forum Short Story Writing Competition #1
Started by @LittleBear group
tune

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Deleted user

Guys I know I'm late but there was a family emergency last night and I couldn't get to this. Is there a chance I can still submit?

Deleted user

Thank you so much I'm sorry I didn't get to it sooner

Deleted user

“Milo,” a voice said from the door, “you have a letter.” Milo lifted his head from the dirty counter, wiping a streak of soot from his face. His best friend, Amber, stood in front of him, waving a piece of folded lined paper around in the air. Her strawberry blonde hair, which was usually thrown up in a messy bun of curls, fell down past her waist. It was brushed and perfectly straight, complimenting her pale heart-shaped face.

“From who?” He asked. She shrugged, tossing it on the counter in front of him.

“Read it.” She leaned forward a bit. Milo’s eyes drifted from Amber’s face to the crisp paper. With a sigh, he picked it up and unfolded it.

Dear Miles,

I know that I’m the last person you’d want to hear from, especially in a time like this. However I want you to understand that I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t mean to leave you so suddenly.

Milo glared at the paper after the first few sentences, then crumpled it up into a tightly packed ball and tossed it into the trash bin. Amber swatted him on the head, gray-green eyes narrowed. Milo just turned away from her, picking up a wilted rose from the counter and fiddling with the stiff petals.

“I told you that I didn’t want to hear from Sura anymore,” he grumbled. Tears glistened in his eyes, which had turned from the color of swirling green jewels to a dark forest. Amber let out a small sigh.

“I know, but… I think you should read this one.” She put a gentle hand on his shoulder, and he looked up. “Trust me, you’d really regret throwing this one away.”

His gaze followed her movements as she leaned down to grab the letter from the trash bin, placing it in front of him. She unfolded it slowly and revealed the beautiful cursive words.

I wanted to be selfish and just stay here with you. I wanted to just let go of my old land and live a long life with you. A few months ago, I was going to propose to you. I wanted us to get out of that horrible city and buy a house on the beach. We’d adopt children, and Amber would open her own little cafe like she’s always wanted to. Everybody would’ve been so happy.

However I realized that we can’t achieve that. At least not yet. I first have to stop running from my past, and finish this war that I started billions of years ago.

It’s likely that I won’t come back from this, so I want you to move on without me. Find a man that can take better care of you than I could. Get yourself out of that crime-ridden city and live the way you’ve always wanted to, just without me.

And whatever you do, please don’t follow me. This war is more dangerous than you realize, and the last thing I’d want is for you to get caught in the crossfire.

With Love,
Asura

Milo’s freckled face was streaked with tears and soot, and Amber watched, concerned. He sniffled a bit folded the paper as neatly as he could, wiping his face with the back of his hand as the tears kept flowing.

“Are you okay?” Amber asked, not sure how to comfort him. Milo shook his head and turned around, taking off toward the stairs in the back. Amber tensed a bit before following him. “Wait, where are you going?” Milo stopped and whirled around, placing both hands firmly on Amber’s shoulders.

“I don’t give a shit about what Sura says. He’s in danger, and I made a promise to always protect him, so that’s what I’m going to do.” The two stared at each other for a long moment. Amber tried to process Milo’s words. He was going to leave his own universe and throw himself into a furious war. Most likely Milo would die trying to defend the man he loved.

But Amber knew there was no way she could stop him. So she just nodded at him, stepping back. He gave her a small smile before he ran upstairs to grab his weapons.

Deleted user

Wait, how do I share a Google Doc without this whole thing crashing?

Deleted user

Wait, how do I share a Google Doc without this whole thing crashing?

Copy and paste it instead

Deleted user

I'm not going to share the Doc, don't worry. I was just wondering because other people seemed to be able to share it, but I'll try that another time.

Deleted user

TITLE: Her Letter
WORD COUNT: 1,233 (I’m sorry it went over, but I couldn’t find a good way to end it and you said around 1,200 was all right for someone else; I thought it’d be fine, but please tell me if you want it shorter)

When the amber hues of afternoon had finally faded and the hushed whispers of the congregation from the town square below had ceased, Vincent drew aside the curtains to the balcony and stood, viewing the city tiredly, for a sign of change. Streetlights burst into pinpricks of light from afar, and he looked on with tired eyes, impervious to the chill that emanated through the glass. The night was inclement and bleak, but nothing, not the lightning or rain brewing in the air, stopped him from sliding the door open and sidling out into dark.
Despite the weather, the view was magnificent. A thick, dense layer of fog hung low above the ground, amplifying the gleam of the lamps, and the golden glow from windows transfigured houses into what could have almost been fireflies scattered here and there. The overcast skies dimmed with every passing moment, yet he felt as if the town had placed a charm over him, luring him in, like a moth to a glorious, if not a tad dreary, flame. There was not a reason for him to stay, but he was immovable, waiting for a moment that didn’t appear to be coming. He felt leaving his spot would guarantee a missed sight or wonder, so he stayed and watched.
“This is foolish,” he murmured, drawing a hand to his cheek, but even his own words couldn’t pierce through his inane desire. “Have I lost my wits? Perhaps. Talking to oneself, as I’ve heard, is a sign of certain madness. How long shall I wait in this repelling storm? Has my insomnia driven me to abhor normality so completely that I cannot even pass the night indoors? I do not know a cause that would be otherwise suitable. To be true, I am most undoubtedly mad.”
Rain began to fall in torrents as he closed the length to the railing. He let it slick his hair and dampen his tailcoat thoroughly, only moving to unfasten the buttons of his collar and unhook his tie. The latter he tossed aside, not bothering to see where it might land, and opened his mouth to taste drops of water. Beads of wetness landed on his fine, dark eyelashes, and tongue, which he swiped across his lips when the need arose. He felt rather unkempt and vulnerable, a mess to be sure, with his rumpled collar and tousled hair, but decided quickly that dressing up for a fictitious audience would be more a hassle than necessary.
“I suppose it is not my fault. This urge is unwelcome, but not genuinely unwarranted. If I were any less of a man, this would surely drive me to worse measures,” he sighed. His feelings, which were evasive previously, now choked him with emotion, and he placed his knuckles to his forehead as a tension built up behind his skin.
“It is odd that I feel such a way, yet I cannot remember a time when such emotions did not assault me so. I’ve ached with this most unshakeable pain for so long that the sun burns me. It is not a wonder, then, that I do not go out in the light. Daytime is a social hour—one that I do not deserve—and I no longer hope to experience it contentedly. Loneliness is my penance for living, and I will surely continue to pay for the burden I am, but I wish ardently that my self-inflicted wounds would not drive her away. The world must think it funny that the only woman that I have ever loved scorns me as if I were an object of disgust simply because I refuse to grant my unworthy self a mere compliment. There never has been such a joke. Why would a burnt-out star commend itself when the Sun blazes so radiantly beside it? Why would a grain of sand acclaim itself when the ocean sparkles nearby? Am I some sort of madman to despise the thought? There is an inescapable hatred that burns for myself alone inside my weak mind. I cannot grant myself the satisfaction of praise.”
“Anna, my lovely, ebullient Anna, I suppose I really cannot compliment myself at all, but that means not a thing. I wish your return more than I wish to wake another morning alone.” He spoke these last words to the sky, as if uttering a prayer, and then ceased to stand as his legs crumpled.
The door opened behind him, and Jolene exited, swathed in a heavy blanket. She made a strangled sound upon seeing him and rushed to his side. He let her help him up, but rested against her in such a manner that she had to adjust a myriad of times to be able to carry his weight. When they were finally ready, they limped to Aunt LaBelle’s antique couch and settled down together. His sister, pale with worry, began to poke and prod him, checking for a sign of illness.
“What is the matter?”
“I am quite alright,” he replied stoically.
Her face became flushed. “You are not! You collapsed! Why would you do such a thing?”
“I was taking a nap. You woke me.”
“Vincent!” she cried. He winced as her mouth grew thin. “Sorry, I just… I worry for you. Even Charlie and Asa have noticed your dismal disposition. Do I need to fetch a doctor?”
“Do not worry. The heart of my problems is myself, Jo, and no man of medicine could fix me.”
Without another word, she removed herself from the room. He sat, mulling over his words, until she came back, an envelope dangling between her fingers. She draped herself over the edge of the armrest and passed it to him.
He pondered it. “What might this letter have to do with my condition?”
“It is from Anna. You always seem happy when she is around, so I assumed this might help.”
Vincent tore it open, heart pounding in his chest. He spread the fine paper out after drying his hands and took a deep breath.
“Read it!”
“Mr. Adler, I hope this letter reaches you in good health. I do not wish to trouble you, but I cannot help but feel as if our last meeting ended poorly. Jolene has been updating me on the condition of your household since I departed. While I am glad that your cousins, especially Maria, have been doing well, I have become rather concerned about your state.”
“Is that all?” Jo asked softly. He turned his head. “Vince?”
“I fear you aren’t well, Mr. Adler, and so I have decided to visit sometime during the next fortnight. Please be expecting me. And…”
“Mercy, finish the letter already!”
“I love you, Vincent,” he finished, chest agonizingly tight. Tears leaked from his eyes as he dashed the letter to the floor. Jolene made a noise of shock.
“Why are you crying? I thought this was what you wanted.”
“It is. I do not know reason.” He swallowed down the truth and wiped his face. “Thank you for bringing it to my attention.”
Unsure, his sister pursed her lips. “You are very welcome, I believe.”
“Would you get me some tea? Please?” He said it in such a way that she could not refuse, so she pulled herself away from her spot to the kitchen.
Vincent, alone once more, finally dropped his head into his hands and sobbed.

@DarkWolf

(I'm just gonna post it because I have to sleep, but if it's too late just void it and I'll help judge)
“Rae…” A hollow voice whispered.
“Shut up. Get out of my head.” I shot.
“Let me take control.”
“No. Not after what happened last time. I won’t let you take another life.”
“Rae!” This voice wasn’t the same as the hollow one. This one was sharp, but soft at the same time. I jolted awake. My roommate was standing over me.
“Gwen…” I moaned.
“Is it happening again?” Gwen asked worriedly.
“Is what happening again?” My tired brain couldn’t think straight.
“Your wolf form. It’s talking again, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “But I’ll be fine.”
“You should tell your Alpha. I can’t help you but she could.”
“You don’t understand, neither would she.”
Gwen sighed. She picked up my phone. “Call her.”
“No.”
“No?”
“She’ll demote me if it happens again.”
“Doesn’t matter. Call her.”
I took the phone and threw it across the room. “Go away. I’m gonna change then go for a walk.” I did as I had said I would. I walked out of our apartment and to the elevator. I had never enjoyed being in a metal box, held up by a tether and wires. The first time I was in an elevator people must have thought I was crazy. I was hyperventilating, freaking out, wide-eyed. Despite that, I pressed the button and stepped onto the metal box. I was a little uneasy, but managed to fight through. Luckily no one else was in it with me. I walked out of the building. Everything was normal, the scent, the shade of lighting, everything. But after a bit of walking I realized something was off. One scent was missing. Atlas… Atlas’s scent was missing. I ran home. Somehow, whenever I need to get inside urgently the doors stick. I ran up the stairs and quickly ran into the apartment. Before me I saw Gwen with tears in her eyes.
“A letter came while you were gone.” She choked once she saw me. “I read it… thinking it might have been for me.” She handed me the letter.

Dear Rae,
It is with great sadness that I inform you that our beloved Alpha, Atlas Morwood, has passed. She left a will regarding how her personal belongings should be divided. She left you with the largest honor of all; she would like to pass the position of Alpha to you. We would request your appearance for a meeting of the Alpha’s. You also must choose a new Beta, as the position cannot be passed down.
Sincerely,
Delta, Kera Venas
“She’s- She’s gone.” I cried.
“You okay?”
“I never got to say goodbye. I could’ve but I didn’t.”
“Rae. It’s okay.”
“No it’s not. She’s gone and I can never see her again. How long was I gone?”
“A few hours.”
'It didn’t seem like that long…Oh no… I should have told her, and she might still be alive.' I thought, then said, “I think I know what happened to her.”
“What?” Gwen asked.
“I couldn’t control myself… my other self…”

Deleted user

Friday @ Midnight Central Time. 0000 28 APR 2018 «Then