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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

“Discoveries” by Mark Gagnon

Submitted to Contest #241

“So, this is what I get for trusting you.” The vitriol oozed from Cain’s words. His eyes burned with hate as he glared into her gold flecked orbs. All he needed to do was pay attention, but initially, that was something he didn’t want to do. It was only now, knowing the end was near, that he saw her for what she actually was—a demon. Cain’s business consisted of buying and selling relics created by artisans from ancient civilizations. Most of his clients were museums and wealthy collectors. At periodic intervals, Cain took part in trade show...

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“The Green Deception” by Sofia Mullan

Submitted to Contest #241

The sleek, high-rise loomed over Gretta like a metallic guardian. It wasn't just any apartment building; it was The Elysium, a pinnacle of eco-living, boasting vertical gardens and self-regulating energy grids. It was also Gretta’s home and the headquarters of Green Genesis, the environmental collective she co-founded. Green Genesis had taken the tech world by storm. Their ingenious bio-filters, developed through years of tireless research, promised to clean up polluted environments in record time. Gretta, the public face of the organization...

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“Unfriended” by Paul Simpkin

Submitted to Contest #241

“Hi, I just wanted to message to say I’m really upset you have unfriended me on Facebook.” There was no answer at first. Two hours later. “I just don’t think we have much in common.” “How can you say that? We both liked that post about growing up in Manchester in the 70s.” Three hours later. “Which post was that?” “The post with the buses on. The old buses that we used to have in the 70s. You must remember them. The old buses. You liked that post.” “Did I?” “Yes you did. And you liked that post about Kate Bush. I used to love Kate Bush.” “I ...

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“Bliźni” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #241

Content warning: Murder during WWII, including murder of children Greed is a powerful motivator. It has been working on Włodzimierz Leś, a member of the Blue Police, for a year.A year ago, he agreed to bring six Jews, Saul Szall, Saul’s wife, and their four sons, Baruch, Mechel, Joachim, and Mojzesz, from Łańcut to Markowa. The Szall family’s aim was to evade the occupying German forces, and they had entrusted their lives to Leś. It was easier for Jews to go into hiding in cities. In small villages, everyone knew everyone else, and it was al...

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“Photo of Betrayal” by Deana Fay

Submitted to Contest #241

I don’t understand. I just don’t understand. Carmen stared at the picture someone had taped to her gym locker. A woman sat at a fountain, another woman stood next to her, one arm wrapped around the sitting woman’s shoulders. They both beamed smiles at the camera. Carmen could tell by their body language that the women were comfortable and familiar with each other. How could she do that? Carmen thought to herself again. She sat there in her sports bra and yoga pants, sweat beading in her hair and neck. Why would Tiffany be spending ...

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“#Shrimpy” by Timothy Motley

Submitted to Contest #241

Kulu Onya’s thumb hovered over the send icon on his phone. Waves of anxiety sent shocking currents of nervousness throughout his sinewy fingers. They begged to jitter, to clench themselves into fist, but he wouldn’t allow them to. His brain wanted him to tap that pesky icon underneath his thumb. But his heart cried out a warning that it may not be able to bear the weight of the repercussions. In the end his brain won out. He hit send and the one word message was suddenly unleashed. Just one word. ‘Why’ Kulu threw his phone down next to him o...

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“Demoted” by Corbin Russell

Submitted to Contest #241

Trick had checked the carabineer himself. Twice. But has he pumped his gloved hand, cinched tightly around the rope at the small of his back and, through that slack, began to lean over the edge, he made eye contact to Chirp who had a look on his face that smoldered with malevolent satisfaction.Chirp had been awarded his mountaineering badge last year on this same campout and the troop had since looked at him as a sort of legend, well half the troop. And really, he was the source of his own fame, as he liked to remind the Webelos and Tenderfo...

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“The Date” by Stanley Bordenave

Submitted to Contest #241

I’m like a socially-inept swine as I sit in my car, nervously waiting for Cassie. I asked her out on a date and she chose some new steakhouse in the middle of nowhere. For years, we’ve been “just friends”—that’s mostly because she used to date my best friend, Kayden. There’s an unofficial rule between men that says “bros before hoes.” This means that there’s a hierarchy that prioritizes male friendships over any girlfriends. Women come and go, but male friendships are supposed to last forever. Even though ...

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“The Penultimate Supper” by Dominic Green

Submitted to Contest #241

Author's note - It's only now I've finished this story that I realize it bears a strong resemblance to another highly successful one written by at least four other authors. Please don't be triggered. "It must be you", said Yehoshuah, laying a hand on Yehudah's shoulder. It was a heavy hand, one that had shaped wood with saw and adze and auger its entire life. Yehudah's own hands were used to easier, slicker work."Master, you are not well", protested Yehudah in a low voice, lest any of the others should overhear. "Have you con...

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“One Night ” by Amber Gordon

Submitted to Contest #241

Maruice grew up with his two childhood friends Danny and Mel, on the west side of Detroit. Living in poverty, in a low-income neighborhood. The three had a lot in common, coming from a broken home, where their mothers were the bread winners and had to work hard just to provide the essentials. The boys tried to find ways to make money the legal way and stay out of trouble. In high school, they wore less expensive clothes, they weren't able to afford the high-priced gym shoes the other kids wore, and that encouraged them look for different way...

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“TW: Miscarriage” by Julie Christensen

Submitted to Contest #241

You've been here before. The waiting. The wondering. The little voice in your head that whispers 'what if..' Last time ended in loss. You never knew you could experience such excitement, swiftly followed by such grief. You resist at first. "I'm not going to think about it," you resolve. "It'll be healthier that way." Four days later you're peeing on sticks. You know implantation doesn't usually occur until six days after ovulating. But maybe you'll see a faint line. You know you're torturing yourself, but you can't st...

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“The Writings of a Mad Man” by WRL Battle

Submitted to Contest #241

They're going to betray me, I know they will. It's only a matter of time. They're going to betray me like Judas did to Jesus, or like how Brutus betrayed Caesar. I know what they talk about when they think I’m not listening. But I listen. You see, that's how I'm going to beat them. I'm too smart. Always have been too smart. Sometimes I wished I wasn't so smart. If I were dumb, I would be content with the simple pleasures of life. But I'm not dumb, I'm not stupid. I started noticing patterns and hidden messages everywhere, from the news...

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“The Undiscovered Sapien Extinction” by Barney Defanfaler

Submitted to Contest #241

The Never-Discovered Sapien Extinctionfrom “It Only Gets Better” by Barney Defanfaler============================================================== “It has been said: 'To repeat the past is to make the same mistakes.Let me add, “To repair the past is to prevent the mistakes.” Allen, Princeton 2014 Shui, in a saffron robe, is walking from the plane through the international baggage check when he spots a large sign entitled ‘Shui Pu Chan.’ As he walks towards it, a familiar face peaks over the sign, then under it, then to the left a...

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“Trapped” by Brenda Clur

Submitted to Contest #241

Write about someone who is stuck between two opposing sides and can’t decide which one to choose. Trapped It was early in January. A deep orange sunset lit up the sky as the few remaining clouds drifted overhead. I was about to take Pepper for a walk in the forest alongside our house. Dad had just left on another business trip overseas.“Kelly, there’s something important I need to share with you. But promise me you’ll keep what I tell you a secret,” Mother confided in me, as she opened the front gate to let us out.“Sure thing” I answered, ne...

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“The Abyss of Elements” by Evie Descartes

Submitted to Contest #241

First came The Earth. Mature, wise and omniscient. She was able to cope with all the problems surrounding her, and when they overwhelmed her, no one could notice her failure. She hid herself in, immersed herself in the green foliage and waited alone for the crisis to pass. The Earth looked with lonely eyes at the withering greenery around it, at the empty tall trees full of leaves. And even as her eyes feasted on the beauty she had created, something deep inside her was trying to make her understand that she needed a solution for the witheri...

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$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!

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