Break From Reality. Daily.
Frankie’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, and her knuckles swelled. The sort of pressure shooting up her arms as if giving a warning. The July heat pressed against the car windows, turning her Mini-Cooper car into a coffin. Sweat gathered on her forehead. She wanted to vomit. She glanced at her watch:…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2025 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Kiddo halted in the doorway of his house, unable to move. Except for his fist clutching the crumpled envelope in his hand, with these words. To my dearest Dakota, Do Not Open…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2024 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Aileen stared out the window of her room, eyes wide open. She recognized the backs of the two people bursting into the hallway. It was the middle of the night, and even…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2024 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Cammie’s mouth quivered and dribbled with sweat as she looked at her watch: 8:47pm. Her breath grew more labored with each second that passed. Step on it, Aubrey! Please step on it!…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2022 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Ossie panted as he raced around the corner to the bus station. BUS TO HEAVEN, NEXT RIGHT, APPROACHING IN SEVEN MINUTES, the sign read. His lungs wanted to explode, but he…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 10th Anniversary Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. The man’s picture on the refrigerator stared at Hazel. She gazed back, gripping shattered glass from the frame and the mud-stained shirt. The very last one he wore. Specks of blood…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2021 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Paulette fled through the forest, gripping her handbag, her stomach clenching. The children’s safety comes first – never mind me, she pondered, choking from smoke inhalation. She couldn’t run fast enough…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2020 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. No! Please, please, don’t do it! You’re gonna make your brother mad! I screamed in my head. But Bianca’s not hearing me. I held my breath as I watched and waited…
This story is by Stephanie Newbern and was part of our 2020 Summer Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here. Cherry whispered to herself as she faced the wall, rocking on her tiptoes, “Mom, it’s going to be okay, you’ll see, everything will be okay.” She clutched two portraits to her…
