Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Horror.
Dreaded Day in June
It was a gloomy day on June 15, 2014, most commonly known as Jane Lowe’s birthday. Turning the big 40 was the biggest headline in her own personal news. Waking up alone in her cold studio apartment; no children to deal with, no mate for affection, just one cat to say good morning to. Not having any of these belongings in her life stems from some long term trust issues from a past ex. Ed McGullan, Jane’s boyfriend of only one year and 11 months, became very controlling over what she would do and where she would go. Finally, she had enough of not being in control of her life and having to ask permission, Jane dumped Ed one day prior to their two year anniversary, which was June 14. Ed seemed to never get over this. Constantly calling Jane’s phone, showing up unexpectedly, trying to break in to just get one last final piece of her for his own sake of closure. Jane never gave in, leaving Ed no choice but to finally give up. Now that it’s finally her first birthday being single, she didn’t have work this afternoon, as she decided to take the day off in advance to make the most of it since she doesn’t get out all that often. Rather than the usual daily grind of bold brew, Jane went the extra mile to finally open a bottle of her favorite merlot and poor a glass to enjoy while sitting in her hot lavender scented bubble bath. 20 minutes in, Jane receives a call, but she left her phone downstairs. The bath comes to an abrupt end as she’s now distracted by an interruption. A look of confusion glazed over her face, since she never receives by phone calls these days due to not having any friends or no longer any family. The contact read “no caller ID” weird, she thought. Less than three minutes later, another call comes through and she’s able to answer it. Jane says, “hello, who is this?” To which a male voice responds, “Happy birthday Jane, you know I would never forget your special day.” Jane, nervous and borderline frantic, responds with a shaky voice, “Ed...please. Leave me...alone..how did you get my number again?” Ed replies with a deep chuckle, “I never deleted it. How could I ever get over you when we never reached a proper two year anniversary? I hope that wine you’re enjoying is to be considered a birthday celebration drink along with a happy anniversary sip.” Now nervous as to how Ed knew how she was drinking wine, she asked him how he knew she had wine. Ed told her, “not only do I know you always loved your occasional glass of Merlot, but I’m watching you right now, and you look damn good drinking it too. Can I come in to share?” She looks out the window to see Ed standing by a tree across the street staring in and waving now that eye contact has been made. Luckily for Jane, a cop was cruising by doing neighborhood watch, so she grabbed their attention and filed a report to press charges and get a restraining order. Ed leaves, complying with officer’s orders to go back home. Jane now has to look forward to keeping up with this restraining order against Ed. Her first single birthday goes to hell, as she couldn’t predict any less considering her luck. Once officers leave with her information, Jane proceeds to go back inside and down the entire bottle of Merlot and sleep the day away, since she’s not feeling on bit of her so called special day.
By Cameron Carr5 years ago in Horror
What's in a Name? (Part 4)
Alex lay in bed, her thoughts on the mysterious man and the woman with no name. As she drifted into sleep, her dreams were plagued by visions influenced by the information she’d learned. Upon waking from them, she burned with a desire to find the truth.
By J.C. Winter5 years ago in Horror
Doppelgänger
The driver behind me tries to make it seem they aren’t following me, but they fail in achieving that goal. For an instant, I had thought to turn left. I was in the turn lane, but then I remembered the veterinarian’s office would already be closed for the day. So, and since there was only one car behind me, I waited in the left turn lane and went straight. The driver behind me realized there was no further point in trying to pretend and openly followed me from the left turn lane as I continued along my way home.
By Shawn Ingram5 years ago in Horror
A touch of the supernatural
Not so long ago, there was a challenge to talk about “If this, then that”, where the community in Vocal would talk about a show or a movie and then recommend similar ones. I submitted two entries, but there was a third one I wanted to add but I didn’t manage to do so before the deadline. However, I was left with the itch to write it anyway and share it with you, my dear readers.
By Natalia Perez Wahlberg5 years ago in Horror
Among the flowers
Thick sweet perfume from the robe of Jasmine flowers adorning the courtyard walls permeated the air as they pulsed slowly and rhythmically against the smooth stone as though it were breathing. Soft rays of twilight glinted through the glass table before me casting a sea of shimmering rainbow across the lush blooming Eden onto a colossal antique mirror that stood sentinel among a thicket of snowy roses. A dull knot wrought in the depths of my soul as I beheld myself within the ornately gilded frame; a dishevelled creature, pitiful and unseemly among this sanctuary of decadence. Grains of wheat burst forth from the mornings threshing clung to my dried brittle hair no matter how much Cook picked at them for me. My eyes drowned in dark pools of weariness holding a heavy gaze on my sunken face forever infused with the grime of a life’s worth of toil while the Sunday best dress offered no lustre to the hollow frame from which it hung.
By Sophie Bateman5 years ago in Horror
Blood & Wine
Neve knocked on the door of her date’s house and chewed her lip. The air was cool and it chilled her legs as she stood on the gravel pathway. She looked around at the beautiful property as she waited; the lawn was lush and had the greenest grass she’d ever seen. The front of the house was lined with mulch and had lovely blueish purple hydrangea bushes that hugged the grey stone walls of the house. Her gaze looked back up at the overcast sky and then back down to the deep red door in front of her. Neve sighed and hugged her arms tightly to herself. ‘She sure is taking her time.’, she thought as she shivered. She reached her hand out to knock on the door again when it swung open to reveal the object of her affections.
By Jessica Gustafson5 years ago in Horror
Serial Dater
Nothing better than sitting in your garden relaxing with a glass of Merlot after a long day of digging and gardening. If the saying that goes what you put in is what you get out, then I am getting some beautiful roses, pretty damned gorgeous. My neighbours always ask why I choose to garden at night, my answer is always the same - “After a bad date I need to relax” - You can say I have had many bad dates. I guess what I am looking for is just too hard to find. Too damned hard I would say. My friends always say I am a serial dater and that I would find any reason not to have a second date, that I am the one that makes up all these faults on every man I meet. There is nothing wrong with being picky, absolutely nothing. I know what I want and how I want it. I am an independent woman, I own my own home, a beautiful home I might add, it could be considered a state. I also own my own business. I have worked so damned hard to get all that I always wanted, if a man is going to come into my life is to add to it, not to take away and to try and control me. I wake up when I want to wake up, I go to bed when I feel like going to be. I have been alone practically my whole life.
By Jennifer Rodriguez5 years ago in Horror
Merlot Murder
On the countertop, a shattered wine glass slowly drips its rich, velvety contents onto the white oak flooring. Its fragmented pieces positioned like rocks in a stream, guiding the flow of the ruby red liquid to its endpoint. Drop after drop, the Merlot puddle continues to form, a stark contrast against the light wood. Its bold flavors of cherry and blackberry merging with the citrusy scent of the floor cleaner. Nearby, a figure lies haphazardly, slowly creating its own pool of Merlot with soft notes of iron. The figure’s thick chestnut hair is strewn across its face, and a glowing smartphone brightly displaying the numbers 9-1 rests in its limp hand.
By Silvia Spinn5 years ago in Horror
A Well Cooked Meal
There are many thoughts one has in these types of situations. But there is only one I can hear repeatedly, louder than the rest, 'Where did I mess up?' Staring at the glass cup as it rolls along the floor, resting against the table leg, the contents form a pool around it. The man kneels in front of me, muffling something that I can't quite make out before the room goes black.
By Paige Ouellette5 years ago in Horror
