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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story with the line “Don’t tell anyone.”

Posted in Angst on Oct 18, 2024

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 80 stories

“Lying To Myself” by Nicole Wake

Submitted to Contest #273

“Have you ever lied to someone in this room?” It’s 4:15 pm, eight of us sit in the high school cafeteria. Mr. Hollowaty has been asking us questions for the last half-hour. I feel Mr. Hollowaty looking at me before he utters my name, “Miss Addler?” My face burns. Max glances at me without lifting his head before looking away. He couldn’t know that I lied to him, right? Brianna is staring directly at Max. I want to throw up. Don’t tell anyone, but she’s sleeping with Mr. Hollowaty. The words I uttered to Max a mere three hours ago. “Sophie?”&...

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“Secrets” by James McCulloch

Submitted to Contest #273

1. Abby put one coffee cup in front of Melinda as she sipped on her own. The children were sitting in a circle playing with the toy ship from their Noah and the flood playset. "You're fidgeting. What's got you worried?" "I'm sorry," said Melinda as she pulled one of her sleeves down further over her wrist. "It's just that he might find out what I'm going to do. Please, don't tell anyone." "You know that he can't see your ballot, right? It's a secret," replied Abby. "Are you sure that he won't know who I voted for?" Melinda continued to pl...

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“Secrets and Mysteries Revealed” by Stacy Parker

Submitted to Contest #273

Shades was running through the alley, being chased by a very well-built man who was carrying a gun. This time, he had bitten off more than he could chew. Perhaps I should back up a bit…  This, like most good stories, is one of intricacy, mystery, secrets, arguments, plot twists, and fights. How would I know? I’ll get to that later. For now, let’s just call me your narrator. This story begins with a guy, and not just any random guy, but one surrounded by hardships and struggles, yet shrouded with secrets and mystery. This guy went b...

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“Time-Twister” by Day Williams

Submitted to Contest #273

Time-Twister Mavis leaned on her broom and looked over her cleaning cart to Marla. “Do you know what time it is?”Marla glanced at her watch and said, “Quarter of four.”“I hate cleaning Dr. Hammer’s lab,” Mavis said, “ever since that fire.”“What fire?” Marla asked.“That’s right. You weren’t here when that occurred. He had a Bunsen burner lit up and his cat knocked it over. It burnt half his lab and scared the university that they would lose the building. But did they do anything? No, they love Dr. Hammer because he goes on the news. The unive...

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“What's Down There?” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #273

"Don't tell anyone," I whispered to my little sister, putting a finger to my lips and tightening my fingers around the ice cold doorknob.  Layla nodded and made a zipping motion against her lips, and then against her stuffed bunny’s lips that she held tightly in her arms. "Good. I'll be back later," I patted her head and waited for her to run back upstairs so the possible creaking of the door didn't put her at risk too. Once out of sight, my smile melted into a look of anxiety. I could feel my heart pumping as I turned the key in the me...

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“The String” by Ivana Pavićević

Submitted to Contest #273

The story I’m about to tell you must remain a secret. I beg you, please don’t tell anyone. You will disrupt the order. Everyone has their own truth and we need to leave it that way. --- I am a ballerina. Or rather, I was a ballerina until a few seconds ago. Now, I’m somewhere else. There’s nothing—just an empty space, infinity. I turn around, but the feeling is strange when there’s no perspective, nothing around me. Nobody appears. Actually, they don’t appear, I just know they’re there. “You guessed right. I am Nobody. But this isn’t somewhe...

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“An Uncertain Romance” by Amauri Luna

Submitted to Contest #273

Don’t tell anyone, but I messed up.I’m used to messing up my own life, but this is too much, even for me. Everyone involved didn’t have to get hurt and it’s unfortunate that they did. At that moment, they felt everything while I could no nothing. This got complicated fast, and everything fell apart as soon as it began. What an uncertain romance.I started working at this contact center for one of the biggest names in the automotive industry. I answered the phone.Why people call the manufacturer at ...

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“Not so happily ever after” by Avalon Cameron

Submitted to Contest #273

I was three hours into my drive when the landscape around me began to change. No longer was I framed by an arid, dry expanse that effortlessly spun miniature whirlwinds on either side of my moving car. I had finally reached “Dead Man’s Bluff,” a rather ominous name for the most beautiful headland in the Atellier region. From here, I could smell the rich, briny scent of that salt sea air, causing a wave of nostalgia to collide with my senses. I could faintly hear the waves crashing against the rocky headland. Seagulls swarmed along the cliff’...

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“The Weight of Keeping” by Kara Lane

Submitted to Contest #273

Trigger Warning:This story contains themes of addiction, emotional neglect, self-harm, and postpartum depression, which may be distressing for some readers. It explores complex family dynamics, including intergenerational trauma and mental health struggles. Reader discretion is advised. Brooke is 12 and she reaches for the glossy pamphlet the guidance counselor is distributing to the class. It’s Red Ribbon Week, and Brooke and her peers have been listening to various adults discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol for the past three day...

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“FROM MY PLACE” by Stephen Mccluer

Submitted to Contest #273

Dust hanging lazily in the air serves only to diffuse the meager light from a single bulb fixed at the peak of the ceiling. Aimee doesn’t notice. The light has always been there, always on, always dimly illuminating the trunks and boxes scattered around the room.Dim light is as much of her universe as the air that she breathes. It is not something one would usually think about. So are the occasional visits to her quarters by the man. It is simply how the world works.The man seems to be like a spirit from another world. When he opens the port...

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“Employee of the Year” by Burton Sage

Submitted to Contest #273

Employee of the YearbyBurt Sage It’s the first of November, and the company is planning their annual fiscal year-end party. The team planning the party comprises Founder Ed Haskell, his son Tom, General Manager, Amy Hoskins, Tom’s administrative assistant, Phil Haskell, Tom’s son and Service Manager, and Ernie Spencer, salesman. It’s Amy’s responsibility to handle all of the details for the party, and she is told that she has pretty much carte blanche this year in terms of budget. “Go first class,” Founder Ed says. “Our employees have earn...

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“Pink charmies, last Showings and killer callings” by Sarah N

Submitted to Contest #273

I whisper, "Well?" You shift your hand on the armrest of the theater's box seats—the best seats in the house—and pull your gaze away from the screen. "What?""The last showing at the cinema. What do you think?"Another scene comes on, and you hold your breath. Scenes like this tend to catch you off guard. You watch the needle piercing in and out of the skin, and you murmur, "But how could he?" I don’t quite understand what you mean. Like…is it supposed to be difficult? That kind of finesse—I’m good at it, too...

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“KLOVER” by Althea Whyte

Submitted to Contest #273

KLOVER      Smiling radiantly with her hair braids bobbing she ran to greet me with the  energetic enthusiasm of a four year old. In the same motion she jumped up in my arms. I always prepare for the moment and brace myself for it when I go to visit her at home on Saturdays. She said, “You are late. What took you so long.” I showed her the photographs taken recently that I had stopped to collect. Joyously she took them and went to get her Album to put them in herself. Reviewing and exclaiming about the other pho...

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“The Keeper’s Dilemma” by Kelly Howell

Submitted to Contest #273

In Sheila’s 42 years, she’s never had a secret to keep. She’s what some people refer to as a goody-two-shoes. She does everything right, never had a rotten thought about others, and never thought about doing anything wrong to anyone. She’s happy the way she is.“If I tell you something will you promise not to freak out?” her best friend Tory asked.“You shouldn’t start a conversation that way.”“Ok, well, just please don’t tell anyone.”“You know I won’t,” She said as she gave her a reassuring smile.“I think I am polyamory and I have been in aff...

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“The Hidden Truth” by Ayanna Edwards

Submitted to Contest #273

Monica stared at her reflection, the ticking clock echoing in her mind. Ten years with David, and still, no baby. Her 36th birthday loomed, and with it, dwindling hopes.One evening, over coffee, Monica confided in Christine, her best friend since college."I'm running out of time, Christine. What if it's not meant to be?"Christine listened attentively, her expression sympathetic."Have you considered...other options?" Christine asked, her voice hushed.Monica raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"Christine leaned in. "Maybe David's the issue. Y...

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