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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 secret” by Evelyn Wong

Submitted to Contest #55

Most people have special secrets. Not small ones,too. Big, scary, enormous, mind-blowing ones. Usually, those people do try to keep that secret to themselves, and do their best to not let anyone else know about it. But eventually, most secrets do come tumb out, and the consequences are terrible to imagine. Jane Peterson was the same. A nice brown haired and brown eyed girl of seventeen years, she didn’t attract attention to herself. She wasn’t exceptionally pretty or exceptionally smart, so when other people saw her in the street, all they a...

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“Toothbrush & Pants” by Nick Archer

Submitted to Contest #55

Can you keep a secret? The cat asks a third time, despite me ignoring their previous attempts to elicit a reply from me. The flywheel of my bicycle buzzes like a pursuant fly as I push it along the path of the park, handle-bars gripped on my left. The cat trots along on the right, it's gait light and carefree, as though it doesn't care about the answer; taking pleasure simply in the asking of it. I can feel the golden eyes staring up at me, and sense the inevitability of the inquiry being repeated a fourth time. At this point, I'd like to ma...

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“Jane's Secrets” by I Li

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” The flat voice came suddenly, like the heart-attack Jacob thought he was about to have, while he was squatting over a broken mug in the empty — or previously empty — office kitchen. He looked up. Jane, the office’s oldest and most senior finance officer, stood by the door, towering and somber. Jane’s sudden appearance and hovering was a cross the team had had to bear daily, which meant Jacob should already be used to it after two years. Instead, like Pavlov’s dog, Jacob had begun to associate Jane’s vo...

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“The Secret” by Taylor Crosby

Submitted to Contest #55

Hey, can you keep a secret? I grinned slightly, wondering just what juicy secret this random lady from the internet was going to share with me. Hopefully, it was some kind of declaration of love for my brother, the actual owner of this computer that I was currently hijacking, which I could later embarrass him with. Sure will, I typed. So what is it? Her responses shot out like bullets, each one only a few seconds apart. Somehow, I knew her fingers were flying across the keys with almost lightning speed. Maybe she was going as fas...

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“Secret Time” by Judith Buskohl

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can I keep a secret?" is the question that Paula asked her friend. She just had to tell someone "the secret" before her gut burst wide open and she watched her insides flow out of her body. Tyler had told her "the secret" that was shocking and unbelieveable. She would never had guessed that in a million, trillion years. He had told that wrong person "the secret". Marie stood there looking at her best friend, Paula debating if she should really tell "the secret" to get it off her chest and to know what other people thought of it. It...

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“A Walk On Broadway” by Spencer Rubin

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" echoed a soft, distant voice. It resounded between my ears, yet seemed to come from nowhere in particular. I stopped mid-stride, now standing still among a busy urban sidewalk. What did I just hear? Or did I hear nothing more than my imagination? a phantom thought, stress induced, or possibly from the poor air quality in this part of town. I restarted my walk, as per usual, casting away the false question I decided not to have heard. Maybe ten more steps later a sharp chill ran down my spine, through my body, out ...

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“Discovering the truth by Rana Basim” by Rana's Passion

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep you a secret?" asked Joelle. I started to feel worried why my best friend is asking me if I can keep a secret?. We always tell each other everything and I responded with yes! Joelle what's wrong? said Lucy. what I am about to tell you can put us both in danger. I am telling you that now because I need your help otherwise I would have never put on the line. Now, I am really freaking out. what is happening. Why is she being suspicious? Lucy thought. Joelle, whatever it is. You know I am always there for you. Joelle takes a ...

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“Our Little Secret” by Chris Slade

Submitted to Contest #55

The first time I met Mark was a Sunday afternoon. I was admittedly out of it. You know how it is when you want to enjoy your weekend, but tomorrow is Monday? There I was, sitting on the park bench at the neighborhood playset, my 11-year-old boy going up and down that tan and red playset. He’s a real energizer bunny, that one. That’s when I noticed him standing there. Mark’s imposing 6’4” frame was planted ...

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“A Girl That Turned Out To Be Me” by Pearl Aquila

Submitted to Contest #55

November 12, 1708, Helena Thornber “Can you keep a secret?” Adelaide whispers shakily. I had found her crying on the floor, a complete mess. “Of course, whatever is the matter?” I kneel next to her on the dirt floor of the dim basement, trying, and failing, not to dirty my new dress. She hesitates, and then rises to her feet. “It’s nothing. Pay it no mind,” she says, wiping her face and composing herself. I stand up to meet her eyes and take her hands in mine. “Addi, you know you can tell me anything, truly.” She sighs, and after a moment...

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“Hardly Hidden” by Tiersa Remisha

Submitted to Contest #55

Can you keep a secret? Wait, before you say anything, think this through. This isn’t something that you can promise and break without a thought. It’s not a crush, and it’s not some rumor to spread at your fancy. This isn’t some flakey whim that you can walk all over. I’m not talking about something near that frivolous. It’s not about who I like or some dumb thing someone else did to me. This is a strong, serious thing that you swear on your life to keep. You can’t run to your friends because it’s just that good or go tell because you sudde...

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“Coach! Coach!” by Melissa Alexander

Submitted to Contest #55

Friday night lights is a part of every community and embedded in small communities is their love for high school football. Each year the butterflies start for the local athletes as they wonder if they will make the cut and what if they don't?There is always a day for uniforms,pictures, scrimmages, lifting, conditioning and all building up to the first game of the season. The question that burns in every athlete’s mind is if they are going to start and will their performance be enough to gain them a starting position for the next game.Ian was...

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“Love In Transition” by Sabrina Regan

Submitted to Contest #55

A cloudless day with a bright blue sky, and not an ounce of shade to escape the devastating heat. He looked left as she looked right, their eyes watching the rippling waves emanating from on the dirt road as they searched for their cab. Neither thought to look straight ahead. “My Vera's,” she said suddenly, her mouth agape with horror as she stared down at her carpet bag. “I forgot my Vera's!” “You and those sandals of yours,” he muttered under his breath. She stared at him with nervous wide blue eyes. “You say something?” “I sai...

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“Farewell To Friendship” by Jazmyn L

Submitted to Contest #55

The air in the wind is hitting a bit different tonight. Comfortable on the skin, yet firm in the breeze. Feels only natural to have them by my side. I love them both so much. The fact we are sitting here enjoying the views of the lunar light beaming on the flood of the sea… in complete silence. Means so much to me, and not easy to find others to do this with. Not only can I be completely myself around these boys, they have always been there for me. Ever since we met; feels like yesterday… as a cloud rises above me to take me back. I’m kiddin...

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“The Mutant” by Michelle Stratton

Submitted to Contest #55

Can you keep a secret? It’s about a girl named Dolly. Georgian forest. Dark lush trees sway overhead, plagued by the wind of the oncoming thunderstorm. Raindrops in the summer are filled with electricity. If you are not careful, or you’re the cautious type to walk outside with a tin foil cap, you might just be struck. I, for one, have spent too many years in that cabin desperately afraid. I heard tell of a mutant in the swamp about two miles out, and when you come face to face with him and there’s no one there to protect you, he makes you...

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“War and the memories” by An Lê

Submitted to Contest #55

Wednesday, 1937 The Grande siblings, one was Walter, blond hair, olive eyes, scrawny, pale skin, especially famous for his likely drunken gait, the other one was Silvia, with the same hair and eyes color, but the better gait, sitting on the porch of the family bookstore and playing charades, while their mother ordered them to go to get something for her. Then, Syn and Walt (their nickname) ran to a store where they understood was the fullest place in Cologne (We all know that is not true) and stayed there for a long time, just to enjoy the f...

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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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