Menu

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog
Featured stories
Activity feed

Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of adventure short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

8550+ Adventure Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. From riding the high sea to climbing behemoth mountains, there isn’t any action that’s out of reach when it comes to adventure stories.

Adventure Short Stories – Page 47 of 571

Path of the Nomad: Beneath the Sands

Submitted to Contest #271

Kai and his group moved cautiously through the wastelands, their silhouettes long against the glaring sun. Dust clung to their boots, and the wind carried a dry, unforgiving heat that seemed to sap the strength from their bones. Kai led the way, his augmented arm gleaming faintly under the harsh light. He glanced back at the others—Reya walked close by, her crossbow ready, while Elias, the youngest among them, trailed behind, his gaze darting nervously between the rocky outcroppings that dotted the landscape. “Do you think the rumors are tru...

7 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

The Hunt for the Android in the Dark Forest

Submitted to Contest #271

Contains illicit love: Giselle Prata rushed out of her office. Her android, Johnny Antunes, and her sister, Hannah had wandered into the forest surrounding Nazca, and neither had returned. The blazing sun beat down on Nazca’s narrow streets as Giselle drove, reflecting off every surface of the car. Giselle felt the oppressive heat soak through her clothes as she searched for her android. The model, a sleek general intelligence unit worth more than half a million dollars, was not supposed to behave this way.When she arrived at the forest, she...

5 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Silverware

Submitted to Contest #271

The fork swung to and fro, dangling from the chain that hung around her neck. Ava eyed the necklace, two tables away. She’s lost in her date’s eyes, good. Still no dancing though, and they look way too comfy. Hmm, change of plans. Maybe a trip to the bathroom will suffice. Ava sent three more drinks over. Each of them sent the pair’s eyes swarming around in search of their anonymous benefactor. In time, the moment Ava patiently awaited arrived. She bolted to the bathroom the moment the woman stood. Crap. How do I do this? I can’t let her go,...

7 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

The Reflection Encounter

Submitted to Contest #271

Carl had always been a traveler at heart, constantly on the move, searching for something he couldn't quite name. He had visited countless countries, stayed in crowded hostels and strangers' homes, all while following an invisible path that led him farther from the familiar and deeper into the unknown. Yet, no matter how far he traveled, there was always that nagging feeling in his chest—an emptiness he couldn’t shake, like a piece of him was missing.It was during one of his routine searches for his next adventure that Carl stumbled upon a w...

6 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

The Blacksmith's Son

Submitted to Contest #271

It arrived upon his doorstep three days ago; he had opened it not long after its arrival, which, to his surprise, revealed a lump of red, pulsating thing. Taken aback, he shut it close and hid it away under the kitchen sink. His decision to keep it—he does not know why; he only thought it a special thing. Now it is three days later, and he has it on his father’s workbench, ready to get to work. He opens the box to reveal the same sludge of red goo, but, paying closer attention, he notices a note sticking out; it reads: “At last, a new soul t...

6 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

A NIGHT AT THE IMPROV

Submitted to Contest #271

Automatic One Cent Vaudeville in Crystal Hall theatre beat all for miles around, and the residents of Oakville would say the same. Townspeople filled the hall nightly to see various shows; each offered unique entertainment for seekers of something engaging after dinner. It made for a lovely formal evening out on the town. Longtime friends from high school, Martha and Jane, married around the same time in the same year and settled down with their out-of-town husbands in Oakville, a town not far from where they grew up. Their husbands wer...

23 likes 10 comments 10
Read story

Playing Mahjong

Submitted to Contest #271

When I went into the bar in the evening, I was not at all surprised to see my old friend. He also seemed not surprised, but he didn't show it. A professional. It's clear that they are waiting for me here, and the conversation will take place one way or another. Running away from the courier is a waste of time; they will send someone else. These guys are serious; they don't waste time on trifles. Look for another bar where you can have a drink and sit. This will only show that you are afraid of something. The danger must be met face to face -...

13 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

The Reef at Monocle Point

Submitted to Contest #271

The ocean is a rather unforgiving place. Below its surface, predators stalk their prey - their methods in the hunt growing more grotesque the deeper one explores. Take the Anglerfish: its luminescent fin ray lures unsuspecting souls to their deaths, allowing it to minimize its efforts in the dark Below. While, closer to the surface, the Great White Shark uses sheer brute strength and speed to claim its crown as Apex.On the surface, the waves thrashed and the swells build to a crescendo, rocking any vessel who dare interfere with its constant...

7 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Railway to Scotland

Submitted to Contest #271

"Dear Diary, the date is September the 1st of the year 1851. I finished reading Jane Eyre, and now I must complete my needlepoint—Uhhhh!” Clara Ashcombe threw her journal across the candelabra-lit room toward the wall, nearly knocking over her used tea set from the morning. “Mum would be furious if she saw you chipping the wall.” “I’m unwell, Sister.” “Clearly.” Her sister, Abigail, paused to temper her judgmental glance. She sensed the genuine pain in Clara’s eyes. “What troubles you, Clara, dear?” “My life. My older sisters have found husb...

13 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Railway to Scotland

Submitted to Contest #271

"Dear Diary, the date is September the 1st of the year 1851. I finished reading Jane Eyre, and now I must complete my needlepoint—Uhhhh!” Clara Ashcombe threw her journal across the candelabra-lit room toward the wall, nearly knocking over her used tea set from the morning. “Mum would be furious if she saw you chipping the wall.” “I’m unwell, Sister.” “Clearly.” Her sister, Abigail, paused to temper her judgmental glance. She sensed the genuine pain in Clara’s eyes. “What troubles you, Clara, dear?” “My life. My older sisters have found husb...

12 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Railway to Scotland

Submitted to Contest #271

"Dear Diary, the date is September the 1st of the year 1851. I finished reading Jane Eyre, and now I must complete my needlepoint—Uhhhh!” Clara Ashcombe threw her journal across the candelabra-lit room toward the wall, nearly knocking over her used tea set from the morning.“Mum would be furious if she saw you chipping the wall.”“I’m unwell, Sister.”“Clearly.” Her sister, Abigail, paused to temper her judgmental glance. She sensed the genuine pain in Clara’s eyes. “What troubles you, Clara, dear?”“My life. My older sisters have found husbands...

9 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

The Rings of Central Park

Submitted to Contest #271

Dean had always loved Central Park. The vast green space amid the concrete and steel of New York City had become his personal sanctuary over the years. On any given Saturday, you'd find him jogging along the winding paths, headphones in, lost in the music and the rhythmic pounding of his feet against the pavement. Today was no different—well, almost. As the morning sun began to filter through the towering oaks and maples, casting dappled light across the park, Dean rounded the corner near the Bethesda Fountain. His breath was steady, his leg...

13 likes 1 comment 1
Read story

The Relativity of Time and Banana Bread

Submitted to Contest #270

At the uncharted edge of the known universe:Rivia pulled back both thruster controls as the planet approached. The force of the deceleration sent the suspended flight capsule forward while the harness system began clicking and whirring, making minor adjustments to the tension on the straps and seat that cradled her body.Why didn't we upgrade this suspension system earlier? She thought as she closed her eyes and let her body adjust to the forces that were pulling with their predictable but almost frightening power. When the deceleration ...

20 likes 18 comments 18
Read story

We Could Tie a Rope Behind the Ship

Submitted to Contest #270

"We have to go to Izen!" Lady Nimmo pointed her roasted chicken leg at everyone around the campfire. "I agree Captain Wington is a little much, but who else do you know that has his own ship?" She said before taking a bite out of her chicken leg.Everyone reluctantly agreed, even though they knew they would be subjected to Captain Wington's weight-to-oar fixations."Will he?" Flimlet asked. He grabbed a potato off the pan and took a huge bite before thinking. His eyes jumped wide open. He didn't want to spit it out, so he attempted to cool the...

43 likes 19 comments 19
Read story

Fresh Start

Submitted to Contest #270

Fresh Start By Amanda Stogsdill Mandy's stomach was in Butterfly City as she boarded the bus the first day of school. Why did we have to move anyway? She knew the answer; Mom switched jobs, (she now baked at the cafe, which offered better pay than her previous one) and unexpectedly sold their house and moved to a new city towards the end of summer. Life would still be tough for a while. Glumly, Mandy slumped down in a middle seat, and stared out the window. The only bright spot was her Mom was going to teach her how to bake a pie. "Mandy, we...

8 likes 1 comment 1
Read story
RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

Bring your short stories to life

Fuse character, story, and conflict with tools in Reedsy Studio. All for free.