Start your story with a character looking closely at something, or someone. They can't quite decide if what they're looking at is natural, or man-made.

Posted in Science Fiction on Aug 25, 2023

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✍️ 51 stories

“The Android's Lullaby” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #213

My heart was beating hummingbird-fast as I inspected the pitch-black cave I’d fallen into. The hole I’d fallen through was far above my head and lightly covered in pine boughs. I held my breath and detected the wolf’s pawfalls- no longer stealthy quiet but stomping in frustration. I smiled with my breath held as it howled in anguish and bounded off. Gradually, my heartbeat regulated, and I grew curious about my surroundings. It was pitch black, I could see nothing, but it did not freak me out. Being a diurnal mammal, I was used to poor ...

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“First Steps” by Sarah Duffey

Submitted to Contest #213

This would be the last time Reynold saw his baby before the war began. He crouched in the yard and opened his arms. “Here, darling,” he said while Renata stood on wobbly legs a short distance away. She was the most beautiful thing Reynold had ever seen. No nebula had ever taken his breath away so easily. Renata waved one arm around, trying to keep her balance. Reynold’s eyes lingered on her other arm, mostly unformed and cut off above the elbow. He intensely wanted to know if it had been the haze or genes that had caused such a defect. ...

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“Distancing Touch” by Bernadette Beauchamp

Submitted to Contest #213

Raven had never thought looking at her own hands could make her cry. Disbelief rushed over her as she tried to separate what she remembered of her hands and what was attached to her now. A clunky gear shifting sound made a “chunk, chunk” noise as her hands stuttered while she rotated them. She could see the skin combined with metal and wondered what the Hell happened last night. How did having a beer while sitting on top of her car at the end of Palomar Airport result in this? Why couldn’t she remember anything? Just watching some planes tak...

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“Heart and Soul” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #213

“Do you have a minute? I want to get your opinion on something.” She smiled, more to herself than outwardly. Her daughter, a fiercely independent woman, wanted her opinion. An occasion such as this was few and far between. “Of course. What’s on your mind?” “We received a submission for the cover, but it feels weird. I can’t put my finger on it. Something just seems off.” “Let’s take a look. Did you bring it with you?” “I did.” The young woman pulled her laptop out of its case and opened...

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“Ladies' Choice” by Katie H

Submitted to Contest #213

I matched with a guy, not from town.He lived two towns over and had an overbite. But his dimples were deep, and his blonde hair looked like it had natural highlights, not the bottle bleach kind purchased at the local beauty supply store.I sent the first message because I had to - Ladies’ Choice. But he was the one who asked me out on a date the following evening. He listed some places we could go in his town, but I thought meeting during the day in mine would be better. I didn't want unfamiliarity or to go out at night with a stranger.We dec...

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“Conversations, before the war” by Edd Baker

Submitted to Contest #213

This story contains strong sexual themes throughout, as well as brief strong language. As Paul gazed upon the woman, and watched her lips open and close, her jaw rising and lowering with each word, he wondered if she was real or not. "Dude I fucking swear on my bubbe‘s grave, these are the best real girls in town", Marty had retorted to Paul’s protest about their late night venture just a little earlier, Marty speeding through downtown. "Trust me dude, you’ll love it”, Pete chimed in from the back, his drugged eyes gazing blankly out ...

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Start your story with a character looking closely at something, or someone. They can't quite decide if what they're looking at is natural, or man-made.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 51 stories

“The Android's Lullaby” by Tanya Humphreys

“First Steps” by Sarah Duffey

“Distancing Touch” by Bernadette Beauchamp

“Heart and Soul” by Hannah Lynn

“Ladies' Choice” by Katie H

“Conversations, before the war” by Edd Baker

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with a character receiving a hug or words of comfort.

Write a story about someone who is losing feeling in their hands and/or fingers.

Write about someone with a Midas touch: everything they touch turns to [fill in the blank].

Write about an AI or person trying to inject a ‘human touch’ into their work.

Contest #213

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

286

Contest entries

124

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: