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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

“A Burial Ground for Fools” by Brian Sweeney

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you…” I panted. “Keep a secret?” “Dave...” Sarah eyed me, as if she couldn’t believe I would have to ask. “Is now really the time?” Her sharp glare felt particularly frustrated. Stress did that to her. It ate away at her personality to reveal something worse beneath. I stuck my shovel into the mud, resting my foot on its edge. “Jesus. Don’t turn this into another argument,” I sighed. I knew I shouldn’t have, but it was hard to not poke the bear. “Can’t you take a joke?” Something buried deep inside wanted to see her reaction. She st...

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“Him” by Melissa Temkov

Submitted to Contest #55

It had been two years since she’d seen Jonah, and as she sat in the dingy and decrepit coffee shop anxiously shaking her leg, she couldn’t help but wonder why now? It’s not that they hadn’t parted amicably, there were no hard feelings and she had always silently hoped he was doing well, but she thought that their agreement was palpably and definitively the last time they would be in contact. No matter, whatever the reason he had, and it sounded urgent, she still had tenderness in her heart for him and would do whatever she was capable of to ...

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“What I Mean Is” by Ed Friedman

Submitted to Contest #55

Gwen stands behind the couch, watching Arthur flip channels on the remote with alarming speed. She’s seen him do this many times before, but for some reason, tonight she stands transfixed as the images fly by on the television at the speed of light. Arthur senses her presence but doesn’t turn around. “I thought you were going to bed”. He tosses the words over his shoulder. “I was, but I wanted to see what captivated you so much that you’re not”. “I was watching something but then I lost interest”. “Yeah, given the flipping...

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“Bullets and Yams” by Lennox Ducksworth

Submitted to Contest #55

Red Sapphire. That was what the jeweler suggested to Canan Donahue. The seasoned shop owner presented the man with a golden necklace with the blood-red stone in the center surrounded by diamonds in the shape of a flower. Canan smiled, pearly white teeth breaking the seriousness of the entire twenty minutes there. The jeweler smiled back. Canan liked the gem. It matched his red dress shirt under his black vest and suit. It wasn't for him though. He paid the jeweler then exited the shop, glossy white bag in hand, a grin on his face as h...

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“The Wish” by Joanna White

Submitted to Contest #55

A person can only run so long, before they can’t run anymore, before whatever you’re running from catches up to you. Adam realized this as he pulled into a diner off a side road. It was a small place, and in the middle of nowhere, but that’s what Adam wanted: someplace he wouldn’t be found. He was eighteen, legally he could leave, but he knew his parents, his stepdad especially, would be looking for him. Along with his girlfriend Page unless she hated him. Whatever she felt toward him… He deserved it. Adam got out of his black 1967 Chevy...

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“Love Can't Wait” by Hannah Barrick

Submitted to Contest #55

In movies, they show romance by one person waiting for another, to show their love. Afraid to make the first move in case you’re wrong. I’ve spent my whole life waiting, or at least it’s felt like it. The day that changed was when ‘she’ came into the picture. I huffed irritably, although, let’s be honest, it wasn’t really any of my business. I mean, he’s a grown man and can do what he likes. Andrew had gone out on some lunch date (under the pretence of a “catch up”), with some old flame he apparently knew from when he was a kid. Ever since...

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“Before Their Eyes” by Sankara Luna

Submitted to Contest #55

Carol read the message on her phone and was conflicted about what the best course of action she should take.I miss you, she reread.Surely Jamie was drunk when sending it, wasn’t he? Otherwise, who would have said that when the world had ended, dragging down the modern dating life with it to the bottom of the ocean? But who would have set their priorities straight with the bottles either? There was no time to think about the possibilities. Maybe she was just overthinking. Jamie and she was just a rumpled old photograph tucked inside a diary f...

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“Who Ordered Pizza?” by Laura Everly

Submitted to Contest #55

Who wants pizza? I love pizza. Me too. Should we order from Bella's? Bella is a bum? No! Should we order from Bella's Pizzeria? We're ordering pizza? Who has pizazz? Spike has gas? Just a gust. Did you say we are ordering pizza? I would like too. We would like you too, too. Good. Now do we want thin crust or thick crust? You do look thin. I do? Yes. Thank you, I think. All I wanted to know is about the pizza dough. Lisa has a beau? Who's Lisa? Lisa lives next door. She's a dinosaur. That's not nice. And she has lice? Ahhhh! What's the mat...

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“Grandpa” by Megan Leong

Submitted to Contest #55

It is Christmas morning. The whole family is up and together in the living room getting ready to unwrap the presents together. “Can you help your grandma get the grandpa please?” “Grandma, what do you mean– “ I pulled little Cathy away casually and tilted my chin towards my brother for some help. Frank: “He must be in the garage with the car, it was sounding bad after my drive down from up North yesterday, but he can’t seem to leave it alone. He will probably be down after a while.” “Alright, remember to get the old man down before the Chri...

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“Sitting Ducks” by Chloe Legault

Submitted to Contest #55

You are finger-flossing green glass blades, sitting by my side, looking at mama ducks and papa ducks near the edge of the water. It’s a late afternoon moment. You shoot your chin towards the ducks in question. “Why don’t they fly away?” I dare a glimpse of the children ducks. Dots barely feathered, little pins and needles lost in a limb. They are little fills in bone holes. Heavy starvelings of flight. I change the subject with movement, turn to lay on my back, head on the spread of your lap, and watch the underside of your chin colle...

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“Ready” by Katharine Daniels

Submitted to Contest #55

Tigger warnings: self harm, suicide, suicide adulation READY Katharine Daniels She was outside and waiting by the curb when he pulled up. Climbing into the passenger seat, she pecked him briefly on the lips before buckling her seat belt. “Good morning to you too,” Matt grinned as he took his foot off the break. “How went the night?” She sighed, avoided looking at him. “I only cut twice” Carly murmured, touching her thigh in remembrance. Matt winced and scowled, glancing sideways at his girlfriend...

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“The Day It Happened” by Lisandra Bergey

Submitted to Contest #55

The Day it Happened Lisandra Bergey October 30th, 1938The day it happened, Tony Zambelli was spending another unsuccessful Sunday night trying to get somewhere with Victoria Carlson down at Love’s Cove along California coastline. After kissing for several minutes, Victoria wriggled to sit up a little straighter. She smoothed the skirt Tony came nowhere close to shuffling and check the perfectly buttoned blouse. Tony sighed and clasped her hand. “You...

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“THE SECRET OF SULTANA DACOIT OF NAJIBABAD” by Deepti Singh

Submitted to Contest #55

It's a story of nineteenth century when India was a British colony and going through the revolt times of freedom against the British rule and the Zamindari system . The Sultana dacoit was the name of terror famous in the terrai region of Najibabad town in Western Uttar Pradesh. The impact of his terrifying footprints were making it difficult for the British officials and the rich landlords of northern India to live and move freely. The most interesting fact as locals claim to be is that he was always generous towards...

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“Rumor Has It” by Tim Benson

Submitted to Contest #55

“Rumor Has It” Mark was only a few steps inside the café when a sturdily built woman with a black apron wrapped around her ample hips walked up to him. “Mornin’, hon, you can sit anywhere you’d like.” “I’m meeting someone here”, he replied, just as a man in a Stetson hat, waving his arm, caught his eye. “I think that’s him there in the first booth.” He walked toward the man and asked, “John?” “That’s me.” The man smiled and stood up, extending his hand. “John Meecum, and Mark, I recognize you from your picture in your weekly column.” What Yo...

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“The Best Friend and The Boyfriend” by Kay C

Submitted to Contest #55

The woman’s blond hair flows out from beneath her in waves, its tips reaching the legs of the coffee table some feet away from her. Surrounding her body are multiple yellow number tags, indicating placements of the items strewn about the living room. Various items are spread across the area: a spiky hairbrush, a dictionary, an unopened box of condoms, a blood-stained rope. Her eyes are closed, her legs and arms splayed out, as if she was simply sleeping on her living room floor. The female detective watches the man in front of her as she ...

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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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