Write a story that involves eavesdropping.

Posted in Fluff on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 34 stories

“What Ricky Heard at School Today” by Zach Martz

Submitted to Contest #119

Ricky Scoggs raced out of the classroom as soon as the clock struck four o’clock, desperate to get out of detention and get home as soon as possible. If he didn’t get to his computer soon, he would miss being able to enter the Fortnite tournament that all his friends were joining. And he really wanted to get into that. It almost made him regret setting those alarm clocks to go off at 9 AM and then hiding them in lockers all over the school. Almost. He happened to pass the prin...

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“He's Not Dead Yet” by Todd Crickmer

Submitted to Contest #119

He’s Not Dead Yet By Todd Crickmer “Oh My God,” Melissa said to herself, as she tapped her brakes for the umpteenth time. A sea of red lights illuminated the freeway in front of her. She had just read online that Austin’s traffic was supposed to be getting better. But no one would know that during the morning rush hour on MoPac at… “What time is it anyway,” she mumbled aloud? As she glanced at the clock on the dash, the green LED display glared 8:48. “Oh My God, I’m going to be late; I’m going to be late.” “I hate bei...

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“Walls Like Cheap Condoms: A True Story” by Vanesa Carballea

Submitted to Contest #119

I hate having neighbors, an unavoidable cancer of the social economical trap that is apartment living. Therefore, I was elated when I saw the red Camry trunk open full of luggage. The door to the noisy next-door couples’ apartment was propped open by the padlock. More duffle bags waited by the doormat. ‘They’re going on a trip,’ I celebrated to myself. In the two years they have occupied the space, I have had to remove every wall hanging from the wall we shared. Their animalistic mating was violent and rocked the very foundation of the e...

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“The Secret Lives of the Beach” by Leonard Mills

Submitted to Contest #119

Storytellers make their living by creating the extraordinary out of the mundanity and drudgery of the daily routine. I like to eavesdrop on conversations at the beach; what other place exists that a desk-dweller can instantly escape their city life? I don't like the weekends. The beach is filled with families trumpeting their freedom; or arguing over who left the shoes too close to the waves. These day-trippers jostle for position to increase their risk of skin cancer. This transient audience doesn't tickle my creative fancy, they are alread...

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“I Hear You” by Janis Van Meter

Submitted to Contest #119

Let’s start with a little background. My name is Jan and I am a fossil from a pre-technological era. My 32 plus year career was spent working as a manager in a large telecommunications company. While in Human Resources, I traveled in the five-state area. I also lived and worked with three different sister companies within the parent corporation. The majority of my career was spent in Operator Services which functioned with responsibilities as the name of the department implies. Some of you may not remember, once upon...

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“The Recovery” by John Brannon

Submitted to Contest #119

The plain gray van parked on the ground floor of a parking deck in the heart of the Philadelphia downtown metro was hardly noticed. The exterior of the van was heavily weathered. You could almost trace the faint outline of a sign from a previous business on one side of the van. A sidewalk and a three-foot high wall with a railing on top separated the front of the van from Kensington Avenue. Kensington Avenue had once been a vibrant part of a thriving downtown. It had descended into decay as the street was now inhabit...

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“Keep Listening” by Ian Gonzales

Submitted to Contest #119

It’s the sounds I notice first.The beep of machines, the low hiss of air through ventilation ducts, the muffled thumps of footsteps nearby.It’s like I’m aware, but I’m not awake.It’s strange. I can feel a mattress under me, a needle sticking into my arm, the warm, dry air of wherever I am.But I don’t know where I am or how I got here. Suddenly worried, I try to open my eyes. They won’t open. I try to lift my arms, to touch my face. They won’t move. Now I’m afraid. &nbsp...

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“Sinister Talk” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #119

The house on Elm is quiet, no sounds are heard expect the ones coming from the basement of 2141 Elm Street. RaeLynn, who lives on the 3rd floor of 2141 Elm Street is getting home from work when upon entering the front door hears noises coming from the basement. RaeLynn goes to the basement door, opens it and hears people talking. She can't make out what they are saying , so she goes down a couple of steps and sees three men talking. She notices one of the men has a gun and is waving it around. The man with the gun is angrily talking ab...

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“Leaves Dropping” by McKeon Gardella

Submitted to Contest #119

“Good morning Kay,” Jon said to his long-time neighbor. Both were standing, in bath robes, on their respective front porches grabbing the newspaper. “Hello Jon. It looks like it’s going to be a lovely day.” “It sure is. The fall season is here! There’s lots of leaves dropping going on here,” Jon said. Kay’s smile dissipated over Jon’s remark. Kay thought her passive-aggressive neighbor was complaining about her infamous-chronic curiosity. “Well, Jon it appears you caught me,” She said giving a timid frown. “If you are referring to my eaves...

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“The Voices in the Woods” by Nitara Baruah

Submitted to Contest #119

I hid behind the tall birch tree, not wanting to be noticed by the voices on the other side. Heavy rain fell on my shoulders, and instead of looking for my lost dog I decided to eavesdrop on a conversation between two people I didn’t know. “Herald, the bishop moves straight up and down, what are you talking about?” “No… that’s what a rook does, have you really played chess before?” “Of course, I have! Now let me move my bishop.” “John… the game doesn’t work that way. You can’t move the bishop up and down the boar-” “Ok and? What ...

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“People Who May Have Listened” by Iris Franckheim

Submitted to Contest #119

sensitive content: reference to war and escapePeople Who May Have Listened“Oh, hello…! How nice to see you! How are you doing, my dear?”Poor you, you were caught right in front of your doorstep! Mrs Wierszinski, petite, grey-haired and in tweed, was speeding down the stairs, faster than you might have expected. It was so typical, wasn ´ t it? In her left hand she was holding her plastic bag with old toast for the ducks, also just as always; she had shown you they ´ d always get those bits that were too mouldy to be eaten. You had scolded her...

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“The Big Secret” by Angela TaylorPerry

Submitted to Contest #119

The Big Secret. Angela Taylor Perry I grew up as an only child on a one hundred and thirty-acre farm in a small town called Cassopolis in Southwest Michigan. Cassopolis: 6,000 population, no McDonald's, one small grocery store named By-Low, one hardware store, and one high school. If you yawned too long with your eyes closed, you would miss downtown. On the south side of town, a tiny ice cream shop called the Tastee Freeze sat right on the edge of Stone Lake, a small body of water that I ...

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“FRIENDS” by Sharon Farnsworth

Submitted to Contest #119

FRIENDS I have no friends. I shouldn’t say that, I have one who lives far away. We don’t see each other often. I had friends, a lot when I was young, fewer as the years went by, and recently I lost what few remained through covid, cancer, and illnesses of aging. Friends fall off, like leaves in the autumn rain, slowly, one by one. I remember fondly the friends I’ve had throughou...

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“What Happened at the Hospital?!?” by Helen Betzenhauser

Submitted to Contest #119

Shala was walking the halls of the hospital when she heard talking. She was waiting for a friend to change her mind. This friend had asked everyone to leave. They had come, at her request, to welcome her baby into the world. Shala will check on that situation after this happening, whatever develops. She stopped and listened hard. She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but, one of the voices sounded familiar. The woman’s voice was like her boss, Renay! But the boss was on vacation! Not even in the area! ...

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“Listen In” by Duane Burke

Submitted to Contest #119

“Listen,” Vicky said. The ultrasound technician moved the probe back and forth across Vicky’s abdomen searching the echoes for signs of life. The sonographer noted how calm Vicky was, focused even. Then she looked at Chad and saw the nervous wreck with a slight hint of perspiration peeking through his immaculately pressed white designer button down shirt. When the first THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP came rapid fire out of the speakers, he nearly dropped the light ring and microphone. “O-M-G! Isn’t that the most adorable sound you’ve ever heard?” V...

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Write a story that involves eavesdropping.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 34 stories

“What Ricky Heard at School Today” by Zach Martz

“He's Not Dead Yet” by Todd Crickmer

“Walls Like Cheap Condoms: A True Story” by Vanesa Carballea

“The Secret Lives of the Beach” by Leonard Mills

“I Hear You” by Janis Van Meter

“The Recovery” by John Brannon

“Keep Listening” by Ian Gonzales

“Sinister Talk” by Melinda Madrigal

“Leaves Dropping” by McKeon Gardella

“The Voices in the Woods” by Nitara Baruah

“People Who May Have Listened” by Iris Franckheim

“The Big Secret” by Angela TaylorPerry

“FRIENDS” by Sharon Farnsworth

“What Happened at the Hospital?!?” by Helen Betzenhauser

“Listen In” by Duane Burke

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with an unusual sound being heard.

Start your story with a character saying “Listen, …”

Write a story inspired by a piece of music (without using any lyrics).

Set your story in a silent house by the sea.

Contest #119

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

232

Contest entries

160

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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