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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#259: The Elephant in the Room

Once in a while, we all have to calculate what is and isn't worth saying. Whether it's admitting our feelings to a crush, acknowledging the brewing tension in a friendship, or speaking up in the face of injustice, we sometimes have to carefully decide what to speak up about, and what is better left unsaid.

This week's prompts are about moments just like these, when the metaphorical "elephant in the room" becomes unbearably large, and we must choose whether to speak our minds, or to leave well enough alone...

This week's prompts

Write a story about two people who aren't admitting their true feelings for one another, despite it being obvious to outsiders.

Romance – 57 stories

Place your characters in a tough situation, where nobody wants to acknowledge the reality of what's happening.

Angst – 83 stories

Write a story that includes the line, "Is nobody going to say it?".

Dialogue – 83 stories

In a small town, a powerful family have a dark secret that nobody wants to discuss. One day, an outsider arrives, who's not happy to simply drop it.

Mystery – 47 stories

Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned — but there are ways to get around the rule.

Dystopian – 25 stories

Stories

“No Dogs Allowed” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #259

No Dogs Allowed Fred, a newcomer to town is walking his dog early on his first Saturday morning there, when he notices something about the street signs. He informs his dog about what he has seen. He often talks to her, as he lives alone, and she is a good listener. “Martha Berger, Leonard Berger, Leonard Berger, Stephen Berger, and Pearl Berger. What do you think girl? The Bergers must be a very important family in town.” The two of them walked on, with Frank looking for a park where he can let his dog free to run. He is...

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“The Brawn and the Bookworm” by Cidney Mayes

Submitted to Contest #259

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Lila, our new Pilates instructor, walked into the gym with a ghost from my past behind her. I stood behind the gym’s counter, wiping sweat from my forehead after my afternoon strength training, and flashed my most dazzling smile. My face froze when I noticed the girl with brown skin and thick-rimmed glasses behind her. Nina Suárez. Lila waved and the corners of Nina’s mouth quirked upward in a polite acknowledgement of my presence, but her eyes did not light up, her smile did not widen. She followe...

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“Sis” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #259

Sis didn’t like attention. “Oh, Foo Ferrah!” were her favorite words, especially if everyone else was having fun. But the hill was way too icy, and that last bump was killer. Her airborne toboggan banged down so hard, you could squish your jelly with your backbone, though mine was safe at the side of the hill. Through my frozen breath, I watched her roll away like a pro. She managed a smile right there at my feet, grimacing only when she looked away from me. “It was nothing! What are you staring at, Jeff?” she moaned, holding her mits with o...

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“Formosa: Only White, No Red” by Pei Pei Lin

Submitted to Contest #259

08.08.1949 (Mon) A stranger was in our living room when I came home from school today. Auntie A-Mei told me he is the youngest son of a government official, “Your Father owe his Father big time, that why he here now.” She told me. I didn't understand what she meant until dinner time when Father announced at the table that Shi-Xing, the stranger's name, was going to stay with us for a while. He is taking a break from university, and his Father has decided that he needs some time to unwind and relax in the countryside. “A-Xing,” Father seemed...

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“The Fates” by Malcolm Twigg

Submitted to Contest #259

Death was a long suffering individual. To most of humanity that was probably thought well deserved: the longer the better in their undoubtedly biassed opinion. Death was acutely aware of this and it didn’t do much for his mien. Even an immortal with a soul as dark as Death has feelings. He also had sisters, which went a long way towards explaining his black moods. Anyone who has triplet siblings who not only look alike but finish each other’s sentences - and all too often his own - can be excused for feeling a tad liverish at times.He took o...

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“Sunset Whispers” by WR Peden

Submitted to Contest #259

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I leaned back on the warm sand, my head nestled against Alex's shoulder. Stars twinkled above us, and the ocean rippled softly under the moonlight. Silence had become a soothing presence between us. "Is nobody going to say it?" I broke the tranquil quiet, my voice barely more than a whisper. Alex chuckled softly, his breath warm in the cooling air. He glanced down at me, eyebrows arched in curiosity. "Say what, Maya?" he asked gently. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips ...

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“That Night” by Blake Saloom

Submitted to Contest #259

I wake up in an argument between my boyfriend (Camden) and my bestie (Cassandra), aka Cassy or Cass. “This is all your fault; if you wouldn’t let her go out when she is mad at you, she does stupid stuff, like leave the apartment mad.” “My fault! This is so stupid; it's your fault. You are always with her; she goes to you when we fight.”. "This is so dumb. I’m tired of you always saying I’m always with her. But you should have yelled, and she would have gotten hurt.”. “THIS IS SO DUMB, THAT’S WHAT YOU THINK!”! “Guys, will y...

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“Hits Hard” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #259

Sam sits on the bus and gazes out over the craven and piteous sea of humanity. The bus is filled almost to the brim, that will leave a tide mark, the thought of which nauseates him. People stand shoulder to shoulder bracing themselves against accidental contact. He imagines the bus hitting a wall or a lorry or another bus. The last option fits best. The two buses coming together in a clumsy caress, their contents redistributed by the passion of the two inept red lovers. Life is short and ever so fragile. Not that any of these people are livi...

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“2000 Pieces of Sky” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #259

My first marriage lasted less than two years but was extremely eventful. Looking back now, one incident in particular stands out: a week in Aubigny-en-Artois in the north of France: a week when I realised that my husband couldn’t be trusted. It is August 1988 and Steve and I are about to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We are both twenty-one, both students, and we have a baby girl, Lily, who is six and a half months old. Our marriage was precipitated by my unplanned pregnancy, following in the footsteps of Steve’s parents, Mark and ...

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“the Elephant in the Grave” by Lastka R

Submitted to Contest #259

Trigger warnings: suicide, grief, mental health and many challenges that come with the loss of a loved one. Author's note: This short story was a spontaneous challenge I took upon myself after reflecting on how this prompt could pertain to my life. Six months ago my partner killed themself and ever since, the elephant in the room wasn't just the tapestry on my wall; my elephant became all the heavy themes I hold in relation to the grief, especially when I no longer feel welcome to share and discuss the things I now deal with. Turns out there...

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“Deadly Secrets” by Dita Dow

Submitted to Contest #259

Jake pulled his beat-up Ford Taurus into Millbrook, the engine sputtering as he parked on Main Street. He got out and stretched, his back cracking after the long drive. He looked around, taking in the quaint storefronts with faded awnings and American flags hanging limply in the still summer air. An old man sitting on a bench outside the general store eyed Jake suspiciously. "You lost, son?" the old timer called out. Jake shook his head. "Nope. Just got into town. Looking for a place to stay." The old man jerked his thumb down the street. "...

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“I Really Thought I Didn’t Have A Choice” by Beverly Goldberg

Submitted to Contest #259

This story contains mentions of mental illness, suicide. and homosexuality. Walter sat slumped in his seat, not very aware of anyone. He kept thinking about his uncle, his uncle who he was named for. The uncle he'd told twenty years ago that he would never again have any contact with him. He smiled as the picture of his uncle's supposed sorrow as he'd told him that he'd never again acknowledge him came to mind. Clearly, he either didn't understand why or did and chose to ignore the validity of his nephew's decision. Why then, he asked himsel...

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““We’re just friends”” by E.M Clements

Submitted to Contest #259

“We’re just friends,” they say as lingering touches and fleeting looks drag their way over faces and fingertips for what feel like millennia to witness. Laughter harmonious as two try to ring the other of such graceful sound. Lips stretch from ear to ear as the voice of another melts into their ears, and eyes crinkle at their corners when caught face to face. I wonder if everyone else is just blissfully blinded as to what is right in front of them. Or perhaps, if the pair themselves believe that we are blind. Perhaps they believe we do...

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“Namkind” by Heather Congrove

Submitted to Contest #259

No books. That's what her mother told her specifically. No books on the family trip. She has no patience for her shenanigans and will treat any infraction with dire consequences. Most parents would be happy to see their child reading, some make it a drudgery chore. But Lilly is not your archetypical child, in fact, she is quite extraordinary. When she reads, she occasionally teleports herself upon the pages, slipping in between the words and into the story.Lilly remembers the day clearly. She was so excited about starting her new book, she p...

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“Not in Vain” by Christina Miller

Submitted to Contest #259

They line us up, our hands chained behind our backs. The guards refuse to look us in the eyes. The other prisoners refuse to look up. We're all pretending that today's just another day, that this change in our strict routine is normal. "Weather's nice today, isn't it?" Tomas, my friend, asks from beside me. My eyes sting as I nod. It's been weeks since I'd seen the sun. But maybe they won't pick me today, and I'll get to see the sun again. At least one more time. The crowd before the dais murmurs at Tomas's nonchalant tone. They know w...

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$250

Prize money

295

Contest entries

143

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 19, 2024 EST

Won by Christine Foy Jackson 🏆

Title: Getting Better

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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