Write a story involving a portal into a parallel universe.

Posted in Science Fiction on Apr 28, 2023

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✍️ 61 stories

“Welcome to Silkray” by Aashitha Jeyaganesh

Submitted to Contest #196

It was a day like any other in the faint town of Silkray, Connecticut. Everyday the residents woke up to a world where their home remained forgotten on the map, and their lives seemed to be trapped in a consistent loop that everyone felt, but never acted upon. So believe the words that say, the following isn’t an imaginary story. It happened. It all unfolds beginning with an explosion on Elm Street. A ticking. Then a boom. The thunderous reverberation was enough to startle awake the red-head that laid fast asleep under the cozy protec...

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“In Another Life” by Pene Worth

Submitted to Contest #196

In Another Life Megan ducked her head as she entered the office building. The security guard paid her no attention, the ground floor reception did not acknowledge her. It was easy for Megan to be invisible in this hive of fashion, a publisher for top name magazines loaded with glamor and glitz. A secretary for a copy writer. A fetcher of coffees and lunch bagels. The invisible person who made sure there were no clashes in Ms Farrel’s day planner and that her dry cleaning was on time. Megan’s mousy hair, thick spectacles and diminutive s...

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“No mushrooms needed” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #196

Half past three. A last check-up on Jerry, who is in isolation for the umpteenth time, and then a long weekend begins. All right then. -"What day is it?" -"Are you lost in time, Jerry?" I ask. He lies bored on his bed, and casually turns around when I enter. -"Maybe. Unstuck me, doc!" he smiles broadly. "A week seems like a month here." -"I believe you, Jerry." I sincerely agree. -"Where has the time gone?" he yawns. -"Don't you think that's a stupid question?" I ask in return. -"You're right doc, it's an absolutely absurd question." he sigh...

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“UNKNOWN FAMILIARS” by Latoya Edwards

Submitted to Contest #196

*Warning, contains some profanity.* Ezra Farqua sat on the chaise in his bedroom watching Turnette Farqua, his wife of only 3 months get ready for her girls spa day with her best friends. He was so in love with her. He met her his senior year in college while studying abroad in the states. He was surprised that they were from the same country of Bermuda. She was a beauty and had brains. Her skin was a deep caramel, and she had the perfect dancer’s body as she w...

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“A Matter of Space-Time Metrics” by Joseph Morris

Submitted to Contest #196

A Matter of Space-Time Metrics By Joseph Morris Portown, New Arantes City, Jandira 20 May 423 SJF (Since Jandira’s Founding) There’s a bit of irony that one of the most significant events in human history was witnessed only by a cat in an alley in the seedy part of a city on a backwater planet. Not the most auspicious place for the arrival of an almost godlike advanced species intent on First Contact with the Human Species. In the long run, the absurdity of the Passimian’s arrival being witnessed only by a feline did nothing to minimize the...

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“When the Dragons Left” by Indigo Wolfe

Submitted to Contest #196

The windows banging open awoke her. Blearily in the early morning light, she sat up, moving to stand and close the window that was thrown open by the sudden storm. That was when she noticed the folded note beside her on the bed. Standing, she closed the window and pulled her nightdress closer around her to stave off the sudden cold. She picked up the note and began to read. Princess, I know we spoke of this possibility and you never put any belief into it. But it happens today, it has to. I want you to know that this is ...

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“The Door” by Alex Horsey

Submitted to Contest #196

There's a door at the end of the hall. It wasn't there yesterday. In fact, it hadn't been there the entire time he's lived in this house. But now, there's a door at the end of the hall. He tried his best to ignore it, he really did. Tried his best to go about his every day like it had always been there, like it didn't just suddenly appear and make him spill his coffee all over himself. But it sat there, in the corner of his mind, nagging at him until he decided to do something about it. And, well - what else is there to do with a door other...

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“I Couldn’t Give It Back” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #196

“We have to go to Lups.” Hedy said, rolling her cuffs and adjusting her vest. Rosa nodded vigorously. Hedy whispered in her ear laughing, while Astra waited patiently to get going. Outside the dorms, the university and the city seemed to Astra to be all dirty air and concrete. As they got onto the bus, Astra stopped, seeing something below between the bus door and the curb. It was a wounded stray cat. A grey calico, underfed with patchy fur, limping up on the curb and away on the sidewalk. Hedy pulled, while Ro...

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“A Year Abroad” by Shania Webb

Submitted to Contest #196

When the kids arrive to school that morning, some with strips of red sunburn across their noses, they excitedly jump into their allocated seats and throw their hands up. ‘Miss Greene! Look at my bracelet – it’s from Turkey!’ Charlotte screams, hopping up and down in her chair like a baby rabbit. ‘Miss Greene, I got you chocolate from Belgium, I ate one of them but-’ ‘Miss Greene-’ I clap my hands together three times. They clap back twice, the noise quickly softening as they sink into their chairs. ‘Boys and girls! I know you’re very...

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“The Illusion of Luxury” by Defaulty Noah

Submitted to Contest #196

My neighborhood is quite remarkable at making me feel left behind every time I look through it. Building after building covers this road in its ultimate fashion, their power for an inanimate object is surreal. Every step through here feels magical in some way; like a first walk through Disney World. Each building is practically four dimensional compared to me, so foreign, yet so beautiful. It feels as though, when I make my way through here, the sky glows in a bluer hue. How could one not feel blissful when walking through such a beautiful a...

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“Halloween in Spring!” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #196

"Ban the boring!" Jacinta told herself. She was fourteen years old. Here she was in Witchyproof. Her parents had traveled to this blazing hot region, with Jacinta's big sister, Sarah Jane. It was their annual Back to Witchyproof long weekend approaching. Jacinta's father had been raised in this sheep farming district. Once a year he leased a cabin on the verge of the Witchyproof National Park. The whole land was in the grip of a severe drought. Even showers in their holiday cabin had a timer, with a three minute limit for each person. There ...

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“Fall into the Sky” by Anne Reed

Submitted to Contest #196

Across the light blue carpet of the living room lay the body of a woman. A floor lamp illuminated the side of her blond head that had been repeatedly bludgeoned. Blood drenched her face and had splashed over everything: her floral nightgown, the carpet, the sofa, the lampshade, and even a few drops had reached the green curtains drawn across the sliding door. Richard Spencer stood with his back to the curtains, his chest heaving, as he surveyed his dead wife. His thin brown hair and soft, oval face were sprayed with blood, as was his...

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“I14:7 & 1TS5:18” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #196

Sunday afternoon had arrived, providing a moment of respite for the four best friends - Kenneth, Samsul, David, and Leong - who congregated at Upperstars Restaurant. Despite the chaos of the past week and their varied careers, they always found time to reunite and catch up. "Setting up the PA System for Datuk Gerald's son's wedding was quite a hoot," Leong remarked, referring to his thriving business. David acknowledged, "Seems like your PA System business is booming.""Indeed, but there's so much to be done. May is going to be a wi...

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“Maya Polymorpheous: All that over an Oingo Boingo t-shirt” by Gary Belton

Submitted to Contest #196

For six months, the trio that sparked and fanned the flame of the “Maya Polymorphous” mythos, basked in both the finally waning limelight of their first completed foray into their anti-bullying firm, and the moderate financial prosperity that would stem from those exact exploits. The now infamous: “Aha, you just got knocked out by Maya Polymorphous, bitch!” video would go viral—netting the three teens almost ten thousand dollars apiece. That, along with Lila’s developing social-media presence and hacking skills would spearhead the teams grow...

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“Morgan and Twanatwain” by Finley Watson

Submitted to Contest #196

I heard my dad snoring in the next room. That’s how I knew it was time. I quietly opened the window and cringed at the loud creak. I leapt down onto the soft, moist grass. I slung my knapsack over my shoulder and pulled my black hood over my face. Time to rescue my stepbrother. I was careful to make sure none of my neighbors saw me at this hour. They would instantly call Dad or Patricia, and I’d never find Patrick. I knew it was risky, visiting Twanatwain again, but Patrick couldn’t wait. When I approached the woods, I stopped...

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Write a story involving a portal into a parallel universe.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 61 stories

“Welcome to Silkray” by Aashitha Jeyaganesh

“In Another Life” by Pene Worth

“No mushrooms needed” by F.O. Morier

“UNKNOWN FAMILIARS” by Latoya Edwards

“A Matter of Space-Time Metrics” by Joseph Morris

“When the Dragons Left” by Indigo Wolfe

“The Door” by Alex Horsey

“I Couldn’t Give It Back” by David B Fraser

“A Year Abroad” by Shania Webb

“The Illusion of Luxury” by Defaulty Noah

“Halloween in Spring!” by Julie Grenness

“Fall into the Sky” by Anne Reed

“I14:7 & 1TS5:18” by Ian James

“Maya Polymorpheous: All that over an Oingo Boingo t-shirt” by Gary Belton

“Morgan and Twanatwain” by Finley Watson

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character unknowingly experiencing a “sliding doors” moment. Write your story in two halves; what could have been, and what actually happened.

Write a story that includes the phrase “Maybe in another life.”

You’re walking down the street, when you spot a familiar figure. It’s another you. And they’ve come from an alternate reality to warn you about something.

Set your story in a world where time travel has been perfected, and people can use it to hop between alternate timelines — but at a cost.

Contest #196

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

279

Contest entries

149

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: