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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

“The Perfect Investment” by Kathrine J. N. Rajalingam

Submitted to Contest #260

Her husband's voice boomed with anger through the phone as he yelled at the top of his lungs. Despite her awareness that there was no reason to be afraid, an inexplicable fear crept over her. She closed her eyes tight, her breathing heavy, and her body quivered. Because of his volatile behavior, fear became her constant companion since the day she got married. She was the puppet, and he was her master. He had dictated every walk of her life. Despite the warning signs during their courtship, she overlooked them in the haze of love. Then, he s...

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“Calico's Favourite” by Edith Fullerton

Submitted to Contest #260

Calico’s Favourite Irene Swanson’s studio was located above the Five and Dime in the quiet village of Inglewood. The view from her living room window was spectacular and as a result was the focus of her inspiration as a visual artist. She would often sit by the window and gaze into the distance with paintbrush in hand, mesmerized by the rolling hills and fields of wheat that glowed in the sun. She sat waiting for the perfect moment, which always seemed to be the one that had just passed, or the one about to happen. All seasons inspired...

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“THE MISSING PIECE” by Katherine Oliphant

Submitted to Contest #260

The Missing Piece My mother-in-law was eccentric. She didn’t trust strangers and hated going to shops or restaurants as much as she hated going to doctors and avoided all of the above. She studied dinosaurs and racehorses and could name every Kentucky Derby winner and their bloodlines since the nineteen fifties. She spent days, years and decades holding court in her homes, always in a turban and sunglasses, year-round, whether in the cold North or the tropical South. A caftan, flip flops and pearls completed her look. Always pearls; Eloise h...

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“The End is the Beginning” by Margo Harris

Submitted to Contest #260

“Seconds after my life ended, my life began. Suddenly, I could do anything and everything I never got the chance to do before. There was no need to consider risk prevention when there were no risks to be taken. It’s as if I was living in the same world as I had been but without any consequences for my actions.” “Could you explain that further, please?” “I just woke up one day, but I didn’t really. You see, this isn’t real. You are just a figment of my imagination. Nothing I do matters because I didn’t actually do it.” “What makes you say tha...

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“Just get me to the church on time” by Chiro Roussette

Submitted to Contest #260

Just get me to the church on time…EDWARD“Edward, says Father, you can’t go to France today. You need to spray the fields in Lower Farm. The conditions are perfect.”Edward looks up from the paper he was reading as he was eating breakfast and looks out of the window. Father is right, the sky is blue and cloud free, it looks like there is almost no wind. The April of 1974 has been particularly cold and damp, and in truth, a day like this couldn’t be wasted. He really ought to postpone his trip to France by a day. Surely it couldn’t be that...

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“Murder and other crimes in Paradiso” by Sel J

Submitted to Contest #260

*This story contains mentions of physical violence and mental health.I passed by the dead body on the ground. The police urged me to move forward, to not look at what I had done. To not look at the blood covering the face I desperately wanted to kiss. That beautiful face…I laughed. Oh, I laughed so much I fell on the ground. I had done it! Through laughter, I sobbed. I had done it! I was a monster! My vision blurred, so much so the red and blue lights of the police looked to me more alarming, frightening, promising a future of loneliness… I ...

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“Play like it's OK” by Fi Brie

Submitted to Contest #260

TW: DEATH FRIDAYTGIF, am I right? Yeah, yeah, I get it. You’re probably thinking, Great, another complete cliche of this generation: a gaming-mad degenerate who speaks in gibberish and simply lives for the weekend.I’d say “Abso-frigging-lutely.” Except I’m certainly not a 90s kid, and gaming isn’t my forte. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Someone’s got to do the 9-5, sharing a cardboard cut-out desk with Jim from Accounting and his half-dead cactus. But that life won’t cut it for me.Hey, I caught that eye roll.I mean, the thing is, I d...

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“My Imaginary Friend” by Zoe Zarubin

Submitted to Contest #260

—Eve—It’s Friday, November 13th and I am on my usual Friday morning hunt for food. Currently, I’m hunched behind a pile of rotting garbage; the scent of spoiled sandwiches and shredded dreams clouds my senses. The only thing grounding me to reality is the ceaseless rumble of my stomach. My hunger was the thing that pulled me from the comfort of sleep; it forced me onto the lonely streets of Blackridge on this hellish Friday morning. A relentless wind tears across the city, hurling itself into overflowing gutters, kicking up the dirt of...

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“It's All About Trust” by Szabolcs Takács

Submitted to Contest #260

Halfway to the forest area, Rita’s call comes ringing in.."Hey, what's up?" I ask."Nothing much, just curious...""I'm still driving, getting more excited by the thought, can barely contain myself...""What are you wearing?"„A purple tight-fitting dress ending just above the knees, black shoes, and a bag. Didn't want to make it too hot right at the start, maybe next time...""Jewelry?""Just my favorite gold necklace and discreet earrings... Want to know the color of my undies too?" Giggle at the other end:"No need, I bet it's your favorite...

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“Peanut butter ” by Philip Keaton

Submitted to Contest #260

I was in boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. We were in about the 3rd week of training and marching to the mess hall for lunch Chow. We were used to scarfing chow down, but today, the Drill Instructor told us we had to burn some time. We were told to take our time and eat. Could this be true? Actually, taste your food? This was going to be an interesting Chow! While marching through the Chow line, I could not help but remember the industrial-sized can of peanut butter that teased me every day. I loved peanut butter. I craved peanut butter so ba...

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“For your own good” by Frankenwayne Frankenwayne

Submitted to Contest #260

I was standing on the edge of an open field. Shaking enough to start an earthquake. Asking myself how I got into this trouble in the first place? Trying not to show any fear as I heard the hammer of the gun being pulled back into cooking position. The gun was close enough I could reach out and touch it. A large 44 magnum chrome plated, you could hunt the big five with this gun. Looking at the barrel and asking her, "Do you really need a gun like that?" It's for your own good she said My mind flashed back to the day it all started. I had j...

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“Planning Futures and Funerals” by Annalise Lagerquist

Submitted to Contest #260

“Come out come out wherever you are!” Bill calls out eerily as we creep through the house. I hear a sound to my left, coming from the closet. I glance at Bill and point at the closet with a tilt of my head. He gestures to the closet door closest to me as he quietly grabs the one closest to him. We swing the doors open and two bodies come tumbling out. “Aww, I thought you’d never find us!” Abi wails. David shoves her, “It’s your fault for wanting to hide together! I could’ve won this for both of us.” They start shoving each other ba...

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“The Fall of Achilles” by Prisha Jain

Submitted to Contest #260

What is death? I don’t mean biologically. Of course, we all know what it means to be biologically dead. I mean, philosophically. What is death? The cessation of the experience that makes us who we are? By that standard, I’m still not dead. Maybe death is the final end. When we fulfill our life’s purpose, or not. Maybe death is the last chance we get to try. Either way, I couldn’t tell you that for sure, even though I am dead. My name is Achilles, and don’t worry, I’m not the fabled Greek hero. Though ...

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“Forbidden ” by Lyric Strong

Submitted to Contest #260

I used to live peacefully. No worries. No problems. No drama. Why did he come back? Did I want him to come back? Because of him, my life will never be the same. Damn you, Leo Magoui. "What do you mean?" I asked my foster mother. "You two... are siblings." I get it, you're confused right? Let me explain. (PS. When I say that my mother did something, I’m most likely talking about Anna, my foster mother. Be aware because I address her differently throughout the book). "Hey, kiddos. We have a new stude...

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“Emily” by Michael McKean

Submitted to Contest #260

Please read before you proceed.WARNING: This story contains sexual references, physical violence, emotional abuse scenes, and feminist references.Emily's long blond hair flew out to either side of her face as she stood on Vista Point, a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, and looked down at the swirling, foamy blue water. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose. It wasn't cold outside, but it certainly was windy. And for reasons she couldn't explain, an electric tingle drove up her spine, raising the tiny hairs on her ...

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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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