Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#241: Et Tu, Brute?

“Beware the Ides of March!” In Shakespeare’s play, these fateful words are thrown at Julius Caesar during a procession through Rome, warning him of the day his compatriots will betray him. In the play, and in reality, this warning came to fruition. On March 15, he was stabbed thirty times by his fellow Roman senators, including Brutus, someone he thought he could trust. As that date is just around the corner, I find myself thinking a lot about Caesar’s story, and about other stories of betrayal.

It’s the ultimate breaking of trust. You thought they were a friend, a mentor, a close confidant, a person you could trust through thick and thin — only to find yourself stabbed in the back at the most inopportune moment. What leads people to make such a drastic decision, and sever a once unshakeable bond? How do you move on when your faith in the people around you is shaken? These are just a few of the questions to consider as we look towards the fateful Ides this week.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who is convinced they’re going to be betrayed.

Dramatic – 55 stories

Write about someone who is stuck between two opposing sides and can’t decide which one to choose.

Fiction – 49 stories

Set your story at a tense event where everyone is unsure whose side they’re on.

Thriller and Suspense – 27 stories

Start your story with an unexpected betrayal.

Adventure – 81 stories

Write about a backstabbing (literal or metaphorical) gone wrong.

Horror – 43 stories

Stories

“Love & Betrayal” by Kiana Henare

Submitted to Contest #241

“This is our year I can feel it, this year is going to be different you mark my words.” Zoe Lee announced decidedly her expression determined. “This year we are gonna step out of our comfort zones,” Zoe said warming to the idea she twisted slightly in her seat to meet her best friend’s gaze, “we are gonna expand our friendship group. Yes. Yes, we are, Willow. Stop shaking your head at me. We are also gonna go to more parties.”Already sensing where this was going Willow started searching for arguments, pushing her glasses back up her nos...

Read story

“HUNTER'S ELIXIR ” by Elizabeth Cat🌟

Submitted to Contest #241

(THIS STORY CONTAINS MILD VAMPIRE AND BLOOD SCENES) I throw my clothes into my backpack and sigh. What do I even pack? How would I know what to pack as a vampire?! I dump my clothes back into my drawer. “Knock, knock!” My dad says, from the doorway of my room. “You’re so weird Dad.” “Well I figured you wouldn’t wanna be late for your last real meal of human food before you turn.” “You’re right.” I think about pizza and mac and cheese and ice cream. How much I’m gonna miss eating. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I don’t ...

Read story

“Lay Down, Stay Down” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #241

Three men make themselves uninvited guests at Aiden Davenport’s table. “Swanky,” says the lofty, heavyset man. “Yeah, this is one of the best culinary establishments in Vegas,” the skinny man at the other end of the table comments. “Can we order? I hear the Crispy Skin Grilled Duck Confit is to die for.” The pasty, scowling man in the middle with the slicked-back black hair gives the second man a bewildered glance. “I swear Danilo, you must have had a different father. We won’t be here long enough for you to write a review for Yelp. I am Mar...

Read story

“Fragments of Deceit” by Nicole Westerhouse

Submitted to Contest #241

The moon was harsh against the overly ornate silk drapes that hung in the far too spacious room of the President’s mansion. The streaks half-lit the space, softening around the serene form of a sleeping Lu Jia like a halo. Theron wishes he could feel that kind of peace. Instead he found himself relentlessly pacing in front of the massive window, his mind a swirling storm of uncertainty.There was too much silence. The tiny device implanted in his ear, usually a constant stream of Harry’s techno babble, Catherine's harsh warnings or Siyana’s i...

Read story

“Nemesis” by Emma Lekhesi

Submitted to Contest #241

“I didn't see you there,” I gather up the momentum to smile, fishing for the enthusiasm that I always showed whenever we met.“Are you okay?” He raises his eyebrows.“Ofcause I'm okay, it’s just nerves.”“Are you nervous for me? You know that I am already a winner right?”The arrogance in his voice makes me glad that I entered the contest, he needs something to humble him.I suddenly feel the urge to pull out of the contest...As if that would be possible. Then I feel a surge of hope, that perhaps my name would not be the one that gets called.Mayb...

Read story

““The Obstacle or The Opportunity…You Decide”” by A Burns

Submitted to Contest #241

“Remember, you are still free to choose. You can accept My help or not. I gave you free will when I created you. You decide.” said the Creator. Without giving it another thought, The Entrepreneur accepted the Creator’s help. “Good. Now leave your doubts, your fears and your ‘I cant’s’ and go establish the business I will show you,” said the Creator. “If you follow My instructions, I will make you into a great entrepreneur and will reward you. I will make your business great and you will be successful. Have faith.” The Entrepreneur took hee...

Read story

“Mischances” by Gideon Bleak

Submitted to Contest #241

Jake was determined to scientifically prove that all his bad luck was the result of some unseen quantum complication — that somewhere in his DNA was a chunk of dark matter weighing down his whole existence. It was the ungodly hour of 4 a.m., and he was casting long shadows as he finished soldering a complex electrical component, the third in a series of three. Each did the same thing with a slight variation. He figured his notorious luck might be able to break two, but not three, before tomorrow’s test run. T...

Read story

“Nathan's Equilibrium” by Mason Springer-Lipton

Submitted to Contest #241

The keyboard was cold and bristly under my fingertips--space bar, ctrl, W--like snake scales. I breathed in, out, in, out. My heart slammed at my throat. Beside me Nathan stuttered, stumbled over half-spoken words. "I- Professor, it- I don't know how it got there- I didn't mean-" "You didn't mean to open ChatGPT?" I stared ahead across the lecture hall, eyes fixed on the paneled walls and blackboard displaying the remaining exam time in big, looping white letters. 45 minutes. I tried not to look down, at the heads that spun back, eyes up and...

Read story

“We Do Not Make This Decision Lightly” by David Willett

Submitted to Contest #241

The darkness in the Supreme Solutions boardroom had a way of breaking people’s spirits. Its lack of natural light and tundra-like air conditioning earned it the nickname The Judgement Zone. It was usually a place for senior leaders with job titles that started with chief or general manager to be summoned to justify their existence. Now, a group of employees lined each side of the monolithic two-toned charcoal table at the room's centre. Each of them was tasked with making decisions none of them wanted to make. ‘Let’s not forget our corporat...

Read story

“Heated Debate” by Olive Helm

Submitted to Contest #241

“Have you heard the news?”, Elias finally asked when breakfast was close to its end. He meant to ask for a few days now, but his father’s temperament towards such things made it hard to trust he would handle the topic appropriately. And as he expected, a warning glance shot at him from across the table. Breakfast was never his talkative time, but the silence felt strangling now. As if breathing in too much air at once would poison his lungs.“Well, what is it you want to tell us, Elias?”, his father asked. Or rather warned.“Well, sou see, a l...

Read story

“The Great Dominion: The Unveiled Betrayal ” by J. C. Kane

Submitted to Contest #241

"You stole my family from me," the Supreme Enforcer's voice was laced with a dark intensity that sent a shiver down Desmond's spine. "You manipulated me, betrayed me, and stood by my side all these years, feeding me your poisoned counsel." Desmond's breath hitched, a cold shiver coursing down his spine. In that moment, he felt a powerful intrusion into his very mind. Memories, emotions, and thoughts were laid bare, and the Supreme Enforcer's gaze bore into him with an intensity that left him utterly vulnerable. The memory played out in the S...

Read story

“Whatever it takes” by Eline Pols

Submitted to Contest #241

Maeve stares at the highly classified case files she found in her own home that supposedly prove that she committed the very murder she's been trying to solve for months.With shaking hands she abruptly lets go of the file and gasps as she finally puts the loose ends together.She needs to get out of here before he figures out she’s on to him.As if on cue she hears footsteps coming up behind her.Maeve turns around abruptly and almost smashes into the man she trusted with her life, once upon a time.She looks into his eyes which she used to desc...

Read story

“Unexpected” by Loren Laureti

Submitted to Contest #241

Unexpected Maggie could hardly wait to tell Dina her good news over wine and appetizers at Clover Bar tonight. She’d texted Dina earlier and said they could meet up at 4:30pm during Happy Hour, which would be perfect for celebrating. Dina replied, “See you there.” As Maggie was driving to Clover she reflected on their friendship, going on 3 years now. She and Dina were like sisters, sharing the ups and downs of life, joining book club together, going to movies, and often sharing meals after work. &nbs...

Read story

“But This Is a Betrayal” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #241

Sam spoke, “But this is betrayal.” The difference between their relationship on Tuesday and Wednesday was like day and night, March suddenly reverting back from spring to winter.TuesdaySarah speaks: “I’ve never met a man that is so incredibly excited about having children. That is a large part of my attraction to you.”Sam replies: “Sarah, as you know I come from a big family. All my brothers and sisters have wonderful kids that I love so much. Now I can have...

Read story

“Butcher Knife” by Naomi Atwood

Submitted to Contest #241

Trigger warning: This story suggests child sexual abuse. I only vaguely recall Grandpa coming to the door of our bedroom that evening and asking us to come to his bedroom. I do remember that it was not the first time. My older sister, Evelyn, at age seven and myself, five years old, were already in bed. We shared a room that was just down the hallway from our grandfather, in the basement of the duplex where our family li...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

255

Contest entries

116

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 15, 2024 EST

Won by Liz Grosul 🏆

Title: When I Read Beckett

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢