjee

“The Lions Upstairs ” by Eunice S

“Another one bites the dust” by Laura Ethington

“Is It Going To Rain Lilly?” by Larissa Haynor

“A Conversation Between an Immigrant Parent and American Daughter” by Letty Leh-ti

“Outrunning the Ocean” by Jeffery Young

“Independence” by Richard McPherson

“The Muscle Car Sound” by Judith Robinson

“The Long Road Home” by Lacey Hill

“The Three Photographs / Dave West” by Dave West

“Then as Always” by A. G. Whitmore

“The curse of Candy” by Andrea Doig

“The Desert of Truth” by Isaiah Ramos

“Peace-full” by Blüme Boyd

“Know Where To Run” by Jed Cope

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone looking at a breathtaking view and getting emotional.

Write about two solo travelers who keep bumping into each other in the most unexpected of places.

Write a story where someone decides to take the long way home.

Your character is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. The story takes place during a long-haul flight, with an open return-date. What happens?

Contest #171

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

204

Contest entries

79

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: