Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 116 stories

“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...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A FOREVER SECRET” by Kajsa Ohman

Submitted to Contest #273

A FOREVER SECRET Winter in New York City. 1949, and late day. It had been raining and would no doubt soon rain again.  A painter would have been making good use of his Payne’s Grey. He would be eyeing his verticals and dimensional planes. He would wish there weren’t so many cars, and he would paint the street that way—empty, shiny, with a drizzle on all the windows. He would be awaiting the streetlamps because every lamp would have its very paintable halo—but it was still too early for haloes. Winter in New York can be bone-chill...

0 comments 0
Read story

“What's my name?” by Melissa YEAGLE

Submitted to Contest #273

Have you heard the kids tale where the evil person steals a baby and he won't give the baby back unless they can guess his name? Well my story will be similar to this I am going to tell you all about myself everything but my name. Your challenge if you choose to accept it is to use the clues that I give you to figure out what my name is . However, don't worry I don't plan on taking your child or anything else of yours besides your time. I am the youngest of three kids. My mother definitely used a theme when she named us. I am not going to co...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Fairy Tales Can Come True” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #273

A well-dressed man with chiseled features carrying a leather briefcase eases into the lobby of the Collinwood Building. Flashing a business card, he smiles congenially at Lon Lynch, the husky security guard quaffing a Big Mac at the front desk. “Hmm. Falstaff Advertising. I’ve heard of being a good employee, but you’re going the extra mile,” Lon jokes. “Your office won’t be open for another two months. In fact, none of the offices are open yet.” The man sets his briefcase down next to the desk and asks, in a refined tone, “How many people ar...

3 comments 3
Read story

“A fathers confession” by Markus Jonsson

Submitted to Contest #273

“I’m sorry that I have to tell you this way.”So began the first line of his diary. John had found it laying on his fathers bedside table, next to the floral porcelain mug and his fathers reading glasses. Now he was sitting on the neatly made bed holding his fathers thoughts in his hand, flipping through the pages and through a part of his fathers life previously inaccessible to him. Out in the corridor his sister was talking to Ellie, the nurse who had found their father the night before. Thankfully he’d passed away peacefully...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Lonely Shepherd” by Becheru D. Dan

Submitted to Contest #273

The Lonely Shepherd March 3rd The morning air was crisp today, and I watched the sun rise over the horizon, casting a dim, reddish glow over the pasture. My sheep, all twenty-three of them, were scattered across the field, grazing lazily as I tended to the irrigation lines. There is something comforting in the routine—feeding them, watching Sabiha run along the edges, keeping everything in order. Every day feels the same, and that sameness is a blessing. If I can keep the sheep healthy, keep the grass growing, then everything will be alright...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Reflections of a Final Girl” by Brigitte Bennet

Submitted to Contest #273

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. The locals old enough to remember the time when the cabin had an owner locked their doors, closed the curtains, and tried their best to pretend there was nothing there. Those old enough to remember the last time this happened did the same, pulling their children indoors and trying to convince older teens and young adults that it wasn't safe.Of course, the candle had been lit by one such teen earlier that day, only noticeable once sunlight faded...

0 comments 0
Read story

“THE PERFECT ROSE” by Sandra Lord

Submitted to Contest #273

       Maddy and Don Mitchell chose Valentine’s Day for their wedding because anniversaries would be easy to remember. Every year, Maddy gave Don a single red carnation in memory of the first anniversary when they had been too poor for roses. Every year, Don picked up a dozen red roses at the florist’s shop on his way home. And every year, they went someplace special for dinner and dancing.            “Are you getting a dozen red roses for Maddy aga...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Snuffer” by Greg Benson

Submitted to Contest #273

Larry brought his dog to the coffee shop again. I didn’t want to raise a fuss. But then again, what if I’d brought Tippy? Tippy doesn’t like other dogs. Bares her little teeth and lunges at them. We could have gotten us all thrown out of there.  Larry’s dog, Effie, sat right on the table next to his coffee cup, and ate right off his pastry plate. I couldn’t look. Instead, I looked toward the manager, a young fella addicted to his phone. Never even glanced our way; meanwhile, Effie is filling up on bread and custard and god knows what el...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Coming Home” by Jane Cantor

Submitted to Contest #273

Early Spring on the hillside. No gambolling lambs and nodding daffodils here: the bitter aftermath of winter had not fully let go its hold, and only the lower, sheltered fields of the scattered farms were occupied. Two people, oblivious to the chill, high on the lookout point, alone with their thoughts. The rocky outcrop flared green-red and purple-grey as the sun flickered through the racing clouds. The howling wind whipped her long red-gold hair into cruel cat-o'-nine-tails, stinging her face and blocking her view. She lifted an absent-min...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Secret Expectations” by Jill Piantedosi

Submitted to Contest #273

Gazing into the silent corners of his bookshelf, Howard sat anchored to his armchair. His parlor resembled a bookstore café with its walls of books and newsprint strewn across the mahogany table. The rows of books, lined up like soldiers, quieted his mind. He took pleasure in their company; the titles leaping out at him, consuming his thoughts. He felt refreshed and expanded as he arranged and rearranged each classic in his mind. He was like an old sail endowed with life, waiting patiently for Sam to arrive. Howard aspired to ...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Screens” by Renata Paschoal

Submitted to Contest #273

Her neck arteries hammered in her throat as panic rose. She was sure she had been followed. But by whom? She was an average Jane—plump, with brown hair and eyes. Maybe she had lost it for good. Probably, it was all in her head.  As soon as the garage door closed, her pulse began to rebalance. Phew! “I’ll watch Succession,” she mumbled. Brian Cox’s acting was so mesmerizing that she couldn’t think or do anything else. Her body barely changed positions in the comfort of her recliner. Like every Wednesday morning, the bell rang, and the ca...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Ruins of the Past” by D.C. Wright

Submitted to Contest #273

         George slammed the trunk on his ’45 Cadillac Fleetwood, wishing that the rest of his life could be closed with the same force.                 “I don’t want to do this anymore.” He complained, turning around, to glower at Annie.                 “Ain’t nobody keepen you here, but the Good Lord and your vows. You decide tha...

0 comments 0
Read story

“~ Paranoia ~” by Jim Parker

Submitted to Contest #273

~ Paranoia ~            “It is August 13, 2023.”“I have been sleeping poorly for a quite a while now. I’m either tossing and turning with insomnia or having bizarre dreams night after night. My wife is worried and gave me a smart watch. She says it has a GPS in it so she can find me anytime, anywhere, like a lost poodle I guess. Seems a bit condescending. But the watch is also a recorder. She insisted I start keeping a sleep journal. I think it’s a waste of time, but she’s pretty smart a...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Echoes of Reality” by Reese Rehbein

Submitted to Contest #273

Journal Entry: March 15 The rain had just begun to fall, a light drizzle that painted the city streets with a glossy sheen. I walked down the narrow alley, the distant hum of traffic muffled by the enclosing brick walls. My footsteps echoed softly, but they weren't the only ones. I sensed a presence behind me—a figure keeping pace, shadows melding with shadows. I glanced over my shoulder. A silhouette lingered at the edge of a flickering streetlamp's glow, features obscured by a hood pulled low. My heart quickened. Were they following me? In...

0 comments 0
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of diary/journal entries about a secret or confession.

Short Story – 70 stories

Begin your story with someone either being followed or following someone else.

Dramatic – 54 stories

Write a story with the line “Don’t tell anyone.”

Angst – 80 stories

Your character is invited to a secret meeting. Who invited them, and what do they encounter?

Short Story – 41 stories

Contest #273

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Locked Away

$250

Prize money

361

Contest entries

165

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 25, 2024 EST

A winner will be announced soon.

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢