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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#260: A Twist in the Tale

Has a friend ever recommended a book or a movie with the line, "The twist is amazing"? I usually hate when they do that. Even if they don't spill the beans on what the plot twist is, just knowing there is one can spoil the fun. I won't be able to resist trying to pre-empt the plot, and guess what that it might be — but a truly great twist is always rewarding, whether you expect it or not.

Here's a twist I'm sure you saw coming: this week's contest is all about them. Your readers will know there's one on the horizon. Can you still manage to surprise us?

This week's prompts

Write a story with a big twist.

Dramatic – 188 stories

Write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well.

Mystery – 63 stories

Write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path.

Character – 31 stories

Write a story that includes the line, "I didn't see that one coming."

Dialogue – 41 stories

Write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream.

Narrative – 105 stories

Stories

“Target” by Rob Ryter

Submitted to Contest #260

As the hunter and the soon-to-be victim converged, the searing purpose of dark intent blazed black in the killer’s heart. Unshaven and unwashed, the donkey-jacketed, thick-set, bearded man, black woollen beanie pulled down over his ears, remained locked onto his quarry, his face expressionless, his pace an unstoppable march of inevitability. The slim young blonde bounced jauntily on, swinging her designer bag, the embodiment of carefree and footloose. He was certain she was unaware of her pursuer. She could have no inking of his plans. God, ...

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“Tina” by Jonathan Todd

Submitted to Contest #260

Seven months ago we moved in. It was exciting being in the new home, baby on the way. We had made it.It was the perfect house for Hazel and me.The ‘tragedy’ that put other buyers off didn’t bother us because we chose not to look into it until Tina first appeared. We were just delighted that the price was so good.Too good, in retrospect.We settled in quickly. There was very little we needed to update. We were happy. Our child was growing and we were in love.Then Tina came.The evening news was on and we were snuggled together on the couch not ...

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“It's Your Call” by Burton Sage

Submitted to Contest #260

It’s Your Call by Burt Sage “You just don’t get it, do you,” Josh said, shaking his head. “We’ve argued about this almost every day. If this journalistic malpractice continues, we’ll have another Civil War.” “You’re tilting at a windmill,” Trevor responded. “It’s not that bad.” Once again Josh’s concern became heated. Josh and Trevor were two young journalists who had graduated from the same Journalism school five years earlier. They had been room mates then; they now shared an apartment. Upon graduation, Trevor immediately took a job wit...

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“Happy Birthday” by Nox Koven

Submitted to Contest #260

. . .it's not every day that a Prince is born dead. In a Kingdom far, far away, one that you may not have heard of before; in fact, I'm quite sure you never have heard of it, nor will you. Inside the highest chamber of the grand minaret, nine year old Lozal looked out to his father, King N'rahj, pacing the balcony. He held the new born prince in a large hand, one that made the pink babe appear like a broken toy in the manner in which it moved. Limp. Without life. Dead. There was no chants from the masses of hundreds gathered feet b...

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“The Bag Lady” by Rima Riedel

Submitted to Contest #260

The Bag Lady The little old lady gingerly stepped off the curb, her capacious bag banging against the other pedestrians’ knees as they tried to cross the busy street. The tall, gaunt stranger leaned down and said, “Hey ‘mom’, can I give you a hand with that? It looks awfully heavy.” She looked up at him, her tired face transformed by the most angelic smile---and those eyes...large deep-set hazel eyes. Reminded one of an innocent calf and had the most disconcerting affect on a person. He could tell from a glance that she must have...

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“Digital Detox Delirium” by Erin Kreiser

Submitted to Contest #260

A sharp stab of pain in my neck causes me to look up from the thousands of words on the hundreds of pages on the phone I wasn’t really even seeing. I gingerly stretched, wincing when I heard the distinctive popping of vertebrae. They sounded like gunshots. I glance at the nearby clock, my breath catching in my throat when I see the time. 10:51 pm. It’s almost eleven! But… but how? I remembered eating dinner, a sorry excuse of lasagna with pasta that wasn’t fully cooked and tomato sauce that had freezer burn. After putting my dishes by the si...

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“Champagne Weather” by Denis Baldwin

Submitted to Contest #260

Author's Note: The following story contains sensitive topics such as loss and bullying. Thank you for reading with an open mind and being respectful. Sarah and I arrived at the Queen Victoria Orphanage on a rainy London morning. We were being transferred from a smaller orphanage because nobody wanted us. I overheard one of the caretakers say that this was sort of a “last stop” kind of orphanage, a place for “girls to go who didn't have a friend in the world.” I don't think that's fair. I do have a friend; Sarah, and she has me. We're not fa...

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“Secrets to riches” by Kashvi Jairath

Submitted to Contest #260

Billboards flash and newspapers all over have the same topic. They’re here to talk about Juliet Wilhem and her rise to fame. In 5 years she had gone from an unheard-of woman to one of the richest people in the world. Now, on the anniversary of her success, she was preparing to sign a deal with an entrepreneur with an idea she insisted stay undisclosed. Curiosity was sparked in the minds and hearts, and news reporters swarmed around this remarkable lady as soon as she stepped out of her limo.If only they knew about all the choices she had mad...

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“This Is No Skyfall ” by Marien Oommen

Submitted to Contest #260

The days were sunny. Sunflowers looking towards the sun showed all was well with the world and God was right up there in the heaven above. Good Papa George stretched his arms out like a bear, looking over the sands onto the distant sea waters. O for a ship to sail by! He adjusted his binoculars.But there was something nagging him real bad. He had started on this rant exactly three weeks earlier. As he grew in age and wisdom or something of that sort, his rants became more pronounced.There were some major issues at work he had to deal with a...

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“A Short Silk Robe” by D.B. Thompson

Submitted to Contest #260

He said, ‘I’ll love her ‘til I die.’I placed my hand upon his shiny, bald head and pushed him down into the back seat of the black and white. Goddamn husbands and their regrets.‘Save it, buddy,’ I said, and tapped the Plymouth’s roof with the flat of my hand. Fallen leaves and prickly seed pods snapped, crackled and popped under the departing wheels like a copywriter’s breakfast cereal.I took in a lung full of the crisp Autumn air, then lit a cigarette to make up for it. Somewhere between getting the call and turning up to the scene, it had ...

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“Twilight Advanced Copying Technologies – TACT 2000” by Sue Bell

Submitted to Contest #260

Sue Bell 1,295 words122 Tripp RdEllington, CT 060...

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“Escape” by Chelsea Frame

Submitted to Contest #260

“Come on Skylar! Hurry up!” Layla squeals at me from the bottom floor. I smile at her excitement and hurry down my stairs making sure not to trip. “I’m coming!” I yell back at her, when I finally reach the bottom I see Layla standing there with a smile on her face, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. “You're very slow at getting ready,” Layla laughs, I roll my eyes at her comment. “Whatever, let's just go I'm getting sick of waiting,” I grumble, Layla grabs my hand and drags me out of my house, she had come over to get ready ...

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“The Hypnotic Garden” by Michael Palmieri

Submitted to Contest #260

Entry 1, Aug 1, 17 yrs old.There is a legend I have known since I was a little girl about a magical garden. A garden that, if given the care and affection it required, would, in turn, take care of you and give you beautiful gifts in return. My mother told me it was a place of beauty, and anyone who found their way there would go into a trance and stay for hours. She never told me about the gifts it offered, those I about when I eavesdropped on her conversations with friends. Unfortunately, my mother passed away years ago, and with her went t...

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“Truth in the Lies” by Lisa VanGalen

Submitted to Contest #260

Kathleen Brannagh stared at the bundle of documents as if they might catch fire where they sat. She chewed the edge of her nail, nose wrinkling at the musty scent found in old houses and the pungent odour of fear combined with grief and disbelief. Overwhelmed, she stomped down the stairs. The past should have stayed where she found it -- in the back of a cluttered closet with moth-eaten baby clothes and stained photographs. Decaying flowers dropped petals onto a neatly folded newspaper, the picture of the fiery crash that claimed her parents...

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“Twin Adventure: A Spirit, A Dream, A Deliverance” by Claudine Bailey

Submitted to Contest #260

An invisible hand grabbed Sadie’s leg, dragging her to the edge of her tiny twin-sized bed. “Sean!” Sadie hollered. Her fourteen-year-old twin leapt to her aid. “Sadie,” he said the same time as the door busted open and their grandmother Keturah entered their bedroom. “You, unclean spirit, get out of my house in the name of Jesus!” Grandma Keturah commanded. &nb...

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$250

Prize money

428

Contest entries

131

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 26, 2024 EST

Won by Elizabeth Hoban 🏆

Title: You

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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