Write a short story that ends with a twist.

Posted in Mystery on Jun 27, 2021

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✍️ 155 stories

“Buzz Kill” by Kelly Gerber

Submitted to Contest #27

There are few places as pungent as a high school gym, especially during a boys’ varsity basketball game. The Jordan High boys were a talented bunch of players. Think more “hard work and tears,” less High School Musical. As team mom, I got to sit on the bench behind the team, organize the team volunteers, and keep my mouth shut. I love my kids and would do anything for them. Being team mom was one of the many little ways that I could demonstrate that small truth. So I sat in the bleachers, listened to the squeaky sneakers and the basketball’s...

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“Enid on the Case” by Lenore Butcher

Submitted to Contest #27

That Thursday morning, Enid was running late. Enid hated running late, but today she had a headache and the weather was foul – it was impossible to get a cab and she ended up having to walk through puddles, dodging careless umbrellas and ill-timed bicycle wheels until she managed to slog through the door of the tea room where she met her circle every Thursday for lunch. The hostess turned away as Enid passed by and she didn’t blame...

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“In A Mirror Darkly” by Deborah Landers

Submitted to Contest #27

Abel let out a long sigh. It kicked up the dust in his hiding place. Curled up as small as he could be, he had found the furthest corner of the large manor house and stuffed himself into the most unassuming cupboard he could find. Flirting with Death™ was a sort of open concept house of horrors that catered to thrill seekers looking for a real rush of adrenaline. Between remote neural links and specialized cloning technology, it was simple enough to place people within their own horror movie without the threat of death. At least, that's what...

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“Fear the Siren” by Kendra Dantes

Submitted to Contest #27

Fear the Siren By Kendra Dantes There was something so pleasant about a human’s scream. The way their bodies reacted with an instinct so deep that they lost control. The way their eyes widened at the sight of the siren with claws for nails. The siren with teeth like needles who was more beautiful than the devil. That dark power that was so incredibly irresistible that people died at the sight of her. Ivy frowned. It was so utterly inconvenient when the humans died before they c...

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“A surprise party” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #27

A Surprise Party Kelly’s relationship to her boyfriend James was going fairly well. They went out on a date at least once every week, sometimes twice. There had been no fights, no real arguments. They even agreed on what their favourite Shakespearean play was: the Scottish play – Macbeth. The only difference there was that he didn’t like the Weird Sisters, the witches, said that they sounded unrealistic to him. But she liked them. They reminded her of people she had grown up with.. She had even played the p...

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“Wrongful Death” by Helen VanTol

Submitted to Contest #27

The ancestral home loomed up, impassive against the darkening sky. Inside, Sir Frederick was in the library near a crackling fire, busy at his desk. It had been his father's, and was made of gleaming mahogany with cubbyholes and secret drawers. Frederick remembered his father sitting at this very desk with his pots of glue and ink restoring tattered old books. Something he could never understand. He picked up a glue pot filled with white powder and sniffed it. The shelves above him were filled with books and documents that his ance...

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“The Necklace” by Tom Campbell

Submitted to Contest #27

The old woman always felt better when she wore the necklace; happier, healthier. It was not the sort of necklace conducive to a good night's sleep so every evening it was carefully removed and every morning she asked her cheerful little girl to fetch it to her bedside where it was once more lovingly garlanded around her sickly neck. The woman was always fond of saying she wanted to look pretty if and when she died. It was a simple unassuming necklace but one with great pretensions. Rhinestones set with a triangular pattern with insets o...

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“The Two Kingdoms” by Shelby Schwartz

Submitted to Contest #27

Ice crystals began to form along the pine trees that surround the gated kingdom. The one with the walls so high, you can’t see in or out. With the towers made of stain glass. They tell a story of the past. A harsh, painful one that brought the kingdom to its glory. One of respect and dignity. In that kingdom lies a prince. Young, full of grace and loyal to his people. He wears a coat of blues and reds. A crown of silver, with rows of ruby’s lining the prestige that resides upon his black locks. It was said for century’s he would be the one t...

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“Casey's Time” by Matthew Turner

Submitted to Contest #27

His heart was on fire. A burning beating mass inside his body that was loud enough that he could hear it and wondered if someone else was sitting in the car would they hear it too. His mind raced over every detail of what was about to happen. He tried playing it forward in his mind. Taking every opportunity to overthink and imagine the worst possibly outcome, weaving a spiders web of nightmare scenarios. All the outcomes, best to the worst, were then set aside. His mind was made. He was going to rob the corner store. Just a year ago Casey wo...

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“The Treasure” by Randi W

Submitted to Contest #27

She slid the door as quietly as possible before ducking down below the windows; she heard the pounding of feet scurry past the cabin door. Sadie released a breath of relief, leaning her head against the wooden door panels. ‘As long as I can stay hidden for the next two hours, I will be okay.’ thought Sadie Her heart began to pound faster once again when she heard someone clearing his throat. Sadie slowly pi...

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“The Dance Teacher” by Priy Singha

Submitted to Contest #27

Allegra isn’t there when Nadal comes to meet her. Earlier this morning, Nadal said goodbye to her father before he went down to the harbor with their dog Harley. She wished them a good day out on the water with the other fishers. Then she wished the same to her mother who supervised the village farms where they grew herbs and vegetables and cared for animals. After they had left, Nadal walked next door to the mint green house where Allegra - the dance teacher in the village - lives with her brother. Every morning, Allegra waits in front of ...

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“It's been a little too fast” by Efrat Rosen

Submitted to Contest #27

He woke up, in the middle of the street. He felt like he slept for hours. He didn't know what happened, and didn't even bother to think. Adam just stood up, and started to go home. After few minutes of walking he heard steps rushing to his direction. He looked back and saw 5 men wearing weird clothes. He didn't know how, but Adam knew they ran after him. Maybe because he was the only one there.He ran as fast as he could, while hearing the steps behind him. But suddenly, they've stopped, and instead, a loud voice was heard: "Get out of here! ...

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“Bon Viveur” by Joan Maguire

Submitted to Contest #27

Bon Viveur (1806 words)I knock back the neat whiskey. The liquid gold both sears and comforts my parched throat. I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror of my bedroom. I’m completely shocked by my unkempt appearance standing there in my chef’s whites from service the night before. Bloody hell! I have to be in the studio in three hours’ time. Can I pull it off again? I’m expected to present myself in Montrose and do an interview and food demonstration on the Late, Late show. Why had I agreed to this? I mean it’s not as if ...

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“My Hero” by Adrienne Parker

Submitted to Contest #27

As my tears fall on the photograph one by one at half-past midnight, I reflect on my life. It has been a good one, I guess. Full of experiences, wonderful people, too. But there is a lot of dark stains on my past and will be in my future, I’m guessing. I was foolish and naive when I was younger. I trusted until I couldn’t. I was only so lucky when I met him. When I was twenty years old, done with my first year of college, I met Andy. My hero. I had been walking down a street in our small suburb with a cup of steaming co...

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“Two Souls A Day” by Haley Godman

Submitted to Contest #27

I felt the warmth at my back while I slept and knew that he was there. It felt as though he had always been there and that he always would be. It had been years since we had slept apart and years more that we had been a part of each other’s lives. We had never promised ‘till death do us part as both of us knew that without the other the grave of the second would barely hesitate. We kept secrets from others, but not from each other, even when we both wished we had. We were told we were truly made for each other. ...

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Write a short story that ends with a twist.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 155 stories

“Buzz Kill” by Kelly Gerber

“Enid on the Case” by Lenore Butcher

“In A Mirror Darkly” by Deborah Landers

“Fear the Siren” by Kendra Dantes

“A surprise party” by John Steckley

“Wrongful Death” by Helen VanTol

“The Necklace” by Tom Campbell

“The Two Kingdoms” by Shelby Schwartz

“Casey's Time” by Matthew Turner

“The Treasure” by Randi W

“The Dance Teacher” by Priy Singha

“It's been a little too fast” by Efrat Rosen

“Bon Viveur” by Joan Maguire

“My Hero” by Adrienne Parker

“Two Souls A Day” by Haley Godman

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a short story that takes place on a train.

Write a short story about a jury of people tasked with making a decision. (It doesn't necessarily need to be a court jury.)

Write a short story in which a specialist is called upon to carry out a job.

Write a short story that takes place in a quaint, idyllic, English village.

Contest #27

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

379

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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