A mysterious letter is delivered to your character's home. It's not addressed to them, but they can't resist peeking...

Posted in Mystery on Aug 18, 2023

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.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 65 stories

“Old Masters” by Denese Wright

Submitted to Contest #212

There’s nothing as symbolic to me as an urn: a body made of clay, a white hot fire, and ash, but I’ve only made one in my lifetime. My right knee hurts. I also have arthritis in both hands. There are wrinkles on my face and all too. Guess what, I’m still here kicking this wheel. All I can hear in an empty garage is the sound of harmony. It is the sound of physics, chemistry, geology and biology working together. It is the sound of an old horse-drawn carriage wheel in need of some axle grease. A motor sits idle in the corner and it’s getting...

0 comments 0

Read story

“His Secret” by Kathleen Spencer

Submitted to Contest #212

Jane’s letter hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew I was not supposed to have opened it; the letter was for Henry. Henry was my husband until I heard from my best friend, Jane, that he had been unfaithful to me. Why was Jane writing to him then? I had to know. Using my old steamer, I opened the envelope, being careful not to let the top close again by itself by putting a paper weight on it. I took out the folded notebook sheet of paper and began reading. “Dear Henry, I kept my promise to you, lying on your behalf, by telling Meagan tha...

3 comments 3

Read story

“You’ve Got Mail” by Andrew Fruchtman

Submitted to Contest #212

The mailbox door had fallen to the ground. It lay on the grass looking up at the row of black metallic boxes, all other three screwed securely into their wooden posts. A neighbor had come by and zip locked it back into place but now it only hung like some large black medallion on a very skinny torso. When Joanna drove by to collect her mail she needed to get out of her car, remove the assortment of bills and brochures and wrestle the detached door back into place. It was time to replace the whole damn thing, even the box itself jig...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Thirty-eight Years Ago Today” by Bill Richter

Submitted to Contest #212

Dennis didn’t notice the letter until after he finished his dinner. He brought the mail inside sometime during the middle of the afternoon as he always did on the days he worked from home. The office was trying to get everyone to go back in at least three days a week, but he was determined to keep it to two days, just as the main office in Seattle announced in the waning days of the pandemic. Like so many others, Dennis took advantage of the situation that presented itself in the early months of the lockdown and he was able to get out of San...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Secret” by Bob Long Jr

Submitted to Contest #212

Ruth was being summoned. It was her family's policy to have everyone present at the supper table unless some major force was at work. Supper time was 6p most nights, including Saturday, but not Friday and Sunday nights. She, her younger brother, Benjamin, and even younger sister, Sarah, were involved in many school and church activities. Because the time frames for these activities usually ran well into the evening, mom and dad showed some leniency on those two nights. It was just a few minutes before 6p. Her mom walked over to the stai...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Train Comin’ on the Low Road” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #212

Content warning: non-explicit references to meditated sexual predation, slaveryLeland was stirring sugar into his morning coffee when Bessy brought in a few letters. As he sorted through them, he was surprised to find one addressed to James, his personal valet. Who would be writing to an illiterate slave? He called for a letter opener and slowly cut open the letter addressed to James. As he did so, Leland’s eyes surreptitiously lifted to James’s sister, whose back was turned to him as she cleared a few things from the table. His spoon c...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Juliette” by Ian Patterson

Submitted to Contest #212

September 7th, 1940 Corporal Eisenhower was tending to his Sargent’s leg when the field was obliterated. Some new enemy technology, a white wedge that spanned the horizon, had slid under the door of the closet, and after wiping out their front line troops without slowing, had come for the Corporal. No matter what you do, it always comes for you. So it goes. Peter was playing with his plastic army men when the letter slid under the closet door. It scattered his carefully built legion, the considered work of an enti...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Oakheart” by Aiden Harris

Submitted to Contest #212

No one writes letters anymore. No one sane, anyway, even ransom notes just get sent over the internet, cold and formal. Maybe that’s why I chose to open it, when it landed on my front step that day. What could someone who writes letters have to say? E.L. Andover. A name that didn’t belong to me, on a manila envelope that had been delivered to the wrong address. It was thick, too, filled with papers, photographs–I had to open it. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but I did my research. Google told me that there were only two guys named E.L....

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Letter Carrier” by Zachary Thomas

Submitted to Contest #212

It had gone too far this time and even the mailbox seemed to know it; seemed to be laughing at him from the inside. The address on the letter was clearly not his, not even close: “1496 Bonanza Ave,” addressed to a Jennifer Waterman, in a city that was at least twenty miles away. By itself the incident should’ve been of little concern–a simple oversight by the carrier, who was still visible in his Jeep down the street.“But it’s happened so many times before,” he thought as he slid the envelope out of the cold box and held it in his trembling ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“A Piece of Purple Parchment ” by Maggie Hardy

Submitted to Contest #212

Over a hundred years ago, colored letters were the most popular form of art. A young group of witches and wizards, who called themselves Barrentide, developed a unique form of parchment. This parchment was colored in unique shades, as requested by the buyer, before a spell was put on it. The entire process was special and there were never two pieces that were created the same. But as time passed, certain colors began to carry certain meanings. Red parchment was commonly used to deliver urgent messages. Green was used for special announcement...

0 comments 0

Read story

“THE PRETTY ONE” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #212

THE PRETTY ONEIt was the first time since her father’s death that she had visited her mother and sister at their new home. She had wanted it to be a surprise; to show that her inherited, unasked for role would not mean a drastic change in their lives. While her father had lived, they had all been so happy, dwelling a quatre, sharing every aspect of their exalted status, her beloved sister her closest companion.How happy they had been. It seemed that nothing could ever come between them. Of course, she had, from the age of six, been groomed t...

1 comment 1

Read story

“The Typewriter” by R. Z. E. Parrots

Submitted to Contest #212

For her entire life, Madelyn Doucetta has been fond of convenience. What seemed suitable to her needs was always met with an enthusiastic yes. Her yes’s would typically yield some sort of satisfying conclusion. So when Mrs. Eleanor Colton offered her a position at her bookstore, Madelyn felt inclined to take it. It appeared perfect, especially since the bookstore resides just below her apartment complex. Along with the weekly paychecks, most were put towards her college loans, but overall was a bonus. Very soon would the regular life of Ma...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Hour of Blessings” by Mohendra Shiwnarain

Submitted to Contest #212

At about a quarter to ten, Matilda had settled into her bed for the night. After a long day at work and trudging through the snow, which was pretty heavy this winter, she was ready to get some sleep. But, sleep was the last thing on her mind.Atop the dresser, opposite her bed, was a gold envelope that was the source of her distraction and the focus of her attention. The envelope was addressed to Hilda Copperstone, Matilda’s twin sister, and was from somewhere or something called the Hour of Blessings.She had found the envelope tucked in betw...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Forgiveness” by Ashley Sawh

Submitted to Contest #212

I opened my eyes to the sound of the birds chirping. I let out a deep sigh and got up from my spot in the park. As I walked home from the park, my mind kept returning to the argument I had witnessed between my two friends. I just couldn't make sense of it. I shook my head in confusion as I walked. I mean, I get why they were upset at each other, I think. But it seemed like they were taking it too far. I made a mental note to talk to them both later and try to sort out the issue. I pulled the small wooden door on the mailbox and grabbed the s...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Second chances” by Marie Munch Keiding

Submitted to Contest #212

“Bloody creatures,” Laura mumbles under her breath. The vacant stares of the porcelain cats are getting to her and with a brisk flip of the wrist she turns the glazed figurines around so they can stare at the wall instead. Laura picks up the big trash bag and goes back to picking up empty pill bottles, stacks of newspapers and miscellaneous debris of a life lost. Thank God for the invention of the rubber glove however uncomfortable, they even provide a bit of warmth in the cold house. “SALE. MUST GO NOW. NEW PRICE.” The sign outside the ho...

0 comments 0

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.

Short Story – 147 stories

Write an epistolary story set during a major historical event. The event may be the subject of the letters directly, or be referenced in the background.

Historical Fiction – 30 stories

Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

Character – 26 stories

Set your story in a post office.

Fiction – 36 stories

Contest #212

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

$250

Prize money

304

Contest entries

129

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 25, 2023 EST

Won by Wendy M 🏆

Title: The Last Of The Bright Young Things

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!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

A mysterious letter is delivered to your character's home. It's not addressed to them, but they can't resist peeking...

Submissions are closed

✍️ 65 stories

“Old Masters” by Denese Wright

“His Secret” by Kathleen Spencer

“You’ve Got Mail” by Andrew Fruchtman

“Thirty-eight Years Ago Today” by Bill Richter

“The Secret” by Bob Long Jr

“Train Comin’ on the Low Road” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

“Juliette” by Ian Patterson

“Oakheart” by Aiden Harris

“The Letter Carrier” by Zachary Thomas

“A Piece of Purple Parchment ” by Maggie Hardy

“THE PRETTY ONE” by Charles Corkery

“The Typewriter” by R. Z. E. Parrots

“The Hour of Blessings” by Mohendra Shiwnarain

“Forgiveness” by Ashley Sawh

“Second chances” by Marie Munch Keiding

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.

Write an epistolary story set during a major historical event. The event may be the subject of the letters directly, or be referenced in the background.

Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

Set your story in a post office.

Contest #212

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

304

Contest entries

129

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: