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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#273: Locked Away

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsySecrets to share your stories (and potentially be featured on our social accounts)!

Ah, secrets. What is it about the unknown that’s so alluring? Do you relish the implicit power of knowing confidential information? Do you love the feeling of connection and exclusivity that being told a secret brings? Or do you enjoy dissecting other people in your head after you’ve discovered their deepest, darkest secrets?

This week, let’s write some stories that unravel long-buried truths — and maybe even a character’s entire life in the process.

This week's prompts

Write a story in the form of diary/journal entries about a secret or confession.

Short Story – 68 stories

Begin your story with someone either being followed or following someone else.

Dramatic – 52 stories

Write a story with the line “Don’t tell anyone.”

Angst – 80 stories

Your character is invited to a secret meeting. Who invited them, and what do they encounter?

Short Story – 40 stories

Write a story that hides something from the reader until the end.

Dramatic – 113 stories

Stories

“Watch Your Back” by Ralph Emery Barhydt

Submitted to Contest #273

Watch Your Back I had been following Christine Manning for almost a year and had seen many, many things. She was a spy working for the Iranian government. I have yet to understand why.She seems to like Iranian men were in great favor based on all of her trysts. Of course, they like her. She "entertains" frequently, but I have fallen in love with her. It's really an unfair twist of fate, but there you have it. Then, one day, when I went to my usual intercept spot there was no Christine. I spent the whole day going...

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“Hunters” by William Duke

Submitted to Contest #273

Hunters Claire clipped the badge to her belt, adjusted the holster under her arm, and pulled her jacket down. The ritual always centered her. “So you’re Simon? Nice to meet you. I’m Claire. Bring me up to speed,” Claire says. “Nice to meet you, Claire.” Simon pulled out his notebook and flipped it open. ““The first three guys, the original team, had a camera, some flash gear, and a reflector. They even had a fake boom, long handle with a fuzzy cover. Even if not legit, goofy enough to be a fun st...

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“On the subject of fear.” by Юлiя Прис

Submitted to Contest #273

Can I take a day off on Monday? - asked Sara to the housekeeper, Lucy, for whom she had been working as a housekeeper for about 4 years. The days off were floating, and they discussed this issue on Sunday for the coming week. Ooooh! - Lucy answered in confusion, confused, not expecting this question. Oh, how inappropriate it was for her now. This is that awkward moment when she is forced to tell about her plans, because of her secrecy she did not like it. Lucy preferred to keep everything to herself, she was secretive, distrustful, hyper...

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“What's Down There?” by Emily Pollan

Submitted to Contest #273

"Don't tell anyone," I whispered to my little sister, putting a finger to my lips and tightening my fingers around the ice cold doorknob. Layla nodded and made a zipping motion against her lips, and then against her stuffed bunny’s lips that she held tightly in her arms. "Good. I'll be back later," I patted her head and waited for her to run back upstairs so the possible creaking of the door didn't put her at risk too. Once out of sight, my smile melted into a look of anxiety. I could feel my heart pumping as I turned the key in the me...

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“Hazy Memory” by Amelia Weston

Submitted to Contest #273

I don’t remember much of that night, but I wish I did. I remember seeing her earlier at the party, her long, curled hair slightly covering her face, like she couldn’t decide whether she wanted to be seen or not. The white dress she was wearing that stopped just before her upper thigh, clinging so nicely to her curves leaving me salivating at the mouth. The way it was framing her hourglass figure perfectly, showing off her long olive legs and smooth skin, almost in a teasing way, like she wanted attention. And that’s what I did, I gave her th...

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“Secrets and Mysteries Revealed” by Stacy Parker

Submitted to Contest #273

Shades was running through the alley, being chased by a very well-built man who was carrying a gun. This time, he had bitten off more than he could chew. Perhaps I should back up a bit… This, like most good stories, is one of intricacy, mystery, secrets, arguments, plot twists, and fights. How would I know? I’ll get to that later. For now, let’s just call me your narrator. This story begins with a guy, and not just any random guy, but one surrounded by hardships and struggles, yet shrouded with secrets and mystery. This guy went b...

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“A Reckoning at Hills Peek” by Heidi Fedore

Submitted to Contest #273

It’s like someone flipped a light switch out here. Everything is black. The almost full moon must’ve crept behind a cloud or tree . . . or something.I stop. My eyes dart struggling to find a point of reference. I fumble my phone from my pocket, tap my screen to turn on my flashlight, and gulp in steady breaths again. Thank God I charged my phone earlier.Now there’s extra light behind me. My bestie, Celeste, must’ve turned on her flashlight as well. The path is visible once more with its roots and ruts. I’ve already stumbled twice trying to k...

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“Blackout” by Joseph Murray

Submitted to Contest #273

BlackoutI am lost in my own thoughts again. I blink my eyes rapidly as my focus returns. Was I daydreaming?Yellow road lines travel down the center of the dark red convertible I’m driving. I guide the car back into the right lane. Luckily, there is no oncoming traffic on this two lane road. As far as I can see, there is nothing at all out here. No other cars, no foliage, just a whole bunch of yellow desert and blue sky. The only thing breaking up the unending flatness is a brownish landmass in the far distance…Is that a butte or a mesa…...

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“The Center” by Sydney Sylvester

Submitted to Contest #273

I hear the weekly Group Session starting down the hall: folding chairs dragged into place, sneakers squeaking, small talk, a flutter of laughs, then silence as Gina takes command of the room to begin breathing exercises. I’m still in Cell 9 down the hall. You wouldn’t need to be a doctor to know that I’m not currently fit to be around other people. The staff put it as nicely as they could: I’m a danger to myself and others. But mostly others. My fellow patients seem to have been making progress over the past few months, but for s...

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“The Disappointing Truth of Jack the Ripper” by Clara Orr Burns

Submitted to Contest #273

It never occurred to any of them that it might have been a woman. Even long after my death, in your books and your films filled with more inaccuracies and twists of artistic license than I can keep track of, it's never a woman. Not that I mind the anonymity. I had more than enough opportunities to show myself to my adoring public and they are adoring. Why else would they continue to visit the sights of my crimes, hoping to catch a glimpse of my ghost? It isn't because they loathe me for the things that I've done, it's because they wish...

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“Obscured” by Barbora Koubková

Submitted to Contest #273

September 13, 1952 I thought I could handle it! Sorry. It was a tough day for our city, but let's keep cool. I have to be strong for her. Today, the cops will ask me about the night I last saw Mary, and I need to hide the truth from the world, no matter what it takes. …No, I can’t do this. I won’t lie! If there was anything else that could be done, just one thing before the damn night, I would change it just so I could see her again. My chest always presses together when thinking back of her pale face and frightened eyes looking at me wit...

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“A Tale of Justice” by Mara Rouge

Submitted to Contest #273

Dear Diary, Today, I took my mischief to the next level, and I can't help but chuckle at what I've done now! Oh, what fun I've had! You simply won't believe the little plot I concocted. As you know, I’m now in the middle of a little game with Mathi over his beloved T-Rex dinosaur, the one he’s used to scare the living daylights out of me every day. This towering, prehistoric beast has been dwelling beneath my bed, used by him as his sidekick in his relentless quest to rouse me from my slumber each morning. He finds it funny; but you know s...

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“Where Would I Be Without You” by LJ Jennings

Submitted to Contest #273

Dear Diary, I don’t know how to tell you this. I feel like I can’t type the thought out, can’t even form it in my mind. But I have to tell someone. I haven’t written to you in probably decades, not since my teens when you were a flowery journal with a lock, and I doodled pictures of horses and cats inside the front cover. My entries then were all about surviving teenage angst and loneliness, raging against rules and unfairness and homework, avoiding bullies and responsibilities. Now you’re a plain untitled document and I’m a plain m...

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“Glenn is coming” by Marija Rozman

Submitted to Contest #273

Sarah is aware that giving her patients a habit of daily journaling can develop their coping skills as well as keep track of their mental state easier for her. Journals are read and organized for each patient individually. Brian was the last one whose sheets she needed to put in order for this week.Daily diary sheet, October 23rdPsychiatric CenterSubject: Brian I decided to write until my head can still think somehow clearly. I sometimes wonder if this is the „real me”. Anyway, I have to hurry because I don't think I hav...

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“A monster come to light” by Brian Carney

Submitted to Contest #273

I’m not sure when I became self-aware. I was just there, like waking up and having no idea where or who you are. I would fade in and out awareness or waking up. I will explain that later. I became aware one night, night as he slept, I was just a dream to him. I could move now, I sat up in the bed, it was exceedingly difficult to move, the legs were shaky and felt thick, as if they were just asleep themselves. His arms felt as if I was wearing a heavily weighted shirt. I was able to make my way into his office and collapsed into his office ch...

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$250

Prize money

353

Contest entries

162

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 25, 2024 EST

Won by Asia W 🏆

Title: Venus Buried

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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