What was meant to be a great bonding vacation turns sour when an uninvited guest tags along.

Posted in Summer on Sep 1, 2023

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✍️ 43 stories

“Barbara ” by Kevin Logue

Submitted to Contest #214

Ever had a friend that didn't deserve the title? You know, the kind that borrows your favourite stonewashed jeans and returns them stained, or worse, torn, then just shrugs. The type of bitch that would gut punch you at a party just to get everybody laughing. Yeah, I hear ya, bully suits better than friend, but sometimes there's no escaping either. That's Barbara. Fiery, mouthy, shows up when least expected, Barbara. I met her not long after finishing primary school. All the other girls from my class and street were away on their sun...

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“The Uninvited” by Karen Corr

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #214

The story begins with Jason tossing his camping gear down the steps. Then he kicks it. Then he hits the wall with his fist. His mother's boyfriend, Kyle, steps into the living room and gives him a look. His mother starts to say something, but Kyle silences her."Get ahold of yourself, boy. You know what to do. Just because life unravels doesn't mean you have the right to unravel along with it. At fourteen, you've come to the age where you're too old to act this way. We've talked about this before."Jason takes deep breaths, then sits down on t...

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“Fool's Company” by Sol Caine

Submitted to Contest #214

Here he goes again, complaining about the food. “Oh, it’s not as good as back home,” or “Why can’t they speak our language?” He’s the most annoying person to take anywhere on vacation. You know the type. Has to speak slowly in English, thinking the locals will understand him. Even ends some of his words with the letter O, like that suffices as speaking their language. “Excuse me, can you-O tell me-O where the nearest bank-O is… O?” He’s so behind the times. Refuses to use electronic payments – instead, opting to wear a Bum Bag or “Fann...

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“Ninety Two Birthdays” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #214

I never thought I would want to be a father to 92 children, but something changed the year after I was injured climbing Long's Peak, and now being a father is the thing I dream of more than anything else. The first family willing to meet with me has invited me for the weekend to Upper Michigan. The rustic charm of the local restaurant with its exposed wood ceiling and fireplace envelops us as we sit down for our first introduction to each other.“Jake, it's nice you could join us,” the dad, George, says in the tone of a person trying to be po...

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“Captain Dave’s Folly” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #214

Stepping onto a gorgeous baby blue Eastbay 44 at the Liberty Landing Marina with “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” by Jimmy Buffet playing, our spirits were high. The sun loomed large in a cloudless sky and shone like a new penny. The marina docks were full of boaters arriving, departing, tending their boats, and having cookouts on the dock—all telling one another what they were up to and well satisfied with their exploits. There was a slow and steady breeze over the Hudson River. It was a perfect August afternoon.As we boarded,...

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“Greatest Enemy ” by Livana Teagan

Submitted to Contest #214

Have you ever wanted to press the bottom of your shoe into someone’s jugular? Perhaps, that’s a bit too violent. What I mean is, have you ever wanted to tie someone to a chair and then leave them on the sidewalk outside of a tall building? Then gently, of course, topple a large dresser out the window eight stories above them? I can’t say this is something I’ve fantasized about. It’s only that his head would look so good with his face plastered on the concrete. “Father, I thought this trip was for you and me. Why is that t...

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“Divorcing Sky from Ocean” by Éan Bird

Submitted to Contest #214

“You have five hours.”“That is all?” she blanched, squinting up from haunches, brushing her hands to remove clumps of wet sand. The broad figure above her stood in silhouette against August’s aggressive, equatorial sun.“Five.” The figure shifted to cast a relief of shadow across her shoulders, then turned and tromped toward the dotted line of pool beds and volleyball nets along the resort’s edge. The broad figure stumbled and pitched in various directions. She relished its clumsy feet struggling against the fluidity of dry sand.“Five,” ...

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“I Prefer a Regular Joe.” by Rachael Parks

Submitted to Contest #214

As soon as we locked eyes, I knew there was going to be a problem. Who do you think would be the very worst person to run into on your honeymoon? What about your ex boyfriend? Yea, you would think that. But what about your ex-boyfriend who you almost married? Mhm. Mhm. That would be bad. But how about your ex-boyfriend who you almost married…who has super-powers? Bad right? But Imagine this: On your honeymoon, running into your ex boyfriend who you almost married, who has super powers and is from another planet. It was a long t...

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“The Lake House” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #214

Walking into the antique shop she felt the anticipation begin to grow. What treasures were awaiting her? Rich in history, some items brought with them their stories from the past while others were a mystery left to one’s imagination. “Oh,” she heard herself actually gasp and made a beeline to the back corner. The desk caught her attention right away, being exactly the style she had been looking for on and off over the years. “Why hello there.” She spoke to the piece of furniture and laughed to acknowledge that she ...

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“Discover the Fall” by Raquel Belury Rosenberg

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #214

“I’m so glad we’re doing this,” Mom says just as we hit the highway. “Me too, Mom,” I say. Good timing says the angel I’ve been ignoring since we got into the car. He leans between the driver's and passenger's seats so that his transparent head bobbles between us. “We’re going to have such a good time. I have plans. Look at the binder!” Mom slides a hot pink binder that's been baking on her side of the day over to me like a bartender sliding a shot to a favorite customer. “Of course, there’s a binder,” my eye roll and sigh ...

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“A Lone Marriage” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #214

Make or break. That’s what it was. That’s what it was for me. Maybe it was for him too. I don’t know anymore. There’s a lot I don’t know, now that my eyes are wide open and I know more than I have ever known. How I wish I could take it all back, every last bit of it. Ignorance was bliss, but then it became difficult. I didn’t want difficult. I think I wanted easy. Easy was a big mistake, but not the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I’m still trying to define that one. I see its shadow, but still I can’t see it for what it is. Perhaps I do...

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“Rome and the Moon” by Zoe Perditus

Submitted to Contest #214

I know a place where a single word causes frustration beyond measure. Upon reading this word, a person may be overcome with a feeling of helplessness, and despite the shivering hope in your chest, there is nothing you can do about it. The word is 'Delayed', and Richard's plane should have landed three hours ago. My fingers remained curled around the strap of my backpack as I slouched lower into the seat I had battled other weary travellers for. I jest, I had just been lucky. Mostly. "Your dear grandmother would weep if she saw your posture...

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“When She Comes on Vacation” by Anne Evert

Submitted to Contest #214

Why did she have to come? I try not to pout as I see her reflection in the mirrored wall of our favorite café. She’s uncomfortable in the comfort of the café, her shoulders tense and her nose is upturned trying not to smell the delicious bread or see the well-worn tiles, and I hate her for it. I love this café. We’ve been here every summer for the last twelve years; it feels like home. How dare she make me feel out of place here.Betty greets me by name, “Anne, welcome back! The usual?”I want to order the usual, but she’s here, staring at me ...

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“Blossoming, Blundering ” by Minky Momo

Submitted to Contest #214

Mari is my best friend, and maybe even more than that. I lay my overstuffed duffle bag down on the bench next to Mari’s latest gift, homemade pecan swirl cookies wrapped in parchment and twine. I smirked a little, I knew her game. The late nights, the Moscato, the presents. I smiled warmly at the thought of her spontaneous acts of confession. When I told her I hadn’t spent a summer away from home since I was six, she immediately booked a room for us on the coast, the best her wallet could buy. That’s the thing about Mari, she makes me t...

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“Enigmatic Wilderness” by Evelina Charles

Submitted to Contest #214

The sun hung low in the sky as Sarah and Mark meticulously packed their bags, filled with anticipation for their long-awaited vacation. They had spent months planning this week-long adventure in the remote wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains, and their excitement was palpable. It was supposed to be a chance to escape the relentless hustle and bustle of city life and, most importantly, reconnect with each other. Sarah checked her meticulously crafted checklist one last time, ensuring they had all the essentials – camping gear, food suppl...

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What was meant to be a great bonding vacation turns sour when an uninvited guest tags along.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 43 stories

“Barbara ” by Kevin Logue

“The Uninvited” by Karen Corr

“Fool's Company” by Sol Caine

“Ninety Two Birthdays” by Scott Christenson

“Captain Dave’s Folly” by Jonathan Page

“Greatest Enemy ” by Livana Teagan

“Divorcing Sky from Ocean” by Éan Bird

“I Prefer a Regular Joe.” by Rachael Parks

“The Lake House” by Hannah Lynn

“Discover the Fall” by Raquel Belury Rosenberg

“A Lone Marriage” by Jed Cope

“Rome and the Moon” by Zoe Perditus

“When She Comes on Vacation” by Anne Evert

“Blossoming, Blundering ” by Minky Momo

“Enigmatic Wilderness” by Evelina Charles

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story on the eve of the first day back at school.

Now, as an adult, your character looks back on this summer as the summer when they grew up.

Each year, your character's family goes on the most exotic vacations. Finally they discover why — their family are assassins.

It’s the last evening of your vacation and you’re watching the sunset with your friends/partner/family, wishing summer would never end. But just as the sun dips below the horizon, you notice it returning in reverse.

Contest #214

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

203

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: