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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

“Evil Intentions” by Praire Rose

Submitted to Contest #55

The skies were gloomy. Not yet raining, but not likely that rain would start to fall. Kat peered out the foggy window. Pat and Scat talked away about school between themselves ignoring their triplet's presence. Not that Kat cared, time went by too fast to care. He sips his strawberry smoothie and watches the activity in the store. His monochrome phone starts flashing its light on the table. He flips it over and checks the number. Xera. Long time since any villain outside his group had called him. Leaving the booth, he heads into the bathroom...

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“Secrets of Power” by Nelsen Witt

Submitted to Contest #55

Silandis sat down next to Zadir, her bodyguard. In her old age he had become a welcome companion. Even though he was just a servant, he was sure fun to look at. “My dear friends, we gather today to discuss the powers in the East. Their strange ability power poses a threat we have never seen if they choose to come against us.” Everybody in the meeting knew who she was, despite the bright orange masks and glowing red robes that adorned t...

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“Water, Warfare, and Wit” by MAmin 75149

Submitted to Contest #55

William was late. He knew the rest of the boys would have already started the meeting but the rain was beginning to worsen and it was too late to go back. His bike had gotten a flat tire while riding to school yesterday and the slippery sidewalk only made things worse. But William saw the Wilnor place around the corner and he could see the faint light coming from the shed in the backyard. The house had long been abandoned and renovations had been overturned due to the collapsed foundations. But the shed remained intact and the Grove St. boys...

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“The Meeting of Lord Dragonfly and Lady Clements of Heffingburg” by Nataleigh Sandberg

Submitted to Contest #55

1789Lady Jane Maestro Katherine Gulliford Clements of Heffingburg, England had informed her guards that she was leaving to spend the night with the Highest Dame Fitherford. Captain Loxley, who had been on guard duty at the time, had led her out of the palace with no objection. His only job was to protect the queen at all costs- Lady Clements was merrily a friend of her royal highness, and nothing more.Lady Clements moved swiftly and soundlessly, with the exception of her high boots hitting the brick road with a loud clank. She had piled her ...

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“When the Ash Settles” by Taylor Arbuckle

Submitted to Contest #55

Years ago, Edmund was told, passersby would nod to police in the streets. Sometimes wave, or smile. Sometimes, the police would even wave back.Now, uniformed men, carrying heavy automatic weapons and strapped to the teeth in bullet-proof armor, don't even look at Edmund as he shuffles past. Instinct had him tucking his chin into the upturned collar of his jacket long before they got close, and he’s suddenly glad for the unforgiving chill of winter for relinquishing him from suspicion.Winter falls brisker than it did before the Shutdown, the ...

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“Could Love Be Enough?” by Duckie Carson

Submitted to Contest #55

The fly on the wall would tell you Grace was out of place sitting amongst eight burly men in a private, cornered off, section of the Speakeasy. When they first arrived Marcus told her to order herself a drink on their tab and try not to speak to many people; even he knew she didn’t belong here with him. It seems the minute she was spotted with her fingertips latched with his, her name was already tainted. Marcus and Grace had been dating for only a couple of weeks yet they were smitten with each other. At first glance Grace was aware Ma...

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“The Invited ” by Debbie Teague

Submitted to Contest #55

It was hard for Sara to concentrate on her work that Friday. She just went through the motions; her heart was not in it. That was understandable since her friend/ coworker had just been laid to rest and only their supervisor where they had worked in customer service had been able to attend the funeral. Ben was a dedicated worker who always gave above and beyond. Each year when the office closed early for Christmas she and Ben would still be working, long after most others had left. It was in their nature; ingrained.&...

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“BOSS” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #55

“A poker party? A three-day poker party?” “Yep. Three days. Just me, the guys, cigars, cards, and beer.” “Eww. It sounds disgusting. Try not to lose too much, Barry.” “Relax, Teresa. It’s only penny-ante stuff. I go mostly to hang with my boys.” “You could use the time off, Barry. You work entirely too hard. Enjoy yourself. And don’t lose too many pennies.” “What will you do while I’m gone, sweetheart?” “Oh, I’ll probably have my girls over. Watch sit-coms, play Bunco, drink wine.” “You try not to lose too much playing Bunco. I...

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“Our City” by Aanisah King

Submitted to Contest #55

"We begin the monthly meeting of the Stray Fiends. Let's make it quick." A voice commanded over the murmurs. It was a dark, long room with two long dining tables filled from top to bottom with seated individuals all wearing a piece of grey or red clothing. Each looked exhausted but there was no mistaking the anger, frustration and determination in their eyes. At the end of the room was another table. It was shorter and made of thesame mahogany wood. At its center, was twenty eight year old Teddy Green. His black hair in a neat, low ponytai...

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“Never Trust a Cat Person” by Tyler Runde

Submitted to Contest #55

The mansion came into view between the copses of trees, which had been lining either side of the road for the last hour. From a distance it looked old and gray, many-windowed and somewhat medieval; though, this being the Northwest, it couldn’t have been more than a hundred years old. Aimee’s boyfriend, Thomas, drove the car and pointed out the mansion only after she had already seen it. She watched it get closer and closer. Her view jounced as the car’s tires ground across gravel and tripped over potholes. Then they turned left at the ga...

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“Bennett Family Tree” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #55

Sturdy as an oak as I often heard it described to me at family gatherings. We would make it a habit to gather during holiday at the lake and tell stories of those from which we had sprung from, salt of the earth, backbone of the country, the traditions of our heritage, indivisible and rock solid as anything on God’s green earth. Several of our relations sung in the Anglican choir and if not singing, would gladly minister during Sunday services. As I have often heard told, our quaint community would not be possible if not fo...

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“The O’Connor Family Secret” by Becky Katsaros

Submitted to Contest #55

I sat down in Gilbert’s living room. The deep red couch and ottoman stood out against the black and white striped walls. He’d insisted the color scheme was his girlfriend’s - fiancée’s, but it looked so much like him I still suspected Sheila was a prank he was pulling on me. Of course, why wouldn’t he prank me? I’d not visited in over a year and was here only for the afternoon and evening. Barely a visit. Some of the time I’d spent in England. But some of it, I had to admit, I’d spent avoiding him. Mum and Dad wouldn’t be candid, and I didn’...

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“cash matters” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #55

He was in year three secondary school when his father died. Not long after the civil war started, his mother took them from Enugu city back to their village to escape House bullet like they usually refer to Nigeria soldiers. They were four in that family. Two boys and two girls. Jude was the elderst of his siblings. After the war just like other Biafrans, many were struggling to make ends meet. To find who to apprentice for was not easy thing then. Many business collapsed and may ceased to exist. Jude was lucky when a friend of his dad that ...

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“Midnight souls secret” by Shilohu Gowtham Karthikeya Pilli

Submitted to Contest #55

Trigger warning: child death Today they are going to cut me down. I am one of the first five trees in this Augustus family property. I have been living here nearly for a century or less. I saw the flowering of three-generation and the shriveling of one generation. After I wake the sun is at my fifth branch that means it almost 1'o'clock in the afternoon. They are gonna cut me down at 2'o' clock so, I am going to make it quick. I am a mahogany tree who doesn’t obey mother nature and the only...

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“The Cottage” by Lizzie Brown

Submitted to Contest #55

The cottage was closing in on Kathleen. Its four walls surrounded her like a prison. Then she was stepping out of the door, teetering on the edge of a great precipice. She was sinking under the veil of water. Lotte was calling to her from a distance, but she found herself unable to answer. She could picture it all so vividly. Right there in front of her was the great mystery of her life. Kathleen awoke quite suddenly, trembling and drenched in a cold sweat. She threw off the covers and tore herself from the bed and the dream that ...

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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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