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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

“Commodity” by Robert MacComber

Submitted to Contest #55

Respected Sir Mr. Pillai,We, in the marketing department are working on renewing the retainership contracts for the year 2012-13.Pillai could be the only hinderance in the whole process as he will ask for various aspects to every factor that we consider in the selecting the creative agencies. He will look at the numbers quoted by various agencies through every line item, I can imagine him asking me why the pamphlet in 2012 is costing us Rs. 50 to make when it costed us Rs. 39 in 2011, the inflation has only gone up by 0.5%? I better tell Sri...

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“Mom's Readings” by Shaia San

Submitted to Contest #55

Here I am at my monthly tarot card reading done by my overzealous mother. She told me that it is my duty and responsibility as her daughter to support her as she has done the same for me over the years and naturally I have no argument for that. It’s actually not as strange nor as terrible as one would expect and she has improved drastically since our first meeting. She also loves to speak in parables like she is an actual sage. But let me not discredit her too much since she did get better. “ Do you have any te...

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“SNAP GOES THE . . . ” by Mike Williams

Submitted to Contest #55

Matt and Jerry heard the car door close in the driveway. It was time to put things in quick order. The dogs barked as the gate latch clanged. It was the typical routine. Woof, woof, woof. Scurry, scurry, scurry. The thunderstorm began to break at the moment...

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“At First Sight” by Jakob Leblanc

Submitted to Contest #55

Perhaps it was the way he held himself, with the kind of male dominance that was the 21st century mating call, or maybe it was his fiery hazel eyes sweeping over the room longingly, but she couldn’t possibly look away. He stood at the edge of the counter, making small talk with the wary server, gesturing towards the menu occasionally. She kept her eyes locked on him, counting herself trivial enough to the scenery of the small, cramped coffee shop that he would not notice her. She allowed herself to dissect his appearance - casual busi...

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“The McLeod Urn” by Korede Ojelade

Submitted to Contest #55

It all started with a simple dare but the aftermath would leave its indelible marks on us all. We were a rambunctious lot for the most part, an odd motley of adolescents from the robust McLeod clan. Like the tributaries feeding a great river, there seemed to me a branch of the McLeod's everywhere I looked. The family had done well with my Uncle Rob widely regarded as the head. Well apparently. Insiders knew that no major decision was executed without our Nan’s seal of approval. Rob had married well, his Cara came from a wealthy Spanish fam...

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“Bloodline ” by Summer Gill

Submitted to Contest #55

The sound of my fire alarm wakes me from my hibernation. As I regain consciousness, my senses arouse. The smell of smoke hits my nose sending me into a panic. I jolt up from the couch, that was my safe haven, to see a large fire engulfing the noodles on the stove. I grab the fire extinguisher hoping that it still works, and to my relief, the white foam smothers the flames in seconds. After the excitement dies down, reality sinks in. “There goes dinner,” I whisper to myself remembering that was the last pack of ramen. My back slides down aga...

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“Friends” by Sujith Viswan

Submitted to Contest #55

‘Trouble again ‘ Jane wrote ‘ Why did this house need to be this trouble ? Guess what? I had a yet another big fight with my parents . I have been yelling for hours to get out of this house . Why can't they understand? This house is wretched and wicked and bad . They keep on saying some nonsense about no one giving them house for rent . This house need to be burnt down , I would say . Three of the cows jessica , meoni and joe were found soaked in blood today. Still dad is arguing about moving . I did hear rumours that yesterday the str...

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“Can two people share the same secret” by Sarah Horn

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?”, Shelia says as she looks to see if anyone is near, where you both are standing. You hold out your pinky, as does Sheila. You both make a pinky promise and kiss your own thumbs. Shelia is your best friend since third grade. This secret pinky promise has been your way of putting secrets into your BBF’s vault, where it will never escape. “Ok”, you say “Tell meeeee”!!!! Shelia looks at her fashionable fossil watch. She gasps and breathlessly gets o...

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“Tainted Garment” by Oyedibu Enoch Enoch

Submitted to Contest #55

"You mean... The advantage in which sense?" Favour inquired. Very inquisitive to know more. She doesn't want to believe what her subconscious mind was insinuating. She felt the need to hear directly from her. Perhaps, she thought, an advantage of her maybe having her totally worked up every day or being beaten always. She never wants to assume anything but wait patiently to get a hold of whatever Bimbo had to say as the atmosphere look more tensed and gravely crusted with fear, hatred and height of curiosity; likewise, darkness thickly so...

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“No One Exists Without Polarities” by Priscilla 🌹

Submitted to Contest #55

Jay was her best friend. Had been her best friend for years, in fact. They did everything together. Played video games, did homework, spent lunchtimes at school together. Ro knew everything there was to know about Jay. That is, up until about 9 months ago. “I gotta go,” Jay blurted. “It’s only 6,” Ro said with a glance at her phone. “I know, I forgot I have to do a thing. Sorry. I’ll see you at school, yeah?” Jay replied as he packed his things. Before she knew it, he had bolted out the door with a wave and smile. Like cloc...

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“The Hidden Treasure” by Anne Nielsen

Submitted to Contest #55

The squeaks from Mark Oulette’s shoes were the only sound on the shiny floor as he walked the quiet darkened hallway of Brownville Hospital. The woman on the phone he presumed a nurse struggled to pronounce his name. “Mr. Sylvain Oulette?” “Actually I go by Mark, but go on.” “Well, I’m calling about your father Mr. Guy Oulette” she read from his father’s chart. “It’s pronounced Gee.” He corrected her. “Ahh, she said trying to correct her error, my name is Brenda Henry, I’m the team leader on this floor. She then went on to say in her q...

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“I Should Have Stayed in Bed” by Liam Alexandru

Submitted to Contest #55

I apologise. The details of that night are blurry. I wish I could vividly recall it all and give you the in-depth description you’re after but unfortunately, I cannot. Weird thing, memory. How is it so easy to recall trivial details yet so difficult to remember crucial events. Take a wedding for example. Most attendees will remember what their meals but how many will truly remember the speeches? I wish that night had been as joyous as a wedding. Rather than being taken back to a beautiful speech of long-lasting...

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“2nd Chance Grace Part 1” by Lisandra Bergey

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” Masie whispered to Juniper. The horse whinnied and nudged her with its nozzle. “Unlike Mamm and Daed, Juniper and I both know you’re not really going to visit our cousin in Jacob’s Pillow like you say,” her sister Sarah said, walking into the barn....

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“A Secret Adventure” by Cm Bhargav

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?” My half-shut eyelids inquisitively open on hearing this question. But this question hasn’t been posed to me. As I gently turn my head, I discover that it had been asked by the person the young girl sitting next to me was speaking with, on her phone. The train is jam-packed this evening. Adjustment creates quite a fuss in such scenarios, but one doesn’t feel to say no to people who look at you with pleading eyes, requesting for just a tiny bit of space on the berth to rest upon, because you know that these people a...

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“Even the Chairs Have Hearts” by Linda Logdberg

Submitted to Contest #55

Even the Chairs Have Hearts “Can you keep a secret?” The voice rasped like a saw on dry wood. “Rrrrghgr! It’s today!” My eyes shot open and my fists clenched under the covers. I was alone in the cabin, so there must be an intruder—but what kind of intruder makes lots of noise? There, the rasp came again. “Hey, listen up!” There was a thump and a skid. Then, softer, “Tell the table.” OK, this was a dream, no big deal. I pushed the covers away and headed into the bathroom, guided by the nightli...

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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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