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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write about someone who gets an inheritance from a relative they’ve never heard of, but they’ll need to do something completely outside their comfort zone in order to collect it.

Posted in Teens on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 144 stories

“No Good-bye” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #72

“But that’s absurd,” Mary said. “Who would expect such a thing?” “He would,” said Gil. “Well he can’t. I forbid it.” “It isn’t up to you, dear. Or us.” Mary and Gil looked at Charlie, their son. He remained silent. He scanned the ceiling high shelves filled with books. ‘Like in the movies,’ he thought. ‘Does anyone actually read these? Or are they props every lawyer gets? Call ‘Office Décor Is Us’.’ He felt tempted to open one, to see if it were real. After reading the will, the lawyer, Mr. Gaines, left them to consult and commiserate. His ...

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“A Leap of Faith” by Philip Clayberg

Submitted to Contest #72

I took the mail out of the post box, and started sorting through it as I walked up the stairs to my flat. The flat was in an old building in North London. The best I could afford on the salary I had.“No … no … definitely not … another bill; great … no … don't have money to donate to you … no … wait a second,” I said, and stopped just inside my flat, staring at one envelope.It was an airmail envelope from an address somewhere in New Zealand. I knew that New Zealand had two major islands (North Island and South Island), but that was about the ...

12 comments 12
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“Inherit the Wind” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #72

I just like to keep to myself, not bothering anyone, no one bothering me. I have been that way ever since an extremely embarrassing incident my last year of high school. I was on the stage in a minor part in a serious play, a drama that owing to this incident became more of a comedy, a farce.   Recently, I have had a pushy lawyer pursuing me on my cell phone, on my landline, on both my e-mail addresses, and even through the mail. What next? Carrier pigeon? It is crazy. He told me that he wanted me to meet him a...

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“Damn you, Mr. Sinclayre” by 🌮 Kao Crimsonstar 🌮

Submitted to Contest #72

         I stared at the letter in my hand. It was handwritten, rare for our era. The paper was soft under the palm of my hand, and I guessed that the sender hadn’t been afraid to spend a few bucks on quality gloss paper, which added further to the unbelievable quotient.Dear Miss April Hummings,           You must be wondering who I am, and why I’m writing to you. My name is Aravy Bethellhem, and I’m the executer for Mr. Aravin Sinclayre. I ha...

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“The Stipulation” by Mandy McCool

Submitted to Contest #72

The Anderson gene pool is extensive. Just about everyone knows at least one Anderson of some variation, so it is pretty safe to say that I probably have multitudes of cousins I have never met from nearly every continent. It shouldn’t have been too surprising to me that I should receive a call that my cousin Helen had passed away suddenly, and that I was expected to fly to Illinois and attend her funeral. The surprise was that I had never heard of a Cousin Helen before, and she had apparently left me something in her will. Now, from...

10 comments 10
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“3065” by Emily Germaine

Submitted to Contest #72

Dear Cadesk Coleson, I know you have no idea who I am or how I know you exist. I promise there is a very reasonable explanation and if you read down to my signature, you will find it. I am your long lost uncle. I doubt my brother has ever spoken of me and if he has it must have been very brief without much detail. I left the family when I was eighteen, the age you are now. I left without telling anyone where I was going and never contacted anyone again. It’s no wonder my family would never speak of me again, I disgraced them. I doubt the...

3 comments 3
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“Inheritance” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #72

Ligeia has just received an inheritance from a great or maybe a great-great aunt well over 100. Her great aunt Lena Bartlett had originally been from New York’s southern tier, but she had met her husband Hank, who was from North Hollywood. They had moved to the opposite coast and her life had been lived far away from the rest of the family. Aunt Lena, of whom Ligeia had seen one or two very old photos, had been very attractive, but she was little more than a memory to the family members who had remained in the east. They were a bit like...

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“Cold Feet” by Michael Hayes

Submitted to Contest #72

You’ve got a letter”, exclaimed Danielle, “from a solicitor!” I cannot understand why. I haven’t done anything wrong; I thought as I gingerly opened the envelope. To my great surprise Aunt Hilda had passed away and left me ten million pounds in her will, but there was a catch. I didn’t know I had an Aunt Hilda; in fact, I didn’t know of any rich people in my family. Danielle, my fiance, was naturally excited. “So, what’s the catch?” “I have to live on the streets for a full month.” “Choose July.” “It has to be January”, I said realizing the ...

1 comment 1
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“Inheritense” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #72

Bert’s fat lips wobbled as he skimmed over the embossed font scrawled across the crisp parchment. Each letter was a rusty brown in color, the ink swirling, curly. The young man mouthed every word as he deciphered it. He could not believe his luck; from what he had been able to determine thus far Bert’s Great Uncle Donaldson had mysteriously disappeared, presumed deceased. Bert had not known of this strange benefactor, knew nothing of the man’s existence. In fact Bert had always thought his mother and father both to be only children. The over...

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“A Surprise Inheritance” by Cheryl H

Submitted to Contest #72

One day I was on my way to work when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, so I didn’t answer it. A minute later, the phone buzzed. Whomever it was left me a voicemail. I listened to it once I got to my desk.“Ms. Paul, can you please give me a call when you receive this message? My name is Frank Mills. I am a lawyer and was calling because I have some very important news to share with you regarding one of your family members. My number is 222-342-5233. Please call me back when you get the chance. Thanks.”As I leaned back in my chair,...

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“The Inheritance” by Em Deck

Submitted to Contest #72

“Why am I doing this?”, I asked the heavens for the hundredth time that night. I was driving along a dark stretch of road illuminated only by the headlights shining on the cracked pavement. I forgot how dark it was away from New York. This Ohio road hasn’t seen my car since I stormed out of Christmas dinner 4 years ago, which brings me to my constant questioning of the decision making that had led me to this. 4 years ago, I learned of my family's evils and made m...

8 comments 8
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“Sing you a lullaby where you die in the end” by Arynn Diaz

Submitted to Contest #72

So this is it. I'm doing it. I'm walking up there and killing the guy I know nothing about and I won't feel guilty about it I mean, there must be a reason aunt Lacy wants him dead. Right? People don't just decide they want someone dead. Right?But hell, I'm the last person to talk about ethics and morals. Just yesterday I stole a couple of candy bars at Walmart. In my defense I was hungry as fuck and the owners of Walmart probably do not need the money as much as I do. Ask my landlord and my embarrassing bank account. So technically I am just...

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“Disowned ” by Elizabeth Rogge

Submitted to Contest #72

When my cell phone rings I hear, “Unknown caller”. Must be a telemarketer. I let it ring, unanswered. Then the phone alerts me...now there’s a voicemail. I pick up the phone and listen to the message. “This is Attorney Carl Swanson, calling for Roger Sterling. Please call me back at 7853250595...I need to talk to you...I have something important to tell you. Thank you.” I wonder what this can be about. Why am I getting a call from an attorney? Is someone suing me? I haven’t done anything wrong. There’s only one way to find out. I call t...

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“Out of body” by Emonie Smith

Submitted to Contest #72

Out of body by Emonie SmithTrigger, transgender and death1k words It's 3AM and all I can hear is loud vibrations coming from my phone. Lazily, I swipe my arm to my nightstand to retrieve the still buzzing phone. Without looking at the caller ID, I answered. Still reliving my dreams before I heard a man's soft cry. He's crying and trying to get his voice to reach across the phone.   "Hello, is this Olivia Jones?" I cringed that the Male voice is using my dead name. With a sigh, I replied yes.  "This is on the beh...

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“Aclamanta” by Olivia M

Submitted to Contest #72

If only I had known my life was going to turn upside down on what seemed like a serene June day. Summer vacation had just begun, and I was enjoying the balmy weather at the basketball court practicing for the summer rec season that was starting in just two weeks. The court, which had to be over 50 years old, was tucked away on a small, narrow street, almost an alleyway. Sandwiched between two old decrepit buildings, the neighborhood that surrounds the court had to have been vacant for years. I had never even caught a glimpse of someone el...

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