Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Posted in Mystery on Dec 22, 2023

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✍️ 101 stories

“Sacrifice” by Ben Y

Submitted to Contest #230

The Lord’s messenger, the fool, could not have been more wrong. He had arrived in the early morning and brought word of lawlessness at a nearby village, when his lordship and her ladyship had already long retired for the night. Bandits and raiders, he had asserted with utmost confidence. A decision was made post haste, and we had rode at sunrise, the rising sun on our backs, a half day’s trek on horseback ahead of us. It was a seaside port village, integral to the smooth functioning of the realm and thus a detachment of the king’s best fight...

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“Now or never” by Baiba Liepina

Submitted to Contest #230

Rumours about the biggest event of the year, most probably the biggest event ever brought to this godforsaken place, turned out to be true – a famous rock band was coming to town.Jeff couldn’t believe this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so he grabbed his phone and made a call.“Liz? Is that you?”“Who’s that?” sleepy voice responded.“It’s me, Jeff,” he was whispering, as if someone might be listening to their conversation. “There’s a job out there.”“Jeff, I don’t think...”“Get dressed, there’s someone we have to visit.”“But...” she was about ...

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“Atwist in the Tale” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #230

The Twist in the Tale November 24th 1971 was just like any other Wednesday at the Portland Oregon Airport. Not particularly busy on domestic flights, so Dan Cooper had little wait time in buying his one way ticket to Seattle Washington. Dan Cooper was never planning to return. His identity documents were later proven to be fake. Security is a tad tighter today. In 1971 he did not have to concern himself with CCTV cameras. Even so he had timed his arrival to the last minute before the announcement to board his flight. A busy perio...

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“SURVIVORS” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #230

SURVIVORS Isaac entered the darkness of the store hut, glad to be out of the freezing snow that was falling heavily, casting a white blanket across the entire camp. Isaac stamped the snow from his poorly clad feet, creating a puddle on the wooden floor before pushing the door closed with difficulty against the swirling wind. Pulling down a blanket from one of the many racks that filled this rough hewn, timber shack, each containing a plethora of tools and other stores, he draped the thick, woollen coverlet over his shoulders and huggin...

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“The answer to an unhappy marriages” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #230

The answer to unhappy marriages I sat there in a particular somber mood. I had to admit I was comfortably installed in the club saloon of British Airways waiting for the Barbados flight announcement. My wife had recently died under what the police thought might be suspicious circumstances. All this interest in her death was due to the fact she was a well known London socialite. She came from an extremely wealthy Texas farming family. The family had found sizable oil deposits on their lands. After several weeks of tedious investigation ...

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“Metro-Nymph” by J. I. MumfoRD

Submitted to Contest #230

(Warning, contains scenes of prejudice within the themes of ASD and intersexuality)Zara observed the crowd with the clinical fascination of a zoologist. The splatter of rain took the people by surprise, triggering a bizarre ritual of newspaper shields. A moment later, when lightning forked across the darkening sky, the odd behavior became clear. Perhaps the storms in this city are stronger than those back home? The crowd scrambled in a herd-like exodus for cover.Lacking any protection from the deluge, Zara allowed themself to be swept along ...

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“The Grand Mirage” by Daniel Mueller

Submitted to Contest #230

Harmony is a balance unsettled — a truth in the disguise of a lie. For once, I ask you to truly think: What is the meaning of peace? What has prevented you from experiencing this so-called harmony? When stability is within reach, something simultaneously snaps at your heels to make you forget about it in the first place. Why is that? Every time it seems like life is finally going good, all of a sudden, society becomes consumed by some external influence. In essence; unjust wars dictated by a select few, monetary policies that make the rich r...

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“Truth Among the Shadows of My Mind” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #230

Truth Among the Shadows of My Mind It seemed like some bizarre magical power had broken into my dreams, taken over my mind and led me from my student apartment on the campus of Salisbury University into a fog-covered woody area deep in Pokomoke State Forest. Unfamiliar music had interrupted my dreams and led me as if in a trance to follow twists and turns a...

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“The Hero of this Story” by Diane Bogdan

Submitted to Contest #230

This story contains references to gun violence and child molestation. The Hero of This Story By Diane Bogdan Part 1 Paul Most people think that after a person is pronounced guilty in a court of law, that they are immediately put on a bus, usually white, with other convicts and driven to a prison to start their sentence. The prison is at the end of a road with vast fields on either side and tended to by men in orange jumpsuits. Actually, after you are declared guilty you are led to a holding cell to await transport back to the jail you ...

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“Darkest Before the Dawn” by Maunikha Rasineni

Submitted to Contest #230

You open your eyes to darkness. But it wasn’t like any other darkness. No, it was as if every single tear, every single yell of frustration, and every single thought of evil could be woven into something, that’s what this darkness would be. A darkness made of something, with no hint of happiness laced into it. Running around, you look for a way out of this place when your hands hit something cold. A faint light from above turns on, enough to see only what is in front of you. Your eyes try to adjust to the sudden brightness, a...

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“How it Feels to be Forgotten” by Jennifer Pletcher Borg

Submitted to Contest #230

This is how it feels to be forgotten. Left behind. Not needed. I remember when I first met you. Your eyes lit up upon seeing me. You picked me up, inspected me every which way. Did the same motions to my twin. Told us we were perfect, that we were what you always wanted. You took us home. Our home. A beautiful place with many rooms, wood floors, fuzzy carpets that I loved to lay on. You bragged to your friends about me. About us. My twin and I were constantly shown off. You wouldn’t let anyone get too close with their grubby hands....

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“My Treasure” by Aviva Stefansky

Submitted to Contest #230

It is the most stunning thing I own. There are no words to describe the beauty of it. The ring my husband presented to me on one knee. My most precious possession. It sparkles in every fraction of light, glitters in the dark, creates rainbows in the sunlight. It brings a smile to my husband’s face. How I adore him. The ring, my treasure, has a story of its own. I will share it with you, because someone needs to. I am extremely fortunate that my husband‘s parents are wonderful people. They welcomed me into their family with open arms; tre...

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“The Switch” by Sam B

Submitted to Contest #230

The clickety-clack of the iron wheels bumping over the rail joints would’ve echoed through the tunnel, but the thick smoke muffled everything–a cushioned fort defending against the breaking sound waves. The cab grew warmer, and George groaned, his face contorted for hard work. A glimpse of his pocketwatch dangling from his overalls, and, of course, he was on schedule. The train broke through into light once more, pulling carriage after carriage after carriage, plunging into a valley of perfectly straight trees. The bridge drew ever closer. H...

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“Last Call” by Omar Scott

Submitted to Contest #230

Jackson had no idea of his fate when he strolled into Junior’s Bar just as the sun was setting. The first thing to greet him when he pushed through the salon style doors, was a cloud of smoke and ZZ Hill’s Down Home Blues playing on the juke box. It was a Thursday night and the crowd was sparse. The place was dimly lit and it had a musty odor, like the place hadn’t been aired out in a while. Jackson stood at the entrance and scan the bar with his cold dark eyes. Looking for any familiar faces. He didn’t recognize anyone, so he walked in. Gri...

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“The One Who thinks in child-like monologues” by Tatia Kapanadze

Submitted to Contest #230

My mother is like me, but it’s okay, I still love her. She loves me too, I’m sure. -Look a giraffe! Isn’t that amazing? Such a long neck! and colorful! She doesn’t look at it. Why? What did I do? I always do something wrong…I guess. -Look at the giraffe! Come on! I hold her hand tightly to give me attention. -Ow, okay, I’m looking…yes they are beautiful. She tells me quietly. She often does this, telling me things without feelings. It’s okay. I’m happy. The weather is beautiful today. It’s sunny. The sky is clean. I like it...

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Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 101 stories

“Sacrifice” by Ben Y

“Now or never” by Baiba Liepina

“Atwist in the Tale” by Brian Bywater

“SURVIVORS” by Charles Corkery

“The answer to an unhappy marriages” by David Nutt

“Metro-Nymph” by J. I. MumfoRD

“The Grand Mirage” by Daniel Mueller

“Truth Among the Shadows of My Mind” by Bob Faszczewski

“The Hero of this Story” by Diane Bogdan

“Darkest Before the Dawn” by Maunikha Rasineni

“How it Feels to be Forgotten” by Jennifer Pletcher Borg

“My Treasure” by Aviva Stefansky

“The Switch” by Sam B

“Last Call” by Omar Scott

“The One Who thinks in child-like monologues” by Tatia Kapanadze

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.

Write a story in the form of a list.

Contest #230

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

362

Contest entries

108

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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