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Discover weekly, the best short stories

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

11130+ Sad Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Do you ever need to break your own heart? We see you. Grab a tub of ice cream or a box of tissues and settle down with some of the best, really sad short stories to make you cry.

Sad Short Stories – Page 528 of 743

It's Just a Cigarette

Submitted to Contest #92

Trigger Warning : AbuseA quiet zephyr blew from the West, dismissing the stifling smoke into the air. Once again, the atmosphere smelled like Christmas. Not the gingerbread cookies and crackling fireplace type of Christmas, but ghastly cold and empty plates type of Christmas.There was no laughter and lively chatter, just an envelope of cold air that pierced through one's lungs and six inches deep of white blanket coating the entire countryside.It was a particularly dark night, for the gleaming moon wasn't present. It was new moon. A chance f...

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Her

Submitted to Contest #92

“One glance at her was all I needed to know she was the one.” I wrote in my diary. “.…. well not literally of course! I’ve known her since elementary school. I know her favorite color- Purple-, her favorite song album- Folklore by Taylor Swift-, and I know the more detailed events like what her dream job is (artist).  I could go on and on. I would but I don’t want to portray myself as a stalker, for I am just a lover. AND tomorrow’s the big day, this is what I’ve been working so hard for! Thi...

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Dreaming of Sunlight in Twilight

Submitted to Contest #92

“Slow down, my wild little sunshine! You’ve left a whole trail of fire over here!”  A warm and motherly voice warns her to slow down as she runs out the door and toward a field of flowering trees on a summery day. Yes, she was chastising the way her daughter tore through life (and the house) like there existed a finish line at the end of it all. Quite often, her vibrant spirit was often likened to a wildfire. The way it burned uncontrollably bright and as hot as could be when left unchecked. The way her temper could be quick to peter...

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The House at the End of Granite Road

Submitted to Contest #92

Everyone was always intrigued by the house at the end of Granite Road. It was old, that was for certain, but no one could quite date it. It had elements of several different eras – the window shape of a Victorian manor, the porch that some argued was of Edwardian inspiration, and seemingly Tudor brickwork – leading different people to formulate different theories, like those who thought it was built through generations of the same family. But inexplicably, every time a theory was raised, it was disproved or disliked into obscurity. You see, ...

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The King of the North

Submitted to Contest #92

The sun beat down on his face as he felt the wind whipping through his long, black hair. The rhythmic beating of his horse’s hoofs on the hard ground matched with the pace of his heart as he sped through the countryside, his mind uncharacteristically on distant matters. Tears which pooled in his eyes were quickly dried by the gale, and his scarred hands gripped his steed’s reins with their full strength, turning his knuckles white. He knew the quest he had just undertaken had but one result, and he knew too that there was no other choice for...

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Kelsi's Journey

Submitted to Contest #92

The light penetrated Kelsi's eyelids, today was a day she had been dreading. She was exhausted thinking about leaving her room, she hadn't left it in a month. You may be wondering why, to answer that we will have to go back to another morning....Kelsi woke before sunrise, she had been waiting for this day, her excitement meant she'd slept lightly. Her clothes were laid out on her chair and her suitcase sat by the door. This trip was once in a lifetime and she had saved all her money, just to pay for a fortnight in England, she was going with...

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The Gift

Submitted to Contest #92

“It's been a wonderful summer so far" Bethany thought smiling to herself as she was driving with her daughter Emma, in the back, strapped to a car seat. She smiled at her daughter lovingly through the rear-view mirror as Emma returned her smile. “Are you excited honey?”  “Yes!” replied her daughter happily throwing her arms up and giggling. “Okay, just hang on, we'll be there soon” replied her mother. “Mommy can we go to the park today?” Emma asked after a while. “Sure honey whatever you want to do. Today is your day, and...

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Story that begins in the light and ends in the darkness

Submitted to Contest #92

   Being in the dark when the power suddenly goes out can bring positive experiences or negative experiences based on the situation we found ourselves in. Surprisingly Good things do come out of the darkness but in this situation, I and other people had a night of terror. Where I grew up in the Caribbean we are used to having the power go out for hours and even days. For this reason, we always spend the night in complete darkness. Everyone would grab a chair to sit outdoor where they can either listen to the radio or talk to o...

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The Snows of Eden

Submitted to Contest #92

Devon tossed down the carton of cigarettes on the table in front of him, plopped a bag full of unhealthy fast food beside it, and lowered himself onto a chair against the near wall. He sighed as he wiped his glasses. These visits were getting more and more difficult. “The cigarettes and burger you wanted. You know, for your healthy lifestyle,” he quipped. A small figure looked up from her bed. She gave Devon a nod as she reached for the burger (complete with unhealthy fries) and unwrapped it. She took three bites before she started chewing,...

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Ring a Ring a Rosie

Submitted to Contest #92

The floorboards creaked as the small group of people, all wrapped in thick coats and scarves, huddled closer than they normally would have done as they climbed the grand staircase, several torches lighting their way. The light from the full moon trickled through the dirty windows, but the panes of glass were so grimy, the hallways and rooms were still dark; thin beams of light reaching the dusty, dirt covered floor, adding to the eerie spookiness. “Ring a ring a Rosie, a pocket full of posies.” “What was that?” one of them asked, spinning ar...

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fifteen

Submitted to Contest #92

disclosure: contains content related to disorder eating and eating disorders, body dysmorphia and mental health issues. please choose another prompt of mine to read if this is of concern to you right now. text NEDA to 741741 for 24/7 crisis help. ngā mihi.oneThe ocean was mad this morning. Large swells crashed all along the beach. There was a deafening thud as they smashed to the ground. I breathed quickly, inhaling the cold air as I ran down the waterfront. Trying to run faster, further, train better. My legs were aching, vision blurry as I...

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Dry cereal

Submitted to Contest #92

Buzz! buzz! Groaning Alex flopped over blindly groping at his alarm clock. Alex shot up as cold water seeped into his pajamas. Rubbing his eyes he yanked the cord for the alarm clock out of the wall. He could hear the TV playing in the other room. He briefly wondered what time it was. His heavy closed currents gave no hints.  "Morning," he mumbled, glancing next to him. He bit his lip. Turning away he got up groaning as his back protested. His own fault for sleeping in a bed too small for his height. Breathing out he made his way to t...

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Candles

Submitted to Contest #92

CW: fire The candle flickered. When the night howled. It was the source of light everyone needed.  Darkness fighted back but cowarded away, waiting for a time to return. Even the wax burned away into the unknown   The candle danced. As it lit up the world of gloom. All the children’s fears would sink away and evaporate into the damp air. All ghosts would howl and run as the light spreads like a bushfire. All monsters under beds would growl and sneak away into the dead of night. Spiders would crawl and hide. Light would win the batt...

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Goodbye, mom

Submitted to Contest #92

Crying, I look up to see the face of my mom. She stares down at me with heartwarming, kind eyes. ¨ Don't let bullies take you down. Hold your head up, ok?¨ ¨ Ok ¨ I say, but my voice comes out hoarse from crying so much. I was about to tell her that I will be strong for her, but then she frowns. ¨ Sweetie, go inside and tell your father to come out here. But, once you have told him, go to your room. Please.¨ I linger, confused about why I have to tell dad to come outside and then go straight to my room. ¨ Why?¨ ¨ Just please g...

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Light and Dark

Submitted to Contest #92

TW: assault Lenora walked up the stairs toward her office. Just another day, another dollar she told herself as she opened the fire exit door and walked out into the busy grey cubicle-filled office. The halogen lights were blazing full tilt and the bank of windows along one wall throwing a dim grey light over everything. It was obscenely bright. She tossed her brown hair over her shoulder as she placed her oversized purse onto the end of her desk and prepared to sit and log in. “Awful weather out isn’t it!” She could see Pamela’s big owl siz...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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