Stay a While

The Prompt

Isolation changes the rules. Once help is out of reach, every sound, movement, and decision starts to carry a different kind of weight.

Set your story somewhere remote, where getting out is difficult and being found is unlikely. Let the tension build as the group begins to sense that something is off, then push that awareness into something more concrete and more dangerous. The threat should feel close, even when it isn’t fully seen.

Lean into dread. Focus on pacing, unease, and the moments where fear takes hold before anyone is ready to name it.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

• Between 600 and 3,000 words.
• Submitted to the Horror community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
• Your work must be original and unpublished.

The Prizes

• 5 Winners: $500 each
• 15 Runners-up: $25 each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: $5 each

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 600 and 3,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Stay a While Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.