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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of thriller short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

6180+ Thriller Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath? Don’t skip our collection of thriller short stories.

Thriller Short Stories – Page 403 of 412

GOLDEN FETTERS

Submitted to Contest #24

Peter along with his daughter, was standing in the queue at Meenakshi temple in Madurai. There was a long queue and tight security. When his turn came, the security guard, frisked him and his daughter. He was about to send the two in. Out of curiosity, he asked the daughter, a charming cherubic cute little, fair skinned girl, for her name. She gave her name very distinctly as M..E..E..N..A..A..K..S..H..I and in clear terms. The security guard was taken aback. A fair skinned foreigner with his pale blue eyes, coming to Madurai, was not any st...

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For What Ails You

Submitted to Contest #24

      “If we go in there, odds are it’s not gonna end well. You know that, right?”           It’s a voice in the back of my mind, a whisper that only I can hear. You’d think after all this time, I’d be used to it, but it still sends a chill down my spine. “Yeah, I know that. But that’s what you’re here for.”           I keep walking as I talk, heading down the night-shrouded street, the old cobblestone w...

12 likes 1 comment 1
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The Future

Submitted to Contest #24

I surveyed the damage and knew I would be getting dirty looks from our “clean up” team for weeks. My supervisor, on the other hand, had nothing but praise.   “That’s the third gang leader you’ve taken down in as many weeks. I thought you’d be tired by now. How do you do it?” How indeed.   I would love to say I was just born incredibly talented or I spent my entire childhood training 24 hours a day for this, but that’s not the case. I guess I was born with something, but I’m not sure it could be conside...

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Scribbled Smile

Submitted to Contest #24

I get the phone call at 2 a.m. Not an abnormal event in my line of work, but annoying nonetheless. Unfortunately, people don’t seem to understand the concept of “sleep” when crime is involved. I roll over and slowly emerge from my nest of blankets. My clothes are rumpled from sleep and my socks are slightly damp, but otherwise I feel presentable. As I walk out the door, I grab a banana from the bowl sitting on the floor by my shoes. It’s a twenty-minute drive to the police station from my apartment. No one is out this early in the mor...

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A town in the heart of lava

Submitted to Contest #24

Dave Kellen wasn’t having the best day of his life. Today at his school there the sports day will be takingplace and he was one of the participant. He was like those juicy athletic boys with huge muscles like theyare made of rock. He had a series of quarrels with his parents this morning first was his mom who hadsentenced him to be grounded for two months because he had been not doing his chores for a week.They both quarreled where Dave presented his point of view in a rather angry manner that she waspunishing him for no reason. Mrs. Johnson...

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"Lost in Translation"

Submitted to Contest #24

The day after the murder of Sally Rhodes, one of my old friends, I picked up the newspaper. Being in town gave me an advantage. I wasn’t about to let some uptight agent take over the case. I lacked any leads on the cast—doubting she could do better. On November 13th she came by my house. “I’m Special Agent Marla Monroe.” She said, in ASL. Her translator, whose name I didn’t know, informed me. “I’m aware of your connection to the case.” I let them in the house, she continued. “You knew Ms. Rhodes, correct?” “I did, yeah, and I’ll find who ...

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Something's wrong with the target behind the monitor camera

Submitted to Contest #24

You know the rumor about secret agents spying on your phones and laptops? If you somehow avoided the thousands of memes regarding FBI agents questioning your online search history, now I will inform you that it’s all true. We do exist, but please don’t panic or proceed to call the police. It’s not as if calling authorities will do you any good. Contacting the media is also a fruitless endeavor, it will be shut down as soon as my boss found out about it. Even if it somehow managed to make into the headlines, people will think it is one o...

8 likes 5 comments 5
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Good Hearted, Deadly Intentions

Submitted to Contest #24

"Thus, paranormal phenomena include extrasensory perception (ESP), telekinesis, ghosts, poltergeists, life after death, reincarnation, faith healing, human auras, and so forth." -Terence HinesIn traditional ghostlore and fiction featuring ghosts, a ghost is a manifestation of the spirit or soul of a person. However, sometimes the term "ghost" is used synonymously with any spirit or demon. */*A fire burned beneath his skin.Ashton Watch...

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"Justice Prevails"

Submitted to Contest #24

“Justice Prevails” The powerful roar of the crowd was so intense, no one heard the explosion. All eyes were on the ball flying over the center field wall. A rookie short stop clinched the World Series for a team that started the season in last place.  As celebrations broke out on and off the field and fireworks filled the sky, a rapidly spreading catastrophe escalated behind-the-scenes.  It didn’t take long for an army of state and local police, sheriff’s departments, firefighters, military personnel, FBI officers, EMTs, ...

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Help From Beyond

Submitted to Contest #24

               As the alarm sounded off at 4:30 AM, Special Agent Clare Higgins lazily reached for the alarm clock to stop its incessant chirping. It was a rainy Monday morning and she had not been able to sleep very well the night before. It seemed like she had just gone to bed when the alarm clock started its obnoxious aria. After hitting the snooze button, a couple times, Clare decided to get up and start her day. As she showered, she could not ...

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A Cold, Dead Night

Submitted to Contest #24

"Give me a minute," the detective said.He knelt next to the victim's body and carefully examined the wound."I've taken photos; whatever else will be picked up when forensic sweeps."The detective turned to the rookie and gave a cutting stare. It was clear he wasn't fond of his interjection.The rookie held his breath, annoyed because he thought his time was valuable but in this detective eyes, he was but an errand-boy. "78th and Grove, we need to get moving. Now.""There no tape up, no lead?" the rookie was dumbfounded; in practice this de...

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Super 8

Submitted to Contest #24

    At times it’s like a cinema screen that’s pulled down in front of me. Eight millimeter film. Slow moving. Conspicuous. At other times, a still voice. Inaudible but just as true as the East River. Just as real as Avenue of the Americas. I’ve even seen my full name written across the canvas: John Taylor Sellers. Almost as if the utmost care is being made on my behalf. Accuracy. Only my parents call me John Taylor. My friends know me by J.T. My professional name- Officer Sellers.   I knew he would be ...

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Gila Bend

Submitted to Contest #24

The clock on the dash read two a.m. and Christmas music had been the only thing on the radio since Denton Kline left his sister’s place in Gila Bend. He reached over and shut it off, hoping to get a grip on his thoughts and maybe… just maybe the voices in his head would shut up.   Why the hell did he even think of surprising his older sister by driving all the way to Arizona dressed as Santa? He shook his head and pounded on the steering wheel. Ardell left home when Denton was fourteen. She moved to a commune way the hell out in Gi...

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Held

Submitted to Contest #24

                She threw her bag down beside her desk and sank into her chair while she waited for the familiar chime that let her know that her computer was ready to get started on the day’s work. It had been many years since she’d started at The Agency, but the most recent years were taking the biggest toll. It didn’t help that “it” kept sticking around, regardless of the steps she’d taken to rid herself of it’s exhausting presence.    &nbs...

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Whisper Shield

Submitted to Contest #24

“Duck!” The now all too familiar voice rang out in Special Agent Ortenson’s head. Without hesitating he yelled to the rest of his team, “get down!” Instantly the other members of the infiltration team dropped to the deck. They’d operated with him for a few months now and trusted his instincts. He seemed to know things were about to happen seconds before they actually happened. At first it spooked them, but now it was so commonplace, and it had kept them free from harm, that they just unquestioningly reacted.Sheer moments after they ducked do...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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