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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 of Algar Bay” by Bruno Álvarez

Submitted to Contest #55

‘Can you keep a secret?’ Jaime still kept his eyes closed, just as Nico had asked him to do when he heard his name from the other side of the entrance to the cave that was hidden in the cliffs of the bay. ‘I’ve already told you three times. I’m not going to tell anyone anything,’ Jaime answered, on the verge of losing his patience. ‘Just let me see what’s going on!’ ‘Alright, alright… You can open them,’ Nico said, realizing there was no escape. He had to face the situation. ‘But wait! Sit down first. I don’t want you cracking your head o...

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“Mourn-days” by The Hooded Poet

Submitted to Contest #55

"Dead people can't order pizza,right ?" these thoughts kept going through my head as I stood before a human who had lost the ability to live. * * * The name is Dale,if anyone is asking and like every teenager, I never expected this.waking up to an annoying streak of sunshine and an unrepentant alarm clock was one thing that portrayed a bad day,I still don't understand how those cereal ads make mornings look glorious.I pride myself in being an early bird but as fate will have it my roomates Jane and drake decided to talk life out of me,at fir...

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“Can you keep a secret?” by Alexia Higginson

Submitted to Contest #55

It all started one months ago when I met her. I'm James and let me catch you up... I walked into class and sat down at my new desk. New school, another restart I thought. Nobody knows I told myself once again. The bell rang and the teacher, Mrs. Morrison walked in. Then Mrs. Morrison said a little to enthusiastically, "Class we have a new student joining us today! James would you please stand up and introduce yourself? Tell us a little about yourself and where your from." "Hi, I'm James and I'm from California and my parents wanted to mov...

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“Silencing the talking John” by Jane Gachambi

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” asked the Chief while the rest formed a semi-circle scrutinizing me from head to toe. I nodded; a gesture that did not go well with him. “Don’t you have a mouth lad?” asked he, narrowing his sharp eagle-eyes while his rosebud lips parted, revealing a crowded mouth with crooked teeth that had a buildup of nicotine, browning them at the base. One would be forgiven to think that he had them in double layers while his dark complexion exaggerated their whiteness from afar. “Yes, yes…, I.. I can sir”, I stuttered in ...

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“Changing fate” by Nsidibe Ekpenyong

Submitted to Contest #55

I had seen enough examples of people not taking charge of their lives that I, at one point imagined it impossible to do so. That was until I met Zainab. It was hot that day, near midday. I had not eaten that morning, caught up in a rush to beat Lagos traffic. I had promised to always appear on time in the workplace and I was not going to allow Lagos traffic to make me a promise breaker. The other reason was that I did not want to lose my job. The feeling of unemployment is not something enjoyable, especially when a man is down to his last ...

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“The Train Car” by Shanna Adams

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” the man said. “What?” I answered, taking out my headphones. I spaced out a while ago, and I never saw this dude coming. “Can you keep a secret?” he asked again. “Yes,” I said. I decided to just play along with him. He seemed all right. He dressed well and looked unassuming. He looked utterly harmless, and my bored mind needed some excitement on this long train ride. “Well, there is a secret compartment in the caboose,” he stated. “Do you want to come with me?” “Sure,” I said, “Why not?” I gathered my things...

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“A Simple Question” by L Hinz

Submitted to Contest #55

‘Hey, Nino!’A common voice breaks through my train of thoughts.‘Nino, are you listening?’ Felix whispers. ‘Let’s go into the city after the lecture.’While I’m still watching the professor, I answer:‘So, then tell me, what did you do this time?’Out of the corner of my eye I notice Felix turning around.‘I didn’t do anything!’ He reproachfully tries to defend himself. ‘It was just an unfortunate coincidence.’‘Yeah, whatever,’ I answer half-heartedly. Felix having relationship-problems wasn’t something new. Like they are riding roller coaster th...

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“The Ultimate Secret” by Justin Cancilliere

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” the scraggly homeless man said to Ray as they sat at a bus stop. Ray looked behind him, thinking the man was talking to someone else, then turned back and stared. “I said, can you keep a secret?” “I’m sorry, are you talking to me?” Ray asked. “Do you see anybody else ‘round here, boy?” Ray continued to stare, confused by the stranger’s ill-mannered words. “You would trust a perfect stranger with your secret?” “No, but that’s why I ask first. If a man isn’t as good as his word, then what good is he.” Ray pondered that...

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“The Affair” by Karen Sapudar

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" Melody whispered quietly to Gina. Gina was elated. She loved secrets. Gina didn’t know why Melody asked her about secrets. It’s not like they were best friends. They went to high school together, but they weren’t too close. Melody was a cheerleader, and Gina was in debate club. She also was in drama club, and many of her classmates remember her being in the middle of a lot of the drama. Bella, another classmate, had told her about the time she had sex with Nate, and she had...

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“Love or Freedom” by Alyanna Marie Poquiz

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" Winter asked as we make our way towards the conference room. "Depends on how hard it is to keep." I laughed and shrugged."I don't care if you keep this or not,Celosia." His brows furrowed. "It's for your own sake anyway." We both stopped walking and face each other. "Just tell me right away." I hissed."Denver." he sighed. "What about him?" I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes.He frowned and gave me a disappointed look. "He's a traitor."My eyes widened as anger quickly aroused in me. "Are you nuts?!" I screamed. ...

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“Girl Talk” by E. M.

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" Vera whispered to Ren, her distance too close for comfort. Ren could feel Vera's smile creeping up against her ear. There was no need to whisper considering Vera's parents were out on date night, which made the action all the more strange. "I suppose," Ren whispered, her voice slightly breathy. They were in her dingy basement of all places, the only light source being a lightbulb looking to be at least a decade old. Soundproof walls surrounded them. Ren's heartbeat became more demanding. Vera leaned back to pro...

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“The secret's secret” by Claudia Mendez

Submitted to Contest #55

-Can you keep a secret? Those were the first words that came from my recently moved niece. Actually, my favourite niece, even if I always thought she was kind of…short-tempered. Well, she also doesn’t have much time being my favourite. Before, she was more like the awkward relative you were supposed to be nice to, because you know, family first. But since she left the city pursuing a better life in a rural area, I became her guide. I was the person she knew in this remote town, so I was the one she called when she needed help adjusting to he...

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“LAMP CODE” by Princess Oahimire

Submitted to Contest #55

I’m more than confident when I reply, “Sure I can.” “Hehe. Always down for the juicy bits, eh?” For now, old man Mucha is the only person my parents can leave me with on their busy weekends, since we moved in recently and don’t really know anyone else. I do his gardening once a week and he lets me have a special arm chair in his study. His house is quite cozy, so I don’t mind waiting here – and keeping him company. He says he has two brothers who come around often, so he’s never that lonely.&nbsp...

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“The Fool's Mate” by Yusuf Ahmed

Submitted to Contest #55

The Fool’s Mate Can you keep a secret? I’m not meant to be here. Officially I’m on holiday but I’m actually living here. What is the first thing you do on holiday? Relax at a hotel? Find something to eat? I had a panic attack. I broke so many rules when I refused to go back home, but life there was getting complicated. This was a new start: chapter one, page one. I just need to be careful. I have to be very cautious when I speak; one wrong word at the wrong time to the wrong person and I could do some serious damage. I stare at the Sun...

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“Spreads Like Wildfire” by Kansas Whitworth

Submitted to Contest #55

“Hey Toni can you keep a secret…” Kelly Davis asked, coming up beside me in the school’s hallway . “Of course.” I said. Kelly is the school's gossip since 8th grade and my best friend since birth and she always checks facts first. “So Tommy Johnson told me that Karen addison saw Jace kissing Cindy lawson at the party last night.” I stopped in my tracks. “Jace Taylor?” I asked, pain exploding in my chest. Jace and I have been keeping our relationship hidden for three months because I'm not allowed to date yet.&nb...

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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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