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Most recently published stories in Horror.
Haunted (2011) Review
As a fan of point & click adventure games, Haunted seemed very appealing to me. Though considered an 'old' game by today's standards, it still holds up fairly well in terms of visuals and gameplay. I was surprised to see that when Mary was travelling to new locations, she looked as if she was a giant. It pleasantly reminded me of American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns. I'll admit, despite having a dark tone overall, there were some light-hearted moments that made me chuckle. As example would be when William had to kiss Lou and she tricked him into kissing her lips instead of her cheek (ignoring the fact that she couldn't actually SEE him). Victorian children were such stinkers, weren't they?
By Allison 'AllieV' Van Oirschotabout a year ago in Horror
Best Horror Books 2025 - The Library of Lost Flesh
Deep within the labyrinthine vaults of esoteric lore and medical oddities lies a concept both grotesque and mesmerizing—The Library of Lost Flesh. This mythical (or perhaps horrifyingly real) archive is said to house the physical remains of forgotten souls, preserved specimens of extinct diseases, and the anatomical curiosities of those erased from history.
By Silas Blackwoodabout a year ago in Horror
Mirror Earth
For centuries, astronomers and science fiction writers have pondered a tantalizing question: Does Earth have a twin? Not just another rocky planet in the habitable zone, but a true Mirror Earth—a world nearly identical in size, composition, and even climate to our own, potentially hosting life or even a parallel version of humanity.
By Silas Blackwoodabout a year ago in Horror
REVIEW - In Monster’s Hands (Directed by Christopher Sheffield)
With a run time of just under 21 minutes, In Monster’s Hands is a multi-award winning crime thriller (with over 60 wins, and over 20 nominations) which is based on the true story of John and Hazel Durnavich, a retired couple who lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and who one day in the fall of 1998 were brutally attacked in a terrifying and horrific home invasion.
By Fortean Film Festivalabout a year ago in Horror
When Reality Stops
Stan, a 55-year-old traveling salesman, is a Bostonian through and through. The Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins are the only teams worth rooting for. In Stan’s world change can never be a good thing. His third-floor walkup apartment is the same one he and a fellow student originally rented while attending Suffolk University 35 years ago. The roommate moved on, Stan did not. Why leave a place he knows.
By Mark Gagnonabout a year ago in Horror
The Midnight Visitor
The clock struck twelve, and the rain poured relentlessly against the windowpanes. Sarah sat alone in her dimly lit living room, a half-finished cup of tea growing cold in her hands. The storm outside rattled the old house, its creaking floors and groaning pipes making her uneasy.
By Shahriar Shihababout a year ago in Horror
Dead Signal
Introduction In the world of indie horror games, few titles have made as chilling an impact as Dead Signal. Developed by Fallen Leaf Studio, this found-footage-style psychological horror experience plunges players into a night of terror as they monitor security cameras, decode cryptic messages, and evade an unseen entity. Drawing comparisons to "Five Nights at Freddy's" and "No One Lives Under the Lighthouse," Dead Signal stands out with its realistic VHS aesthetic, immersive sound design, and nerve-wracking gameplay. This article explores the game’s premise, mechanics, lore, and why it has become a cult favorite among horror enthusiasts. 1. What Is Dead Signal? A. The Premise: A Nightshift from Hell You play as a security operator hired to monitor a remote facility via CCTV. Your job is simple: watch the cameras, report anomalies, and survive until 6 AM. But as the night progresses, something unnatural begins creeping into the feeds. B. The Found-Footage Aesthetic The game mimics 1990s VHS recordings, complete with static, distortion, and tracking errors. The grainy visuals and lo-fi sound design amplify the sense of isolation and dread. C. Gameplay Mechanics Camera Surveillance: Flip between different feeds to spot disturbances. Audio Monitoring: Listen for whispers, footsteps, or electronic interference. Signal Decryption: Use a spectrogram tool to decode hidden messages. Entity Encounters: When something appears, you must act fast—or die. 2. The Horror of Dead Signal: What Makes It So Scary? A. Psychological Tension Over Jump Scares Unlike many horror games, Dead Signal builds dread slowly. The fear comes from uncertainty—glimpses of movement, distorted voices, and something watching you back. B. The Unknown Entity The game never fully reveals what you’re up against. Theories range from ghosts, interdimensional beings, or even A.I. gone rogue. C. Realistic Immersion The 1980s/90s analog tech (CRT monitors, dial-up sounds) makes the horror feel plausible. Players report genuine paranoia after long sessions, as if they’re really being watched. 3. The Lore: Unraveling Dead Signal’s Mysteries A. The Blackwell Organization Hints suggest your employer, Blackwell, is involved in occult experiments. Hidden documents reference "Project ECHO," possibly related to paranormal broadcasting. B. The Numbers Station Connection The game features creepy radio transmissions reminiscent of real-world numbers stations. Some decoded messages hint at missing persons, government cover-ups, and a "signal from beyond." C. Multiple Endings & Hidden Secrets Choices affect the outcome—will you escape, go insane, or become part of the signal? Secret QR codes and spectrogram puzzles lead to deeper lore. 4. Why Dead Signal Stands Out in Indie Horror A. The Rise of Analog Horror Dead Signal taps into the "analog horror" trend (e.g., Local58, The Mandela Catalogue). The VHS distortion and cryptic broadcasts make it feel like a lost 90s horror tape. B. Minimalist Gameplay, Maximum Fear Unlike action-heavy horror games, Dead Signal makes staring at static terrifying. The lack of weapons or escape options leaves players feeling helpless. C. A Cult Following & Streamer Reactions Horror YouTubers like Markiplier and Gab Smolders have played it, screaming at every glitch. The game’s slow-burn scares make for perfect reaction content. 5. Is Dead Signal Based on Real Phenomena? A. Inspired by Real Horror Stories The concept echoes real-life "haunted frequency" legends (e.g., EVP recordings). The numbers station angle mirrors Cold War-era spy broadcasts. B. The "Security Guard Horror" Trope Games like Five Nights at Freddy’s popularized the "nightshift horror" genre. Dead Signal takes it further with psychological and cosmic horror elements. C. Could This Happen in Real Life? While no documented cases exist of entities coming through CCTV, the game plays on deep-seated fears of surveillance and the unknown. 6. Tips for Surviving Dead Signal A. Watch for Patterns The entity often appears in the same cameras first. Audio cues (whispers, static bursts) warn of its presence. B. Don’t Ignore the Spectrogram Some messages only appear as audio frequencies. Use a real-time spectrogram tool (or in-game decoder) to uncover secrets. C. Stay Calm—Panic Gets You Killed The game punishes frantic camera switching. Sometimes, not looking is the safest option. Conclusion: Should You Play Dead Signal? If you love slow-burn horror, cryptic lore, and the feeling of being watched, Dead Signal is a must-play. It’s a masterclass in atmospheric terror, proving that sometimes, the scariest thing is what you almost see. Warning: "The signal is always listening. Don’t let it find you."
By Silas Blackwoodabout a year ago in Horror
The Hollow Ones
Introduction: Unveiling the Mystery of the Hollow Ones In the shadowy realms of occultism and esoteric traditions, few concepts are as intriguing—and as misunderstood—as the Hollow Ones. These enigmatic entities appear across various mystical traditions, from Gnostic texts to modern Chaos Magic, often described as spiritual voids, empty vessels, or paradoxical beings that exist between states of being and non-being. Who—or what—are the Hollow Ones? Are they lost souls, metaphysical constructs, or something far more ancient and sinister? This article explores their origins, interpretations across different traditions, and their significance in contemporary occult practices. 1. Origins of the Hollow Ones: Tracing the Concept Through History A. Gnostic Roots: The Void and the Pleroma In Gnostic cosmology, the universe is divided between the Pleroma (divine fullness) and the Kenoma (cosmic emptiness). Some Gnostic texts describe "hollow" beings—entities that exist outside divine light, trapped in illusion. The Apocryphon of John references "shadowy spirits" that mimic true spiritual forms but lack substance. B. Kabbalistic Parallels: The Qlippoth In the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, the Qlippoth (shells) represent broken vessels of divine energy. These "hollow" shells are often associated with demonic or imbalanced forces. Some occultists view the Hollow Ones as modern reinterpretations of Qlippothic entities. C. Alchemical Symbolism: The Vacuum and the Vessel Alchemists spoke of the "vas naturae" (vessel of nature)—a container for transformation. The Hollow One could symbolize an unfilled crucible, waiting for spiritual alchemy to take place. 2. The Hollow Ones in Modern Occultism A. Thelema and Crowley’s Influence Aleister Crowley referenced "hollow men" in his writings, possibly inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem. In The Book of Thoth, Crowley describes certain spirits as "empty yet filled with potential." B. Chaos Magic and the Hollow Ones as Archetypes Chaos magicians use the Hollow Ones as psychological constructs—voids that can be filled with intention. Some practitioners invoke them as blank slates for magical experimentation. C. Vampiric and Left-Hand Path Interpretations In vampiric occultism, Hollow Ones are sometimes seen as psychic parasites that feed on spiritual energy. Left-Hand Path traditions may view them as self-created voids, representing the annihilation of the ego. 3. Psychological and Philosophical Perspectives A. Carl Jung and the Shadow Self Jungian psychology interprets Hollow Ones as manifestations of the "shadow"—the unconscious void within. They symbolize spiritual emptiness, dissociation, or the "unlived life." B. Existentialism and the Absurd Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus explored the concept of existential emptiness. The Hollow One could represent the human condition of seeking meaning in a void. C. Modern Mental Health Analogues Some relate Hollow Ones to dissociative disorders or spiritual malaise. The term "spiritual bypassing" (using mysticism to avoid psychological work) may apply. 4. The Hollow Ones in Pop Culture and Literature A. T.S. Eliot’s "The Hollow Men" (1925) Eliot’s poem describes "headpieces filled with straw"—a metaphor for soulless existence. Many occultists draw parallels between his imagery and esoteric Hollow Ones. B. Neil Gaiman’s "Sandman" Comics The character "The Hollow One" appears as a mysterious, empty entity in the Dreaming. Represents lost stories and forgotten myths. C. Role-Playing Games and Modern Fantasy "World of Darkness" RPGs feature Hollow Ones as a subculture of gothic, DIY magicians. Often portrayed as loners who embrace the void as a source of power. 5. Rituals and Magical Workings with the Hollow Ones A. Invoking the Hollow One (Chaos Magic Technique) Create a sigil representing emptiness. Enter a meditative void-state. "Fill" the Hollow One with a desired intention. B. Protective Measures Against Parasitic Hollow Ones Use iron, salt, or black mirrors to deflect energy drains. Practice grounding and aura reinforcement. C. The Hollow One as a Spiritual Mirror Some traditions use the concept for shadow work—facing one’s inner voids. Conclusion: Embracing the Void or Resisting It? The Hollow Ones remain one of occultism’s most ambiguous and versatile symbols. Whether seen as dangerous parasites, psychological mirrors, or magical tools, they force us to confront the voids within and around us. Final question: Are the Hollow Ones a warning… or an invitation?
By Silas Blackwoodabout a year ago in Horror
Annabelle
Hauntings and possessions are terrifying enough on their own without the haunted object being a normal doll. I do not know what it is about haunted dolls that scares me more than the idea of a ghost knocking over objects in a house, but I would rather stay three days and nights in a haunted home than to own a haunted doll. Maybe it is because dolls are supposed to be toys, or maybe it is the fact that my own daughter has several dolls of her own and I would be terrified to wake up in the middle of the night with it looming over me. But that is exactly what happened to Donna after her mother bought her a seemingly normal doll as a birthday gift.
By Paige Guffeyabout a year ago in Horror
