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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

“Secrets Can Be Decieving” by Parker Carley

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret?”, asks Margo worriedly. Sweat dripping down to her chin from her forehead. She begins to frantically prance around her mess of a bedroom. Clothes draped along the ground and her nightstand full of empty chip bags and pop cans. Margo is not the type to leave her room in such a state, anyone else would have brushed off this minor detail in the whole scheme of things. But not Quinn, she takes note of this, as well as the look on Margos face. A look she had never seen before from ...

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“ The Center” by Vincent Cruz

Submitted to Contest #55

“Can you keep a secret,” Joffrey looks into his hands. Vaulted ceilings rise twenty feet above him. The masonry is ornamented with somber looking statues and the rows of dark hardwood pews stretch in front of him. A couple sits in the first row praying. Greg, who is sitting next to Joffrey, leans closer and says, “We’ve been trading secrets for as long as I can remember. No one knows I’m here. And plus we’re brothers. Blood never turns on blood.” Greg looks behind him. The large church door, double in its face, is closed in ornament.&...

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“Spark in the Heart” by Jem Stone

Submitted to Contest #55

“Jojo,” the girl attempted to stop the male who was walking too fast for her. No matter how much she tried to catch up to him, he always seemed to be a few steps ahead of her. “Jojo!” she called out to him again. To no avail was she able to catch his attention and make him stop and turn toward her. With an inhale and an exhale, she slowed her breathing down. A surge of electricity crackled down her legs. She pulled back slightly and propelled herself forward. She was running at a speed faster than she could possibly achieve. ...

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“A Crazy Meeting” by Shivangi Bisht

Submitted to Contest #55

A Crazy Meeting “Can u keep a secret?” “ Do we know each other?” Hello, I am Mark Welingsley, 13 years old and I am currently in a train being asked to keep a secret from a person I have never seen in my entire life. It all started today. For the vacation I persuaded my family to let me go to my Auntie’s house… alone. Some arguments and threats later I was all set. I arrived at the station at exactly half past 12 with my bags ready and got to my seat. Suddenly, this total stranger walked up to me and asked me to keep a secr...

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“Impostor” by Cactus Indesert

Submitted to Contest #55

Ryan It's her again.Amber, the only one who get praise from professor, stood boldly in front of every other classmate. Her gorgeous face was as calm as millpond, with rays of spotlight flashing over.'Girl, show them what you have done.' Professor Dolores seems disappointed with the rest of the students' work. How she view the remaining work that pin-up along the display board--RUBBISH.'Ladies and gentlemen, it's already the third crit session, please be prepare for your final work. Refer to your friend's work and don't shy to ask. Espec...

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“Reduction in Force” by Corbin O'Skinny

Submitted to Contest #55

From east to west, gunpowder brought evil around the world. The explosive originated in China. It turned to sporting in Europe as hunters advanced from archery to shooting. Now, in America, multinational corporations cared more about money than sport or war. Companies make opportunities from pandemics and elections. Both drive guns and ammo sales higher. Executives are tasked to win at any cost. Dear reader, first some background: This story takes place in a world much like our own. In this gun-crazy world, a tall slender man that you...

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“What Alfie Knew” by Kay SantaCruz

Submitted to Contest #55

As the front door closed and the lock clicked, Alfie raced to the back of the couch where he could see the street from the sub-basement apartment window. He watched Ellie climb the five steps to the sidewalk. The young Chihuahua mix kept his eyes fixed on his girl as she slung her backpack over both shoulders and began walking left toward the corner. He observed a few more minutes until he saw her in the crosswalk at the corner. Crossing the street usually meant that she was going to be gone all day. If she stayed on this side of the street,...

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“And the wind will tell” by Alli MD

Submitted to Contest #55

Will Tell Another party, another soiree. Boston’s exclusive and opulent elect had all gathered to the townhome of William Jeffrey III. William was normally a rather private person. All though he occasionally hosted exquisite banquets, and small intimate dinner parties, he rarely invited people, let alone, a huge gathering into his townhome in Beacon Hill. He looked about his guest and smiled out of dutiful obligation. He adjusted his tailored black tuxedo and pulled his shoulders back. Briefly closing his weary pale blue eyes, he counted t...

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“Father of the Year” by Sierra Riley

Submitted to Contest #55

"Can you keep a secret?" My father asks quietly, still staring out the window. I looked up at him confused for a minute."What is it, Dad? Are you sick?" I asked worriedly. The fear of losing yet another parent ever present in my shaky voice.My father and I had just gotten back from my mother's funeral. She died from a freak car accident that was so brutal my father decided to have a closed casket. I can only imagine how my father must feel. As far as I knew growing up, my mother and father had never had problems. They were completely and tot...

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“Oasis Café” by Cascadedkiwi .

Submitted to Contest #55

Brandon didn’t look up from wiping the counter as the shop bell jingled. “Welcome to Oasis Café.” “Is that how you greet our esteemed patrons, Mr. Carter?” A sharp female voice accompanied the clacking of heels across the floor. “With such lackluster? People come here to be refreshed! Oasis is to be a cool drink of water during the trek through the desert of daily life!” Brandon snapped to attention. “Of course, Ms. Thompson. Won’t happen again!” “I should hope not on this blessed Monday evening. As one of our senior baristas, I expec...

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“The Secret’s The Thing” by Savant L

Submitted to Contest #55

Can you keep a secret, Ama? Her eyes perk up. Just like they do every time I whisper to her. She turns to look me straight in the eye. The kind of look I’ve always sworn reached right into the depths of my soul. Her gaze was relentless. It searched me. It urged me to just blurt it out. Just say this thing I have been keeping hidden for as long as I could remember. This dirty thing. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was scared. No, terrified. She starts to claw at my leg, a low growl stuck in her throat. Dog speak for ‘tell me already!’ Forge...

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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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