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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story that keeps a key detail hidden from the reader until the very end.

Posted in Dramatic on Feb 21, 2025

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.

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✍️ 71 stories

“IN HER SKIN” by Waeni S

Submitted to Contest #291

I met Ethan on a cold, rainy evening in a dimly lit bar-a tall, brooding man whose eyes hinted at untold stories. His presence was magnetic-an irresistible gravity that pulled me in before I could second-guess my instincts. I had only intended to explore my new neighborhood, maybe nurse a glass of wine before heading home, but the moment our eyes met, something shifted. It was as though fate had tethered us together, bound by an invisible thread of inevitability. We talked for hours. His voice was rich, his laughter rare but intoxicating. He...

79 comments 79
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“Hades Revolver” by Donald Haddix

Submitted to Contest #291

This is a page of time from “Our Lady Universe’s” book of two fucks. In this story, Jimmy Walker is about to get more than he bargained for, at the hands of the Hades Revolver. Do do do do. Do do do do.As Jimmy awoke in his office at the club, with some random naked woman laying on his chest. He pushed her off him and stumbled to the restroom.Before he closed the door, he turned to her and said, “Bitch, grab your shit and get out of my office.”“Ok Jimmy,” she said with fear in her voice.A long time ago, Jimmy wanted money and fame more than ...

18 comments 18
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“The Method Actor” by Rebecca Hurst

Submitted to Contest #291

‘What’s the deal with this bloke you sent me, Ron? I’ve got his resumé in my hand, and frankly it’s thinner than my wife’s skin. A corpse in Casualty, a rioter in Silent Witness, several ‘passers-by,’ and — oh! fucking stellar! A speaking part in an arthouse silent movie, for which his only verbal contribution was to say, “The End.”'‘I hear you,’ said Ron Lumet, agent to the stars. ‘But you have to admit, he is seriously handsome. The man’s a vision. Never seen anything like him. Not so much as an open pore.’‘Can’t be denied’ said Vinni...

26 comments 26
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“Sprawl” by Thomas Wetzel

Submitted to Contest #291

I decided to get a tattoo. I have always wanted one, but for some reason I just never did it. I don’t know why. I was planning to get it done that night but my boss, Murray, invited me out to dinner. It was a Friday night around 6:30 and we were at the office. I called my wife, Sam.“Hey Babe, sorry for the late notice but I won’t be home for dinner. Murray wants me to join him at Musso & Frank. We’re leaving now. I should be home before nine.”“All good. I didn’t have anything special planned for dinner tonight anyway. Just reheating that...

22 comments 22
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“Rack off” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #291

Rack off ‘Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain, Peter Jones speaking and I’m delighted to welcome you aboard this BA 537 flight from London Gatwick to Rome. I’m joined by First officer Simon Watkins who is an all-round top guy and top pilot you’ll be pleased to hear. I hope everyone's had a delightful Christmas. I know I had a bit too much turkey, so you'll have to forgive the extra baggage.'The air hostesses looked at each other trying hard not to let out a groan. They were clearly used to Peter’s wit. A passenger with a...

13 comments 13
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“The cards that life deals” by Penelope Stansfield

Submitted to Contest #291

“That was my finest hour!” shrieks Anna across the table, almost knocking over Tina’s wine glass as she gesticulates wildly with her arms, animated as ever, even more so after we’ve gone through a few bottles of sauvignon blanc.“And then you fell asleep on the bus!” Elaine chimes in, her dark eyes sparkling in the light of the log fire that keeps our local pub warm as toast in the winter months.David the landlord sidles over from the bar in his usual nonchalant way. “You ladies having another bottle then?” he grins as he collects the em...

12 comments 12
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“Snapshots from a Man's Day” by Perseus Patroclus

Submitted to Contest #291

Winston stared up at the ceiling, tapping his fingers methodically against his stomach. A twang of pain murmured from his spine, aching like it had been for days, but he ignored it as he did most things. His eye twitched with every drip of the leaky sink. He finally mustered the energy to step out of bed. He stretched, ripples of tension releasing out of his joints, and yawned while making his way towards the kitchen. Reuben sat at the table awaiting him."Good morning, Rube," he smiled at the man. Reuben nodded back. Winston hummed as he set...

1 comment 1
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“The Forgotten Melody” by Andrew Hixson

Submitted to Contest #291

Eldoria's legend spoke of an enchanting melody, audible only to the pure of heart. Legend claimed the melody brought immense joy and prosperity to anyone lucky enough to hear it. For centuries, villagers had searched for the source of this elusive tune, but to no avail.The legend fascinated Elara, a young and curious musician. She had grown up hearing tales of the Forgotten Melody from her grandmother, who often hummed a soft, mysterious tune before bedtime. Determined to uncover the truth, Elara set out on a journey across Eldoria, carrying...

7 comments 7
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“While the Sun Sleeps” by McKena Kirk

Submitted to Contest #291

In your life everywhere you look you see someone with a different life story, different home life, or family issues. You always seem to notice the small details that happen around you, like how that one quiet girl in your fourth-period algebra class has missed 3 days in a row. You notice the loud popular guy keeping to himself and not talking at lunch. You’ve noticed how your English teacher always gets interrupted and the look on his face destroys you. You can see the joy on his face when he teaches and the students interrupt him, they alwa...

3 comments 3
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“Dandy, III” by Elizabeth Rich

Submitted to Contest #291

"Dandy, you are going to worry a hole into that sweater if you don't leave it alone," Grandma said. "Dandy, no one is going to want to eat the food you prepare when they see your nails bitten to the quick," Grandma said. "Dandy, do not make that face. What are you going to do if your face freezes that way?" Grandma said. "Dandy, you are going to go blind if you do not eat those carrots. They are good for your eyesight," Grandma said. "Dandy, where are your house shoes? You will catch your death if you do not keep your feet warm," Grandma sai...

6 comments 6
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“Our Greatest Enemy” by Cody Cole

Submitted to Contest #291

Art ran, his legs pumping and lungs burning as he raced down the stark white hallway, fluorescent lights flickering overhead. The sound of sirens blared as an inhuman voice sounded from speakers, repeating the phrase: INTRUDER ALERT. He had to reach the control room before it was too late. The war between man and machine had been raging for decades, decimating the world and all its beauty in the process. But, if Art were to succeed in his mission, that would all begin to change. Finally, after all of this time, the earth would belong to man ...

2 comments 2
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“When the Smoke Cleared” by Luigi Conte

Submitted to Contest #291

[Infidelity] During our living room meeting, background music was playing. The candles created a lovely atmosphere. She wore a revealing lingerie set. I wore the boxers and bow that she presented to me. A long silence stretched between us as our eyes met. Her touch was soft. That's all that occurred this evening. We had a deal. Refrain from sexual activity for one month. Two glasses and a bottle remained where Rachel left them. My eyes ‌returned to her. It had been thirty days. My friends all divorced, and their losses were on my mind whe...

0 comments 0
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“Too cold” by Andrea Junge

Submitted to Contest #291

The man woke with a scream. A small, terrified noise that left his lips and was absorbed in the stillness around him. There was no echo. And no response. He sat up and swallowed, his tongue dry in his throat, the air in his room stale and cold. His palm distributed his sweat across his face, and he made a mental note to shower today, maybe even with some hot water if there was any. The tiles on the floor were freezing and he pulled his feet back and sat on them, hiding them, keeping them warm. He squinted into the dim room, his vision blurry...

0 comments 0
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“In Search of Warmth” by Grace Smith

Submitted to Contest #291

I still remember how she squirmed, her body twisted and shaking. I hated seeing her in pain. I wished that I could absorb it, wished I could take it all away from her. She was hurting and that hurt me. When my sister Melodie finally succumbed to her illness, she was 19. It was sudden and at that time I hadn't thought of death as a sudden thing.Melodie and I were 3 years apart, I was just 16 when she died. The day I lost my sister was the same day I lost my mother. The years after Melodie died were filled with Mother hovering in and out of my...

2 comments 2
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“The Shadow Men” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #291

Danno sees a shape from the corner of his eye, causing him to cut himself with his razor. He turns to look at the shadowy figure. There’s nothing there. He mumbles, “I need to get my eyes checked.” Looking in the mirror, Danno sees the shadow standing behind him. It has no face, no features, only a pair of probing eyes that blink inquisitively. Danno turns around to confront his intruder. The shadow man is gone. Danno sits up in bed, relieved it’s a dream.               &...

4 comments 4
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