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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

“The feeling of feeling.” by Sky V

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” His face was a mask of practiced calm as he patiently awaited my answer. “Hell no. ” A look of concern seemed to cross the interviewer’s face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual indifferent expression. Jotting something down in his little red notebook, he lifted his head and nudged his glasses back up his nose, meeting my eyes with a focused glare. “Well then. Next question, if I may?” “Go ahead.” “What skills could you contribute to this particular job?” Nodding my head to confirm that I heard his ...

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“What Do I Do?” by Ema Fancher

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” For someone like me, that question is an easy answer. Of course. Little did I know, this time, the secret would push the limits of my sanity. Ellie’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I trust her more than myself, so when she told me this crazy theory of hers, no matter how much I didn’t want to, I believed her. I’d just woken up from an unusually long streak of well-rested nights when I got her phone call. She knew what I was working on. Hell, the whole town knew. It’s hard to keep a s...

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“New Girl” by Will Williams

Submitted to Contest #55

‘’Hey, can you keep a secret?’’ she says a smirk on her face, her legs swinging back and forth through the air. We’re sitting on the ledge of the old tree house my dad built for me when I was seven. It’s not much of a tree house, it's like ten feet off the ground and more of a platform in a tree, no walls or anything . But with the sunsetting and the full summer branches blocking out the view of the house, it feels like the most secluded place in the world. ‘’Uh yeah, sure...definitely.’’ I stammer. I still haven't completely gotten...

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“Can you keep a secret? Can you?” by Samantha Garcia

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" "Huh?" Ian said, looking up from his book "Can you keep a secret?" Annabella asked "Depends," "Its a yes or no, Ian," Annabella said, annoyed "Fine then. I'll be a good friend and say yes," Ian said, closing his book and setting it to the side, "So. What's the secret?" "First, don't get mad at me because I had a good reason for what I did," Annabella said, anxious "Well, you shouldn't have told me that because I'll get mad easier," Ian sighed, "Even what could you have done that would make m...

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“The Interview ” by Valicia Rolle

Submitted to Contest #55

You try to wipe the crown of sweat that has adorned your oily forehead but, to no avail. The two hours of make up preparation was also in vain as your nerves have taken over and railroaded all of your efforts to appear as clean and composed as visibly possible. This isn’t your first interview, oh no! Face painting clowns, young thespians working in community theatres, the oldest crocheter in the county have all been interviewed by yours truly. However, in the five years that you have been with The Gazette, you’ve never had an opportunity lik...

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“China in Gold” by Ariel Papas

Submitted to Contest #55

It was more about the fact that we meet here than anywhere else, that made my hands grip the rough inside fabric of my coat. Mark always said there were more times to reinvent yourself in a world like this. But coming here was not it for me, and most definitely not for him. But that isn't to say that I didn't expect him to do this, his daughter's head was unattached from her body, just as she had been when she was alive and well.But this is a family business, and I was the lucky one to be considered part of it. Well, I might be making that a...

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“Seriously seriously seriously” by Alexandria Pierce

Submitted to Contest #55

Im Annabelle take me seriously I saw the sun explode in 9 days. Take me seriously Im standing on the rainbow bridge take me serious what's wrong with you are you asleep I'm saying lots of context In sign language have frost giants here can you not talk uses phone as flash light sees he left his post and his sword is still here Ill bring odin here of course he won't believe me but I got to try we need to evacuate midguard these goggles should allow me two see odin by now I figured out he was a hologram I was and they worked and I teleprt...

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“Rain and Coffee” by Aanisah King

Submitted to Contest #55

The sound of his heels splashing into a puddle of water resounds in his ears and he's walking faster and faster. He ignores the thunder and in a flash of lightening, he sees the door of his destination. He pushes the door open and a bell rings over his head as the warmth of the place hits his face. He closes his umbrella and puts it in a stand beside the door. The three couples and an old man all turn their heads to him and he scans the small cafe. The aroma of freshly baked pastries and brewed coffee wafts through the air and teases his sen...

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“The Inner Locket ” by Klementine Discoluve

Submitted to Contest #55

Hobbit ‘O joy, girl nor boy, fondle with my crimsoned dubiously grin. Is’t five times ten, years of younger, old. Fear not knowing what I truly am or how funicular a world I live in. Remarkable yet embarked upon a journey, one that is unknowable, for we must search it first. Due to the fade-away scrimmage tomorrow night at drubbing light, we shall follow the hollow moon, from sea to shinty shine. I’m up but I must amusingly say that I cannot go on. I’ll cringe each storming bridge and then again, against this running water, despite a bad lon...

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“A Jewel for All Hallows' Eve” by Karen Johnson

Submitted to Contest #55

A Jewel for All Hallows’ Eve The air was ripe with smells of autumn as Ruby walked with her new friend Wilhelmina, Mina for short, to their next class, Mythical Literature. Smoke from a fireplace in one of the houses near campus wafted in the air and mingled with the crisp fragrance of the cedar tree they passed and the cinnamon aroma from the cup of spiced tea she carried. Not knowing a soul on campus, Ruby’s launch into college had been a bit bumpy, but things were better now that she had met Mina. She didn’t need many friends as long as ...

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“Favorite Food” by Muriel Glass

Submitted to Contest #55

The spaghetti laid sprawled across the white tile floor, its tendrils and red sauce glistening like entrails against a concrete slab. The plate, its skeleton, was scattered in all directions, and the entire kitchen was flecked in red from the violent tumble the dish had taken from the countertop. “What happened?” “I- I don’t know, I just moved my elbow really quickly and I guess I knocked it off the counter and I-” “Is that what’s for dinner?” Brenda looked up from the splayed corpse of the meal. Her eyes met Edward’s shiny leather lace-...

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“The Wedding” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #55

The room’s subtle palette of white decor glowed in the soft light of the discreetly hidden lamps, making a wonderful backdrop for Diane’s clinging burgundy dress Her diamond wedding ring glittered as she swept her glossy blonde-streaked hair back, smiling sweetly. “Please make yourself comfortable. Will you take care of the drinks, Gerald, darling? I’ll have a gin and tonic.”Moira plumped herself down into an overstuffed armchair and patted her grey bob back into place. “Gerry, you kn...

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“Mantis” by Silver Fish

Submitted to Contest #55

The room was dark, reeking of tobacco; the men could barely see each other’s faces through the drifting smoke. Glasses of scotch and plastic bags of white powder littered the table, and the men leaned close to get a better look at the action. “I’m running this city already, ten hotels and more on the way,” Damian said, leaning back and puffing on his cigar. “No one’s catching me now.” “You’ve been making these roundabout deals with everyone at the table, you’re dirtier than shit,” Mantis replied angrily. He’d been growing more and m...

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“Message in a Bottle Bank” by Stephen Lavelle

Submitted to Contest #55

Message In A Bottle Bank The trouble with being a piss-artist on a mission to save the world is the bleedin empties. The council gives us these awful recycling bags to put out on bin day. I mean these things are seriously bloody dreadful. Firstly they are made of what must be a single atom layer of plastic so thin it’s barely there at all; they can just about take a small empty can of soup. Stuff ‘em full of a week’s worth of wine bottles and the bastards are all over the street before you can say ‘alcohol problem’. More worrying is that t...

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“Love, is Beautiful ” by Celeste Cruz

Submitted to Contest #55

You know, if you would have told me I would find true love in a cliche way I would have laughed. I’m 23 and getting married to a man who I ran into on my first day of high school. I still remember talking to my best friend Izzie about my algebra class when I suddenly felt myself collide with another person. His beautiful blue eyes that seemed shocked captivated my attention. I forgot Izzie was by my side and I quickly tried to pick up my book that was knocked out of my hands when I felt the man in front of me bend down to pick it up for me. ...

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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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