Your character overhears something that changes their path.

Posted in Short Story on Sep 6, 2024

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✍️ 38 stories

“A Rocky Path” by Marcus Martin

Submitted to Contest #267

“Man, that was a good session today,” Rodger said to his friend Jeremy. “Good for who?” Jeremy retorted, “I had to pull out my flames just to get you to back off.” ‘I call B.S,” Rodger interjected “you know I can’t use my element yet.”“I know that’s why I did it,” joked Jeremy. Rodger glared, “Just wait until I unlock my element of earth and I’m gonna rock your shit…. Pun fully intended.”“Yeah, whatever, even if you do unlock your element, you couldn’t beat me even at full strength,” Jeremy stated a little coldly and went over to Rodger and ...

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“The Mirror” by Franklin Stein

Submitted to Contest #267

“Oh. look at the frame on this one,” Margaret said, running her hands down the gold-painted finish. The mirror she admired was in an old antique shop in the mountains. Every mountain town was the same; one or two ice cream shops, a salt-water taffy store, a mountain chocolate shop, a couple of western bars selling bison or venison for the adventurous eaters…and an antique shop. The quality of these shops varied, but after a long dry spell of antique hunting, Margaret seemed determined to purchase something today. “Yeah, the frame...

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“Mind Games” by Ruth O’Leary

Submitted to Contest #267

Mind Games -I’m really just worried about her safety at this point, she gets very forgetful these days. I’m not sure how long I can stay here either, so I am concerned. -- Yes, Friday that would be lovely. I look forward to meeting you.-Mary listened from behind her bedroom door. She held the door slightly ajar pressing her ear against the tiny gap. She had opened it just enough to hear but not be seen. Who the hell was he speaking to now? Dan had been having a lot of hushed telephone conversations over the past few weeks making her increasi...

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“The Way Home” by Lee B

Submitted to Contest #267

The Way Home Part 1 I wanted a divorce. I was so unhappy with nearly every aspect of my life. I wanted to leave this place and never return. It was far from the perfect life that I had dreamed up with Jack when he and I were young. Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, ten-year-old Billy and twelve-year-old Sarah. And my husband, Jack. Goodness, how he tries. I know that he means well. But sometimes, more often than not it seemed, that just was not enough. I stood at the sink washing dishes after a mediocre supper, (I w...

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“Dressed for success” by Joan Earley

Submitted to Contest #267

“James, you are not going to school in a dress.” Marcus’ mother leaned desperately out of the door, intent on capturing James’ attention but fearful of being seen by the neighbors in her nightgown. Marcus stared down at his Frosted Flakes. Outside his window, he watched his brother halt on the pavement and look back at their mother. James’ long hair, unbrushed, was tucked behind his ears. At the dining room table, Marcus’ stomach turned with anxiety. The dress on his brother looked comical, even grotesque, to Marcus. Marcus himse...

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“Leaning In” by Teresa Stepp

Submitted to Contest #267

The blow dryer loudly whirred in a back-and-forth motion near my ear, making it difficult to hear the conversation taking place at the salon chair next to me. The look on the client’s face was one of concern as her stylist, Gina, spoke in hushed tones. When the dryer cut off, I overheard Gina tell her client that she was losing hope and worried her husband might not make it. She instinctively put her hand on her round tummy. Her baby would be here soon. Deep in thought, I was startled when Angie spun my chair away from Gina’s direction and b...

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“The Better Man” by Greg Benson

Submitted to Contest #267

My brother is talking about the Phillies and how much he hates them. Of course, Bobby loves the Phillies, which is why he can muster such hate. “Get rid of all the overpaid assholes and start from scratch,” he’s saying, sipping his high gravity beer. At the other end of the table, Kip is shaking his head. He’s a Pirates fan. He doesn’t understand how Ron can hate a team that is five games ahead in their division, while the Pirates languish at the bottom of the NL Central division. Kelly, a massage therapist whose trade doesn’t allow fo...

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“Stevie-T” by Colin Phillips

Submitted to Contest #267

Stevie-TPrompt - Your character overhears something that changes their path.By Colin Phillips8 September 20242934 wordsContent warning: This story contains strong language, depictions of transphobia, discrimination, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.Less than twenty-four hours into 1973, Stevie sat in the diner nursing a cup of coffee, watching the sky lighten as dawn broke. The coffee was a bitter, overcooked cup of Joe courtesy of Jack's endless coffee. Jack's was an all-night diner just off the highway. It had been a w...

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Your character overhears something that changes their path.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 38 stories

“A Rocky Path” by Marcus Martin

“The Mirror” by Franklin Stein

“Mind Games” by Ruth O’Leary

“The Way Home” by Lee B

“Dressed for success” by Joan Earley

“Leaning In” by Teresa Stepp

“The Better Man” by Greg Benson

“Stevie-T” by Colin Phillips

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story with two characters who meet for the first time — and one of them has a secret.

There’s been an accident — what happens next?

Write a story set against the backdrop of a storm.

Your character wants something very badly — will they get it?

Contest #267

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

357

Contest entries

127

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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