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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

11100+ Contemporary Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. All the newest modern day stories to thrill and inspire, all in one place.

Contemporary Short Stories – Page 672 of 741

Take What You Can Get

Submitted to Contest #76

Jenn stood in the hall, the smell of disinfectant sharp in her nose, the constant beeps and sounds of the hospital distracting. After being told for days to wait, the doctor had finally cleared her husband for a visit. This was to be the first time in months she would see him awake after the accident.The nurse stopped her, his hand on her shoulder. “I should warn you; he may not seem the same as you remember him. Doctor Vishal says that after an injury like that, he may be someone else, someone new. Every experience shapes our personality, e...

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Who You Are Made to Be

Submitted to Contest #76

     Don’t be shy, Adelyn reminded herself. It’s a sleepover! You’ve done this hundreds of times with these girls. They’re nice, and they’re your friends for heaven’s sake! Stop being a baby! You’re gonna get in there and grin and be happy. Tell jokes and be funny! She reprimanded herself, gripping the strands of her backpack.        Adelyn walked up the front steps of Charlotte’s house, her heart pounding. Adelyn’s older sister, Alexa, bounded up the steps radiating confidence and ...

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When the YouTube Haircut Video Radicalized Poor Phil

Submitted to Contest #76

“The most important thing is not to be afraid.  Are you afraid, Phil?" “A little.” “It's okay to be afraid. Cutting your own hair can be very intimidating.” “Yeah.” “But not nearly as intimidating as knowing that the government tries to oppress our liberties every single day, right?” “What?” “What?” “Did you say something about the government?” “Of course not!  We’re just talking about hair. I was just giving you an example. I’m a YouTube video. I can’t even hear you right now. Did you ask me a question a second ago...

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That's exactly what I'll say

Submitted to Contest #76

As she dressed for work that day, she looked in the mirror And told herself " If they don't give me what I want ,I am just gonna quit. I'm will let them know that I don't need this job,, that I work too hard, been here too long and I am tired of being passed up!" This was the 3rd time and just as many months as you applied for a different position in a company that she had worked for for 15 years. She knew she had all the talent they were looking for on all 3 positions she knew that she was better suited for the job she knew that she could m...

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Depictionary

Submitted to Contest #76

“They call that, unprecedented?”     “I don’t know what you’d call it. I’m not sure what the word even means anymore. It’s one of those words that will go down in infamy. You know there is a problem with using a word too many times for too many different reasons. It begins to resemble those comedians who do nothing but swear. After a while it gets to be less effective. Your ears rebel against the lack of imagination. Let’s find another word. What do you say?” “I agree it has been us...

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Pinocchio

Submitted to Contest #76

There once was a man who could tell no lies. Well, he could tell lies, just like the rest of us, and he was quite good at it, just like the rest of us, but every lie changed him.    You see, he was born this way. His mother was a stock clerk and his father a gambler and a drunk, and with parents like that you’re not bound for much in this world. He was raised poor, his father not around and his mother working her hardest just to put food on the table and keep up on the rent. He often spent nights alone as his mother was w...

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To Puerto Rico And Time

Submitted to Contest #76

The news displayed images of a deadly convict who escaped prison the night before. Anna threw clothes into her bag, one eye on the TV. Her phone buzzed and she ignored it, guilt gnawing at her soul. She had never felt so stupid in her 5 years career.In a jiffy, her bags were ready."I'm so sorry I'm late." Anna Stevens said over the phone, running out of her condo in her dove-gray slender gown, her black hair flapping in the air behind. "I'm on my way. Give me thirty minutes."Her face was white as she descended the elevator. She counted the n...

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The Proposal

Submitted to Contest #76

The Proposal “Victoria, you didn’t need to make an appointment to be here at 8:00 in the morning. If you wanted to see us, why didn’t you just ask?” “I’m not here for me. I’m here for you. The partners of Steed Eastman. “I’ve spent the past week with my accountant and attorney. We are aware that you are one of the many victims of embezzlement by the Jacobson Accounting Firm. As with several other companies, yours was targeted long enough for the insurance to lapsed leaving you with few options. Together we have drafted a proposal, under m...

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Never Been Surer

Submitted to Contest #76

“Will you marry me?” “Renee?” “Are you still breathing?” “Yes, yes, yes, you stupid man! Of course, I’ll marry you!” “Good, because I was starting to get a little worried –” ****** “Do you, Cyril Jameson, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, till death do you part?” “I do.” “Do you, Renee Salazar, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, till death do you part?” “I do.” “I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” ****** “Are you sure ...

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THE PRIEST AND THE COBBLER'S DAUGHTER

Submitted to Contest #76

“Saleem, how long have you been running this shop selling coconuts and fruit?” “It’s over twenty years I think. You say you’re a cop newly transferred to this place.” “Yes. I want to hear about this place and people. You’re an old timer and I’m sure you could tell me a lot.” “Ahead is the very steep mountain road with many twists and turns to the mountain resort. People who come in buses, cars and so on halt here to worship at that temple opposite praying for a safe journey.” “How is business here?” “It isn’t booming but I earn enough to mak...

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JUST IN TIME

Submitted to Contest #76

Just in time Word count: 2410 Written by Johan van Rensburg The rusty wheels scrape the pavement as the old man parks his wheelchair right next to the door of the small town pharmacy. A cautious eye peeks at the door of the pharmacy from under a bushy grey fringe. He is just in time. It is nine o’clock, and the door swings open in a warm welcome. Not only the pharmacy’s, but also the doors of the supermarket next to the pharmacy, and the bank next to the supermarket, and the furniture store across the road.  The...

10 likes 2 comments 2
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The Difference In Apple Pie

Submitted to Contest #76

The Difference In Apple Pie Written by Lizzy Stevens and Steve Miller Dan and Mark were sitting in Dan’s living room drinking a couple beers. Dan glanced at Mark as he downed his can in one drink. “I can’t believe you are back in town. How long has it been?” Mark popped the top on his third one. “Too long, man. I moved away after we graduated and time has flown by since then.” Dan jumps up and starts putting his shoes on. “We have to celebrate you moving home and the fact you are starting your business tomorrow. Let’s go over to old ma...

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Labda

Submitted to Contest #76

The Boy must prevail. He knows this. The sun, that hangs heavy on the sky, about to recede into the unknowns of tomorrow, but, still sharp enough to drench him in the salty waters of his vesicles and cloud his sight in a kaleidoscope of color knows this. The wind and earth work together, conspiring to muddle and unsettle him even further with their fog of sand because they too know. They know the Boy, know what he wants and hopes to achieve by the day's end. They've watched him before more than once and as their own version of a cosmic joke,...

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Unsaid Threats

Submitted to Contest #76

Triggering for those who are emetophobic I sit down on the worn-out chair, the leather squeaking underneath me. Debating on whether to cross my legs or keep them straight, I decide against crossing them, my clothes feeling particularly uncomfortable today. She sits opposite me, her eyes furtively glancing at me, waiting for me to start talking. Her body has little to no curves, her face is lined with wrinkles and her yellow skirt is the same colour as her skin.Yes, she is ugly and highly unattractive.Then what did Roy possibly see in her?I p...

65 likes 14 comments 14
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Pure Blood

Submitted to Contest #76

"My blood is pure, and so are my words." The girl twisted her lips. "So you can't lie?" The faerie shook his blonde head, the strands as golden as sunlight. "Not even a half-truth could slip my silver tongue," he replied, almost smug. "How old are you?" the girl merely asked, sitting before him as if it were story time. She pulled her small backpack onto her lap and hugged it. "The trees are younger than I, small Elain. My age is uncounted as the blades of grass beneath our feet." A wind stirred their hair, the loose robes of the fae...

28 likes 10 comments 10
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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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