Write a story that takes place in a waiting room.

Posted in Thriller and Suspense on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 256 stories

“Isn't Waiting Like Death?” by Liv Skyler

Submitted to Contest #49

There are many different sorts of people in this world, and while you might briefly cross paths with someone strange, it’s usually no more than a few seconds as you brush past them on a busy street, a curious glance, or sometimes even an awkward encounter when your eyes meet by chance. But it only lasts a moment, and soon you forget the strangers face, as it clumps into your memory, getting lost in the sea of faces that you take in with each step forward. That's how time works, pushing people in and out of each other's lives, sometim...

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“Lesson from a Stranger.” by Deepanjan Paul

Submitted to Contest #49

I was waiting at the doctor’s clinic for my regular checkup. The news about the sudden snowstorm in New Jersey was hitting the headlines. I was going through my emails on the mobile. The clock was ticking fast. I really hated the killing silence in the waiting room. It forces one to think more on the negative side of life. I saw a coffee machine and could not resist myself. I walked up to get one for myself. My eyes were on the TV, trying to read the scrolling banners from a distance. Yes, I could feel that my eyes were not as sharp as...

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“The Breaking Process” by Jenna Melancon

Submitted to Contest #49

A man and a woman sat opposite each other in the waiting room to Hell, alone. They were looking at their phones, which were playing a steady stream of pharmaceutical drug commercials. There was no option to view anything else. There was nothing else to look in the room except each other, and a few nondescript paintings. Not even a door or a reception desk.Eleanor, the woman, had been an appreciator of fine art in life, and always tried to find something nice to say about a piece even if she didn’t like it. But when she tried to take a break ...

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“THE INTERSECTION” by Jacqui Hollyhead

Submitted to Contest #49

Helena had to remind herself to breathe as she turned sharply onto the A&E ward, the sound of heels clicking refracted obtrusively as she went. Her eyes patrolled the open space like a hawk in search of the reception, her fast feet fuelled by a desire for answers. A warm bead of sweat was now creeping onto her brow, unmasking her professional façade and revealing the extent of her fear. She had kept calm until approximately three minutes ago when her taxi reached the entrance to the hospital but now was not the time for pride. She could ...

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“A Simple Task ft. Anxiety” by Sarah B

Submitted to Contest #49

The constant flickering of the fluorescent lighting overhead was slowly but surely giving me the mother of all migraines. Distracting myself didn’t work this time. My eyes danced frantically from poster to poster. The whooshing in my ear didn’t seem to fade. Thu-thump; it’s as if the ground shook with every beat my weakened heart gave. Bile burns the back of my throat. What’s going on? I blink. The eeriness of the room is making me claustrophobic. The light now looks like shards of a kaleidoscope. Have I officially gone mad? My lids are pres...

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“The brawlout” by DERRICK CHU

Submitted to Contest #49

Thomas was waiting in the waiting room, trying out for the job of bodyguard. He waited nervously as the boss came into the room. “You did not get the job,” he said. Thomas was a little disappointed, but he knew there were other jobs. Just when he was about to leave, the boss said “Who said you could leave? You are too powerful to become my enemy, so I will have to eliminate you now.” He then whistled, and ten burly men came into the room. They were buff, but Thomas was more buff. He dropped them like flies. “Just what I expected from a top t...

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“DELANO'S WAITING ROOM” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #49

DELANO’S WAITING ROOMFlorence wasn’t surprised at the number of people across the street from Delano’s. Most were just curious, but some were still debating crossing Rivington Street. There was zero hesitation on Florence’s part. She walked east to Economy Candy and assembled a bag of Pic ‘n Mix root beer barrels, squirrel nut zippers, bats, and kits. Naughty. She had already had a tongue and corned beef sandwich from Katz’s Deli on Houston street, and further up the block, a Yona Schimmel’s spinach k...

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“The Cosmic Waiting Room ” by Steve Uppendahl

Submitted to Contest #49

Danny Evans is dreaming, but not peacefully. In his deep subconscious, Danny assumes he’s dreaming. But, the rest of his brain is busy with the realization that something is wrong. This nightmare is like no other he has experienced. One moment, he’s falling at such a high rate of speed, he can barely breathe, as if falling from a plane without a parachute. The next moment, he’s being pushed or pulled (it’s impossible for him to tell which) faster than he’s ever driven. Back and forth, back and forth, falling then being pushed/pulled. All the...

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“Is God Dead?” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #49

Noah was pleasantly surprised that the waiting room was empty. Not exactly empty - there were furniture and decor, just nobody else waiting. A large desk stood guard, the receptionist off in some other room. He noticed chairs like those in other waiting rooms he had visited, upholstered in a wide variety of solid colors. An orange couch with square arms, looking firm. All the seating looked adequately comfortable. Noah saw some old, well-used tables, each one sporting a larger than normal pile of magazines. There were no rugs softening the...

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“Early pains” by Elena S. Kodermaz

Submitted to Contest #49

Eugene and Jules walked into the hospital hand in hand. Despite their young age, 30 and 32, it had been extremely hard for Jules to get pregnant and when the test resulted positive, they just couldn’t believe their eyes. So, there they were, ready for the first check with the gynecologist and eager to hear their baby’s heartbeat. When they sat in the waiting room, Jules looked at Eugene with the corner of her eye. He simply loved babies and had that particular fatherly gene. On the other hand, she was motherly to cats and animals, but not wi...

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“Please Remember ” by Allen Banks

Submitted to Contest #49

“My mommy says I should thank you for your service, so I guess, thanks you sir,”. The little boy said to the haggard old man. ”Well thank you sonny!” The old man replied. ”Your mommy is very nice, but sonny let me tell you a story about how you should greet a veteran,” He spoke softly as to not disturb all the other people. He thought how he should begin. He thought about how hard basic training was for a boy of eighteen. He thought about how excited he was to be part of something bigger. He thought about his pride when he got on the boat fo...

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“Wait a Bit.” by L Mariscal

Submitted to Contest #49

Mica walked into the building awkwardly. He had never needed to visit for such a minor reason. He opened the door, letting out a heavy sigh. A peppy looking woman sat at the check-in desk with a smile, wearing a nametag covered in childish stickers."Welcome!" she said, "How can I help you today?"Mica winced, he didn't exactly like people like this. So happy it could make you sick."Im here to check in with Dr. Williams." Mica replied."Did you make an appointment?" The woman asked, typing on her keyboard.Mica did his best to put on a smile, tr...

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“The Waiting Room” by Zane Safrit

Submitted to Contest #49

Hey. I add a chin nod to this greeting muffled behind my face mask and a thin smile she can’t see. No one can see. That’s our life now. Yesterday, I’d watched videos of how to act in social-distancing and how to act in social settings of any sort. They had titles like ‘3 Ways to NOT Be a Jerk” and “Respect Personal Space” and “When and How to Use Personal Pronouns.” It had been so long since I’d been out of the house I wasn’t sure I remembered. But as I watched these flickering images of stilted settings memories returned. They’re pret...

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“Waiting” by Ella Holt

Submitted to Contest #49

I sit in a rough, scratchy chair. My back hurts from the constant strain, not only from the chair but from the whole environment. The constant twiddling of one's thumbs tends to get old after a while. When you've been doing it for the past five hours, it is unbearable. Linoleum hallways stretch as far as the eye can see. Double doors with "Staff only" written on them impede on the monotony of this barren void. Salty tears have fallen down my cheeks for hours, draining me of my strength. I continue to sit, watching the clock on the wall ...

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“Tragic Fragility” by Ellie K

Submitted to Contest #49

The dirt-streaked windows give the waiting room a dingy, run-down feel. For a room where so many people spend so much time, you would think there would be a bigger budget for upkeep. The overhead lights are dim and weak, so the majority of the light comes from the large windows that take up the south wall. The room itself is well furnished, but it lacks the pristine, sterile quality of the rest of the hospital. I wonder if the depressing nature of the room and the people in it contributes to the overall grimness of the space. Outside the win...

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Write a story that takes place in a waiting room.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 256 stories

“Isn't Waiting Like Death?” by Liv Skyler

“Lesson from a Stranger.” by Deepanjan Paul

“The Breaking Process” by Jenna Melancon

“THE INTERSECTION” by Jacqui Hollyhead

“A Simple Task ft. Anxiety” by Sarah B

“The brawlout” by DERRICK CHU

“DELANO'S WAITING ROOM” by Andrew Grell

“The Cosmic Waiting Room ” by Steve Uppendahl

“Is God Dead?” by Ken Coomes

“Early pains” by Elena S. Kodermaz

“Please Remember ” by Allen Banks

“Wait a Bit.” by L Mariscal

“The Waiting Room” by Zane Safrit

“Waiting” by Ella Holt

“Tragic Fragility” by Ellie K

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a person waiting for an answer to a question.

Write a story about waiting — but don't reveal what's being waited for until the very end.

Write a story about a relationship where one person is always running late and the other is constantly kept waiting.

Write a story about two strangers chatting while waiting for something.

Contest #49

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

1054

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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