Center your story around a character’s attempt to escape a bad situation that inadvertently leads them back to the source of their problems.

Posted in Short Story on Sep 13, 2024

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✍️ 47 stories

“MINISERIES: "PEOPLE ARE STRANGE": EPISODE 2: "DEAD MAN'S MELODY"” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #268

DISCLAIMER:"THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO REAL EVENTS OR PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL. THE STORY IS INSPIRED BY THE ARTISTIC WORKS OF JIM MORRISON AND THE DOORS. STILL, IT IS IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED WITH, NOR DOES IT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT BY, THE BAND OR ITS MEMBERS. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IS INTENDED, AND THIS STORY IS PURELY FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. ALL RIGHTS TO 'PEOPLE ARE STRANGE' BELONG TO THE ORIGINAL COPYRIGHT HOLDERS."(The scene opens as the camera drifts slowly into Jared Melvin's apartment. The di...

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“I'm getting out of here” by Nicole Chheng

Submitted to Contest #268

That damn scratching grated against my ears. I loathed that sound, the sound of wasted seconds as I repeatedly tried to jam my key into the lock. The shaking was manageable most times, but it was shit like this that made me curse the burn that scorched my throat and fucked me up day after day. This fucking lock was the only thing standing in the way of another wasted night spent wasted. I hated that ever-growing pile of bills by my door. I kicked over two more, unsure if they were for rent, utilities, unpaid parking tickets, or whatever else...

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“The Dark Reciprocates” by Erin Kelley

Submitted to Contest #268

The Reed name should not have been one of particular note in New England, despite an established lineage from before the revolutionary war. By the time the tendrils of iron rails had radiated industry between every hamlet and township, the family was of only modest means and of no particular standing outside of the local Elk lodge. Such dour thoughts on the history of my dwindling family tree were as inescapable as the curse on the Reed name as I crossed over the twin iron lines of modernity and headed into the woods. Foster Reed, my uncle, ...

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“Ernest And Nesta” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #268

ERNEST AND NESTA. Ernest and Nesta King were your ideal young couple they had vowed to love and cherish each other for the rest of their days. Ernest was a worried man during their ten years of living together as husband and wife, he had kept the truth from Nesta. His dear sweet angel, did not know that he was at fault and that was why she could not conceive. &...

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“Disintegration ” by Dorothy Quinn

Submitted to Contest #268

I feel unsettled. Springtime brings up strange feelings in the body. A stirring of hormones inside. Nature working its own thing. Waking up is not easy. Thinking about things again is not easy. Maybe I could return to sleep? I know that is impossible as earth moves on relentlessly without exceptions. The bear like creature I am becoming has human arms and legs. I stretch my nails out in front and count them one by one. They are important to my survival.‘Hey are you awake?’ The voice broke into my conciousness. From the cave l...

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“The Storm” by Sofia Palmerston

Submitted to Contest #268

Sofia and Valentina were inseparable best friends, living in a bustling city in Northern Italy. Urban life was rich with opportunities for the teenage girls, and they spent almost every day exploring the city, discovering quaint cafes, and daydreaming about the future. Today was no exception; they planned to visit a charming bookstore in the town center. As they were just outside Sofia’s apartment, the sky began to darken, and drops of rain started to fall. Sofia glanced up at the swirling clouds. “I think I need my umbrella,” sh...

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“The Bird with Gilded Wings” by Anonymous Storyteller

Submitted to Contest #268

There was once a newborn bird who was white – pure white, yet to be painted with the many colors of this world. She was birthed in a charming wood with trees that whispered of ancient histories and fireflies that danced on a summer night. At each passing year on her birthday, she would dream of faraway lands – cities made of gold and silver, ornate riches and spices, and all different kinds of species she had yet to encounter in her home. Her onyx eyes danced with images of these places and creatures...

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“The Cherry Street Garage” by Jim Robison

Submitted to Contest #268

Contemporary folklore is filled with stories of international multi-billion-dollar corporations that got their start in a California garage or on a kitchen table, and some of these stories are actually true. But you have probably never heard of the Cherry Street Garage. This is not because you are ill informed or because the story is untrue. It is because nobody has heard of the Cherry Street Garage. Until now. It is April 10th, 1974. Maxwell Porter is working in his garage on Cherry Street in Menlo Park California.&...

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“Recycled” by Gabriel Muers

Submitted to Contest #268

(CW: Memory loss, needles, abusive parenting, medical malpractice, themes of death) I awake with a start into a body. I realise I have eyes that can open, and they do so. I realise I have fingers to twitch, and they curl around the arms of the chair I’m sat on, feeling the smooth, cool wood of its arms. The material is a rich warm brown, but lacks whorls and obvious woodgrain; its flaws have been untangled and banished, leaving only a perfectly plain blank slate. The before is nothing. Before this moment of waking, I was nothing, and therefo...

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“Escape from the Pokie” by Debra Koffski

Submitted to Contest #268

I love the color periwinkle blue; it always reminded me of my grandma, who loved anything of that color. She had flowers in her garden, knick-knacks, clothes, etc. I lost her four years ago, but one thing I will always cherish was her periwinkle blue antique vase, which she told me was a special vase that grants wishes. I tested her once when I was six, wanting a special doll. When I didn’t immediately get it, I told her the vase didn’t work. The look on her face still haunts me, it’s like I wrecked her dreams. I neve...

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“Splish, Splash, Crash” by Keith Menendez

Submitted to Contest #268

Splish, splash. Splish, splash, crash. Splish, splash. Splish, splash, crash….The continuous rhythm and roar of the ocean waves, the tropical light burning through the morning clouds, and the seagulls’ lonely cry, awakened Sandy Harris lying on a desolate beach. Her fingers grasped the wet sand, her feet and legs soaked up the waves, and her eyes opened to the burning sun. She shielded them with her left hand and sat up with her right. The dry sand cascaded from her arms and fingers.“Where am I? Is this the Caribbean?”Sandy scanned...

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“Dance Floor Fiasco” by Gil Harris

Submitted to Contest #268

Dance Floor FiascoThe vocalist had a case of early water breakage. She wasn’t due for another two weeks. The little arrival was on his or her own schedule, though. Seems we were the only replacement band they could find on such short notice that didn’t already have a gig for this Friday night. I had been people watching from my stool at the end of the bar. I manage the band that would be on the stage for this event at the Regency Hotel. Our usual venues were more of the hoi palloi variety, a step down from the fancy nature of this gig. The ...

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“The Scarecrow” by Monique Seaton

Submitted to Contest #268

The wind felt different this week, maybe it was just the fact that it was now Autumn or maybe something more sinister. But I felt a sense of foreshadowing the moment I stepped out of the house. The rusty, burnt orange leaves squatted in an irritable sort of swamp at the door step of my cottage and sighing, I grabbed my wellies, a wooly hat and rake and began to get to work. Two years ago, after a dramatic breakup with my boyfriend, Joshua, my world was left shattered in pieces. I’d relied on him too much, so when he’d left me for my own best...

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“a reviewers worst nightmare ” by William Ghostkeeper

Submitted to Contest #268

Another review, another batch of lost subscribers as our character walks into his bosses office he wonders if he is gonna be fired for consistently losing subscribers when he puts out a restaurant review. I mean it must be that right? I mean there's no way that newspaper reviews are a dying medium… right??? As he opens the door he can already tell that he's angry. But when he talks its the most polite he's ever seen his boss and overall kinda cheery, it creeps him out a bit. “Please take a seat” “how are you today”, “how's the dog doing?”. “...

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“Play by the Rules” by Burton Sage

Submitted to Contest #268

Play by the RulesbyBurt Sage “My Doctor says I’d be a fool to try,” Grandpa says. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to find someone to fill in for me.” That’s my Grandpa, Ed Haskell, founder of Ed Haskell Cadillac. He sprained his ankle three weeks ago and, at 85 years of age, the healing has been slow. The thing he would be a fool to try is playing in the Annual Chamber of Commerce four man best ball charity golf tournament scheduled in three weeks. In a four man best ball format each of the four golfers plays their own ball on each hole, b...

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Center your story around a character’s attempt to escape a bad situation that inadvertently leads them back to the source of their problems.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 47 stories

“MINISERIES: "PEOPLE ARE STRANGE": EPISODE 2: "DEAD MAN'S MELODY"” by Darvico Ulmeli

“I'm getting out of here” by Nicole Chheng

“The Dark Reciprocates” by Erin Kelley

“Ernest And Nesta” by Christine LW

“Disintegration ” by Dorothy Quinn

“The Storm” by Sofia Palmerston

“The Bird with Gilded Wings” by Anonymous Storyteller

“The Cherry Street Garage” by Jim Robison

“Recycled” by Gabriel Muers

“Escape from the Pokie” by Debra Koffski

“Splish, Splash, Crash” by Keith Menendez

“Dance Floor Fiasco” by Gil Harris

“The Scarecrow” by Monique Seaton

“a reviewers worst nightmare ” by William Ghostkeeper

“Play by the Rules” by Burton Sage

🌟 Similar prompts

Your character gets everything they ever wanted — only to realize the true cost.

Write a story about someone seeking forgiveness for their past actions.

A character’s life of deceit unravels as their past catches up with their present. What are the consequences?

Start a story with someone receiving a message from their past self, warning them of the consequences of their actions.

Contest #268

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

287

Contest entries

131

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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