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

“'Til Death Do Us Part” by Aurelia K

Submitted to Contest #214

I stared at him across the table. He was stirring sugar into his coffee, clinking the spoon against the ceramic edges. I sat with my hands curled around my cup, the coffee in it still black and bitter. Cracks in the faux leather booth dug into my thighs, my skin chilly from the blasting AC. My palms began to burn, and I let them, imagining the heat seeping up through my arms into my heart. Ian sipped his sweetened coffee, his eye twitching as the flavor hit his tongue. A 24-hour diner was not the place to go for the best roast. "So. What...

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“An Unfortunate Turn of Events” by Alana Hartman

Submitted to Contest #214

“You’re sick, Jason,” I said playfully, punching his arm lightly. We both laughed, sitting on a swinging bench. It was a family vacation, and this was our first evening at our cabin. I loved the cabin as much as Jason, who’s my cousin. We were very close, inseparable as some people would say, especially my sister Kayla. But little did we know that this family vacation would take an unfortunate turn of events that would change our lives forever.We were watching the sunset on the second floor balcony. We had an admirable view of the forest bel...

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“David of Żegota” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #214

Mama and Papa are packing clothes into suitcases—one of Mama’s dresses, Papa’s trousers, one of his shirts, your nightgown. When you ask what they are doing, they pause for a long moment before Papa answers, “We are packing to go on a trip soon.” You remember, vaguely, the time you rode the train over fields and rivers, and through towns and forests. The world flashed past outside the crystal-clear window, which was smudged with your small fingerprints by the time your parents urged you to your feet. They held your hand and tugged yo...

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“THE INTRUDER” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #214

THE INTRUDER I’m not sure exactly when he started coming around but, literally, it was like, one minute he wasn’t there and, the next, he was constantly in our lives; and I mean constantly. We, Billy and I, were told to call him “Uncle” Fred but he was no uncle of mine. I knew all my uncles and aunts and cousins; had done forever. I’d grown up knowing them. Even the ones we only saw every couple of years, we still knew about them, talked about them. So I knew this guy was no relative. Billy was too young and just did as he was told. Maybe th...

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“Forgetting To Remember ” by Karli Conrad

Submitted to Contest #214

I was forgetting something. I couldn't put my finger on it at this exact moment, but I just knew there was something I was forgetting to pack. Sunscreen? Check. Beach towels? Check. Snacks and water? Check. We had been planning this vacation for over a year. Saving up was quite the feat. I was surprised that it even happened. Somehow, we managed to save every penny. We vowed to not going out to eat, no shopping on things we didn't really need, and to always making sure no gas money was wasted. It felt as though we were back in the newlyw...

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“Death Lingers At Every Corner (Trigger Warning - DEATH)” by Ryder Blow

Submitted to Contest #214

'Come on, James, we've got to get going.' 'But dad, Remus says he's got a bad feeling about the trip. I think we should trust him.' 'Remus is just trying to put a damper on a good time. Come on, kiddo, hop in.' James shook his head and held his arms in a hug against his chest. James' mom grabbed one of his hands and swung in front of him, crouching on the steps. 'It's okay, sweetie, nothing bad is gonna happen as long as we're together.' She winked and touched the tip of his nose lightly with her fingertip. James let out a little giggle and ...

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“How hard you can get hit” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #214

‘de ne nerrr, de ne nerrr, de ne nerrr, de ne nerrr….’ Rose usually giggled when the Rocky theme tune started on her phone as it was her brother’s favourite film and it made her think of the countless impressions he had done of Sylvester Stallone over the years, mostly with a sweet or olive in his mouth for extra effect. He frequently recited: ‘It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward’ When she had travelled to Philly for work a few years back, he was insistent she had ...

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“The Fall of Her Summer” by Sonesta Wilde

Submitted to Contest #214

The Fall of Her SummerBy Sonesta WildeIt was that time of the day again when the moon kissed the sun, and the horizon was painted with a soft golden hue. Even during Vacation, Amelia couldn't help but rise before the crack of dawn with her list of the day's to-dos already in hand. From the cozy balcony of their rented villa, perched on a humbling hill, Amelia stared out into the depths of the Picasso sky, sipping her chamomile and lavender tea. To her right, the blossoming hibiscus sat close by in its cracked flowerpot it called home - as th...

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“Passage” by H.e. Ross

Submitted to Contest #214

It was on the third day out that they both wanted to call somebody to pick them up. I was bringing dinner up one plate at a time. Damian took his plate and made the announcement. I smiled. ‘Damian,’ I had to look up at the sky and not at him. Little puffs of cloud on a stark and clear deep blue. ‘where do you think you are? You aren’t really asking to be picked up by somebody, are you?’ He nodded and Mark, behind him, was nodding too. I came up out of the cabin and looked around at the rise of an oncoming swell framed by an empty horizon ...

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“Holidaying” by Aneesa Shamsee

Submitted to Contest #214

“Give it back!” “It’s mine!” I yell back. “No, it isn’t!” She replies, pulling the top towards her. “Yes, it is!” I scream and use all my strength to grab the piece of fabric. “GIRLS!” I jump back, dropping the top, watching it in envy as Kayleigh snatched it up. She shot me a smug smirk before we both turned back to Mum. “What do you think you’re doing?” She seethes, her eyes narrowed, her pupils just slits in her eyelids. I purse my lips and look at her. “Kayleigh took my top,” I say, accusation clear in my tone. Kayl...

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“The Blue Blazed Path” by Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #214

Tabatha looked in the bathroom mirror and hardly recognized herself. She swished to the right, twirled to the left, puckered up and air-kissed the mirror, but without her trademark make-up she looked just like the girl next door. Arista was standing behind her, arms folded. “Very good, very convincing, but can you also do something about the clothing? We’re in Maine, not LA, and we’re going hiking, not pole dancing.”. Arista handed her an LL Bean T-shirt, at least two sizes too big. Tabatha took it from her and held ...

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“Crazy Family Crazy Ride” by Laura Becerra

Submitted to Contest #214

I have always believed we humans have the potential to be good or evil. No matter who we are, everyone carries the darkness within them. Difficult situations bring out the extra ordinary good or sadistic evilness. “Hurry up kids, we need to get going.” I want to get to the beach in time for us to swim. The ocean was our get away. This was the first trip that we were taking without my husband. We were going through a divorce. The kids were nervous about the trip...

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“The Kevin Show” by Andre Deneal

Submitted to Contest #214

THE KEVIN SHOW The sun hung low in the sky as Vanessa and Malcolm packed their bags for what was meant to be a perfect bonding vacation. They had been married for five years and felt that a romantic getaway was just what they needed to rekindle their spark. The destination was a secluded cabin deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, a place where they could disconnect from the world and focus on each other. The couple's excitement was palpable as they loaded their car with bags, groceries, and hiking gear. Vanessa had meticulously planne...

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“The Summer I Grew Up” by Samantha McWilliams

Submitted to Contest #214

It was the year I turned fourteen that Sarah had invited her new boyfriend, Gerald, along to our family vacation. The pitter-patter of rain against the windows of our shore house punctuated each word as I complained to Mother in her private bathroom. A painted sign of a sea turtle in the ocean hung behind the toilet. Let the sea set you free. "I mean, come on. Gerald? What kind of name is that?" Mother only laughed causing indignation to bubble around my edges. My own sister! And here I was thinking we'd gotten past those terrible times. Bei...

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“A Poor Beginning to a Summer Journey” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #214

DING! DONG! The silence of the summer air was suddenly broken by the chiming of a bell. Silence returned when the bell fell silent. It was broken for a second time when mobs of robed figures started streaming from the inside of the buildings. Some of them immediately passed through the wrought iron gates and onto the road, heading in the hazy direction of the city in the distance. Most, however, instead chose to congregate in the courtyard, gathering in small groups to chatter and bask in the flowery aromas of the gardens in the afternoon s...

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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

“'Til Death Do Us Part” by Aurelia K

“An Unfortunate Turn of Events” by Alana Hartman

“David of Żegota” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

“THE INTRUDER” by Charles Corkery

“Forgetting To Remember ” by Karli Conrad

“Death Lingers At Every Corner (Trigger Warning - DEATH)” by Ryder Blow

“How hard you can get hit” by Rebecca Detti

“The Fall of Her Summer” by Sonesta Wilde

“Passage” by H.e. Ross

“Holidaying” by Aneesa Shamsee

“The Blue Blazed Path” by Luca King Greek

“Crazy Family Crazy Ride” by Laura Becerra

“The Kevin Show” by Andre Deneal

“The Summer I Grew Up” by Samantha McWilliams

“A Poor Beginning to a Summer Journey” by Joseph Peck

🌟 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

202

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: