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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

“Fear To Change” by Gary Phipps

Submitted to Contest #273

Davey looked up from his lukewarm coffee, the buzz of the fluorescent lights above fading into the background. He was trapped, or so it seemed, within the confines of a cubicle that resembled a cage, its walls pressing in tighter with each passing moment. The familiar chorus of keyboards clattering and phones ringing filled the air, a repetitive symphony of boredom. The seconds crawled by, barely discernible in their passing. Here, time stood still. Lunch break came and went like the revolving door of routine. He trudged toward the local del...

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“The Eternal Bargainers” by David Dean

Submitted to Contest #273

Hector Mares found himself standing before the iron gates of Dr. Carlos Biltong’s secluded estate, the cold mountain wind biting at his skin. The estate lay hidden deep in the Andes. It was late, the moon barely visible through the thick mist that clung to the jagged peaks, and the air buzzed with electrical energy. He had been summoned here by Biltong, the head of the science team, to share some critical insight—something that could upend the very fabric of time.Hector had never been one for secret meetings, but in his line of work as an ar...

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“Wrong Choice” by Marta Ściana

Submitted to Contest #273

Alex hated the rain. She hated having to avoid puddles of dirty water, so her expensive shoes wouldn't get ruined. That night, though, as she was making her way to the 24-hour store, she couldn't care less about getting her shoes wet. She could have taken the car, but in her current state of mind, it wouldn't feel safe. To say she was distressed would be an understatement. Her mind was racing, ten thousand different thoughts fighting for her attention at the same time. And then she entered the store, and it all stopped in an instant, because...

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“Undead Reckoning” by Dave Stanley

Submitted to Contest #273

Sean has seen enough slick Netflix and Hulu horror movies to know he should throw away the invitation. Embossed in fancy, red wax seals and a hint of sandalwood odor, the invitation itself is an appealing parchment that should be destined for the recycling bin, along with his poor solo album review in the local alternative weekly paper. “No harm in opening it,” he mutters, as he trudges back to his house from the mailbox. It is three in the afternoon, and he is still in his bathrobe and slippers. Traditional time keeping has lost ...

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“Where's the Salt?” by Brandon Rose

Submitted to Contest #273

Why is everyone in such a rush? I figure there must be some fantastic event I’m missing. No matter where I go, everyone around me always seems to be in such a hurry to get where they’re going. Or maybe just to get away. “Excuse me, miss?” I tapped the shoulder of the lady next to me. She gasped hard while raising her hand to her chest. “Oh! Uhm, yes?” she answered, hesitantly. “Do you know where the salt is?” I asked. Each word I spoke repelled her further and further from me, and before I knew it, she was half way down the aisle pointing in...

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“Candy Eyes” by Justin McCulloh

Submitted to Contest #273

Candace spent the evening in her studio. Working like crazy in the overwhelming acrylic and hardwood pencil shavings. This particular painting would be the fifth one she had to do today for clients. Candace swiftly brushes at the corner of the painting, tidying up the last line. Until her hand cramps. “Ow, Jesus!” she exclaims when her hand goes numb and knocks the water bowl and a pill bottle onto the floor. Candace glances at the colored mess, moving on with her brush stroke. The pill bottle tumbled through the colored mess, rolling slowly...

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“Purge” by Jenna Lee

Submitted to Contest #273

You fall out of bed like a corpse. The sunlight stings your bloodshot eyes. You haven’t sleep because your stomach was twisted into knots. Groggy, you gaze at the phone lying awake on your nightstand. The battery’s nearly drained. It’s only showing two bars. You dialed a number. The one your friends group told you not to. You stare at the digits on the keypad. You switch it off and throw it in your backpack.It takes ages to pull yourself up from the cold, wooden floor. You need to get changed for school. You’re terrified to look in the mirro...

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“The good son” by Raquel Mora

Submitted to Contest #273

"I like that girl he took to the dance last week." I could hear my mother talking in between the clacking of the knitting needles. I didn't need to see them to form the image in my mind. My mother sitting in her rocking chair in the sitting room. My father sitting next to her grunting as he read the paper. Who reads the paper anymore? My father. He isn't that old, but he is an old soul, as my mother says. He clings to the ways of generations before without electronics or cell phones. He only carries one because he can no longer deny the conv...

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“You'll Never Work A Day In Your Life” by Trey Blevins

Submitted to Contest #273

TW: Gore, implied sexual violenceI've harbored a resentment toward latex, filter cloth, ammonia, all of that clinical, hygienic, chemical-doused and alcohol-soaked, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, sterilized equipment, along with its dull and stinging scents and the negating feel of a lifelessness anti-coating over the arsenal, for as much of my life as I've been aware of it.Despite this handicap, I attempted to go into medicine. Bleach pervaded my pores every time I swiped my keycard on the automatic doors and the custodial Heaven beyond them w...

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“Trust” by Lizzy Shaw

Submitted to Contest #273

She looks nervous, the Detective thought. That’s normal when a cop shows up at your door. “Please don’t worry, Mrs. Blanchet. I do need to ask you a few questions about your husband.” Detective Erickson said. “Please call me Kate. Come in, have a seat.” Kate offered space on a plush white sofa. “I’m following up on a request to look into your husband’s whereabouts. He’s been reported as a missing person by his mother. She stated no one has heard from Daniel since he left for a business trip a week ago.” The Detective said. “That’s wrong -I m...

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“One Small Deed” by Matthew Foster

Submitted to Contest #273

Bobby had been sitting in the cafe for what felt like half a day. His short red hair was obscured by a baseball cap and his hands shook from the four coffees he had downed while waiting. He could have left the journal with one of the baristas. They probably had a lost and found box, but his conscience couldn't let go of the journal until he gave it to her directly. Bobby had read a little from her journal, just enough to find out how to return it to her. Her name was Helen. It was scrawled all over the journal in a tight, flowing scrip...

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“Dear Diary, Today I Killed a Man” by Thomas Jackson

Submitted to Contest #273

October 25th, 2024 The smell differed from I expected. When I go deer hunting, the smell is rancid and musty. Like old cheese. Sometimes it’s like burning rubber. Mr. Wilkins was pungent. It was strong, but had hints of rotting fruit. It’s still in my nostrils. I tried washing my clothes, but even after a second cycle, it was still there. I burned them in the forest. For six weeks I have been talking to Mr. Wilkins about his past - check that…had been talking about his past. His broken family and the never-endin...

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“Dear Abby” by Lili Erika

Submitted to Contest #273

Dear Abby, I see him in my dreams. His face appears, brown dreaded hair and soft eyes staring down at me; when I’m in the grocery store, the park and now when I shut my eyes. Every man over 6 feet, every worn leather jacket, every 4runner I see causes my heart to seize. It takes me back to the pure moments - of inexplicable laughter, hours spent cooking, minds read with a single glance. But these hallucinations also take me back to that night - of darkness, verbal ammo fired, the line disconnected. I know what I have to do, but my hands tre...

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“The Surprise Birthday Party” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #273

Day 14 Sat I think you are a genius. To keep this birthday party a total surprise. This is the way, by writing as a journal entry in the notebook and no talking about this at school. Total surprise. So, 14 days to plan this. Signing off. I put on my hoodie, grabbed the notebook, leashed up Clarice, who was ready to go for her walk, and out we went. I checked my pockets, whoops... back home. Clarice was confused. She didn't get to do anything. I grabbed the doggie bags off the porch table. Ok, now for your walk. Clarice and I walke...

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“Food Seeking” by Angela Adams

Submitted to Contest #273

January 1st 2026,Most people start the new year with resolutions but I’m starting this year confessions. First, I have been sharing my food despite the rules against it for the past few weeks. Second, the mess that the world is in…everything it’s all my fault.Well, The EMP wasn’t my idea.I knew JD wanted my food as soon as I heard the crack…hunger is the only reason anyone breaks in anywhere since the Megabot overlords took over.Sure enough, before I could blink he had his weapon on me “ I’ll ask one more time! Which thumb do you w...

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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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