Write a story that includes the line, "Is nobody going to say it?".

Posted in Dialogue on Jul 12, 2024

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✍️ 83 stories

“Is This the CIRCUS?” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #259

Is this the Circus? “Well well, this is an unexpected honour. None other than Andrew Hilton, editor of The Sentinel, is here to write an article on the opening of our new Art Museum. I was expecting a cadet journalist.” “And under normal circumstances Martha that is who you would get.” “So circs are not normal, how so?” “I have a small pecuniary interest in the success of your new venture.” “My understanding of that word only relates to money, which, to my knowledge does not relate to you having any such interest, large or small, in our Art ...

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“Just let go ” by Noor El Zein

Submitted to Contest #259

When I was a kid, my parents were my everything. When I looked up into their faces I saw perfection. They were the epitome of safety and love. When I was in their arms, nothing could harm me because I knew they loved and cared about me more than anything else and we all loved each other. That was enough to topple anything that could come our way. They were flawless. Sometimes they wouldn’t let me do the things I wanted, like eat ice cream for dinner but they would tell me that if I did, I wouldn’t get bigger. Of course that stopped me from a...

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“Obituary” by Samantha Gillies

Submitted to Contest #259

The flat becomes a graveyard, its soul fled somewhere unreachable. Our hanging photographs are survived only by the ghostly rectangles of clean paint, the rest of the walls discoloured from the everyday grit of our lives. Flowers I bought die in their vase, petals collecting like leaves beneath a wilting tree. There is a sense of something ending; a curtain falling, a book closing, dirt tossed on a casket. I stand on the stairs, watching him silently through the gap in the doorframe. I can only see a sliver of him from this angle...

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“Home for the Holidays ” by K.C. Mckenzie

Submitted to Contest #259

This story contains mature language and topics such as suicide and substance abuse. “Five…,” I whisper to myself. “The welcome mat. Mom’s Christmas reef. Mailbox. Uh…” I scan the perimeter. “A toolbox. Sophie’s tricycle.”I think this is stupid, but Sharon, the counselor from the rehab center, says sometimes it takes a while to get used to healthy coping mechanisms and that I should still try to use them whenever I’m feeling anxious.I take a deep breath and try to ignore my hands violently shaking at my sides.“Four…” I rub my swe...

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“Up, Down, All Around ” by M B

Submitted to Contest #259

Grisha’s alchemy shop was bustling with activity, and not just from the various beasts that walked in to buy ingredients or seek aid from the blind hyena shaman and her apprentices: An odd group had currently taken up residence in the backrooms of her shop. The most noticeable one - a large reptiloid with dark scales, long horns and piercing yellow eyes - sat upon a cushion too small for his frame. His arms were folded as he spoke to a female meerkat who was transcribing everything he said to her leatherbound notebook. “So you and this...

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“A Taste Of Deceit ” by Steve Krysak

Submitted to Contest #259

Pictures scattered across the desk had captured scenes from the Salem Witch Trials. Not paintings or charcoal sketches, but high-resolution photos taken with a professional camera. The 50-megapixels revealed, with exquisite clarity, the fear-laced intensity in the accused’s eyes. The woman's gaze remained downcast as judges and clergy, dressed in elaborate outfits, pointed at her with palpable anger.“This is some of your best work Tobias,” said a woman behind the desk. “I envision the next issue of the Chrono-Chronicle featuring this picture...

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“The Voice Behind the Curtains” by Miller George

Submitted to Contest #259

Ann opened her eyes, startled by the abrupt sound of the drawn curtains. Then, footsteps and the gentle murmur of a woman leading someone to their seat followed. Another victim, Ann thought and shut her eyes again as the nurse went through her usual spiel while starting an IV. She must have dozed off while reading her book, which was still in her hands. She flipped through the pages, trying to block the nurse's voice behind the curtains and remember where she stopped to be interrupted by her daughter, Leah, this time. "Why can...

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“The Flying Corpses ” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #259

Captain Hardy Messerschmidt and Rush Davenport are the last two pilots to enter the briefing room. The dull grey walls are lined with photographs of smiling dead pilots, and Hardy can’t help but notice there are more men on the walls than in the room. “The whole squad is here,” Hardy notes. “This can’t be good news.” Rush pats him on his broad back. “Don’t be so grim. Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll pledge your blind loyalty. Maybe the brass has decided to throw a party for us.” Hardy gives Rush a disparaging look. Unlike his happy-go-lucky ...

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“RETURN TO POINT PLEASANT” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #259

UnknownWho is this stranger who has come to my town? Why does this stranger look familiar? What does the stranger want? I will have to keep an eye on the stranger. RiverPoint Pleasant hasn't changed in ten years. The people are still the same. They look at you and look away. My parents used to be like them, always telling me "River, keep your mouth shut and look straight ahead." I see the same old thing. People too afraid to look back. They only look where they want to look and talk about what they want to talk about. This inlaces talking ab...

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“Ellipsis” by A Silverman

Submitted to Contest #259

Trigger warning: political satire and references to gun violence July 6 [Sib Group Chat] DJI just got off the phone with him and he still hasn’t decided on his veep pick, but might be actually leaning toward the dog murderer. He likes the idea of having a woman on the ticket 🙄 E-dawgFFS bro… Big sisThe only response that pick is going to bring to the convention is crickets… Big sis😜 DJWoooooow…. E-dawgOMG I’m dying Jared😍 TiffI don’t get it… DJHow long have you been holding on to that one? DJBut for real guys. We are a week and a half ...

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“The Beasts That Hide Inside” by Deekshita Dirisinala

Submitted to Contest #259

As the sun dipped low behind the jagged peaks, casting long shadows across the snow-covered forest floor, and I prowled through the dense underbrush, eyes yellow and bright. My senses were alive with the thrill of the hunt, the scent of pine needles and damp earth filling my nostrils.Hunger gnawed at my belly, a monster clawing up my throat.I smirked, hunting was best when ravenousness was present, it made the world seem beneath me.I growled softly.It always was beneath me, but when my hunger was prominent it seemed even more so.I tracked th...

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“Hiding In Plain Sight” by Sally Sunflower

Submitted to Contest #259

Is nobody going to say it? That's all I thought, over and over. There he was dancing with the most beautiful woman. He could really dance! He worked the room with the charm and elegance of a king. Socializing with everyone from the servers to the other guests. Dancing to the fast songs, swaying to the slow ones. He danced with many of the ladies.I will admit, the room was dimly lit depending on the song and there were lots of people there, but I think there were a few of us that were the first to notice. It's not like his fly was open, but t...

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“The Empathetic Prism” by Tapo Behera

Submitted to Contest #259

The three of them lingered around the dinner table, savoring the last bites of dessert. "Peter, this tiramisu is incredible!" Mary exclaimed. "You truly outdid yourself with dinner tonight." "Thanks, Mom," Peter replied with a warm smile. "I've been learning how to make it for a while now. I actually wanted to take you both to that new Italian restaurant, but—" "True," Mary interjected, "but there's something magical about celebrating at home, wouldn't you agree, David?" David grinned. "Absolutely. I've been missing this homey vibe ever sinc...

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“The Unpronounceable” by Grant Fowler

Submitted to Contest #259

I remember being sat in the bathroom, tense after a long afternoon in the kitchen with my friends… or so I thought they once were. It was the waning days of the summer coming to an end, and at the time it couldn’t have been any better at that point if I even tried, yet time seems to settle such feelings in the heart of the naïve.We were simply kids who were learning the sways and moves of the mind taking in the world of sensations, which excited us most; taste being our simple sensation that day.I still feel as t...

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“Marathon Loop” by David Dean

Submitted to Contest #259

MARATHON LOOPi MarathonFor several days now the fields had been green and yellow. They were merely fallow, not sown with any seeds, the grass growing well outside the town. The runners were the usual crop in vari-coloured gear; and they stood with great effort, with an urge to move, without smiling. Lacking the usual energy of weekend runners or the resolve of staunch club supporters, Hector paused whilst others chatted or tried to read the countryside signs for weather changes in case they got drenched. You could see the amateurs struggling...

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Write a story that includes the line, "Is nobody going to say it?".

Submissions are closed

✍️ 83 stories

“Is This the CIRCUS?” by Brian Bywater

“Just let go ” by Noor El Zein

“Obituary” by Samantha Gillies

“Home for the Holidays ” by K.C. Mckenzie

“Up, Down, All Around ” by M B

“A Taste Of Deceit ” by Steve Krysak

“The Voice Behind the Curtains” by Miller George

“The Flying Corpses ” by Michael Jefferson

“RETURN TO POINT PLEASANT” by Melinda Madrigal

“Ellipsis” by A Silverman

“The Beasts That Hide Inside” by Deekshita Dirisinala

“Hiding In Plain Sight” by Sally Sunflower

“The Empathetic Prism” by Tapo Behera

“The Unpronounceable” by Grant Fowler

“Marathon Loop” by David Dean

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about two people who aren't admitting their true feelings for one another, despite it being obvious to outsiders.

Place your characters in a tough situation, where nobody wants to acknowledge the reality of what's happening.

In a small town, a powerful family have a dark secret that nobody wants to discuss. One day, an outsider arrives, who's not happy to simply drop it.

Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned — but there are ways to get around the rule.

Contest #259

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

296

Contest entries

143

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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