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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 – 189 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

“I'm Broken” by Jason Basaraba

Submitted to Contest #260

"Daddy, I'm broken." A phone call at two in the morning, and those words crying out in the dark are the reason I am on this flight. I went to find my daughter, my little girl.It wasn't easy, but she was coherent enough to give me directions, and from her history I can now go to any city and know where to find her. It's usually where they all hang out.That was five days ago, I am now on another flight, returning home.Sitting in silence, there is only one other person in the row, and he isn't much of a talker. Leaning back in my chair I stare ...

12 comments 12
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“Dangerous Article” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #260

This story contains references to cybercrimes and kidnapping. “Okay, team, here’s what we’ve got for this week.” Marcus Simpson, Editor of  The Scoop, an online gossip magazine with over 3 million readers, took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew the smoke out slowly. His reporters sat with note pads and phones in hand, waiting to jot down their new assignments. Nobody moved as they each waited and hoped for a big story. Most of them would be disappointed. “Maya,” he said. She raised her hand meekly. “We got a guy who...

9 comments 9
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“The Frost's Embrace” by W. H. Goodwater

Submitted to Contest #260

Pine trees reached high above her, their branches heavy with the weight of fresh snowfall. The world around her was a silent expanse of white save for the trees, the air crisp and biting. Yelena’s breath formed small clouds before her as she stopped a moment, suddenly unsure of which way she was headed. She slumped against a nearby trunk, weary. Cold was seeping into her fingers, into her bones. She struggled to move her fingers, her hands clumsy and uncooperative. Her body betrayed her, and then she was angry at the cold for sapping he...

7 comments 7
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“Within” by PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #260

‘“… but it was all a dream!”We groaned, Pete, Tilly and me. Mick had led us a merry dance, taking us on a convoluted adventure that took in a car journey, an accident, a romantic meet-cute with the paramedic that tended to him, a dash across town with sirens blaring, another accident, Mick having to get off the stretcher to tend to the paramedic, the green blood, Mick limping down the road, desperate to get away from the ambulance but being pursued by the ambulance driver, the driver getting knocked down by a passing truck, more green blood,...

14 comments 14
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“O Mother, Please Send My Father Across” by Anshu Yadav

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #260

It was all a dream, Murli’s breath like rotten fish on top of her tongue, the balled-up grey dead mass of it settled at the back of her throat like stale phlegm, his beedi stained tongue wriggling around on top of her tongue, his hand under her blouse, fumbling, scratching, his nails yellow and black and green the sight of which made her vomit, his puss-filled-bandaged hand on top of her breast, the nail digging into her nipple, the dirt in his nails mixing with her blood, in her blood, the blood cool in the thick heat of the dark room, swee...

8 comments 8
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“The Blotting” by Brian Haddad

Submitted to Contest #260

Tammy's blank, featureless gaze perfectly matched the slip of paper before her. She stared at the whiteness and held the stubby number two pencil loosely as she considered a name to write down, a name that could be blotted from the town forever.Behind her, a long line of murmuring, gossiping townsfolk shifted around uneasily. The small voting booth, with its thick cotton curtain, felt stifling and cramped. She had spent several weeks pondering who she would vote for, and a few times she had even felt good about her selection, but this was he...

15 comments 15
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“Night Watchers of the Rain” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #260

It was that kind of rain; rebound romantic, film-noir. Stars rising up from the concrete, playing strobe to the night, a ricochet of orbs under the streetlight. Silver-screen, cinematic black and white, like Bogart had never been buried and Marlowe was out there somewhere casting shadows. Collar turned up on his trench coat, one foot against the wall, fedora tipped… Here’s looking at you kid… She waited. Sheltered in her doorway, one curved flight above the street, the sultry Bacall. One last draw on her cigarette, firefly orange, flicked ov...

13 comments 13
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“Meow ” by Patrick Druid

Submitted to Contest #260

Meow High above the city, Pastor Paul Morse of The Church of The Believers sat in his leather backed chair in his penthouse office and surveyed the view. He ran his fingers through his middle aged, oily hair and smiled to himself at the view from his office. He had just spent a week in the Bahamas as part of his ministry and after he had returned, he checked the financial reports and found that the ministry had raised double the amount from the previous month.  Membership rolls indicated an increase in numbers but, it was down from the...

2 comments 2
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“The Lesson” by Thomas Wetzel

Submitted to Contest #260

Teacher: It is time. Are you ready to begin? Student: Yes, Master.Teacher: And are you prepared?Student: Yes, Master.Teacher: Very good. Today we will continue our lesson covering the history of the 21st century under the ancient calendar of pre-modern civilization.Student: Yes, Master. Further discussion of The Children of Madness!Teacher: That is not an accepted scholarly term. And please remove that facsimile of a smile from your face. You are here to learn. There will be time for play later.Student: Yes, Master.Teacher. Very go...

19 comments 19
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“Well, Sh*t. I'm Dead” by Beau Danner

Submitted to Contest #260

So, I died today. Yeah, shitty I know. I was pissed. Wear a helmet they say, it’s the law they say, it’ll save your life in a crash they say. Yeah, but what they don’t say is that it’s not going to do diddly shit if you have an undiagnosed brain aneurysm during your morning commute and it goes Mount Vesuvius right when you’re coming up to a stop light behind a bus. I didn’t try to hold in a sneeze or anything! Just “pop” lights out. Okay, it wasn’t instant lights out. Honestly, it was kinda cool. First, I felt real tingly. My limbs went numb...

16 comments 16
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“Easy Money” by Eddie Whitlock

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #260

Easy MoneyPart I: Steve Debbie said that it was lucky for us, that the weather would make for fewer people on the roads, less chance we’d be seen. Twenty-five freaking degrees? I do not like the cold. This will be the first time I’ve ever done anything with Randy. This thing was his idea, I think, but it was Debbie that brought me into it. There’s six thousand dollars to be had and it sounds like no problem having it – if you don’t mind robbing some old lady, which I don’t. This weather is awful, though. They’re always predicting snow, but w...

7 comments 7
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“Awake” by Sherri Moorer

Submitted to Contest #260

Beep! Beep! Beep! Symone turned and slapped at the alarm clock, stretching and staring at the ceiling in the grey morning light, shaking off sleep. The dream plagued her again: being trapped in her old office, stuck in the musty, dingy brown walls. Nothing like a dream job turned into a nightmare to smash the visions of your youth. Then again, it was just a nightmare. She left that job fifteen years ago. She sat up and gently pulled the covers over Galen’s shoulders, mussing his short, dark blonde hair. He was still on medical leave, recove...

3 comments 3
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“My Girls” by James Scott

Submitted to Contest #260

Hunter shifted his weight on the cold, unforgiving tiles; his legs were beginning to grow stiff and his back tight. Sitting on the floor of the bathroom under the artificial light was uncomfortable and kept highlighting the disgusting state of the grey ceramic, glistening with a layer of moisture and hosting clumps of damp lint. That damn woman couldn’t even keep a floor clean. A wayward splash from the bubble bath soaked into his pants. He didn’t bother flinching, let alone chastising the two culprits. Let the children play. Their squeals o...

8 comments 8
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“At His Will” by Nina H

Submitted to Contest #260

     One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Breathe.      My chest tightens as it fills with air, breathing in the nauseating combination of odors filling the room. The unmistakable smell of blood. Whose blood was it? The smell of alcohol, burning in my nostrils. The dank smell of some kind of chalky smoke. That smell makes me sick, and my stomach turns.      I need a window. Fresh air. But of course this room has no opening to the outside.    &nbs...

8 comments 8
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“Love Goes Through the Stomach” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #260

The scream bit into the night, tearing through the peace like teeth through flesh.Travis Wells lurched awake; silk sheets pooled around him, revealing his well-toned abs. His heart – strong and resilient – throbbed inside his chest, but it did not gallop. Even when he woke up to a damsel in distress calling out for help, he woke up calm and collected. And that had been a damsel in distress – or, rather, the damsel in distress. It was Winona Chavez who rented the apartment two doors down the corridor. Travis wasted no time. He was out of bed ...

6 comments 6
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$250

Prize money

429

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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