Two strangers discover they have a hidden connection that alters their understanding of each other and themselves.

Posted in Short Story on Oct 4, 2024

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✍️ 70 stories

“One Short” by Joe Sauers

Submitted to Contest #271

Aulie delivers copious amounts of white smoke into the main tent, covering the floor and concealing the pancake risers under a thick squidgy blanket of eerily inviting fluffiness. The main lamps are dampened and then switched off, leaving the low-angled footlights as the only source of illumination inside the portable pavilion. An ornate green throne, decorated with large nuggets of polished amber and coloured glass made to resemble sparkling emeralds, appears from behind one of the many hanging curtains. Two quins, their painted-on merrimen...

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“The Patagonia Llamas Connection with the Ship Destiny's Dreams” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #271

In the 1800s, high on a volcanic island, the earth and the world shifted one day for three llamas and their human family members.Over a century later their story would be found in a sailor’s journal when an old wooden box in the attic of a lighthouse on the Mystical Coast was opened.It began with “I, Marco, was previously the keeper of books at the Biblioteca, the library, in Buenos Aires in 1850. Later my parrot Bonita and I became the library keepers on the clipper ship Destiny’s Dreams.There we met Captain Alfonse Belanger, who kept ...

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“Malheur à deux” by Max Wightwick

Submitted to Contest #271

Hearts in despair may shatter, though it takes but a gentle dove to repair the matter. Introspecting, with both arms on the ledge of Putney Bridge, Cicero evaluated his life. Shunned by his daughter of thirteen, from the slanderous enmity of her mother, what besides did he have on Earth? Not his métier, that was for certain. Imbursing him with wealth and financial security was insufficient recompense for what banes it inflicted upon Cicero. He loathed his métier for having entrapped him into sifting through cases upon cases of murder, s...

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“THE ILLUSIONIST” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #271

“Before you get any ideas, let me clarify: I am not a fraud.”I can feel the skepticism from here.You've probably read the headlines, skimmed the articles, and now you think you've got me figured out. Some brilliant guy who flew too close to the sun, right? Another tech genius brought down by his own arrogance.Well, you're wrong. You don't know half of it.Let me tell you how it all started. Because you can't understand the fall unless you understand the rise. And let me tell you, my rise wasn't an accident.No, I wasn't born with a silver spoo...

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“Familiar Strangers” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #271

Sunlight filtered through the window, its golden beams slicing through the stillness of the bookstore with precision, casting delicate patterns upon the worn wooden floor. Dust motes danced lazily in the air, like whispered secrets yet to be caught. Francesca wandered between bookshelves, her fingers brushing against faded spines, feeling the familiar tingle of forgotten stories. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper, binding glue, and that peculiar sweetness of time captured and conserved within the ink-laden pages. The bell above ...

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“For the Table” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #271

I noticed your left hand first.The strawberry-colored birthmark at the top of your ring finger matched mine. I wondered if I should hide it from you or the table, but I’ve come to realize that the people I’m waiting on never seem to notice details. Sometimes for fun, I put on a slight accent when I’m reciting the specials just to see if they’ll raise an eyebrow. How did a Scottish man end up waiting tables at a town in New England? Two years of community college theater classes and I can do two barely passable accents and play improv games w...

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“Stuck Together” by Ty Warmbrodt

Submitted to Contest #271

“Hey, Suzie, got a package for you.”“Thanks, Jaylen. How’s your day going?”“It’s a busy one. I picked up an extra route. We had a guy not show up today. I got to make that money. Besides, there’s a lead position open that I’m hoping to get.”“If anyone deserves it, Jaylen, it’s you. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”“Thanks, Suzie. I’ve got to run, or I’ll be out all night. The weather isn’t helping any.”“No kidding, it’s nasty out. You be careful out there.”Jaylen gives Suzie a smile and a two-finger salute as he turns for the elevator.“...

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“A Shared Quiet” by James Scott

Submitted to Contest #271

My worst nightmare stretched before me, from which there would be no escape. Encased in metal and already beginning to accelerate, the torture chamber clacked and rocked as if taunting me with it’s mechanical laughter. The orange fluorescence it generated fought back against the assaulting darkness of the night and the air screamed as it was sliced into by my speeding dungeon.“Ding. Next stop Truro. Estimated arrival. One hour and nineteen minutes. This service terminates at Penzance. Please ensure you take all your belongings with you when ...

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“Familiar Strangers” by Ronald John MacLennan Jr

Submitted to Contest #271

The soothing scent of lavender filled the yoga studio, blending with the soft hum of meditation music. A delicate warmth enveloped the room, courtesy of dimmed overhead lights and glowing candles. Zoe unrolled her mat in the far corner, just where the sunlight trickled through the frosted windows, casting patterns on the polished wooden floor. She took a deep breath, trying to ground herself. Yoga had become her ritual, the one place where she could disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with herself.As she sank into a sens...

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“Unique Identity Crisis” by Aaron Hawkins

Submitted to Contest #271

“She shouldn’t be hard to spot. She’ll be wearing a red tank top and holding a balloon,” Manitoba Melonfleur said to her boyfriend, Jake. “Whose idea was the balloon?” Jake asked. “Hers. I came up with the matching top idea,” said Manitoba, who was dressed in a red tank top and shorts appropriate for the hot weather. It was Manitoba and Jak...

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“Deadly Confessions” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #271

(Sensitive themes: alcohol, DUI, murder, mental health)Ruby Marshall grew weary of listening to people's problems, which was unfortunate because, as a psychotherapist, that was her job. On a late October afternoon, she ushered a new client into her office, painted light blue, a color that bored her. Ruby hoped her mysterious client, calling himself John Doe, would be interesting. Still, she'd poured herself another cup of coffee just in case. "Have a seat." Ruby pointed to the beige sofa. When John entered the room, a serene golden...

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“The Rings of Central Park” by Ellie Mae

Submitted to Contest #271

Dean had always loved Central Park. The vast green space amid the concrete and steel of New York City had become his personal sanctuary over the years. On any given Saturday, you'd find him jogging along the winding paths, headphones in, lost in the music and the rhythmic pounding of his feet against the pavement. Today was no different—well, almost. As the morning sun began to filter through the towering oaks and maples, casting dappled light across the park, Dean rounded the corner near the Bethesda Fountain. His breath was steady, his leg...

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“Strangers on a Plane” by Jan Melnyk

Submitted to Contest #271

Strangers on a Plane By Lori Jan Melnykjan.mikemelnyk@gmail.com 3000 words &...

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“Edge of the Bay” by H.e. Ross

Submitted to Contest #271

Edge of the Bay It was a beautiful San Francisco day. Created for boat, sail and sea. The breeze was starting to show a potential for anything. I smiled at pulling the main and mizzen sail covers back and folding them. Three seagulls were cawing in disagreement about something while circling the marina. The cumulous moved slowly above the distant hills across the Bay making an undulating shadow play over brown and green mounds. The Bay was crisp with wavelets and green with invitation to a go...

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“Roots of Connection: Beneath the surface of hidden threads.” by Oceana Montel

Submitted to Contest #271

Roots of Connection: Beneath the Surface of Hidden Threads.In the ancient village of Elysia, nestled between rolling hills and ancient forests, lived a wise elder named Seraphis. Revered for his profound understanding of the human spirit, he was a beacon of guidance for those seeking healing and self-discovery. His presence brought comfort to many, as he embodied a serene wisdom that seemed to transcend time itself.One crisp autumn morning, a young woman named Lyra ventured to seek his counsel. With her long auburn hair fluttering in the gen...

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Two strangers discover they have a hidden connection that alters their understanding of each other and themselves.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 70 stories

“One Short” by Joe Sauers

“The Patagonia Llamas Connection with the Ship Destiny's Dreams” by Kristi Gott

“Malheur à deux” by Max Wightwick

“THE ILLUSIONIST” by Darvico Ulmeli

“Familiar Strangers” by Jim LaFleur

“For the Table” by Story Time

“Stuck Together” by Ty Warmbrodt

“A Shared Quiet” by James Scott

“Familiar Strangers” by Ronald John MacLennan Jr

“Unique Identity Crisis” by Aaron Hawkins

“Deadly Confessions” by Kristy Schnabel

“The Rings of Central Park” by Ellie Mae

“Strangers on a Plane” by Jan Melnyk

“Edge of the Bay” by H.e. Ross

“Roots of Connection: Beneath the surface of hidden threads.” by Oceana Montel

🌟 Similar prompts

A character crosses paths with a stranger who looks eerily familiar.

A chance encounter brings together two old friends who have changed in surprising or strange ways.

Write a story that includes the line “Have we met before?”

A character finds a clue or object linking them to a stranger.

Contest #271

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

389

Contest entries

137

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: