Write a story that includes the line “Better late than never.”

Posted in Short Story on Nov 1, 2024

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✍️ 42 stories

“Tea Time With a Vampire” by Kim Ricks

Submitted to Contest #275

The tavern doors burst open and two men threw a third out onto the pavement in a fashion that Amber was fairly certain only happened in movies. The man being thrown landed with his face down, shouting obscenities that only the concrete could hear clearly. "Great, Mom. What on earth did you get me into?” Amber asked. She checked the address on the old, crumpled paper one more time before putting it back into her pocket. She glanced at the aging sign above the door. The Winged Bat. That felt a little too on the nose, but Amber shrugged and ste...

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“Coming Back to Life” by Amy Curry

Submitted to Contest #275

I always knew that opening this can of worms would resurface and reignite that flame that burned so hot that it was cold, but this has waited long enough. I could not run any further from it than I already had. It's time to face the music; that shit song you always skip, Lucy- I tell myself as I pour my fourth beer, into a glass, just like he used to when we would sit on his back porch twenty years prior. It is a counterproductive coping mechanism, and I am well aware of this, but I still choose to carry on. "It tastes better and goes down m...

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“Lights On” by Venus Taha

Submitted to Contest #275

Grayson ran his hands through his hair, taking a deep breath. This was going to be his big break, everything he had worked for his entire life would finally all be brought together. He found his parents in the crowd, an excited Desmond whispering to his husband. Hudson was smiling along, looking at the stage expectantly. The curtains were still drawn, but Grayson was able to peek and look at his dad’s excitement. In and out, in and out, he could do this. This wasn’t his first time on a stage, yet none of the other times were as important as ...

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“Hunter” by Marie Harrison

Submitted to Contest #275

Smoke swirled up from his cigarette and disappeared into the clear evening sky. He shifted the weight of his body to accommodate the pain in his knee. He watched as boats lazily drifted in and out of the marinas all the way to the bay and ocean beyond. He preferred this view from the bridge, especially when it came time to meet. The other side saw only boats nestled between docks and the water disappearing into the woods. Living a life full of traps and stealthy movement made closed off spaces like harbors feel even more claustrophobic. If h...

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“The ties that bind us” by Teresa Lucius

Submitted to Contest #275

The marble elevator was a tight space, all brass fixtures and polished wood panels. My heels sank into the thick burgundy carpet as I stepped inside, grateful for a moment alone. That's when a hand caught the closing doors. A rush of panic - then fantasy took over. His deep forest-green eyes found mine in the reflection as he reached past me to push the button, his arm brushing mine. In the mirrored walls, his presence multiplied, surrounding me. His breath on my neck, the imagined kiss that would never happen... Then the sharp ding of the e...

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“The Sting of a Honeybee” by Sutton Whitmore

Submitted to Contest #275

At first it was gradual, like the slow drip from a leaky faucet, then it swept through the country, then the world, like a hurricane. The most prestigious of doctors were forced to their knees, unable to explain the onslaught of deaths among women between the ages of 22 and 41. Women who were verifiably healthy, with minimal pre-existing conditions, with nothing to explain the climbing death toll. Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Friends, Lovers. Gone.Many scoffed, explaining it away by the lack of medical research involving women's health....

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“Time Well Wasted” by Ellie Osborne

Submitted to Contest #275

Today, in Oliver's opinion, is too beautiful for a funeral. Sunlight spills in through the branches of trees, painting Oliver's face in a soft warmth. He tips his head back for a moment, sighing. He could imagine somewhere children lying on the grass pointing out shapes in the clouds. Maybe a family barbecue will be held at a local park across town. A first date, proposal, or even a wedding. Days like these are reserved for celebration. Now Oliver would stoop to calling his moth...

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“A Lifestyle to Die For” by Tony Thatcher

Submitted to Contest #275

It was unfortunate for Isobel Graves to have been born into sixteenth century Britain. It was, for most people, a harsh and cruel place. Lives, spent on long days of hard physical labour in all weather were often cut short by violence, ailment or fatal prejudice. Society, clustered in small towns and villages, was suspicious of strangers, especially those, like Isobel, who lived outside the conventions of family life or tribal hierarchy. She shared her simple woodland dwelling in Somerset with her black cat, Shadow, named for the way that he...

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“It's Only a Nightmare” by James Barrett

Submitted to Contest #275

This has happened before. This is just like the other times. I have no idea how or why I wind up here, but here I am again. Scared shitless. “It’s only a nightmare.” I keep telling myself. I’ve only been to Zion National Park in Utah once. It was twenty years ago when I was a twelve-year-old boy. I thought I knew everything and could do anything. I was arrogant and intolerant. In short, I was the classic definition of a snot-nosed kid.My Dad was an avid hiker. He talked Mom into the Zion vacation. She wanted to go to the Caribbean and relax ...

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“Love and Riots” by Cheryl Lim

Submitted to Contest #275

It didn’t take long, forty-eight seconds to be exact. Ari knew there and then that the man before her was unlike anyone she had ever encountered. He was forward with his words and actions, unlike others of the same species who often twisted their words like snakes. She observed how his face contorted with various emotions and noticed a hint of love, tenderness, and desire when his gaze was aimed her way. It was peculiar, and over time she learnt that he saw the same in her despite her odd tendencies.Over time, the less jaded she was, the mor...

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“Sweet dreams, honey” by Gabrijela Klobucar

Submitted to Contest #275

She saw it again. Surrounded by different trees with newly blooming flowers and small animals hidden behind each bush. It was early morning and she was running on the dewy grass, dancing enjoying herself without any worries in this cruel world. The world she had known since she was a child. In addition to beautiful butterflies of different species, she was surrounded by chirping birds announcing another wonderful day. "Lamia, breakfast is coming soon!" she heard her mother's voice. "Just a little longer, mom," she said cheer...

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“A Failed Mission” by Parker Benton

Submitted to Contest #275

Hestia could hear heavy breathing over her comms. She could also hear sirens. As the sound seemed to get closer she started to worry. “ Ares check-in. Can you hear me?” Hestia called through her comms “Loud and Clear!” Ares confirmed. “What’s going on? Are you okay? She couldn’t imagine what she would do if he were in danger. His dad would never let her hear the end of it. “ Don’t worry I’m A Ok! The cops seem to have gotten the idea that I’M the criminal.” Okay, everything was fine. She just needed to get over there. Wherever “t...

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Write a story that includes the line “Better late than never.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 42 stories

“Tea Time With a Vampire” by Kim Ricks

“Coming Back to Life” by Amy Curry

“Lights On” by Venus Taha

“Hunter” by Marie Harrison

“The ties that bind us” by Teresa Lucius

“The Sting of a Honeybee” by Sutton Whitmore

“Time Well Wasted” by Ellie Osborne

“A Lifestyle to Die For” by Tony Thatcher

“It's Only a Nightmare” by James Barrett

“Love and Riots” by Cheryl Lim

“Sweet dreams, honey” by Gabrijela Klobucar

“A Failed Mission” by Parker Benton

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story from the point of view of a witch, spirit, or corpse.

Start your story with a character being led somewhere by a black cat.

Write a story about someone who’s running out of time.

Center your story around someone who’s being haunted — by what or whom is up to you.

Contest #275

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

391

Contest entries

171

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: