The Story Vault

Discover original short stories that surprise, provoke, and strike straight to the heart.
Each tale offers a twist or moment that stays with you long after the last word.

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K for Key

Martha never goes out. So it was a surprise to Miranda when Martha came to her one day as requested that she house sits for her while she visits some of her relative. Martha had moved next to her some years back and right from day one they had bonded well. Miranda, being an orphan, […]

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J for Jealousy

Prompt: Your character is in the middle of a messy divorce.  His/her divorce lawyer has advised him/her not to move out of the house because doing so could negatively affect his/her divorce settlement.  His/her spouse likewise refuses to move out, so the two are still living together.  When your character starts a new romantic relationship,

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I for Impulse

Prompt – On a foreign holiday, your character meets an extremely attractive man or woman.  They don’t speak the same language, but they somehow find a way to understand each other, and your character feels a powerful connection that s/he has never felt with anyone before.  Impulsively, your character marries this person after they’ve only

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H for House Guest

Prompt – This year, your character resolves to save money.  So, he is intrigued when he sees an online ad offering a free bedroom in a shared apartment.  The apartment’s owner explains that s/he is lonely and just wants company.  It sounds quite strange, but it could save your character a fortune in rent… John

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G for Gift

Prompt – This year, your character resolves to get organized.  While she is sorting through papers in her house, she discovers an expensive insurance policy that her husband has taken out on her life.  Why has he done that?  And why didn’t he tell her about it?  And why does he have a second cell

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F for Fate

Prompt – Every evening, when she goes to the parking garage of her office building, your character finds a new love note tucked under the windshield wipers of her car.  These love notes are very beautiful and fill your character with powerful emotions.  But they are all addressed to “Caroline”.  Your character’s name is Melissa…

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