In a small town, a powerful family have a dark secret that nobody wants to discuss. One day, an outsider arrives, who's not happy to simply drop it.

Posted in Mystery on Jul 12, 2024

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✍️ 47 stories

“The Vossmonds” by Olivia Knox

Submitted to Contest #259

“Are you ready to live forever?” When I was a child, my brother died. It was swift and violent, leaving no chance for final words. He lit up my world like no other and I would do anything to bring him back. But since his spirit floats unknown in the Underworld, I will do the next best thing: Make sure his fate can never befall me. The wind whistles against my heavy coat as I approach the expansive manor bathed in silver light. “Open the door. The God of War has sent his servant.” It’s only a moment before the towering entrance swings open t...

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“Shutterbug Shutdown” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #259

On a boring Saturday morning on the outskirts of my home turf in Berlin, Md. I took a hike along a deserted road next to one of the many cornfields in the area. A large chicken-raising operation long ago had dominated the community for many years, but now only abandoned grow-out houses dotted the landscape. This seemed like the ideal place to search for historical treasures that might help me discover a forgotten link to our town’s past that could provide the ...

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“What Happened in Birding” by Martha Boucher

Submitted to Contest #259

*Note: this story includes the mention of the death of a child. It was a craggy walk up to the front door and Leon had only ever talked to one of the Rutherfords. He stepped through the front gate, fumbling with the armful of packages and left his little white truck behind, making the long journey up towards the house. The early spring chill crept up his neck as the pea blossom vines tracing his walk shivered in the air. The Rutherford’s place was always covered in vines. A knock at the door and it was, of course, Sarah who answered - ...

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“Entertaining Strangers” by Benjamin Boxer

Submitted to Contest #259

Apparently, you don’t have to be very different to be entirely too different in the town of Great Falls. “We don’t get a lot of Catholics around here,” the preacher said when we met in his office. “Not with a capital ‘C’ anyway. The local preacher was a jovial man, and I do mean THE local preacher. Most of t...

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“A Town Better Forgotten” by Esme Bonner

Submitted to Contest #259

In 1847 a man named Peter Malone left Ireland for America. He was a hard worker, a good man by all counts. Like many in Ireland, his family had once been part of a healthy, functioning community. Then the English came. When he left, his town was on the brink of decimation, and his family was reduced to just three members. Him, a man fleeing; his sister, a woman planted like an oak; and his nephew, a child half-orphaned by the greedy fists of English soldiers. Peter’s family had magic in their blood. His great-great-great-something grandmothe...

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“When Night Falls” by Cassin Villa-Lobos

Submitted to Contest #259

The Merrill House at the end of the lane has always been a problem to the townsfolk of Willow Haven. The town is small, and it rains the majority of the time. Perfect for bundling up in your favorite sweater while you visit the coffee shop. The Merrill house has been an eyesore. It is a dilapidated house that has never been kept up, because people refuse to be caught on the property. Why? That is a great question, and I am here to find the answers.My name is Kit Harland. I am a journalist for the New York Times. I also just happen to be a na...

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“The Freedom Initiative” by William Siebold

Submitted to Contest #259

Lenore Lamore, of the Lemming Lamores, regarded the frumpy bespectacled gentleman before her with an imposing, regal stare. She did not appear favorably impressed. “I am delighted to oversee this critical research, to help us better understand the strengths and weaknesses of our democratic systems,” said Dr. Duglen Tribbens, Co-founder of the Tribbens-Dufort Research Group. He bowed stiffly, spoke formally. “Indeed,” said Lenore. Her expression suggested an unwelcome odor. “I will unveil the Freedom Initiative at a press conference in…...

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“Otto and The Howards” by Thalia Muse

Submitted to Contest #259

It wasn't because they were rich, though they were wealthy indeed. It wasn't because of their political positions, though they had their hands in every aspect of Claire View life. It wasn't even because they were attractive, as while everyone admitted that by all metrics every member of the family should have been conventionally attractive for their age and gender, something was just…off…about their eyes and their voices and the way they looked and spoke and…were… No, the Howards held as much power as they did for a different reason entirel...

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“The outsider” by Kaylee Ellison

Submitted to Contest #259

The residents lived a quiet routine in the quaint town of Willow Creek, nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. The influential Hawthorne family dominated the city, and their wealth and power had shaped Willow Creek for generations. Yet, beneath their polished exterior lay a dark secret, a mystery that no one dared to discuss, shrouded in the whispers of the townsfolk.One crisp autumn morning, a stranger arrived in town. Alex Carter, a journalist with a reputation for uncovering hidden truths, had heard whispers of the Hawthorne fam...

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“In the Eye of the Beholder” by Angela Rainbolt

Submitted to Contest #259

Sometimes the middle is good. It’s when you go from the middle to “in the middle” that life gets more complicated. Fortunately, I had avoided being “in the middle” for most of my life. I spent my days working at the estate owned by the wealthiest family in the city, and my nights and weekends reading, fishing, or doing anything else relaxing I could find to occupy my time. I suppose there are a lot of folks who would not expect such a mundane life for someone of my age, most people my age have finished college, starting careers and families....

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“Why Are There Five Little Gravestones In Your Backyard?” by Cameron Hoormann

Submitted to Contest #259

Tully Tacklebeth never could keep her big nose out of other people’s business. A big crooked thing that jutted out from her face like a rock formation off a sheer cliff. She’d tilt her head back and look down that nose when she was being nosy. “Where are you going, what is that, who are you,” she would ask and pepper and prod. She always had to get to the bottom of things. And if there was one thing she hated, it was a mystery. She had no time to be left in the dark, she needed to move on and stick her nose in some other business so she alwa...

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“A Cruelty Free Secret” by Sophie Parmaby

Submitted to Contest #259

Everyone in Westlake knew about the secret of the Wilhelm Family. It was odd that everyone knew because Wilhelms were a peculiar sort of family in the way that they never mingled with the town like everyone else, or ventured much outside of their mansion which stood proudly on top of the hill, so high that it was practically surrounded by clouds. It was more like a home of the gods rather than anything that belonged within the small cottages that scattered Westlake. Perhaps it was this status that was able to tie closed the mouths of the tow...

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“Not Around Here” by C.J. Carlin

Submitted to Contest #259

Nobody even asked what happened to Tommy. The official story was that he had gone to military school, but nobody saw him, even during the holidays, when surely he would have a break? But none of them, even the local sheriff, would dare ask James Montgomery Wainwright III what the real story of his unseen son might be. Part of it was that they sincerely did not want to know, but mostly it was because he was the landlord for half the residents in Williamsburg and terrified the other half. Then Bobbie Wilson came to town. She was the new journa...

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“Hell Holes, Hell Hounds, and Hell Fire: A Tale of the Wild Midwest” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

Submitted to Contest #259

Content warning: Discussion of kidnapping, abuse, slavery, rape, prostitution, and murder. The events in this story are true history. No graphic descriptions.The land along the Upper Michigan and Wisconsin state line was a wild place in the 1880s. All manner of unsavory characters came together there and made their homes in the woods and logging camps and little mining towns. A veritable hellhole of the wild midwest was Florence, Wisconsin. It was the base of operations for the Mudge Gang, so called because Louis Croin Mudge and his dau...

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“The Delarosa Family” by X Kaiser

Submitted to Contest #259

The Delarosa estate lies upon a blustery slope in Serenity Springs. Ivy covered the grand residence, and the gravel entrance showed signs of weathering. The environment contends to gain it, causing it to blend into a vast expanse of foliage. A metal barrier with a gold letter D written in flowing script is prominent on the exterior. The Delarosa family. Over a long duration, they troubled the residents of Serenity Springs. Because of their wealth and control, they escaped accountability for their actions. Just how were they able to get the...

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In a small town, a powerful family have a dark secret that nobody wants to discuss. One day, an outsider arrives, who's not happy to simply drop it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 47 stories

“The Vossmonds” by Olivia Knox

“Shutterbug Shutdown” by Bob Faszczewski

“What Happened in Birding” by Martha Boucher

“Entertaining Strangers” by Benjamin Boxer

“A Town Better Forgotten” by Esme Bonner

“When Night Falls” by Cassin Villa-Lobos

“The Freedom Initiative” by William Siebold

“Otto and The Howards” by Thalia Muse

“The outsider” by Kaylee Ellison

“In the Eye of the Beholder” by Angela Rainbolt

“Why Are There Five Little Gravestones In Your Backyard?” by Cameron Hoormann

“A Cruelty Free Secret” by Sophie Parmaby

“Not Around Here” by C.J. Carlin

“Hell Holes, Hell Hounds, and Hell Fire: A Tale of the Wild Midwest” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯

“The Delarosa Family” by X Kaiser

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about two people who aren't admitting their true feelings for one another, despite it being obvious to outsiders.

Place your characters in a tough situation, where nobody wants to acknowledge the reality of what's happening.

Write a story that includes the line, "Is nobody going to say it?".

Set your story in a world where conversation about one particular topic is banned — but there are ways to get around the rule.

Contest #259

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

295

Contest entries

143

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: