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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#55: In On a Little Secret

One of The Hobbit's most memorable scenes is when Bilbo encounters Gollum in the Misty Mountains. We know Bilbo has the ring in his pocket, and that Gollum refers to the ring as his "precious." But Gollum doesn't yet realize it's missing, and Bilbo doesn't know who the ring belongs to.

This scene utilizes dramatic irony by providing readers with key information that the characters are unaware of. It creates suspense, tension, and immediately invests readers as we anxiously await the events we know will eventually unfold.

This week's prompts all revolve around the theme of secrets. We encourage you to get creative with how and when you reveal information to characters — and readers!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a meeting of a secret society.

Mystery – 155 stories

Write a story about an old family secret surfacing generations later.

Adults – 141 stories

Write a story that either starts or ends with someone asking, “Can you keep a secret?”

Kids – 421 stories

Write a story involving a conversation that’s packed with subtext; the characters aren’t quite saying what they mean.

Dialogue – 78 stories

Write a story where the readers are in on a secret that the characters are unaware of.

Novel – 101 stories

Stories

“It's Now an Open Secret*” by Abigail Slimzy

Submitted to Contest #55

The family of Abalanze of Umuneze clan in Osisioma kingdom has been known for special powers possessed by every male child born into the family. The weird thing is, they are born crippled and either deaf or blind or born with one eye. This physical challenge never deter them not to be strong and ironically, they were seen as the strongest in the land irrespective of their physical challenges. From the first generation, it was so and as time went on, it became a concern for the people to know the secret behind their gifted powers. Abalanze is...

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“The Last Ogress of Cheshire” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #55

The mood of the kingdom was merry. From the lowly knave down below to the noble knight standing guard at the front of the castle. This merriment carried itself all the way up to the chambers of Duke Warwick Wintone lounging peacefully in bed.But peace, as is the case, must always find cessation. Warwick's peace, on this day, would be shattered by a knock on the door.“What is it!” barked the Duke to the wooden obstruction.The Duke’s page squeezed his tiny little head through the door and answered, “There is a stranger here to see you, my lord...

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“The Journal” by Michelle Latinovich

Submitted to Contest #55

Jo Whitman shook her head back and forth as she stared solemnly at Amy. She stood up in utter shock and quietly asked herself, "Why?" Jo could not verbally tell her to stop talking, so instead she looked at her sister with pleading eyes, hoping Amy would just look her way long enough for her to know she was treading on thin ice. Why did she feel like she had to tell the details of this secret now when they had successfully kept it away from public ears for so long?This was Jo’s story to tell IF she ever decided she wanted everyone to kn...

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“The Problem With Some Secrets” by Ben Dolce

Submitted to Contest #55

Richard collapsed onto his favorite bench. It offered a great view of West Potomac Park and he tried to enjoy the cup of overpriced coffee. He then took a long, deep breath and mentally told himself, “Relax! It’s only work.” After a short time, a mysterious woman wearing a bright, skimpy dress sat down next to him. She snapped her gum a few times like it was a status symbol, then whispered, nonchalantly without looking at him. “You wanna hear something interesting?” He wrinkled his forehead as he took in the odd stranger. “Why would you want...

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“The Case of Peter Davis” by Bookmark Here

Submitted to Contest #55

What you know about Peter Davis is that he is a killer; well, at least he will be one. Peter has always had what most would call a chip on his shoulder. You think that this is a trait that someone can eventually grow out of. Peter never did. If you believe that someone could have a chip on their shoulder and still not be a killer. Absolutely, but this will not be the case for Peter. He showed a lack of empathy from an early age, and this was not out of lack of love or neglect from his loving parents. It was not because he was abused in any w...

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“Weekend Getaway: Sunday” by Sadie Black

Submitted to Contest #55

Jake went home to sulk. He thought things were going well with Riley, but with the other three Musketeers causing a scene, the night was a bust. By the time he got home, it was getting late on Saturday afternoon and he didn’t have the energy to drive out to the roadhouse again. He was still stirred up by the antics of Zoe, Mackayla, and Mackenna. He had hoped they would have matured since high school, but it seemed their idea of a joke had only deteriorated over the years. They ruined his weekend. Jake flopped into his unmade bed, pushed his...

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“A Source of Suffering” by Hakin Edward

Submitted to Contest #55

First of all, I’d like to inform you that his wife is not at home. “Morning, love, I’ll get your breakfast done”, Carl said to the empty bed as soon as he jumped from it. It’s already been 2 years since the accident, and I’m starting to pity him. You see, sometimes people cannot accept reality, so they change their surroundings and turn it into their ideal world. Of course, that happened before, every creation since humanity was caused by someone who did not like what they saw when not dreaming. Every medicine, ideology, revolution. It’s ...

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“Ancestral Humiliation.” by Len Mooring

Submitted to Contest #55

Ancestral Humiliation. “I understand that you have deep dark relatives, or perhaps I should have said, ancestors? Tell me about them. I’m led to understand you are quite proud of them. Pirates weren’t they? Dastardly pirates. Real cut-throat types. Pity I can’t blackmail you about them as you sort of revere them. Have you thought of doing reprehensible things yourself? Do you plan on killing someone, or even a bunch of people? You could become a suicide bomber. Hang on though. Do you have anyone who later on can be proud of you?” “Yo...

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“My Family Secrets in 2020” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #55

After my great grandmother curmudgeon and ornery self finally passed away at the tender ripe old age of 113. I was asked to clean out her attic. I was somewhat apprehensive about that family assignment because attics are usually unsettling not only because of all the ghost stories that appear to me in urban legends and online but also because my penny pinching grandmother was reluctant on spending any money fixing the attic up or making it into something like a home office or spare bedroom, her attic was dreary and full of dust. In the back ...

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“Project Pancake” by K Rebecca

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” I underestimated the weight of my boss’ question, and I never thought I would have to deal with such a twisted situation. The secrets that I am having to keep are personal and strangling me with every inhale. I step out of the car, entering the revolving door in to the building where I have to give confirmation to what I already know. “May I help you?” “Yes, I am here to identify a body, my husband.” “Oh yes, the widow, I was told you would be here soon, have a seat and I will call you back in a bit.” ...

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“Some Kind Of Hero” by Jasper Hutchings

Submitted to Contest #55

“She asked me to do something for her. She said she couldn’t. That she would get in trouble if she got caught. That is I was there!” I yelled at the men as they tied me up. They scoffed. . I had a blindfold on and couldn’t see. The air smelled like salt and puke “I don’t work with anyone! I am a civilian!” I yelled. “Silence!” One of the men yelled at me, he had a thick Italian accent. “If you are innocent, then why do you have these with you?” the other man said, this man had a thick Russian accent. One of them ripped my blindfo...

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“Fiona” by Ash Hale

Submitted to Contest #55

“Sweetheart, we will be late for your appointment. You should hurry.”The sickly-sweet voice of her mother reached her through the sheets.Fiona opened her eyes. Her mother stood in front of the mirror, trying and horribly failing to tame her mane of thick, red, curly hair. Her blue eyes surveyed the contents of the dressing table and finally landing on the searched possession widened in happiness while her pale hand involuntarily reached out for the object. Her fragile stature stood bold and confident, ready to take on the world.She turned ar...

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“Cherry Popsicle Day, ending sequel, The Secret” by Ali Anthony Bell

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” Johnny said in a whisper as they lay gazing into each other’s eyes in Ashley’s bed, the early morning light shining through her window. From the moment the bedroom door had closed behind them the day before they had passionately made up for the 3 and-a-half years of separation. Now they were both fulfilled and serene. Seeing the calm manner that he had posed the question she couldn’t imagine that the secret was something bad. Still, knowing his condition she wanted to reassure herself.“Nothing bad I hope?” She said s...

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“The Club” by Jen T

Submitted to Contest #55

Annie waits in the hall, tapping her foot on the linoleum floor. She and seven other people sit, waiting for their audition to become members of The Club. There had been forty-seven people in total auditioning that day. From their facial expressions, as they exited the room to Annie's right, not many were accepted. Annie was sure of herself and knew there was no way the Board would turn her away. The door to the right opens, and another sad soul reenters the hallway, with red puffy eyes and a tear-streaked face. There was a cadence to the d...

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“Popsicle Confessional” by Siobhan Stone

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” she asked me with a sly smile playing on her blue-popsicle-hued lips. “Sure I can,” I replied with a shrug and bit the end of my own red popsicle right off. I’d never been a patient person like Stella obviously was, seeing how much of hers still remained. “Good, so can I,” she said with a giggle and took another long, ponderous lick of her icy treat. I rolled my eyes and ignored her feint. She just wanted me to beg her to tell me whatever it was she was hinting around at and I d...

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$50

Prize money

896

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 21, 2020 EST

Won by B Easton 🏆

Title: Secrets for the Living

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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