fiction
Horror fiction that delivers on its promise to scare, startle, frighten and unsettle. These stories are fake, but the shivers down your spine won't be.
The Self-Improvement Project
Money was hard to get after the pandemic. Being a college student who lives away from home is out of a job because it is nonessential. Practicing social-distancing wasn't too hard. Taking online classes was the only upside due to this situation. Finding a job was hard; I had multiple interviews for different jobs, but all of them had the same answer, "Sorry to inform you. We are currently looking into other candidates right now."
By Jalen Jasso6 years ago in Horror
leave this place
“Today’s the day, right, Lauren?” I looked expectantly at my friend sitting next to me on the school bus, who was scribbling away in a small black notebook. She looked up and me and nodded her head enthusiastically, the two neatly tied puffs of curly hair on her head bobbing along with it.
By Helen Laraia6 years ago in Horror
BOOKIE
It was the hottest days of the year, just how I like it. Tensions run high for most in this climate, and personally that’s an environment in which I thrive. People make poor decisions when they’re stressed, and I love that. So, I set Stella up to rattle her own house of cards.
By Armando Estrada6 years ago in Horror
under new management
Exhausted eyes reflect back as I give myself one last pep talk. You can see the ways I’ve attempted to hide the pain and stress away with small amounts of eyeliner and concealer. The last bit of makeup I could afford since the last stimulus check had appeared in my bank account. “Get it together, Sam. You need this job. You didn’t struggle your whole life to let some pandemic put you out on the streets.” A low growl escapes me as I fight the urge to take out my frustration on my dashboard. I’ve applied to countless positions, yet this was the only one that had actually called back. A position as a hotel manager.
By rebecca delossantos6 years ago in Horror
Lucky Winner
The ocean seemed limitless but nowhere near as hard to fathom as this little black book in her hands. Sarah had convinced herself she might be able to throw it in once she got here but with her toes in the sand now, she knew it was never really her intention. The book was with her until the end, whosever end that might be…
By Crystan Straub6 years ago in Horror
dial tone
dial tone All the leafy paper tickling his skin imparted no solutions. He wasn’t able to leech any wisdom from its inky weight. In retrospect it was probably counterproductive to dump half a dozen shelves worth of the second hand paperbacks section on top of himself. Catharsis is what he was aiming for but the whisky and doubt had probably muddled his targets. Breathing through brittle pages, with the fine overly handled texture of ancient dollar bills, had quickly lost its romantic appeal. It dawned on Nelson, only now, that he’d created just another mess that he would have to clean up.
By Mark Millien6 years ago in Horror
Little Black Book
It has been a long day! Tired is that the correct word I want to use? No exhausted down to my toenails is a better word for how I’m feeling. Six weeks before the set date of “Sista’s Kan Cook” opens. And we are behind by weeks maybe even months. This year we have had unusually wet weather all our restructure work needed on the outside of the building had to wait until the weathered cleared. At least the workers was able to get the new roof on before the down pour; which would have cost my sisters and I more money than we have planed on spending. Once again we may have to push back a few more weeks or even months to make sure everything is completed. We can’t afford anymore delays at this point. Not only are we running out of time but looking over our budget it needs some major repairs at this point. So we went to work on the inside. One of our issues is agreeing on the floor set up. Kerry wants to call in a professional decorator/designer and Angela wants to keep it rustic. I am the voice of balance Nancy yes that’s who I am.
By Cynthia Butler6 years ago in Horror
The Man in the Shadows
The Man in the Shadows It was an unusually warm and sunny evening despite the sporadic thunderstorms that had occurred throughout the day. Annalise turned off her car radio and rolled down the windows as she rounded the corner to her childhood home. A gust of wind hit her face, blowing wisps of dark curly hair across her full lips. She smiled as she observed the scenery, gazing lovingly at the sun setting behind the trees along the road. She always loved the drive home. Something about the secluded and scenic road had always made her feel serene. She admired the mysterious and enchanting ambience of the forest. She followed the tree line with her eyes, marveling at the mystical beauty of her surroundings. As she reached the end of the road, she noticed a shadowy figure dart across the trees. Strange, she thought. Just an animal? She paused as she reached the front gate to the home, absorbing her surroundings before entering. She sighed and drove through. A crack of thunder rumbled loudly in the distance. After 10 long years, Annalise had finally returned home.
By Kasie Pedulla6 years ago in Horror
