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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story that hides something from the reader until the end.

Posted in Dramatic on Oct 18, 2024

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 116 stories

“The Street That Wasn’t There” by Young Akpasubi

Submitted to Contest #273

The early morning sun painted the streets of Mariborough with a golden hue, making the cobbled roads shimmer as if they were made of polished brass. The street vendors, as they did every morning, set up their stalls with the same practiced movements: the man selling fresh pastries waved at the grocer who was already haggling with his first customer; the flower woman dusted her blooms with soft care, sending little specks of pollen floating into the air. Mariborough was always alive, a city buzzing with life even before the clock struck eight...

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“THE CHILDREN'S HOUR” by Janet Lorimer

Submitted to Contest #273

THE CHILDREN’S HOUR By Janet Lorimer     The little girl was huddled next to a newspaper rack at the front of the store, her face smeared with tears. Benny knelt beside her. “Did you lose your mommy?” he asked gently.    The tot stopped crying, and stared at him in the curious, unblinking way of very young children.    “Don’t worry, she’s probably around here somewhere,” he said, reaching out to take her tiny hand. “Shall we—?”    “Oh, there you ar...

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“The Last Game” by Daron Thompson

Submitted to Contest #273

The Last Game Mike sat on the worn green bench under the old oak tree, his hands trembling slightly as he carefully set up his beloved chessboard. Each piece was placed with the same precision as always, the result of decades of practice and routine. The black and white squares of the board were scratched and faded, and the wooden pieces had lost some of their sheen, but Mike still treated them like treasures. He came to this spot every single day, rain or shine, hoping that someone would stop and play with him. Most days, no one did. People...

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“Smoker” by Mark Mc Quown

Submitted to Contest #273

SmokerBy Mark Mc Quown Smoker was a Labrador Retriever who had spent many winters in the cabin that Smoker could see in front him but could not get to it. He smelled the smoke coming from the chimney, he smelled the fire inside and the food cooking, but he was stuck.  The day was clear with no snow in the air and this was helpful as Smoker watched the Fire Truck pull up to the cabin and the firemen racing out from all sides. There was no fire, they came for the dog.Smoker had jumped out the front door this morning, as soo...

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“Property Management” by Marcia Calhoun Forecki

Submitted to Contest #273

Property Management            “Is this the property management office?” I asked.            “That’s what the sign says,” the woman behind the cluttered desk answered. She continued rummaging through a mountain-slide pile of file folders.            “I’m Woodson Donnelly,” I said, thinking she might be searching for my file.          &...

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“Borrowed Time” by Carrie R

Submitted to Contest #273

"I want to know why you never told me.” “How could I have told you, Sheila?” I expected this, I suppose. I must have known a time would come. I guess I borrowed time, anyway. “This changes everything. How could it not?” “No, I don’t think there is a way it couldn’t.” She was still there, in the silence. “You have a right to this, Sheila. I can’t decide for you if this one thing is what you will remember me for. It would be tough to blame you if it were. I can tell you I have paid every day. “You paid? I don’t understand how you could do that...

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“The Confession Booth” by James Carr

Submitted to Contest #273

“Forgive me, for I have sinned.” Father O’Brien sat in the dim light of the confessional booth, surrounded by the familiar scent of polished wood and incense. Outside, slightly muted sounds of movement echoed through the chapel. The creak of the pews as lone visitors shifted position. The occasional pop from the wick of a burning prayer candle. A familiar backdrop to the quiet moments he cherished. “I’m here to confess to killing a woman,” said the voice from the neighbouring booth. Father O’Brien’s heart seized in his chest. He had heard co...

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“A Picnic ” by Jess Norton

Submitted to Contest #273

Trent lets the red gingham blanket billow out in front of him. The breeze flicks the edges of the blanket this way and that until finally allowing it to settle over the grass. Trent and Jenn both drop down. With her knees bent to the side, Jenn smooths her long brown dress over her knees, and Trent, with his legs straight out in front of him.   The sun peaks shyly through the oaks' branches. Trent unpacks the picnic basket, placing peanut butter jelly, Reese's cups, and a cold Dr. Pepper in front of her. “I hope these are still you...

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“Trick or traitor” by Paul Simpkin

Submitted to Contest #273

Monday 28 October “Hello Mr.Raven,” I said. He squawked back, looking round trying to find something to eat for his breakfast. Those ravens always notice me. It is my custom to go for my daily walk before 9am when things start to get busier round here. I saw one of the ravens sitting on a bench by the chapel and I said hello. Everyone else ignores me. The ravens don’t. I have lived here for a long time now. I don’t think I could live anywhere else in London. There is a great view of Tower Bridge. It is very handy for St Paul’s and for lots ...

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“Walk in the Park” by Roger Schumacher

Submitted to Contest #273

WALK IN THE PARKByR L Schumacher “Ha, I get it. Jack and Jill.” The old park ranger realized. Dressed in a dark green uniform and a tan brimmed hat. The badge on his jacket displayed the state park logo along with a name plate that read ‘Jackson.’ Grey hair stuck out from under his hat while he cracked a smile resembling a Cheshire cat that gleamed back at the young couple standing in front of him.The thirty something man snickered along the old ranger while his female counter part held her tongue behind a plastic grin as they stood under...

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“The Secret Ingredient ” by Nina H

Submitted to Contest #273

(Jump to Recipe) [Link has been disabled] It’s getting close, my friends! The holiday season is closing in on us faster than my Aunt Trudy can say “fruitcake” and throw back a cocktail! So what does this mean for those of us doomed to put a smile on our faces while we welcome the in-laws, cousins, black sheep, and freeloaders? It means we scour the internet looking for the best recipes to impress even your mother-in-law, who is arguably more judgmental than an entire panel of Supreme Court Justices.  You may be wondering the secret of ...

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“Thunder Riders of Yesterday” by Edward J. McCoul

Submitted to Contest #273

“Thunder Riders of Yesterday” By Edward J. McCoulRoy Rogers squinted as the wind whipped around him. He reached for his hat, pulling it down low against the gust that didn’t feel quite right. This wind smelled strange, tinged with a scent like burning wires and wet concrete. He wasn’t in the desert, that much was clear. No more open skies. No more dust kicking under the hooves of Trigger. When he finally opened his eyes, he wasn’t looking out over the wide plains of Texas. He was looking down.Way down.Roy’s heart skipped a beat. Below h...

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“Unspoken” by Holly Bot

Submitted to Contest #273

You know, I’ve always enjoyed moments like these—when it’s just the two of us, talking. Do you remember when we first met? I’ll never forget it. I think you were a little scared of me at first, am I right? You can tell me. I know there are lots of rumors about me, ugly gossip. Everyone talks about me. I’m sure Sally, you know Sally in the front office? Sally has talked about me a lot. That’s what happens when a person like Sally moves to the big city from a place like Iowa (she did you know) – to her everything seems gossip-worthy. I’m glad ...

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“A Truth Unfolded” by Stephen Tascione

Submitted to Contest #273

 Russell and Mary Jo had been friends for many years. They met over thirty years as next-door neighbors. Russell and his wife, April, had moved into their single home about a year prior to Mary Jo and her husband Sid. They were both of similar age, childless, and soon became fast friends. Sid played guitar and was a member of a group. Mary Jo was a singer, and sometimes played gigs with her husband, mainly birthday parties, group gatherings, small weddings.  She was the most outgoing of the two. H...

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“The Detective” by William Fowler

Submitted to Contest #273

Josh had recently transferred to his new precinct as a homicide detective. He was partnered with an older senior detective that was near the end of his long career.Mark was a twenty five year veteran and had seen more then his fair share of senseless violence in this dark and cold city. He had long ago lost his positive thinking and sense of hope. Now it was just on to the next case.Mark was not happy being assigned a rookie detective in Josh as a partner. As they arrived to the crime scene, Mark lit a cigarette as they exited their unm...

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🌟 Similar prompts

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