Write about someone scrambling to finish a goal in the last few hours of the year.

Posted in Winter on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 123 stories

“The Resolution” by Jeremy C

Submitted to Contest #74

The Resolution The sun sank slowly in the west Texas sky, painting a delightful panorama of pink hues through the cacti and chaparral lying beneath the Guadalupe mountains. The shadows of the weathered peaks stretched far into the desert, dancing for an audience of coyotes and tumbleweeds. All of this beauty went completely unnoticed by Matthew, who remained seated on a boulder gently rubbing a swollen ankle. The dazzling display of the desert sunset inspired more frustration than awe. He was running out of time, and darkness would certa...

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“Family resolutions” by NK Hatendi

Submitted to Contest #74

One minute, I had worked through my New Year resolutions which included moving to a neighbouring state to pursue a lucrative job in real estate. The next, there was an ominous silence after the signal died during a call from my aunt. She sounded more distressed than usual. I hoped she would not change her mind about selling her property. I needed the deal closed before 31 December. Although Aunty Herriot had a son, David, somehow I had become her surrogate daughter since her husband died in a car crash. I didn't have a problem with this setu...

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“The desperation of love” by Abigail Gill

Submitted to Contest #74

The last few hours of the year were slipping by like the last few grains in an hourglass, falling into a deep abyss where all the wasted time went. I lied lifelessly on my bed, in a pool of self-induced misery. Waiting for a change that I knew would not come by just sitting and sulking. Still, I stared relentlessly at the faded plaster of my walls. I could hear my friends from halfway across the city, feel their disapproval over my apathy. Hating me for having such an impassive attitude towards life. Or maybe such thoughts were just creeping...

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“Refresher courses” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #74

Ovie Redondo was in the board of many companies, and member of many organizations. Most of them state base, some village base. He was one of those creatures that are neither here nor there as far as education is concern.He was short, rotund, hair that are receding both from middle and front, he weighs about 70kg. He is currently the director of ever lotus bottled water.He had his office in the same compound with the factory, his office occupied about two 6 by 11 rooms, the office was decorated according the instruction he found in a magazine...

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“The Perfumed Writer” by Michelle Andrews

Submitted to Contest #74

Every morning she awakens to paint her face with makeup and adorn herself in casual attire, distressed jeans, T-shirt, Tennis shoes and a splash of perfume. That morning she places her hand on her chest and runs to the ladies restroom to cry, she cannot fathom what has happened. She has developed a mental deterrent. The journalist remembers she must wipe the tears from her eyes that reminds her of forbidden relationships.She worries whether or not the story will be selected for publishing. Only hours before the countdown to the end of the ye...

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“"A Day Without Miss Blues"” by Francesca Chery

Submitted to Contest #74

On the days that I got a random burst of energy, I had to grab on with a firm hold. My burst of energy came at approximately 1:06 P.M. The blues came, gave me the usual feel of heavy limbs that tied me to the bed and a gaping hole in my chest–like when I finished watching a 12/10 show–, then Miss Blues left. I showered without staying under the spray and staring at the pink tiled walls until the hot water ran out. I shaved my entire body, moisturized, and went through the motions of a wash and go that left me with an afro of defined c...

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“burning midnight” by Avery Williams

Submitted to Contest #74

No. No. This was impossible.Jax took a step back and stumbled, forcing himself to leant against the wall. He took in a deep breath. His heart thumping rapidly against his chest. He shook his head, fear coursing through his veins.Had I heard it wrongly? He thought.“N-No way, Silena. You’ve got it all wrong! I’m sure you made a mistake...right?” Jax breathed.“I’m sorry, Jax. The president sent me the last task of the year for you. She told me to tell you this. You must do this by midnight. If not, you and your mother will die,” Silena said apo...

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“Reading Mania” by Brianna A.

Submitted to Contest #74

With a shrill beeping that jolted her awake, Zoe’s alarm on her phone announced that it was 7:00 o’clock. Only four hours and fifty-nine minutes left in the year 2020. Rubbing sleeping grit from her eyes, Zoe scrambled to sit up, her desk chair creaking as she pushed it backward. Red creases marked her otherwise pale skin, indicators of how long Zoe had slept with her arms down on her wooden desk, head buried in the crook of her elbows. Running a nervous hand through her hair, Zoe stood, inwardly cursing herself for falling asleep.&n...

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“Moon Water” by Vanessa Waltz

Submitted to Contest #74

I think back to the five New Year’s Resolutions I had on 1 January 2020: “Lose 40 lbs.! Travel a lot! Start dating again! Stop drinking! Get Susanne to teach me about witchcraft!" Ha! How attainable those goals had all seemed at that moment, and how simultaneously silly and sad they seem at this one, on the evening of 29 December, annus horribilis finally drawing to its end.One of the goals, at least, has been accomplished – and ironically, it’s the one that I’d thought would be the most difficult. When I was sick back in March, the 40 lbs. ...

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“Miles away from the finish line” by Marie-Luise Zeitvogel

Submitted to Contest #74

The minute I saw the ground barrelling towards me I knew it wasn’t a good idea to hurl myself out of a plane and the annoyance I currently feel towards myself sitting in bed icing my collar bone supports what I felt in that moment. Every year on new year’s my family and I compete in a race to see who can complete the most goals on their bucket list. Joe, my cousin, has been reigning champion for the past two years. This year, I really thought I had the Bucket List trophy in the bag, you know, jumping out of a plane and all, but turns out I ...

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“Pete’s Resolution ” by Jim Shultz

Submitted to Contest #74

NOTE-this is my first submission. Apologies to whoever reads it, but I will keep working to get better. Thank you for this forum. “It’s almost 2021. I saw that miserable wretch Colstein walking his dog today. Did you forget our little arrangement?” Pete licked his lips, unsure how to respond. “Well, there was a problem, see and well, I sorta thought-“ “You’re not supposed to think, Einstein. You’re supposed to wipe that scum off the face of the earth.” The Man in ...

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“the elevator of faith” by M. H. Vanderlingen

Submitted to Contest #74

The clock hits seven. Chimes of the bell tower radiate throughout the city releasing those who work beside me. Finally! I get up from that annoyingly familiar desk, wishing I didn't need to come back here. But I have tomorrow off at least. A long weekend, that doesn't happen very often. I wave to my fellow coworkers, and hurry away. it's New Years Eve, why would I want to stay here another moment. I run out the front door into the busy street, the cool winter air nipping at my nose. I wrap my jacket around myself a little tighter and cross t...

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“Party of Two” by Chris Morgan

Submitted to Contest #74

Roderick wriggled a bit on the clammy fake leather sofa cushions, and scanned the partygoers in the room around him. A lot of familiar faces from the department, but not what he’d call friendly faces. He wasn’t here so much because he wanted to attend, as it would have been unwise not to attend. This was New Year’s Eve at the president’s home, and everybody who was anybody on campus had been invited.Not that he really felt that he was anybody. Although he was technically faculty in an important department, he didn’t totally understand g...

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“A mess of zoom calls, screaming eh hem.. I mean singing, and New Year's resolutions” by Wei Hello!

Submitted to Contest #74

Author Note :P Hello! Sorry for being dead and not writing ;-; anyways, hope you enjoy the story! Happy New Year! Stay safe during the pandemic! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the story! -WeiWei (Wei Hello) _______________________________________ I woke up early, admittedly cold due to it being December. Turning on my phone, I only managed to get a glimpse at the date, as I scrolled through the day's email I lazily recalled the number of today's date- 31 December 2020 "Oh that's nice.. today is the last day of Adobe Flash.." I thought abs...

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“Seven Waves” by Jenne Gentry

Submitted to Contest #74

Lucy sped down the street with tears flowing, sending her mascara down her cheeks. A new song comes on the radio that instantly elicits her revulsion. It is her and her now ex-boyfriend's song and feels like a knife to her heart. She shuts it off and then cuts the left at the next intersection, completely ignoring the red light. Luckily there is no cross traffic, the entire town is already at the New Years' Eve festival on the beach; which also happened to be her destination. The beach, that is, not the festival. She had something she needed...

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Write about someone scrambling to finish a goal in the last few hours of the year.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 123 stories

“The Resolution” by Jeremy C

“Family resolutions” by NK Hatendi

“The desperation of love” by Abigail Gill

“Refresher courses” by Philip Ebuluofor

“The Perfumed Writer” by Michelle Andrews

“"A Day Without Miss Blues"” by Francesca Chery

“burning midnight” by Avery Williams

“Reading Mania” by Brianna A.

“Moon Water” by Vanessa Waltz

“Miles away from the finish line” by Marie-Luise Zeitvogel

“Pete’s Resolution ” by Jim Shultz

“the elevator of faith” by M. H. Vanderlingen

“Party of Two” by Chris Morgan

“A mess of zoom calls, screaming eh hem.. I mean singing, and New Year's resolutions” by Wei Hello!

“Seven Waves” by Jenne Gentry

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone keeping track of time with tally marks on a wall — until one day they discover that all the marks are gone.

Write a story that takes place across ten days.

Write a story that takes place across ten seconds.

Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.

Contest #74

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

727

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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