Write a short story in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Posted in Winter on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 97 stories

“The Disaster that turned into a Decision ” by Katherine Becker

Submitted to Contest #22

I’m zooming down the freeway, in the middle of a snowstorm, already late for my sister’s New Year’s Eve party. We are ten miles away when I hit an ice patch, with my left tire while realizing I'm drifting to the left in the first place. We slide off the road, flipping into a small ditch. When the car is steady, I look over to Maya in the passenger seat in panic. Questions and outright statements go through my mind. Are you hurt? Can you call the police? Is your phone charged? I’m scared. Panting, Maya is looking at me in terror while she say...

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“Rebecca's Resolution” by Roman Howell

Submitted to Contest #22

Rebecca's ResolutionBy: Roman G. HowellTwenty-two more minutes. Only twenty-two more minutes left in the year and his father couldn’t be there for them. Jacob slumped in his chair, rolling his empty champagne flute glass between his fingers. The still unopened champagne bottle waited on the coffee table. The night had started with such promise. His father had made an extra effort to have all of his year-end responsibilities for the company tied up so the two could do the countdown together. However, like every other holiday, something came o...

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“Perched On Cupid's Trigger” by Scott Clarke

Submitted to Contest #22

“Hey, Dylan! Sarah! So glad you could make it! Go ‘head and grab a beer from the -,” the young man’s pleasantries were cut short by the unfamiliar face standing like a mannequin behind the party guests, “Hey, what’s up? You come here with Dylan?”“Yes. Yeah - *ahem* yeah that’s me,” He responded quickly and without fully hearing the question. “Alright cool, cool. Well come on in, man, we’re just getting started.”“Yes, perfect,” The mannequin man said and made way for an entirely uncomfortable silence. “May I also grab a beer?”“Uh, yeah. ...

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“A New Echo” by Leah S.

Submitted to Contest #22

The New Year's Eve party at the Bernard estate welcomes the families of wealthy in the cities nearby. Hundreds of people come, crowding around the frost-covered turf. Ladies’ colorful dresses sparkle underneath their Swarovski crystal-adorned coats which drag along the lawn. I can’t tell is some are ridiculous or brave for dropping their coats out in the cold to dance under the massive gazebo. The men wear dashing tuxedos with hundred-dollar ties. The party inside consists of the elderly sipping a glass of wine after wine, listening to class...

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“Countdown to Love” by Mylinn Martin

Submitted to Contest #22

As I stood on line at my local coffee shop waiting to talk to the barista that I’ve been crushing on for the past year and a half my stomach had been doing somersaults. I came into this coffee shop almost every morning for my fave caramel latte and blueberry muffin. I also hoped for the chance to see Tyler. He had the bluest eyes I had ever seen. They were like small pools of water and I always found myself drowning in them. The line was typical for a Tuesday morning and I don’t know why I expected it...

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“Heinz Dilemma” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #22

Lewis' tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, his brows knitted together, and sweat glistening the palms of his hands. This next part was the most important. If he didn't get this right, he could kiss his freedom--and his family--goodbye. Outside, snow fell from the sky, the reflection of the moon glistening off the little flakes. Families gathered together, celebrating with open bottles of wine, board games, and more. Televisions glowed in living rooms around the country as one year came to a close and another began.Lewis should have b...

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“A Cowgirl's Epiphany ” by Frances DeWitt

Submitted to Contest #22

Curt's cell phone rang. Lanie could tell by the conversation it was Martin. Lanie was slipping her boots on to help feed cattle with her half-brother. She could hear the cold rattling engine of the John Deere tractor and knew her half-brother, who lived across the way, would be about ready to feed."Yeah, buddy... Sounds good," Curt was saying. "We'll be there. What does Nan want us to bring? Sounds good. Bye.""So nice of Curt to ask me if I even wanted to go over there..." Lanie thought to herself as she took her old feeding jacket from off...

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“New Year New Me” by Keri Ault

Submitted to Contest #22

New Year New Me Holidays at Dammasch State Hospital were the worst. I mean, most days at the hospital were pretty hard, but at least if it was just a random Wednesday in the middle of March, you weren’t feeling so awful about the fact that everyone else in the world was celebrating. Everyone else was sharing a big meal with their families, or opening presents, or giving their sweetie a kiss at midnight. Everyone else was content and warm and happy and not in a weird place separated f...

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“A Day for the Future” by Alice Park

Submitted to Contest #22

It was that time of the year again.A day filled with resolutions to improve yourself. A day of dreams and aspirations. A day for the future. At least, for everyone but me. I woke up with the sweet feeling of ignorance that lasted for a few seconds until I realized what day it was. New Year's Eve. The day Sophie passed away. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep the misery away but my brain decided to focus on a familiar sound that filled the room.I sat up and stared at the clock. Half-past three. It was taunting me, I swear. The second hand sn...

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“Mythic Troubles” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #22

Missy stared at herself in the mirror as she dressed up in her favorite witch outfit. She used to be the average run of the mill vixen, who became a real witch. At first, she was hungry for power and battled with Priscilla to become the coven leader. Finding a phoenix, she tried to get the girl to fight for her. It was obvious that she wasn't made for fighting.Her thirst for power ebbed and she became more interested in making plays. She tried to get her boyfriend to do them with her, but he seemed to see her less and less. She could see her...

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“The Countdown” by Stephanie Li

Submitted to Contest #22

It was December 31st, 1969. I was 18, and I had just finished my shift at my father’s grocery store, where I had been working for the past five years ever since my parents died. It was 11:14 PM when I stepped out into New York’s frigid winter. My exhaled breath froze midair as I felt my bones shiver and quake inside of me. I wrapped the strands of my worn winter coat tighter around me as I trudged through the inches of freshly fallen, icy snow. My shoes, barely with a sole, were handed down to me from my brother, 14 years my senior. He was c...

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“Countdown” by Arleen Mariotti

Submitted to Contest #22

Another year over. When I was a kid, Christmas couldn’t get here fast enough. Time dragged. Now, it seems everything is in high-speed, especially my birthdays. And now another new year. What will this year bring? More gray hair, more wrinkles, more nightly bathroom trips. Margaret asked me yesterday what I was doing for New Year’s Eve. I’ve learned not to go out on that day. Too many crazy drunks on the road. I gave her my annual response, “I’m going to my cousin’s house. She lives down the street, so I won’t have to drive far.”I’ve been giv...

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“New Year Z” by Frisca Amelia

Submitted to Contest #22

5 ...!4 ...!3 ...!2 ...!1 ...! "Happy New Year!!!" The people shouted at the festive party. They shook hands and hugged while saying happy new year to the people around them. All looked so happy and enthusiastic about the coming of the new year. The atmosphere full of excitement immediately vanished when heard screaming in pain mixed with fear of a woman. A red-eyed mouse perched on his shoulder and bit his neck. Blood pouring out. The people who were at the party immediately helped. Black-ha...

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“Happy New Year” by Gladys Swedak

Submitted to Contest #22

Happy New YearChristmas was over, Irene was sure it would be her last. Tonight was New Year’s eve. “Mom,” Brenda, burst into her mother’s room in the care home. “Isn’t it exciting? Jim and I are going to the New Year’s Eve party in the Town Square.” Brenda sat on the bedside, gave her mother a hug and kiss. “Happy New Year, Mom. It is the first time I’ve been to the party at the Square. Jim asked me Christmas night to go with him. It is so exciting, I know he will ask me to marry him. He’s been hinting at it all week. He gave me this beautif...

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“The END.” by Rhianna Treadwell

Submitted to Contest #22

I was drifting in and out of consciousness as the evening news played and my parents droned on about nothing in particular until something caught my attention. Suddenly I was jolted awake as the screaming coming from the TV startled me. The news anchor seemed to be signing off for the night and a lunatic toppled onto the news desk and said the world would be ending on New Years Eve at exactly midnight. "These crazy people, the world is ending" remarked my father in a mocking tone. The man didn't say how the world was ending or how he k...

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Write a short story in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 97 stories

“The Disaster that turned into a Decision ” by Katherine Becker

“Rebecca's Resolution” by Roman Howell

“Perched On Cupid's Trigger” by Scott Clarke

“A New Echo” by Leah S.

“Countdown to Love” by Mylinn Martin

“Heinz Dilemma” by Unknown User

“A Cowgirl's Epiphany ” by Frances DeWitt

“New Year New Me” by Keri Ault

“A Day for the Future” by Alice Park

“Mythic Troubles” by Unknown User

“The Countdown” by Stephanie Li

“Countdown” by Arleen Mariotti

“New Year Z” by Frisca Amelia

“Happy New Year” by Gladys Swedak

“The END.” by Rhianna Treadwell

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a short story about a person who goes to bed on Valentine's Day and wakes up in 1920.

Write a short story about someone with unconventional New Year's traditions.

Two strangers meet at a New Year's Eve party. They spend the party together, and then never see each other again.

Write a short story about someone who does not spend December 31st celebrating New Year's Eve.

Contest #22

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

338

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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