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

Posted in Short Story on Sep 13, 2024

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✍️ 73 stories

“Saved by a Laughing Parrot on the Ship Destiny's Dreams ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #268

The books waited on their shelves to tell their stories to the next person.They were in the Biblioteca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Guanabara Bay, the western coast of South America, in the 1800s.Ten year old Marco walked the aisles and set the returned books back on their home shelves. It was another serene day with his family of books, who were alive with adventures, mysteries, and wisdom.The words from the story he was reading last night floated through Marco’s mind.“Square white sails filled with wind, the ship flew over the waves,...

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“Pollen from One's Past” by Max Wightwick

Submitted to Contest #268

Pollen from One's PastCleo gazed at her enormous garden, summoning an unsweet acidity of all the times she had spent in this palatial house. She could not help but see a lustreless frieze when staring at the greenery inhabiting her pristine garden. Was it the vodka, disguising as sinless water, of which Cleo imbibed, that dampened her perspective? Or, perhaps, it was her having to vacate this house for her husband’s want of an imperial mansion. O’ how troublesome living is for the rich! In Cleo’s backdrop, resounding throughout the cave...

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“Bargain on the Orient Express” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #268

The train’s sharp whistle startled her out of a restless sleep. Though the benches were upholstered in plush velvet, being squeezed between Mr. X’s boney frame and Mrs. Y’s overflowing one, Caro was trapped. Across the narrow space were the sleeping figures of the young girl, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Z and, near the door, a young man.Caro had tried all afternoon not to ogle him, but her eyes had a mind of their own. Using the half-light from the exit sign over the door, she stole another glance.He smiled at her. Tipping his head toward...

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“Innocence Lost” by Christina Miller

Submitted to Contest #268

TW: Mentions of abuse, gore, death The little girl smiles up at me trustingly. The gap-toothed grin tugs at my lips, and I tilt them up slightly, though more for the money I'm about to make ransoming the youngest daughter of the Carnelli family back to them than in response to the girl's joy. "Thank you for your help, mister! I'd never be able to do this on my own." Aniela's squeaky voice should grate my nerves, like most children's voices, but it's endearing. In a sort of get rich quick kind of way. "Of course! What kind of monster wo...

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“The cost of silence” by Irina Rus

Submitted to Contest #268

Warning, this story contains depictions of sexual violence, mental health, and substance abuse. This story was inspired by the experiences of a friend.They say every seven years, the cells in your body completely regenerate. Maya, our protagonist, sits in her apartment, screaming to the heavens and praying she can hold on for that long. The walls of her apartment close in around her, their suffocating silence leaving her with the nightmare she wishes she could forget. A week and a half ago, life had been full of promises, but now those dream...

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“The Dentist of Zagreb” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #268

I’ve found my peace.No patients, no traffic jams, no pills—just daily mindfulness and meditation. I’m living proof that doctors can change. You can choose a different path if you take control of your life.The 11 AM church bell rings, marking the start of my day. I live under the shadow of a medieval cathedral in a beautiful, walkable European city.I finish my Asanas and prepare to step outside for a leisurely day of total freedom.Mobile in hand, I stroll Ben Jelacic Square, searching for a new lunch spot. The streets are covered with graffit...

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“Sponsored Silence” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #268

For all she'd insisted on a quiet companion, she was far from docile herself. Even when his eyes were closed, her words flew towards him like arrows; pink, shocking, feathery tales with no end. A boa to be sneezed at or...‘He tried to strangle me, you know. And he tried to drown me in a bucket…’Wait… Who was she jabbering on about now…? The bully-boy brother or her teenage crush from fifty odd years back who’d had a fancy for her really… Like they all did, apparently… He guessed she must have had money then too…Whoosh… How long the journey n...

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“The Dissidents” by Ricardo Abreu Blaya

Submitted to Contest #268

THE DISSIDENTS It is better to fail in originality than to succeed &n...

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“Alone at the End of the World” by Matthew Henry

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #268

John Montague lived alone. While he had lovers in his younger years, he had never settled down with any of them and as middle age set in, he found that he was quite content with his lot. A successful software engineer, he had purchased a private home tucked away in a quiet corner of a popular neighborhood on the edge of town. Some nights, he lay awake thinking of the nightlife downtown and considered getting a Lyft or Uber to a trendy bar to recapture the exploits of his youth, but he always decided he would rather just stay home and watch T...

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“Mis-Staken” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #268

The castle doors groaned inward, breathing in the dry leaves like a man eating spaghetti.Benjamin Daniel’s heartbeat quickened. This building had to be the place.A pile of dead villagers lay to the side, drained of blood like discarded ketchup packets. Twin puncture marks adorned all their necks.Others might’ve missed such a clue, but he’d been hunting the vampire for decades. Benjamin had learned to detect his quarry in even the faintest of traces. He unsheathed a stake and pulled out his wooden mallet.Behind him, the setting sun knocked it...

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“The Price of Everything” by Stevie Burges

Submitted to Contest #268

Dolly was one of life’s moaners, although coming from a well-to-do family that was semi-famous. Despite living in a large, comfortable home and being sent to good schools and colleges, she had grown into a lazy bully of a girl. She felt she deserved very high regard from all and to be admired for whatever she turned her hands to. Without a doubt, all men should be mesmerised by her face, which had regularly been under the surgeon's knife, as well as her liposuctioned waist and thighs that were expected to be lusted after by al...

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“The Price Tag” by Cecilia Gray

Submitted to Contest #268

Lyra Lyra twirled her ballpoint pen. The lecturer drilled on about lipids and amino acids, but her mind was already elsewhere. Wasn’t it strange, she thought, that despite Friday being the day she expected the most, it was the time restlessness had always managed to creep up on her. None of her classmates were as unfocused as she was, but then they probably needed the lecture more than she did. Lyra was three chapters ahead of her classmates, and her worries, at the moment, were minimal. The bell rang, and Lyra sighed with relief. She was t...

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“Richer Than Musk, Bezos and Gates” by Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #268

Tiffany, wife number four, was eye-candy, every inch the All-American cheerleader, but – frankly – I was relieved when she’d left the room. Yes, I’d miss that smooth youthful skin and the sinuous curves, but I’d see her again in a year or two, maybe a little bit longer. All she had to do was live within her allowance, sign some paperwork, and stay out of trouble… out of other men’s beds. Simple enough. Anyhow, she’d gone now, part of Larry’s big scheme. It was nearly the end of the long goodbye. “Not goodb...

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“Chasing Cassidy: Love Undercover (Shortened Version)” by Gracie Hutton

Submitted to Contest #268

To anyone who has ever wanted more for their life, be it happiness, friendship, excitement, or love Cassidy It was a beautiful night. The stars were emitting their glittery glow, the wind was cold, and the chorus of frogs cut through the solitary silence like lightning. As Cassidy Black stood in her Queensland hotel room, she watched her reflection and sighed. She was a spy. She worked to uncover crimes, and tonight could be her big break. There were reports of a theft being committed at the Lumi Gala in the Outback, and if she could st...

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“It's Mine, but Everything has its Price” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #268

Prompt: Your character gets everything they ever wanted-only to realize the true cost.It’s Mine, but Everything has its Price Have you ever wanted somethings so badly that you would do anything to get it? How far would you go? How would this compulsion change you? Would it fan the flames of moral decrepitude? Would there be any way to come back from these overwhelming urges? Listen to my words as I share my story. There was nothing startling about my childhood. I blended in with the kids on our block.&nbsp...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 73 stories

“Saved by a Laughing Parrot on the Ship Destiny's Dreams ” by Kristi Gott

“Pollen from One's Past” by Max Wightwick

“Bargain on the Orient Express” by Trudy Jas

“Innocence Lost” by Christina Miller

“The cost of silence” by Irina Rus

“The Dentist of Zagreb” by Scott Christenson

“Sponsored Silence” by Carol Stewart

“The Dissidents” by Ricardo Abreu Blaya

“Alone at the End of the World” by Matthew Henry

“Mis-Staken” by Joshua G. J. Insole

“The Price of Everything” by Stevie Burges

“The Price Tag” by Cecilia Gray

“Richer Than Musk, Bezos and Gates” by Luca King Greek

“Chasing Cassidy: Love Undercover (Shortened Version)” by Gracie Hutton

“It's Mine, but Everything has its Price” by Pete Gautchier

🌟 Similar prompts

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.

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

Contest #268

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

286

Contest entries

129

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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