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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story that starts with the reveal of a long-kept secret.

Posted in Mystery on Jul 17, 2021

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 129 stories

“Betrayal of a Young Girl” by Sue Marsh

Submitted to Contest #37

Betrayal of a Young GirlSuzanne MarshThe papers sitting on Nana's kitchen table spoke a mute testimony to a terrible eighty four year old family secret. Momma, tears welling in her eyes, took a deep breath and began:“Anne, as you know, Nana survived World War II, she lived in Amsterdam, Holland. It wasonly after you were born, did we move here to Amsterdam, New York. Nana, had a veryspecific reason for leaving Holland. Today, I am going to tell you the reason, but you mustnever repeat it to anyone, not only for your sake but for Nana and our...

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“Connections in a Time of Coronavirus” by Kathryn El-Assal

Submitted to Contest #37

                  Nicole found some of her mother’s old photos in a manila envelope. Growing up, she‘d leafed through leather-bound albums that captured her family’s history, but she’d never seen these photos before: pictures of her mom when she was young and working for a photo studio. In some, she was wearing costumes, like a hula skirt, and in others, ‘40s style clothing from shirtwaists to jodhpurs for riding. Others showed her with a handsome, dark...

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“Who am I?” by Gideon Gichohi

Submitted to Contest #37

To my daughter Sunjua,Receive greetings from your dad. I have purposed to paper and pen since technology as you have learned is always on the monitor. Today I feel well enough to convey some crucial knowledge of my work and life…I am sorry...I am really sorry…I weep as I write since I know what evil things I did when…What I mean is that for many years I told you of your close mother; that she loves you and she misses you, and that she wants you to grow into a beautiful and steady young lady. Well, that is true except for one thing. I am actu...

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“The Death Held in a Secret” by Annony Mous

Submitted to Contest #37

"Emma.... I'm not your father.""What?" Emma stared at the man she had called father for the short eighteen years of her life. Her mother had died when she was a baby and she and her father had lived alone ever since. She loved this man, adored him actually. They had been inseparable since her childhood. She even looked like him. Now, here he was, standing in front of her, telling her he wasn't her father. Either she wasn't comprehending or he wasn't making sense. There was no way what he was saying was true. After all, they shared the same s...

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“From, the Boogie Man” by Nani Na

Submitted to Contest #37

To all the Kids whose beds I apparently live beneath :)Hey, kiddo. I'm gonna start this off by telling you a big secret:I'm not a bloodthirsty monster ready to eat your little toes.Can you guess what I am, though? That's right, the Boogie Man. The one and only. So, I think I have some explaining to do, or better yet, some story telling. Maybe if you take a peek into my past, you'll kind of understand why I'm beneath your bed (apparently).It all started Sunday morning, me and my pops were going to church, praying to the good Lord- NOT.It just...

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“I'll Hush Until ” by Britini Babi

Submitted to Contest #37

“I’m your father.”He dared not sit in my booth. He had red hair, like mine. I was skeptical about his claim. After all he did seem like a random stranger who had just approached me in Lucy’s Roadside Café. The other two here were an old woman and some clean-cut salesman.I had been watching both of them for a few; they were preoccupied, humming on about legal insurance, about her being sued over the mote around her property in the middle of a crowded neighborhood. “It’s to keep my half-brother out. Ain’t no half-bloods welcome. He acts just l...

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“Secret's” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #37

The biggest secret I been trying to keep from my family and children is the fact that I truly believe what “we” are linked through “our” heritage. I said to my little baby girl can you keep this between you and me? She shook her little tiny head back and forth as children do at that age and said yes, yes crazy B. Daddy. Even today I still don’t know why my little precious baby girl Adrienne would refer to me as B. Daddy. I think behind my back my ex wife was angerly saying bad things about me, the capital “B.” stood for something. (Bastard)!...

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“A Mother’s Secret” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #37

So, my darling, it looks like you’re about to learn the truth at last. Your father has died, and Connie, your stepmother, has decided it is time you learned the truth. She’s right; it has been over fifty years, after all. She’s been a good mother to you, Connie has, but that doesn’t alter the fact that it should have been me. She’s been a good wife to your father too, better than I was.So now you take the papers proffered. You look at that first piece of paper, such an innocent looking piece of paper, and you read th...

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“Many Secrets Between Us” by Book Worm

Submitted to Contest #37

On 13th April, the day the Indian New Year begins, I came upon a secret that changed my life forever. The Indian new year is based on the Hindu calendar in which astrological positions play a key role. The nation’s renowned astrologers had appeared on television elaborately explaining planetary positions and how they would impact each sun sign. I had opened the newspaper that morning and briefly glanced at what the stars had in store with me. “You are going to come on a secret that will transform your life. One phase of your life is goi...

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“Groups of Two” by Ellie L

Submitted to Contest #37

March 17th Today is the beginning of the end. My mother said I was getting a bit “bloated” in the middle. She then continued to take away my cake at the end of her famous Thanksgiving dinner. I can’t keep this secret to myself any longer. All I know is that it will be killed. I jump down the stairs, practically glowing with my newfound adulthood. Yesterday was probably the best day of my life and I had never wanted it to end.  Dancing with my friends, blowing out eighteen candles, and having my first sip of champagne. My parents are nor...

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“Law and Morals” by Victoria Nuzzi

Submitted to Contest #37

I ran from my car as fast as I could up the steps of the county jail. The downpour of rain-soaked me through and chilled me beyond the bone. The fact it was the middle of the night did not help one bit. My umbrella and trench coat did not help one bit as I hoped they would. My brown hair plastered to my face. I yanked open the door and was happy to feel the warm air hit my face.The officer behind the counter looked at me like I was the biggest shock in his life. At this time of the night, I probably was. I gained my composure from my running...

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“You're Not Who You Think You Are” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #37

You’re Not Who You Think You Are Dun Dun Dun    Dun Dun     Dun Dun “Okay, I hear you, I hear you. Now if you could only tell me where you are, you bloody phone. Why did I ever program you to play ‘Smoke on the Water’? Sure it is my father’s favourite song, and I respect his good taste in music. But I am sick and tired of hearing the ring, only to have somebody I don’t know trying to offer me a deal I don’t need or complete a survey I don’t want to be involved with that l...

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“*GASP!* ” by Lillian White

Submitted to Contest #37

"I can't believe that you would keep that a secret! From me of all people. Your very best friend in the whole universe!" My friend shouted, basically going ballistic on me. I lowered my head, waves of guilt and hormones crashing over me in waves. "Look, Aria, I really meant to tell you, but -" She waved her hand, abruptly cutting me off, "But what? I can't believe it. I would have told you if I was in your shoes. Well, your shoes wouldn't fit me, but thats not the point," She continued, full speed, "I just don't get it. So, you're pregnant, ...

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“The Coffee House Back Door” by Chloe Rooney

Submitted to Contest #37

Renee had walked into the coffee shop for a cup of ice and a packet of honey. Her favorite tea place always served their earl-grey a little too hot and a little too bitter, so Renee would bring in her plastic cup and fill it with a few ice cubes and two honey packets. It was a pattern she had fallen into years ago, but she only exercised it once every week. At 26 years old, and living in Boston, Renee held the record for the weakest social life, but that was the last thing she wanted. Grey was her favorite color and rain her preferred weathe...

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“THE HANSLEYVILLE MURDER MYSTERY” by Loretta Moore

Submitted to Contest #37

  THE HANSLEYVILLE MURDER MYSTERY   Hansleyville, Delaware’s location, with its strong link to the past is perfect for the manifestation of ‘Mystery.’ The dead body of Earl Hansley Aldridge was found on the grounds of his estate. How his death really occurred remains on the minds of everyone.         Looking back in time, then landlord Earl Hansley Aldridge promised a large reward for Roy Mills’ part in his bootleg operation. (The loyal tenant picked up a horse and wagon loaded with crates of alcohol coming in f...

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