What are some good opening sentences for short stories?

One could be 'The old house on the hill had always been there, like a silent sentinel over the town.'

One could be 'In a world where the moon never set and the stars were portals to other realms, a young adventurer set out on a journey that would change everything.'

One could be 'The old house at the end of the lane loomed like a malevolent specter in the moonlight.'

One could be 'In a world full of chaos, his smile was the only thing that made sense to her from the very first glance.'

You could start with 'In the park, under the old oak tree, two boys sat side by side, sharing secrets. Their friendship was like a warm blanket on a cold day.' This opening paints a picture of the setting (the park under the oak tree) and uses a simile to describe the friendship as something warm and comforting. It gives a sense of closeness and intimacy between the two characters.

A great start might be 'With a map in one hand and a sense of wild excitement in her heart, Lily boarded the rickety old boat that would take her to uncharted islands.' Here, it immediately sets the scene of a character about to embark on an adventure. It gives a sense of the tools they have, like the map, and their emotional state, which is excitement. Also, the description of the boat as 'rickety' adds an element of risk and unpredictability, which are often associated with adventures.

One could be 'The day the world ended began like any other.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention by suggesting something momentous is about to be revealed. It sets a mysterious and anticipatory tone, making the reader wonder what exactly made this day different from the others.

Sentences like 'The old man sat on the porch, his memories swirling around him like autumn leaves.' are great for short stories. Also, 'The wind whispered secrets through the trees, making the forest seem alive with mystery.' are good examples. These types of sentences set the mood, whether it's a sense of mystery, loneliness or anticipation which are important elements in short stories.

Another good opening sentence is 'In the dead of night, a single scream pierced the silence of the small town, but no one could say where it came from.' This creates a sense of mystery as it presents an event that is both disturbing and unexplained. The reader will be eager to find out who screamed and why. It also gives a feeling of a place where secrets might be hidden.

One good opening sentence could be 'The night was as dark as a bottomless pit, and the only sound was the howling wind that seemed to carry a thousand secrets.' This kind of opening immediately sets a spooky and mysterious mood, drawing the reader in and making them curious about what will happen next in the story.