Write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well.

Posted in Mystery on Jul 19, 2024

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✍️ 63 stories

“The Conductor’s Grandson” by Sandrine Hu

Submitted to Contest #260

Myrtle looked up at the behemoth of a building that contained her grandson’s office and tutted. “An entire city block and not a single bench,” she said to no one in particular. A young lady with her froufrou fluffball dog in a harness walked by. A flautist, certainly. Whatever happened to old-fashioned dog collars? The flautist and her dog sped away. Myrtle was exhausted just watching. Nothing doing, she’d have to go inside. It mucked up her plan to avoid Tyler noticing her, but her knees wouldn’t let her stand here all day. Myrtle wal...

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“Breakfast in Bed” by Nina Shylo

Submitted to Contest #260

Betsy woke slowly, just as she did everything these days. The morning sun weaseled its way through the cracks in the curtains, bathing the room in a muted glow. She lay still and quiet on her bed, doing her morning inventory of her aches and pains. Fortunately, there weren’t too many yet. As long as she wasn’t moving, it was only the weight of her body holding her back, the idea that even lifting an arm would be too much of a task for her time-worn body. Back in her day, that feeling had only come after skiing all day and partying all night ...

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“Confession of a Vampire” by Angela Wicke

Submitted to Contest #260

Content warning: Strong Language and Sexual Themes “I have a confession to make.” “Okay?” Francine grimaced. “You know how I never eat my lunch?” I eyed the sandwich that sat untouched on her plate as I choked down a bite of my own. “I can’t really blame you, to be honest. The food here’s nasty....

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“On the way to Egypt” by Wade Gilbert

Submitted to Contest #260

On the way to Egypt. By Wade Gilbert “I’m only tellin’ ya this Lad 'cos you’re here and you’re askin’. If ya wana hear some more yarns from a crazy old man’s travelin' days, then I'll tell ya. Fill that glass and I'll fill ya head” Pap jibes, ”From back when I didn’t use my head too good but I had the heart of a lion,” he says and mumbling softly continues, "and the balls to match," he chuckles, starts coughing and rummaging deep into a pocket for his hankey. There is blood on his lip. I look away. We all know he’s ...

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“How To Play A Human” by Search Bar

Submitted to Contest #260

“Goodbye,” you said.The best way to break someone’s heart is to pretend that you care about them. You were good to me. You stood by my side every night when I thought I was never going to make it. You helped me bury my prejudices and become a better person. You believed in me when I had nothing. My only possessions at the time were unreal ideas for the future. But you listened and understood, encouraged me to keep going because you truly thought I’d be someone great someday. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. They say you neve...

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“This Bird’s Gonna Fly” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #260

“They’re at it again,” Dana Dunaway says to her husband, Matt. Matt cocks his ear toward the kitchen window. “They’re probably arguing about him spending too much time at his plastic surgery practice,” Matt comments. “Maybe he told her she needs some work done,” Dana jokes. “She doesn’t.” “You’re not supposed to notice.” “And you have no reason to be jealous,” Matt counters. “Man, she’s got some set of lungs.” “And a salty vocabulary,” Dana adds. “Not everybody’s as perfect for one another as us. You think we should intervene?” “It might n...

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“The Dragon’s Heart” by Dana Orr

Submitted to Contest #260

I’m running through the dense forest, clutching the small, worn leather pouch to my chest. The brush and trees claw and snatch at my dark hooded cloak as I run. The sharp wind blowing tears the hood from my head, exposing the golden hair which now flails behind my shoulders. I don’t have time to stop and pull the hood back up just to conceal my hair. It won’t do any good with me crashing through the foliage the way I am. He will eventually spot me, regardless. I can’t stop. Can’t. Won’t. I have to keep going. The air fills my lungs as I push...

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“Carello Yellow” by Ken Ferris

Submitted to Contest #260

“Right…You manage an office furniture store in Omaha and you’re single.” she said sarcastically while rolling her eyes, “Uh yeah, and I’m an heiress, soon to be worth over a billion dollars.” They were sitting in a suburban hotel bar, identical to hundreds of other suburban hotel bars across the country. There were two red leather bar stools between them. “But it’s true” he said, “Just what is so unbelievable about that? I’m here for a convention. How about if I buy you a drink and I will try and convince you?” “I’ll be right back. I’ll...

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“The Monster In You” by Natalie Vicari

Submitted to Contest #260

A delicate breeze breaking around her black-clad form and rustling the soft brown hair framing her face snapped Amelia out of her dazed distraction. Quick glances around her confirmed that she had not missed too much of the ceremony for the short time she had been somewhere else mentally. Taking a deep breath, she tried to refocus her attention on the woman reading from her script. It was probably normal tripe she rattled off at all funerals she attended as an officiant, all she has to remember to do is change the name in the script for each...

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“The Unexpected Twist” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #260

We have been good friends since we were in the same grade six class, Richard and I. With the exception of my wife, Mary, I don’t think that I have known anyone better than I know him. I owe a lot to him as my unofficial advisor. When we were in high school, and I was somewhat wild and crazy, I would often listen to his advice about what I should be doing, rather than in the wayward direction that my nutbar urges wanted to lead me. Without the advice that he give me when we sat in the coffee bar near the school after our s...

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“A Family Affair” by Hannah Simpson

Submitted to Contest #260

It had to be here somewhere. Time was ticking by and the document had to be submitted by 11am on Monday morning. She had looked in all the usual places; under the bed, the box above the fridge, in her parents’ bedroom and to no avail. Where the hell was it? She bit her fingernails and then started to chew on the loose skin at the base of her thumb. Fuck, now it was bleeding. When was she going to break this habit? She sat down hard on the floral bedspread of her parents’ bed and tried to think of other possible places it could be. The garage...

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“Not Who I Thought You Were” by Saraya Densmore

Submitted to Contest #260

“Chelsea Everwood, to the principal’s office. Chelsea Everwood, to the principal’s office.” The high-pitched voice of Mary the administration officer rang out through the loudspeaker of the school, reaching my ears, and filling me with panic. The principles office? I thought, why would I be going to the office? I gathered my school supplies and tripped out the door of my science classroom.As I wondered through the hallway, my mind was racing, scared, fearful of what might have happened. Am I in trouble? Did something happen? Is my mum alrigh...

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“Whispers of Yesterday” by Maria Cal

Submitted to Contest #260

"Zzzzzzzz..." The mosquito's buzz hummed around her head like an annoying miniature helicopter. She suddenly woke up irked. Reaching out for her phone and after looking at the time, Jael released a profound sigh. It was 7:30 PM, and she hadn't even realized when she fell asleep. Suddenly, the doorbell rang with a buzz. "Ian?" she murmured, striding to the door. Throughout the day, he didn't bother to call or send her a single text. She swung the door open."Gigi," She sighed."Boo, are you not happy to see me?" Gianna asked, standing firm...

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“The Ghost of Wicker Street” by Sofia Peralta

Submitted to Contest #260

There was an old house at the end of Wicker Street. Its windows were boarded up and the roof shingles had begun to fall off. Ivy was creeping up its brick wall and the wooden porch steps were now rotten and soft. The house had been abandoned for over a decade, in which not a single soul dared to step foot inside. Xavier knew he had to explore it. His mother had forbidden him from going anywhere near the house, saying that she’d explain when he was older. But, Xavier didn’t want to wait until he was older so he took matters into his own hands...

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“The Beast” by Ceiling Yolk

Submitted to Contest #260

August 11th, 1385 Today, I chanced upon the most unlikely friend. He’s somewhat diminutive, and his form seems to flux and shift. Encircling his head are rings, and his visage boasts tens of hollowed eyes, each brimming with a boundless curiosity toward me. Never before have I ever beheld a creature consumed with the same zeal for existence as I. Alas, he hasn’t got a name, which we must remedy as I do not believe our last conversation was the final time we will ever speak. Mother would never approve of this arrangement, so she mustn’...

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Write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 63 stories

“The Conductor’s Grandson” by Sandrine Hu

“Breakfast in Bed” by Nina Shylo

“Confession of a Vampire” by Angela Wicke

“On the way to Egypt” by Wade Gilbert

“How To Play A Human” by Search Bar

“This Bird’s Gonna Fly” by Michael Jefferson

“The Dragon’s Heart” by Dana Orr

“Carello Yellow” by Ken Ferris

“The Monster In You” by Natalie Vicari

“The Unexpected Twist” by John Steckley

“A Family Affair” by Hannah Simpson

“Not Who I Thought You Were” by Saraya Densmore

“Whispers of Yesterday” by Maria Cal

“The Ghost of Wicker Street” by Sofia Peralta

“The Beast” by Ceiling Yolk

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story with a big twist.

Write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path.

Write a story that includes the line, "I didn't see that one coming."

Write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream.

Contest #260

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

431

Contest entries

132

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: