A character gets caught red-handed breaking the rules, but they refuse to admit any wrongdoing. What happens next?

Posted in Dramatic on Nov 22, 2024

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✍️ 45 stories

“The Heist” by Devon Chang

Submitted to Contest #278

It was December 24, 2017, and New York City was alive with holiday hustle. Shoppers, tourists, and commuters flooded the streets, their breath rising in clouds in the frigid air. Christmas lights sparkled in every shop in the city. For most, it was just another busy day, the last-minute scramble for gifts, families waiting for the subway to take them to their grandma’s house, and taxis honking in a rush to JFK. But for me, Jermmy Bobbé, it was the perfect opportunity for something much bigger. You might be wondering what was this big p...

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“Love Sting” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #278

"You are correct. This coffee is much better tasting", Amy said. "Told you. This place isn't as popular, but the coffee is not bitter", Beth replied. "Agree. And the muffins, healthy". They laughed. The friends chatted, ate and sipped their coffees. Just then, an older couple walked in. Beth looked up. Her eyes widened. She gave a glance at Amy, who looked up. "Holy cow, there he is. He's back", Beth whispered. "Don't stare, just look". Amy peeked over her coffee cup. "That's the guy? Are you sure? What's he doing here", A...

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“You Can’t Fight City Hall” by James Barrett

Submitted to Contest #278

His name was Les Morgan. He was a prominent tax attorney in Jacksonville, Florida. Les specialized in cases where people had gotten into hot water with the IRS, the FBI, or worse still, the gang in Tallahassee representing the great state of Florida. If any of those organizations got a bee in their bonnet to look your way, you needed Les’ help. Pronto. The alphabet soup guys have unlimited time and unlimited resources. Les’ clients didn’t. Les became famous for figuring out the most efficient way to fight the revenuers in tax court and get h...

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“The Psychiatrist” by Evelyn Currie

Submitted to Contest #278

The PsychiatristBy: Evelyn CurrieI closed my eyes, ignoring the loud courtroom around me. Smacking of a woman in the back’s gum chewing, fast typing of computer, closing, and opening of doors in the back of the already full room, clicking of photos being taken, yelling of lawyers arguing, banging of Judge Lewis’ gavel hitting the hollow wooden desk. How did I get there? How did one misstep cause me to be the one standing there awaiting death or life imprisonment? No matter what I chose, it was the end for me. So couldn’t I have given up inst...

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“Bless me Father” by Annie Chibesakunda

Submitted to Contest #278

Mukuka sat on the wooden stool, anxiety twisting in his stomach as he waited for Father Yacobo to hear his confession. He was unsettled, his mind racing with the weight of the secret he was about to reveal. The makeshift church, also known as ‘insaka’, stood on four sturdy wooden planks, its open walls offering a glimpse of the village beyond. Inside, simple oblong wooden benches were scattered in the centre, bare except for the dust that had settled over time.Five years earlier, missionaries from the north had arrived, bringi...

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“Red-Handed” by Austin Lucero

Submitted to Contest #278

This isn’t like the movies. There’s too much blood and too much movement. Especially in my house. “Antonio,” followed by a tap on my shoulder, “Antonio,” another tap this time pushing me.”Watch out!” I snap. The man steps back, raising his hands in surrender.“Sorry Toño,” he said, “but where do you-?”“Pablo,” I tilt my head towards the front of the long wooden dining room table, “we have a guest.”Confusion lingered on Pablo’s face. I guess it didn’t matter. I thought. “Pablo,” I said, hugging him closer to me. He tried to resi...

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“The future's most evil crime” by Vadim Albukh

Submitted to Contest #278

There is a breakout at a prison where a criminal charged with murder and bank robbery known as Bad Dan escapes. But with the police hot on the trail he manages to break into a scientific lab where he is keeping his experimental time machine. The thing is it is a one-way trip and Dan isn't smart enough to use it right so it is simply set to 1000 years in the future when he stumbles upon it and he simply goes through the portal. Once he goes through he notices that everything seems so clean...

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“Donuts and Law” by Moonhunter 123a

Submitted to Contest #278

“Well that's too bad, officer! I suppose that you would have to arrest me now! Wouldn't you!” I stared back into the man’s steely black eyes that seemed to scream annoyance at this uncooperating woman that Just wouldn’t pay that measely $100 that he required. Well, little did he know that this “karen” was just an unlucky woman down to her last few bucks after getting kicked out by her toxic ex boyfriend and now sole life’s purpose was to get herself a nice fresh donut before she had to face reality of her pride....

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“Busted Robot” by Claire W

Submitted to Contest #278

CW: mature language, swearing, implications of violenceThree humans sat in the police station of Wrought City’s east district.“So we’ve got another Patron Saint over in the mouse trap, huh?”“That’s the assumption. He got caught red-handed, but swears on his life he meant no harm. I don’t think he’s lying, either. Can’t say I know many details of what happened, but it seems to me he’s just a confused kid.”“Kid? Have you seen him? The guy looks centuries old! Even older than you, Parada,” laughed Officer Erin, poking fun at her deputy. Althoug...

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“My Red Bakery That Never Existed ” by Jaiden Blazi

Submitted to Contest #278

My beautiful brunette haired baby girl.My daughter Ruby Sheridan.Born on October 13th, 1893.Lying in my hospital bed.Trying to be optimistic about welcoming Ruby into this world but struggling since fighting leukemia can make a woman feel hopeless at times.My mother’s name was Ruby as well, except with my maiden name, Lovell.Ruby Lovell.What a generous and selfless woman indeed.Someone who will be like a guardian angel guiding my Ruby girl through any hardship that she may face.Where my daughter will always have a part of her Lovell heritage...

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“Museum Piece: A Christmas Story ” by Paul Kearns

Submitted to Contest #278

[Note: the protagonist's " issues" in this story are evident to everyone, but overlooked] Museum Piece: A Christmas Story “Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.”Nathaniel Hawthorne Karl Havers wasn't out of the London’s Nightingale Clinic a week when he got a call from the dead... at least he thought he did.. He hadn't seen Charles Massey since his last day at Uni. In fact, he didn't see him then. He simply never showed up. It took four years for him to reappear - meteorically - as “Chuck” Massey. That's right, Chuck...

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“Red-Handed Fury” by Frank Mahindaratne

Submitted to Contest #278

Blood dripped from the massage table, pooling on the polished floor, tracing grooves in the wood. I stood in the doorway, taking it all in—the slick trail down Timothy Cooper’s arm, the gash across his throat, the dull glaze in his lifeless eyes. The copper tang of blood filled my nose, heavy and clinging to my senses. In the corner, Mai sat huddled, trembling. Blood smeared her hands and face, streaked her clothes. It wasn’t hers—I knew that much. She stared at the floor like she didn’t dare lift her head. Next to her, Ms. Lou, the Madame o...

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“I Did Not” by Jeff McKay

Submitted to Contest #278

A character gets caught red-handed breaking the rules, but they refuse to admit any wrongdoing. What happens next? The chair was hard beneath his bottom. It wasn’t softened by his jittery legs, pumping up and down as if preparing for a race. They were just going fast enough to make the chair wobble a little, but not to slam on the ground. He badly wanted them to stop, and they would while he concentrated on stopping them, but as soon as his eyes left his legs, they started up again. Mr. Wolkens had this chair for as long as Brody cou...

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“El Rey” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #278

Content Warning: This story contains racial slurs, violence, ethnic stereotypes, depictions of racial discrimination, and historical references to segregation.February 1945A mariachi band plays a slightly off-key version of the Mexican national anthem. Vendors hawk local delicacies at concession stands, and the fans cheer when the Monterrey Industriales take the field.Fifty-two-year-old Uriah “Snooky” Fallon, a scout for the Washington Senators, wipes the sweat from his brow. Short and sleight, Falon is nicknamed Snooky because of his abilit...

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“The violin Player” by Rosa Christian

Submitted to Contest #278

THE VIOLIN PLAYER Paul.Speroni@italmail.com Pietro stopped typing. Is this what I want? Can I do this? Of course, it is my duty. Uncle Vincenti agrees I must. Right! Here goes nothing. Dear Mister Speroni, my name is Pietro Golino. Mia madre è Maria Golino. Do you remember her? I am her son. I am twenty years old. Do you remember now? She was sixteen. I am loro figlio, your son. Respectfully, Pietro. His mother stood behind his chair clutching the uprights. ‘Why? Why do you want to talk to him? He left me, left us to fend for ourselve...

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A character gets caught red-handed breaking the rules, but they refuse to admit any wrongdoing. What happens next?

Submissions are closed

✍️ 45 stories

“The Heist” by Devon Chang

“Love Sting” by Ellen Talboom

“You Can’t Fight City Hall” by James Barrett

“The Psychiatrist” by Evelyn Currie

“Bless me Father” by Annie Chibesakunda

“Red-Handed” by Austin Lucero

“The future's most evil crime” by Vadim Albukh

“Donuts and Law” by Moonhunter 123a

“Busted Robot” by Claire W

“My Red Bakery That Never Existed ” by Jaiden Blazi

“Museum Piece: A Christmas Story ” by Paul Kearns

“Red-Handed Fury” by Frank Mahindaratne

“I Did Not” by Jeff McKay

“El Rey” by Michael Jefferson

“The violin Player” by Rosa Christian

🌟 Similar prompts

A family argument gets out of hand. Neither side will budge, requiring a mediator with unusual methods.

An apologetic letter or email from an old flame suddenly arrives — many years too late.

A court or disciplinary hearing is taking place — but the person accused does not know what they’re apologizing for.

On their deathbed, a relative/friend/partner admits to a horrible crime. Will the narrator reveal the secret or keep it hidden?

Contest #278

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

262

Contest entries

101

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: