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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

150+ Fiction Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. If you’re looking for the best fiction short stories to read online, we’ve got you covered. Wide-ranging and ever-curious, these free short stories will meet your reading needs.

Fiction Short Stories – Page 2 of 10

Walk of atonement

Submitted to Contest #306

I’m making toast when I should be eating muesli. I’m in my dressing gown when I should be getting dressed. I’m watching TV when I should be walking the dog. My phone rings. I glance at the name on the screen, place my phone face down on the couch, and keep watching Game of Thrones: the final episode of the fifth season for the third time. “A sinner comes before you …” My phone rings. I pause the TV.“Yep.”“I’ve been tossing and turning all night,” she says. “You can’t sell the house. You barely know this man.” Out in the courtyard, Baz is ...

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Life's Long List of Groceries

Submitted to Contest #306

Prompt: Write a story in the form of a grocery list***Grocery List:5 TV dinners1 case of beer***Grocery List:5 TV dinners1 case of beer***Grocery List:4 TV dinners1 frozen pizza1 case of beer***Grocery List:1 box of cereal1 carton of milk1 box of spaghetti1 jar of spaghetti sauce, the red one4 TV dinners1 case of beer***Grocery List:1 box of cereal1 carton of milk1 box of spaghetti1 jar of spaghetti sauce, the green one1 package of hot dogs1 bag of hot dog buns1 bottle of ketchup2 TV dinners1 case of beer***Grocery List:1 box of cereal1 bag ...

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Phil and Lila

Submitted to Contest #306

INT. LILA AND PHIL’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT PHIL (mid-20’s, semi-succesful screenwriter), sits on the couch, face in his hands. LILA (mid-20’s, beautiful yet cold) faces away from him, staring out the window. A storm rages outside. PHILSo that’s it, then? Three years together and it’s over, just like that. Where are you planning to go? LILA(dismissive)I’m not planning on going anywhere, Phil. I own this house. PHIL(rising to his feet)You’re kicking me out? LILAI packed you a suitcase. PHILThere’s someone else, isn’t there? At first, Lila does ...

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The Things I’ll Tell My Diary and No One Else

Submitted to Contest #306

Hi all, I would like to add a quick trigger warning for sexual violence and mental health. December 12, 2020 Hypothetically, how many years in prison would I get for cutting out Caden’s tongue? I’m talking sawing that thing off with a rusty, dull knife, fingers crossed that it causes an infection that kills him. That would probably be a few more years, right? I was also thinking I could cut it off, then shove it right back in his mouth and let him suffocate on it. Really, I’m open to any option that involves never hearing him speak ever ag...

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Save Two

Submitted to Contest #306

The breeze swept the whisperings of the woods down the dewy stone lanes the same way it had for countless lifetimes. All living things had taken to a rhythm shaped in silence, worn smooth by the turning of many seasons. That was just how Rustlyn had been since the very beginning.Olivia woke before the sun. It was a regular Tuesday, but days barely matter for every one of them had been the same as long as anyone could remember. The dark held steady in the windowpane as if waiting for her to give it permission to fade. The hearth was cold. She...

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Viral Hearts: The Cost of Fame

Submitted to Contest #306

📱 August 12, 2023 – 3:14 PMMonique: Girl! Your reel hit 500k! You’re blowing up, Kara!Kara: I know, right? My phone is going crazy. I just got offered my first paid collab.Monique: That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you. Just remember us little people when you’re famous.Kara: LOL girl, please. You’re not “little people.” You’re my sister. 📱 August 19, 2023 – 5:10 PMMonique: You coming to Maya’s birthday tonight?Kara: I can’t. Last minute brand thing. Free products but I need content.Monique: This is the third thing you’ve missed this month. 📥 A...

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H’art of the deal

Submitted to Contest #306

“H’art of the deal” DANTE’S FURNACE-FINAL NOTICE TO APPEAR TO: Mr. Thomas Torrence Talisman Esq.FROM: Saint Peter Esq., Office of Admissions, Pearly Gates box 1, Heaven Inc. Dear Sir, it has come to my attention that you have chosen to challenge the courts decision pertaining to your recent application for eternal residency. Whereas your application was submitted and reviewed immediately upon your death, it was determined that you failed to meet our minimum admissions requirements as per the judgement day act. I refer you to the applica...

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Paranoia?

Submitted to Contest #306

Tuesday, June 3rd I’m not going to start writing with a pitiful “Dear Diary.” This isn’t even a diary. This is just something my therapist recommended I start doing, so here I am. I think it’s cheesy, but she said she was going to follow up with me about it, and I’m a horrible liar. She might even ask to see it. What a trip that might be. I’m supposed to journal for at least 20 minutes a day. That seemed excessive to me - why not just 5 minutes? But as I’m writing, I realize 5 minutes really isn’t a whole lot of time. I wouldn't have anythin...

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Pie Perfection!!

Submitted to Contest #306

Hello lovely bakers. Today in celebration of the summer solstice (and also my birthday!) we’re making a gorgeous sunshine yellow lemon meringue pie! Lemon meringue pie can seem a bit retro but this dish is pure gold! I first made this pie on my honeymoon in Italy. I know it’s not an Italian dish but the mix of crisp pastry, tart lemon filling and fluffy meringue is a recipe for perfection in any language! Sometimes I’ll have a slice of pie and a glass of crisp well-chilled Prosecco and just imagine myself back in that jasmine scented garden...

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800-799-7233

Submitted to Contest #306

February 14, 2023Tonight did not go as expected. It’s been a while since our last date night, but it’s Valentine’s Day and we’ve been arguing so much. It’s good he’s trying. Our therapist said to call time-outs even if we haven’t solved the problem. Tonight it really was the waiter’s fault. Jared is usually very polite, but he was a little too flirty with me. At first we laughed it off, but then the waiter brought me a complimentary drink. I thought it was sweet, but Jared got upset and told him to take it back. When we finished eating, we n...

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Criminal

Submitted to Contest #306

Dear diary,OMG!!!Did I ever get a surprise tonight! Things like this don't happen to people like me. I'm just the old working mom. Sure wasn't a nice surprise.I gotta tell you, I think my blood pressure was up. I just wanted to know what was happening. Shock is still happening, I think.My heart is still beating fast. And I'm home in bed, safe and sound. At least I hope I am. Who's to say that I really am safe.So glad my kids weren't with me. Never want them in a situation like that.On the plus side, dear diary, I didn't get shot. I gotta be ...

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oLife.cpp

Submitted to Contest #306

#include <iostream> #include <string> #include <thread> #include <chrono> using namespace std; /*************************************************************************** HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? ***************************************************************************/ int main() { char letter1, letter2; string answer1, answer2; cout << "I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING.\n"; this_thread::sleep_for(chrono::seconds(2)); cout << "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?\n"; cin >> answer1; if (answer1 == "Yes" || answer1 ==...

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Collateral Echoes of Events

Submitted to Contest #306

Shelly’s Restaurant Review - 5/5Dated - 13.04.2025 The food is great for a fast-food joint, especially considering it was almost 2 AM. The banana cake was amazing, fluffy and tender. The fish fingers served with their in-house sauce: chef’s kiss. The waitress looked overworked and tired, but she was trying her best. Poor thing, she kept forgetting the order. I hope she is compensated well. Shelly’s Restaurant Review - 3/5Dated - 03.05.2025 The in-house sauce was amazing, goes with almost anything. The service can be better. The waitress kept...

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The Wish

Submitted to Contest #306

I’m not a loser. I’m a forgetter. Wayne disputed his wife, Meg’s, occasional nickname for him. He didn’t lose things. He forgot them. Usually little stuff. Essential stuff. “And I’m not a hoarder. Too much junk. Who keeps all this crap?”Wayne wrestled another box off the shelf at the back of the garage. He looked inside and shook his head. “I guess I do. Make that ‘we.’”The contents were a mélange of random items he should have trashed years ago – letters from people he no longer knew, art tiles, random cutlery, books (never read) and severa...

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The Remains of A Romantic

Submitted to Contest #306

$20 - A Wrinkle in Time Trilogy (with love poems) - good - Listed 10/17/10 If you aren’t familiar with the books and this post just happened to make its way to you, take it as a sign to indulge in the all-consuming works of Madeleine L'Engle. Covers are intact. i never dog-ear my pages, so you don’t have to worry about that ;) My grandmother gifted me the set the Christmas of ‘95, and i’ve read through each book countless times. Very dear to my heart. My ex hid a few love poems in the margins, none are inappropriate (in case you were worried...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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