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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Start your story with the line, “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” (Whether this is a literal fire is up to you.)

Posted in Teens on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 324 stories

“A Date To Remember” by Chicago Beth

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Their bright yellows and oranges glinting in the sun as I crunched through them, completely oblivious to their light-hearted warnings of impending danger that would come to play out in the next six hours. I stomped through the leaves, my scarf snuggly wrapped around my shoulders, flapping in the chill autumn wind. I smiled as I heard a familiar ring tone chime out of my pocket. Slipping it out, I smiled; this was the fourth time Remi had called me this morning to make sure we were sti...

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“The witches in the woods” by Zoe Coric

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Shades of orange and red resembled an inferno, lighting the world outside my window on fire, warming even the coldest of dead trees with long, bony branches that are actually the spirits of evil witches stuck inside the trees. During the summer, they are lush trees with vibrant green leaves. But in the winter, when all of their leaves have been blown off and we see the core of the tree, the evil witches come out and torment souls who could believe in them. At least, that’s what Gran say...

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“Walk to the Purple Mountain” by San T.

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Everything was either yellow or orange or red. The ground below was carpeted in autumnal colors too. Did Autumn come early this year? I was still a bit forgetful, a bit confused after the heavy medication and intensive treatments. “Ma’am, take this with you,” the girl wrapped me in a pashmina shawl. It was the first time I stepped out of my cabin. From my window, I used to see a distant purple mountain. In my confusion, I always wanted to climb it. Now I found that the purple mountain w...

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“Wiccan Sisters” by Michele Hinton

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. "Rat! Rat! Rat!" I exclaimed. I ran to the side of the house and grabbed the water hose to put out the fire I had started in the backyard. When I put it out, I looked at the pile of slushy, wet ash that used to be a small tree. I then heard laughter behind me. I turned to see my sister, Crystal, who was seven years older than me, leaning up against the door frame with her arms folded."Mom's going to be pissed at you, Tabitha. She just planted that tree," Crystal said."Well, I didn't mea...

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“What could have been? An autumn of memories and remorse” by Johanna L

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I stepped out of the coffee shop with my usual half white chocolate mocha / half pumpkin spice latte. I took a brief moment to savor the blended flavors of my favorite fall drink and the scent of the fiery red and golden yellow leaves that filled the fall air. Although I am running errands downtown today, the streets are dead on this early Sunday morning. There was a feeling that the city is just waking up. This is my favorite time of the week to run errands and let my thoughts wander. ...

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“Fallen” by Vadasz Sara

Submitted to Contest #63

FALLEN By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were in fire. I didn’t look back, but I could smell the burning paper and I could imagine her sullen, disturbed face. Not the end I wished for, frankly. I’ve always been very careful what I have wished for, never falling in exaggeration or desires beyond my merit. That’s fairness, isn’t it? I longed for a decent partner, a comfortable life, and for some respect. Due respect. Not much, you may say, but this is all I can offer in return. She couldn’t settle for that. She couldn’t content herse...

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“Jack be Nimble, Jack be Quick, Jack become a Candlestick” by Ghost :)

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. It hurt to breathe- I knew I wasn't actually inhaling smoke, but I could smell it. Taste it on the wind. Feel it in my lungs. And it was painful, god, it was. How do you tell your mind what you see and feel isn't real? "Artemis, can we go?" Leila stood next to me, hands on the straps of her backpack. I hadn't gone to school in months. "Please, leave me alone," I whispered, but she just laughed. It was malicious. I knew Leila would never laugh at me like that. But I saw her do it. Did it...

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“That Day and Now” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I’d seen the leaves change colour every year, but that day they seemed brighter than ever. They weren’t just red and orange; there were still hints of green every now and then, which gave the fire more depth. “Are you all right?” Jason asked as I stared at the trees. “Yes. Yes, I’m fine. I mean… Are you all right?” “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll manage.” He took my hand, and his skin felt as hot as the fire flaming through the tree tops around us. “Come on, let’s go the scenic way home.”...

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“When The Chosen Fall” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped out, the leaves were on fire. Just as the mysterious caller had told me. Rising to the sky with a brilliant blue roaring like tigers. Thoroughly convinced of the apocalypse she warned me of, I gingerly stepped back inside and picked up the phone. "OK, I'm convinced," I say. "Now what?" "Now you listen to and do everything I say."  I'm a stubborn sort, so this isn't an appealing option. I don't even let my boss boss me around let alone random strangers telling me I hold the key to ending the apocalyps...

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“Sleeping Window” by Adam Wan

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire— heaving a breath, I closed my eyes and returned inside. I forgot it was fall; I was tired. In truth, I wanted to write. Well, to be more precise, that was my way of saying that I wanted to draw. In a way, it is basically the act of writing down something, not in words, but in images. But, of course, that still is, in all forms of technicality, basically drawing. And so, taking up my sketchbook, sharpened pencil in hand, I set myself at the window seat and opened the window— where the S...

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“The walk ” by Eric Skyler

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I let out a little silent cry to flush out the night’s dream. The sting of the dream lingered though. I walked with an uncertain gait. Well, it's been some time since I let myself ‘out’. The pavement was crowded for an early morning. The world, of course, was out there to get me! How else can it be? What other life-or-death matters do people have in their hands to not devour and laugh at my demons? I mustered more courage with each step and began to ru...

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“One last burn ” by Kortne Noe

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire. My mom burned down our house once again. The third one in three years. My mom has killed the last three boyfriend's in the last three years. I don't know why she killed the last three boyfriend's but she did. I guess the last three was just worse then all the rest. The rest we would just run away when things get bad. The last three put her in the hospital so I guess she just snapped with the last three. I don't know why she keeps finding such abusive guys. She said this is the last time ...

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“Music to My Ears” by D. Alfonso

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Literally. The long-awaited fall festivals had arrived, and the performers were making a great show of it. The crowds awed as the flames danced. I moved right past them and continued on. Elemental magic was common in Silkmere. I was surprised the tourists hadn’t gotten tired of it. I certainly had.  “Miss, if you’ll allow me, I sense great magic,” one of the vendors called as I passed. I barely gave them a second look, turning the other direction instead. Of all the vendors, that...

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“Monsters like Me” by A Storyteller

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Every fibre of my being broke into tiny pieces and turned into nothing. The sun burned through my eyes as my tears fell onto the burned floor. The leaves were burned to ashes and the person who stood in front of the autumn pile was once again whole with the Earth.It was time again, just like it had been every year when I had finally found him and it was time to leave again. I am cursed, I have been, for centuries and I am willing to do that for the person I have loved the most. If my de...

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“Mayfield Manor” by Kristy Reynolds

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The flames lit up the lawn below. I ran.   I ran as hard and fast as I possibly could, the crackling and popping from behind me propelled me forward. In the distance I could hear the approaching sirens.  Ducking into the woods that ran alongside the drive, I was careful to stay out of sight. Minutes later, I came across a main road. I darted across quickly to the waiting woods on the other side. Another mile and I should be at the cabin and safe there for the night.&n...

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