Last night, I had a dream — no, no, not the one with Mrs. Butterscotch and the strap-on dildo covered in spray cheese. This one was a dream in which a phrase figured prominently:
There is no exit.
I don’t know why.
I don’t know what it means.
It probably doesn’t mean anything, because dreams are just your brain’s way of pooping.
Anyway.
I thought it would make a very good flash fiction challenge.
So, incorporate that phrase —
“There is no exit”
— into the story. Either as a title, a line of dialogue, a theme, whatever.
Go forth and tell the story.
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: July 14th, Friday, noon, EST
Post at your online space, then give us a link so we can read it.
Mark W Kappe says:
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
July 7, 2017 — 1:38 PM
Shiloh A. Ohmes says:
Blue Alice: https://crazyinkslinger.wordpress.com/2017/07/07/blue-alice/
“Blue Alice will always be in the corner of the pub, draining mugs of rum and ale, telling stories of past glory to anyone who will buy another round.”
July 7, 2017 — 10:56 PM
Enkin Anthem says:
Love this take. Reminds me of “Other People” by Gaiman, just not quite so dark.
July 11, 2017 — 7:53 AM
Shiloh A. Ohmes says:
Thank you for reading! I haven’t read that Gaiman story, I’ll definitely have to check it out.
July 11, 2017 — 11:26 AM
Enkin Anthem says:
Found it online:
http://fuckyeahgaiman.tumblr.com/post/1463212256/a-story-from-fragile-things-short-fictions-and
🙂
July 11, 2017 — 11:54 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
I’m always suspicious of a story told in second person, and the payoff is huge when I realize at the end that, of course, the story had to be told that way.
This was satisfying and really well done. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Thanks for sharing it.
July 11, 2017 — 11:40 AM
Bonnee says:
The opening line of this that came up in my blog feed was too good to scroll past without reading the whole thing. An interesting prompt–I will be back with a link for sharing.
July 8, 2017 — 7:39 AM
Bonnee says:
My feeble attempt: http://thebloggingofanaspiringwriter.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/writing-prompt-there-is-no-exit.html
July 9, 2017 — 3:22 AM
Larissa Hammond says:
Here is my submission:
http://larissahammond.com/2017/07/08/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge-there-is-no-exit/
Sleep well, my pretties.
July 8, 2017 — 11:42 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
It’s gripping, and horrifying. The most terrifying line in the whole thing, though, is “Based on true events.”
I hope the girl is better off now. I’m glad she got out, and that she got to have her story told. Thanks.
July 11, 2017 — 12:59 PM
Larissa Hammond says:
Thanks. This really means a lot to me. And she is. She is me. <3
July 11, 2017 — 1:01 PM
Anna Nyms says:
Wow, what a story.
July 11, 2017 — 5:09 PM
Larissa Hammond says:
Thank you. <3
July 11, 2017 — 6:49 PM
Louis Shalako says:
I wish I could remember more of my dreams. But being trapped in some rambling building, and trying to find my way out, is a common theme. Another one is clinging onto something at great height and wondering what all these other people are doing here…
July 8, 2017 — 12:47 PM
Mozette says:
https://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/hotel-california.html
enjoy!
July 8, 2017 — 11:32 PM
lpstribling says:
Here you go, Chucklets, my short story, “No Way Out.” It’s password protected. The happy word is: NoWayOut. Enjoy.
July 9, 2017 — 11:28 PM
lpstribling says:
Actually, from above the name has changed to Two at the Door (www.lpstribling.com). Thanks.
July 9, 2017 — 11:53 PM
Danielle says:
My first time posting. This was fun. https://writingupsidedown.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/the-door/
July 10, 2017 — 11:31 PM
Kevin Wallace says:
This is really good – it reads like a prologue, and I want to dig into the rest of the story. Left me wanting in the right ways. Thanks for sharing it.
July 11, 2017 — 12:00 PM
Danielle says:
Thank you, Kevin! I definitely felt like this was the beginning to something larger while I was writing it.
July 11, 2017 — 8:10 PM
Anna Nyms says:
I really enjoyed the story too. I would read a longer version of it.
July 11, 2017 — 5:01 PM
Danielle says:
Thank you, Anna!
July 11, 2017 — 8:08 PM
aimeethere says:
I loved this! You have such a strong voice.
July 13, 2017 — 10:17 PM
Danielle says:
Thank you!
July 15, 2017 — 8:14 AM
Enkin Anthem says:
A situation with no escape can only be a nightmare, can’t it?
https://enkinanthem.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/no-exit/
July 11, 2017 — 9:58 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
I came expecting a nightmare, and was sorely disappointed.
That was sweet and brave and maybe even a little chaotic. It’s amazing how differently people can interpret the same four words.
July 11, 2017 — 11:55 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
Mine is entitled creatively, “There Is No Exit”.
http://blog.kevinja.com/there-is-no-exit/
“She awoke.
Maybe it was an awakening, or maybe she was always there. She couldn’t remember.”
July 11, 2017 — 10:28 AM
Danielle says:
Great story. Definitely hooked me. Reminded me a little of WestWorld. What’s real and what’s not real. Thanks for sharing.
July 12, 2017 — 7:31 PM
Kevin Wallace says:
Thank you, Danielle! I hadn’t put together that connection (and I *really* need to see Westworld), but I can definitely see it.
July 14, 2017 — 10:50 AM
David Ralph Lewis says:
Awesome, really enjoyed the blurring of the two worlds.
July 14, 2017 — 4:59 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
Thanks a lot, David. I had fun with that part.
July 14, 2017 — 10:51 AM
Anna Nyms says:
Here’s my attempt. One thousand words more or less. Mine’s also title “There is No Exit” as well.
“There is no exit, no way out, enjoy what time you have left.”
July 11, 2017 — 4:45 PM
Anna Nyms says:
Here’s the link I left out.
https://annanyms.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/there-is-no-exit/
July 11, 2017 — 5:03 PM
aimeethere says:
This was so beautifully sad.
July 13, 2017 — 11:47 PM
Anna Nyms says:
Oops left out the link, here it is:
https://annanyms.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/there-is-no-exit/
July 11, 2017 — 4:47 PM
Danielle says:
This was great! I was hooked for the beginning. Thanks for sharing.
July 12, 2017 — 7:28 PM
LC says:
Here’s my attempt. https://thewritingsoflc.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/flash-fiction-there-is-no-exit/ –The phone rings and mom runs downstairs to get it. Pretty early, must be family. I wait for her to call me, instead she comes upstairs and looks a little pale.–
July 12, 2017 — 8:13 AM
Danielle says:
Wow! (I wish I had more words.)
July 12, 2017 — 7:34 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
Here’s my story. It’s a dialogue between a father and a son, only they’re a bit special.
I decided to keep the title.
Here’s “There Is No Exit.”
https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/there-is-no-exit-f876608fc128
July 12, 2017 — 12:56 PM
Danielle says:
Enjoyed your story!
July 12, 2017 — 7:41 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
Sorry, catching up with old comments. Many thanks!
September 15, 2017 — 4:58 AM
Eva Therese says:
Well, this went dark… https://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/there-is-no-exit/
July 12, 2017 — 1:58 PM
mdflyn says:
Bloody Fine Print – An overworked succubus seeks a vacation, only to find out that she signed up for more than she bargained for. http://www.mdflyn.com/bloody-fine-print-original-flash-fiction/
July 12, 2017 — 3:54 PM
Jenn Burroughs says:
Kind of a YA thing:
Just Desserts
http://cheeseandglory.com/2017/07/12/flash-fiction-just-dessert/
July 12, 2017 — 6:09 PM
Danielle says:
I hope you decide to expand the story!
July 15, 2017 — 1:01 PM
Sam Brady says:
I took it on the road. Exactly 1,000 words. Please to enjoy!
https://sambrady.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/chuck-wendig-e/
July 12, 2017 — 10:24 PM
Kevin Wallace says:
The pacing was awesome. You hand them a ticking time bomb at the start, and the momentum propelled me right through to the end. Well done.
July 13, 2017 — 9:13 AM
V. Medina says:
First time joining in, I hope no one minds a new face! I wrote a thing to try and get me back into the swing of writing and this is what came out. https://howsweetthewords.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/flash-fiction-there-is-no-exist/
July 13, 2017 — 4:25 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
Welcome!
Wow, two second-person stories this week. This one felt to me like a teaser trailer, like for a game (my inner narrator read it in his announcer voice). The draw was there.
July 13, 2017 — 9:11 AM
Bianca says:
My attempt 🙂
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8mb8Er_NKW3a_h1HWvfMSu3RFBbMhPCd97P_IxNenE/edit?usp=sharing
“There is no exit, but here I am. I escape without escaping. I am free in the inch they could not reach. I am a bird in a cage all my own.”
July 13, 2017 — 11:25 AM
Pizzafishjedi2 says:
Great story! Very creative.
July 13, 2017 — 10:54 PM
The Writer says:
Hey guys, here’s my offering. It’s a little late…but better than never. Enjoy!
https://atcrump.com/2017/07/13/same-drugs/
July 13, 2017 — 2:32 PM
StarNinja says:
Here is a story about Exits and the not exiting thereof in superhero form. It’s part of the flash fiction series I’ve been doing here every Friday.
https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/there-is-no-exit/
Enjoy!
July 13, 2017 — 2:52 PM
Michelle Baillargeon says:
Hello,
I’m back to contribute after a little time away working on other projects. I’ve missed contributing and managed to come up with a story for this week. I hope you enjoy it.
https://michelle-wordplay.blogspot.com/
July 13, 2017 — 3:58 PM
Pizzafishjedi2 says:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MqyUgAz2tWCxjXrAaKW10_Jade_UHg2zNaHm8sEYQfE/edit?usp=drivesdk
My story.
July 13, 2017 — 10:48 PM
Gilliman says:
My first post, cranked out for no good reason upon realizing there were merely hours left before deadline. Please excuse the resulting steaming pile of half baked writing that is The Land of Block.
http://nosetokeyboard.blogspot.com/2017/07/i-was-scrolling-mister-wendigs-terrible.html
July 13, 2017 — 11:03 PM
Daryl Nash says:
I’ve been watching a lot of Twin Peaks lately.
http://darylnash.com/fiction/there-is-no-exit-flash-fiction/
July 13, 2017 — 11:36 PM
aimeethere says:
I wrote this in a rush tonight, and I’m afraid it feels like it. But here you go anyways! Back, Again.
https://aimeethere.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/back-again/
July 13, 2017 — 11:45 PM
Incognito Scribblings says:
My first attempt (at writing any kind of prose in about 15 years).
https://incognitoscribblings.tumblr.com/post/162966349045/there-is-no-exit
July 14, 2017 — 12:34 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Squeaking under the wire. “No Exit?”
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2017/07/flash-fiction-friday-there-is-no-exit.html
July 14, 2017 — 1:06 AM
David Ralph Lewis says:
A bit late because of life, but here is my attempt: A pulpy film noir type story: http://davidralphlewis.co.uk/there-is-no-exit/
July 14, 2017 — 1:44 AM
vous (@onauratoujours) says:
here’s my contribution this week! sat on it literally until tonight, wasn’t super feeling the prompt, but i tried to push something out regardless.
https://iseeyoureyesiknowyoureyes.tumblr.com/post/162969427146
July 14, 2017 — 2:18 AM
Matthew Marchitto (@ThewTheSlightly) says:
This turned into something like a Saturday morning cartoon, but slathered in blood.
The Ritual of Souls:
https://www.matthewmarchitto.com/blog/2017/7/13/flash-fiction-challenge-the-ritual-of-souls
July 14, 2017 — 2:46 AM
pamtanzey says:
Here’s mine, that was fun!
https://pamtanzey.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/friendly-fannys-pies-and-such/
July 14, 2017 — 11:54 AM