Write a near-future thriller where a piece of everyday technology has turned against your character — and only your character.

Posted in Thriller and Suspense on Jul 27, 2021

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✍️ 130 stories

“No More Lies” by April Rawlins

Submitted to Contest #82

It was an ordinary day, and I was swishing about the kitchen, trying to make lunches for the children to take to school, and for my husband to take to work. I made it look effortless. The television was on, telling me the latest forecast for the day. There would be rain later. I was not concerned. I was however, delighted that my packages I ordered would be arriving that day. I had placed another delivery last week. Everything was so easy these days. All you had to do was yell out for Alexa to order something for you and she would. Then, all...

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“Only You” by Austin McCreary

Submitted to Contest #82

*Authors Note: This story takes place semi in the future where robots are starting to enter the world. Sam is the first person in the world to make a functioning robot like this one. Enjoy!*"You sure this is a good idea, Sam?" Jay asks me nervously, I glance over at him as I finish screwing in the last few bolts of the metal machine. "Oh Jay, you worry to much" I grin as I screw the last bolt in place, "Ready?" I look at him, excitement full in my eyes and my grin large "You know im not, but that aint gonna stop you" I shrug and nod my head ...

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“Zola” by Melanie Moore

Submitted to Contest #82

There was a time when I couldn't get enough of technology. However when I started feeling phantom buzzes on my wrist each night while my smart watch was on the charger, I knew it was time to take a step back. I'm not a surgeon. Did I really need to be notified immediately that my friend's toddler visited their first petting zoo or that an article on twenty Sunday night sheet pan dinners has just been posted?I kicked the smart watch habit. I had resigned myself to only being as technologically advanced as my smart phone. After all, the only ...

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“Chaotic Electronics.” by 𝓔𝓜𝓜𝓐 𝓐. 🎀

Submitted to Contest #82

I look up at the clock on the wall, the second hand ticking. I squint my eyes trying to make out the numbers, too blurry I think. I reach out to grab my phone except it’s not where I left it. I look around before finally asking a coworker what time it was. “1:30 pm” came the reply. Time for lunch, I better grab something before I have to get back to work. I smile when I see my favorite lunch tray in the cafe. I quickly pay for it and skip back to my desk. “Where is my phone?” I mutter to myself. “Under your desk Marie, Where you always leave...

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“Am I Psychic?” by Nousheen Neelambra

Submitted to Contest #82

"Harry".... Grandma Michael always calls Harry when his parents take their foot to the courtyard to go for work. Its Harry's duty to look after his grandma when his parents are away for work. "Harry", coughed Grandma Michael because she raised too much voice which is not good for her throat. Harry who was opening his new brand mobile phone's box got irritated and replied in a loud displeasing voice "coming Nanny". Harry opened his room's door and made his way to his Nanny's room which was opposite to his room. "Why can't she just sit there ...

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“6:45” by George Puscuta

Submitted to Contest #82

The world shifted and as it did colors dissolved into each other and shapes became mangled in front of him.Thud!The drop had knocked the wind out of him and as he lay on his side he could hear a soft wheezing come with each breath. It hurt, and it hurt a lot.Actually, was he in pain or was he imagining everything? wheeze… Why would anyone imagine pain, what would be the purpose of that? wheeze… So, this had to be real! wheeze … wheeze … But why would he be hurt? He shouldn’t be hurt! wheeze… wheeze… His confusion started to recede and as it ...

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“When emojis kill” by Abéllard Naftaël

Submitted to Contest #82

He feels wet lips rub against his cheek. The young man turns his head to see who could have kissed him in the dark. Her dog does not sleep in her room. He therefore activates the flashlight mode of his iPhone 11. One moment. He remains speechless. This big yellow sphere with one eye closed and the other wide open disappeared in no time. What could have created this sudden eruption? Before even starting to think, another object quickly appears under the light. This time it is a large heart all red as if soaked in blood and waiting to ...

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“Jacob's nightmare” by Winnie Eka-williams

Submitted to Contest #82

Sweet sounds of chirping birds singing , the lovely rhythm of the bees buzzing through the garden as the sun softly hugs his face with its rays and the overwhelming comfort of his soft sheets , all pleasing ......'What !' Jacob screams and jumps out of his bed , looks at his alarm clock as it beeps 11am on the screen. He is two hours late for an interview , he quickly wears his pants ,put on some deodorant and rushes to the kitchen to make coffee , he plugs in his coffee maker and closes the lid and presses the button to start steaming , he ...

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“Kitchen Oddity” by Jessica Rugani

Submitted to Contest #82

“Wake me up, before you—" Groan. I forgot to turn off my automatic alarm. You’d think it’d be easy to set it up so it would only go off on weekdays to let me sleep in on weekends, but evidently not. I ventured a single appendage out from under the comforter to turn off the alarm on my phone, making a mental note to delete this “wake-up music” alarm app—the music they choose may be great for my parents, but in the month I’ve tried it, there has not been a single song that was written in my lifetime. &...

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“Silence” by Cassia Savage

Submitted to Contest #82

Leo. Leo. Can you hear me? The words printing on my computer echo around my bedroom, but no one comes to check on me. I must be imagining it, but it’s so loud that I can’t be - on the other hand, no one is coming so I have to be. It’s some kind of glitch, I reassure myself. A mere coincidence that Leo is my name. I’m tempted to slam my laptop shut and ignore the words. But I don’t. I won’t ignore something like that. I never ignore anything strange. Besides, I could probably fix the problem or report it. The message pauses for a moment...

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“Travel to the dream city” by Mammadova1000 Mammadova

Submitted to Contest #82

The tourist girl from Baku Sabina Veliyeva feels sudden weakness while walking through the harem of the Topkapi palace, her eyes get misted. When the mist dissipates the girl sees that all tourists disappeared, surprised she walks forward and faces the open doors of the large room lightened with candles. Inside are only women who play music on ancient instruments and dance. Sabina enters the room and music stops, everybody, including the lady with a golden crown at her head look at the girl with a great astonishment. The crowned woman asks S...

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“Unknown Sender” by Stephanie Barber

Submitted to Contest #82

“I got your email,” Annie told Steve with a catch in her voice. “What email?” Steve asked her. He sent out a lot of emails in a day, but he never sent emails to Annie. He always liked to talk to her face-to-face.“The one you sent last night,” she replied. “Don’t play dumb with me.”“No, seriously, I did not send you an email. I don’t know what you are talking about.” Steve shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He knew Annie had been upset after their argument the night before, and he w...

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“Loose Wires” by Hiba Irfan

Submitted to Contest #82

"Mom I'm Home" Mariam called out when she got home. "Great, how was school" Mom replied. "Normal" Mariam responded. Mom just cocked her eyebrow. Mariam walked into the kitchen. god, I'm starving Mariam thought. She grabbed some leftovers from last night's dinner, then she walked over to the microwave which had her brother’s food in it. "Ibraheem get your food already” “Coming, bossy!” Ibraheem ran into the kitchen and grabbed his food from the microwave, Mariam made a face at him and put her food into the microwave. Right when she put h...

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“Paper World” by Dipto Rahman

Submitted to Contest #82

Paper World 2052, the Earth of new Revolution. In this decade, the car flies in the sky and robots become an essential part of our diurnal life. Alexia: Jonas, your last book “Delusion of Mars” is finally published. Today, you promised me to tell the story. Jonas: I know. Now, prepare my dinner and I'll tell you after dinner. I am 62 years old, Jonas Andrew. I am a famous writer in this generation. Alexia? Alexia is my robot, named by my favorite person. Wait,...

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“Everything is Fine” by Charlotte Brown

Submitted to Contest #82

I dump my empty breakfast bowl in the sink of my tiny one-room flat and grab a bottle of filtered water from the fridge. “Hey Artelli, check air quality levels.” The speaker beside my TV lights up, and an airy, synthetic voice fills the flat. “The air quality in London today is four hundred and thirty-seven. Conditions today are hazardous, with high levels of nitrogen dioxide. Staying indoors is advised. PPE should be worn when heading outdoors.” &nb...

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Write a near-future thriller where a piece of everyday technology has turned against your character — and only your character.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 130 stories

“No More Lies” by April Rawlins

“Only You” by Austin McCreary

“Zola” by Melanie Moore

“Chaotic Electronics.” by 𝓔𝓜𝓜𝓐 𝓐. 🎀

“Am I Psychic?” by Nousheen Neelambra

“6:45” by George Puscuta

“When emojis kill” by Abéllard Naftaël

“Jacob's nightmare” by Winnie Eka-williams

“Kitchen Oddity” by Jessica Rugani

“Silence” by Cassia Savage

“Travel to the dream city” by Mammadova1000 Mammadova

“Unknown Sender” by Stephanie Barber

“Loose Wires” by Hiba Irfan

“Paper World” by Dipto Rahman

“Everything is Fine” by Charlotte Brown

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a technophobe who’s been given a device to solve a problem they’ve struggled with for years, but isn't sure how they feel about it.

Your character has just realized the app they’ve been developing has become self-aware. How do they react?

Write a historical fiction story about someone working at a company that helped revolutionize early computers.

Write about an android just trying to blend in with their human companions.

Contest #82

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

537

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: