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

Posted in Dramatic on Nov 22, 2024

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✍️ 66 stories

“The Last Confession” by Ashley D. Gilyard

Submitted to Contest #278

The stale scent of antiseptic lingered in the hospital room, mingling with the faint hum of a heart monitor. The steady rhythm was slower than it should have been, and I knew the sound would stop soon. Aunt Marie, my confidante and second mother, lay on the hospital bed, her hand frail in mine. Her usually sharp eyes were dulled by exhaustion, but they still sought mine with a strange urgency. She was dying. The doctors had told me it was a matter of hours. Pancreatic cancer had taken hold of her body with ruthless efficiency, and though it ...

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“Your Secret, An Open Grave” by Virtual Chesse Emporium

Submitted to Contest #278

TW: (Mentioned) Death of a parent “Breaking news: We’ve received reports that the planet Philo has been completely destroyed. Reports of bombing had been rampant for the past few weeks, but it has reached a peak. The planet’s destroyed. There is nothing left… Philo has been eradicated." My body was numb. Mother. Mother always wanted to go to Philo for vacation, to travel between the perpetually light and dark sides of the planet. Now the planet’s gone, and Mother along with it. Elias’s head rested on my shoulder, his tears soaking my shir...

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“DEATHBED CONFESSION” by Glenna Agnew

Submitted to Contest #278

DEATHBED CONFESSION Bill Mason gasped for air. His hand reached feebly for the oxygen mask lying beside him on the pillow. He was so weak, he could barely grasp it. He fumbled as he tried to attach the elastic strap around his head, and ultimately found it easier just to hold it in his hand and press the cup to his face. He knew his time on earth was short. Any day now, maybe even less, he would draw his last breath and give up the ghost so to speak. He had been given the option of staying in the hospital under the care of the medical ...

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“The Name He Left Behind” by Rohit Tiwari

Submitted to Contest #278

The room was quiet, except for the faint beeping of the heart monitor, he gripped my hand with more strength than I expected, it was almost time, I could feel his soul slipping away, breaths slow & shallow, eyes wide open, staring into some distant oblivion, I didn't know what to do. Numbness wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I look at him, he's so beautiful, chemo brushed the strands of his yesterday, but still, he's so beautiful. Then he began to mumble, words I couldn't make out. Maybe when a soul is departing, it clings to one ...

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“The Devastating Truth” by Zev Paiss

Submitted to Contest #278

The Devastating Truth As I gently pushed opened the door to the small ICU room, I was immediately assaulted by the overwhelming attack on my senses. The antiseptic smells from the freshly mopped floor and racks of monitoring equipment assaulted my nose. The stark white sheets added little color to the sterile walls. The rhythmic sounds from the collection of monitoring equipment were a harsh counterpoint to the raspy breathing of the elderly patient. I rolled over the plastic chair to the side of the bed and sat down wondering what I could p...

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“Did you make a mea culpa?” by Maria Fabiano

Submitted to Contest #278

Did you make a mea culpa? I need to think about what that trigger the beating GG, my daughter, remembers so well, because I want to answer her question: What could have done so bad a little girl of 4 years old to deserve such a beating? Will she forgive me and heal the relationship before it is too late?First, I rested a little while, semi asleep. I have nausea. The big latte I had earlier in the night begs to be let out, because I have to go back to the time when I did something horrible. Now my memory is releasing the image. I’...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 66 stories

“The Last Confession” by Ashley D. Gilyard

“Your Secret, An Open Grave” by Virtual Chesse Emporium

“DEATHBED CONFESSION” by Glenna Agnew

“The Name He Left Behind” by Rohit Tiwari

“The Devastating Truth” by Zev Paiss

“Did you make a mea culpa?” by Maria Fabiano

🌟 Similar prompts

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

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

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.

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: