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 about someone who is convinced they’re going to be betrayed.

Posted in Dramatic on Mar 8, 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?

✍️ 55 stories

“My neighbour, Percival” by Herman W Clarke

Submitted to Contest #241

Under clouds heavy with rain, a herald carrying the Earl’s banner arrived in the centre of Avebury village. He dismounted his horse, and in the time it took him to retrieve the scroll of parchment from the saddlebag a throng - wrought with apprehension - began to form around him.The thatched homesteads and hovels emptied, village folk whispering of war, who it might be with, and how many of the village’s men might be called upon to join the Earl’s levy.The herald held out the parchment at an arm’s length and loudly began his announcement: “A...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Same Time Next Week? ” by Tee Farewell

Submitted to Contest #241

I think he is going to kill me. Something about the way he glares at me sometimes, like he's searching for vulnerabilities to exploit. His eyes resemble an abyss, swallowing the light and casting a shadow over his entire being. They hold a depth of darkness managing to penetrate my soul, sending an icy chill coursing through my veins. This coldness, this palpable aura of dread, wraps around me, leaving me paralyzed with fear. His words slither from his lips like venomous serpents, their hiss carrying an underlying threat coiling around my ...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Thoughts and Reality ” by Chen-el Brill

Submitted to Contest #241

It was a beautiful evening and the light breeze carried the fragrant scent of a woman to her boyfriend.“So we are meeting Mark and his sister Jenny at the theater?” she said sweetly as she looked back at the man slightly trailing behind her.“Right” he answered. An uneasy feeling creeping into his chest at the mention of his best friend.It has been half a year since they started dating and he was still completely enamored. In fact, he often found it hard to believe she was going out with him in the first place. That evening, as he glanced at ...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The 12th Custard” by Jong Lee

Submitted to Contest #241

“What’s the big deal?”“The big deal Jomari, is that this stolen custard came in a family size of 12-““So you had 11 before-““AND it came from the PLANO Costco. Not the Walmart around the block. ““Oh. That is serious.”Two gangly figures huddled around the fridge as if gathering for warmth. One with a bronze complexion and a tired, kind grin. One frowned till it burned into his brow, turning the corner of his eyes like a hanya mask. Jomari’s face turned mischievous, “How much was it Shin?”Shin made a grand gesture swooping his arms togeth...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The time will pass anyways” by Nick Blakley

Submitted to Contest #241

The bright light of the television screen fills the dimly lit living room. I’m watching Cartoon Network, and my mom is sitting 6 feet away from me. I’m perfectly still; she doesn’t know it’s past my bedtime. I’m hoping I can get the most out of this moment, I hate sleeping. My mom looks up from her phone, she looks at the TV, then the clock. Damnit.“Alright honey it’s time for bed, come give me a hug and don’t forget to take your medicine.” My mom says softly. I love my mom, I definitely don’t love my medicine though. She slowly gets up and ...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Not Even His Shadow” by C.N. Jung

Submitted to Contest #241

Once upon a time, there existed a land where the woods stood tall and whispering, rivers wound like silver serpents through verdant meadows, and the earth itself seemed to sing with life. In this mystic realm, there lived a powerful king. The king’s name was King Soul. He reigned over a vast kingdom known as Wolffrin. Soul commanded an army of over ten hundred warriors and lorded over more than a hundred thousand civilians.  King Soul was a jaded man. Even in the tender years of his boyhood, he was distrustful and suspicious of everyone...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Cole's Girl” by Claire Marsh

Submitted to Contest #241

Cole held firm despite the throbbing old football injury, the dozens of strangers gawping. One knee numbing against damp pavement, both arms stretching an open ring box to grey sky. He waited.The laws of science had fled. Every second warped into hours and memories filled them. On the same patch of pavement outside Harlequin’s nightclub, Cole had gone outside for air when a fight spilled after him. Bouncers had hands on blokes still clambering to throw punches and insults, bolstered by their mates joining in. They’d trapped and dragged rando...

10 comments 10
Read story

“Fatal obsession ” by Sophie Irish

Submitted to Contest #241

*mental health, sexual and physical violence implied. swearing* KateComing back from a run I felt great, endorphins were flowing, and I had the usual satisfying ache over my limbs. I poured my coffee with pride and sat at my table in the kitchen, wondering what to do with the rest of my day. I had already showered, cleaned my flat and worked through my laundry. Having time off work was nice at first, but now a month in, I was bored. My psychiatrist told me I wasn’t ready to go back despite the fact I have more good days than bad now. Long st...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Necklace” by Aaliyah Martinez

Submitted to Contest #241

Walking the slim winding path between these dead vines with the snow quietly crushing beneath my feet, all alone, near sunset. I felt like the main character in a horror movie, like everyone was yelling at the screen, telling me not to go further. But when does the main character ever listen? So I walked on, cautious of my surroundings, to not get snagged on the vines. The snow was coming down on me, tumbling playfully in the air, coating all in a thick white blanket.I made my final turn on this god forsaken bath and stopped. Standing there ...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Today, Tomorrow ” by Smriti Sudhakar

Submitted to Contest #241

It’s just one day. One inconsequential day among a sea of other inconsequential days. However, if by some miracle today had any meaning, then it would be Valentine’s Day.  It would also be my birthday.  Varun walks in with roses. He should know by now I’m allergic.  “Thanks, Varun,” I say, reaching out to accept the flowers. I don’t even bother to correct him anymore. He shoots me a look, pointing to his ear to show the concealed earbud. After shoving the flowers in my hand and planting a dry kiss on my forehead, he walks away...

3 comments 3
Read story

“The Hitchhiker” by ♡ Tana ♡

Submitted to Contest #241

This is a story about the day that I learned that the human soul is unexpectedly wonderful, that God is real but entirely made up, and that I am not anyone but who I am right now. The story doesn’t start at the final epiphany of course, they never do.Imagine how easy that would be, and how boring to read. There is no great joy without the contrast of grief. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. Nothing is set in stone, if the hitchhiker taught me anything, it was that.Oh yes, this is a story about a hitchhiker, and me, a twenty- six yea...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Over My Shoulder” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #241

To whom it may concern,I don’t know whether I should be writing this letter. I’m not sure that I can. I think I’m writing it to see if I have it left in me to do this one last thing. Perhaps I’m writing it as a final defiant act. To prove that I was right all along. If you’re reading this then it has not only happened, it is done. That which should not have happened has occurred. I’d hoped with all my heart that it would not be so, but the flame of my hope has grown weaker with every passing hour and now, as I look upon it I’m not so sure I ...

7 comments 7
Read story

“Bitter Twisted” by Bec Newton

Submitted to Contest #241

Everything felt off and I couldn’t place my finger on it.The air had an unseasonal bite to it tonight, prickling my skin and setting my nose running. Usually this time of year the weather would be calm and cool but lately the winds had taken to screaming through the streets, turning every bit of rain into shards of ice, biting and cruel. Squalls of it pounded me now as I crouched in a rancid alleyway waiting for the remainder of my team.Whilst the weather was a discomfort, it was not the reason for my disquiet. Things had not been going well...

4 comments 4
Read story

“The Chime of Trust” by Sofia Mullan

Submitted to Contest #241

Thomas, the renowned clockmaker, hunched over his latest masterpiece. Not a mere timekeeper, this was a symphony of gears and chimes, its intricate dance designed to predict the tides. Yet, the rhythmic click-clack of the mechanism offered little solace to Thomas’ troubled mind. He was convinced he was on borrowed time. Every customer who lingered by his stall, every whispered conversation across the marketplace, felt like a prelude to a heist. He meticulously monitored his apprentices, John and Anya, their youthful enthusiasm misinterpreted...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Betrayal of a sort” by Mairin Omahony

Submitted to Contest #241

Alf stood at the doorway of his cramped, cluttered hardware shop moving his feet in small circular movements. He was obsessed with practising his new tango routines, forwards, backwards, pointed toes extending outwards in minute circular movements as if he was moving sand. His wife Gladys watched from behind. Here he was beyond middle aged and balding, weighty around the middle, fancying himself as a tango dancer. He saw the advert in the local grocery store “Tango, for beginners, all ages, all welcome. No partner necessary.” Now that a...

5 comments 5
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone who is stuck between two opposing sides and can’t decide which one to choose.

Fiction – 49 stories

Set your story at a tense event where everyone is unsure whose side they’re on.

Thriller and Suspense – 27 stories

Start your story with an unexpected betrayal.

Adventure – 81 stories

Write about a backstabbing (literal or metaphorical) gone wrong.

Horror – 43 stories

Contest #241

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Et Tu, Brute?

$250

Prize money

255

Contest entries

116

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 15, 2024 EST

Won by Liz Grosul 🏆

Title: When I Read Beckett

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 ⭢