Cosmic Horror
The Lake House (Part 1 of 5)
The Santos siblings went to the lake for a relaxing escape, but by the end of their trip, it’s a race to escape the vacation
Reina Cruz November 13, 2022 No Comments
Horror Stories
Dive into some creepy reads with a selection of horror stories to scare any reader.
Spooky Halloween Stories
Read some of your fellow authors' spooky stories to start your Halloween weekend.
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boarding school
The Sacred Heart Academy Haunting
March 12 Maggie Thorne sat at her desk by the window in her dorm room, watching the other students getting picked up by their parents
Robin Honigsberg October 17, 2023 No Comments
Halloween Story 2023
Mirrors and Glass
The words of affirmation written across the top of Mindy’s mirror read. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I love you.” The
D. I. Jolly October 6, 2023 No Comments
What Spooked the Dogs Last Night?
The following story is true. I have neither embellished nor invented any part of it. This really happened to me last night…in the dark. I
Michael Scott October 6, 2023 No Comments
#Halloween
House of Evil
She first met him crossing the street. He accidentally bumped into her, muttered, “I’m sorry,” and hurried on. But she saw him look back at
Robin Honigsberg October 13, 2023 No Comments
Whiskey’s Ghost: A Haunting on High Ridge
Chapter One: Midnight Whispers Whiskey and I were marooned atop High Ridge Mountain, isolated by the relentless snowfall. A thick white blanket had severed all
Michael Scott October 6, 2023 No Comments
Halloween Story 2023
iSpy
Who is inside Chelle’s phone? Chelle couldn’t figure out what was going on with her phone. She kept insisting to
Andy Spears March 20, 2022 4 Comments
Terrifying Tales of ‘Hell House College’
It was originally established as a Roman Catholic seminary in the 19th century. St. Mary’s College in Ilchester, Maryland, has become better known by its
Michael Scott October 6, 2023 No Comments
ALL Horror Stories
The Halloween Horror
I’ve always had strong feelings about Halloween. I remember my avidity toward the whole notion of dressing like my favorite monster or acting as my
Declan Hopper January 24, 2022 No Comments
Humor
(Rhyme Entertainly series) Wild Western Tale
Law boys and aging shadows, that’s the company of our town for tonight, you didn’t think before I’ve handed you the dollars, instantly gave up
Andrey Lukyanov August 24, 2022 No Comments
#kids
Under The Roundabout
‘Leave my daughter alone. You filthy layabout.’ A young mother snatched the toddler away from Peggy the Bag. ‘She fell from the swing, I was
Colin Devonshire July 18, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose:The Jade Rose and the Blood Peacock (Part II of Book III)
Introduction: After a zombie apocalypse gripped the world, proving that horror movies were more prophecy than entertainment, Sean and Jade Flannery faced one horrific loss
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm August 2, 2022 No Comments
Dark Fiction
Getting Angry
I’ve been screaming for help for the past few minutes but no one in the house seems to care. You see, I’m trapped in my
Evan Bond December 9, 2021 2 Comments
Shrine
Michael was once a holy man. To himself. Everything he did up until this moment was selfish, self-contained, and simple. Up until he found and
Cardaisha Johnson January 12, 2022 4 Comments
We’re Coming For You
“Come here, swim with me.” Darioush smiled suggestively at Emily as he stripped off his clothes. “But we just ate! What if we get a
Chloe Longstreet January 28, 2022 10 Comments
Creepy
Watcher
He had been seeing it for weeks, now. That same mutilated face that stared at him with its twisted, lipless smile. Crooked, rotting teeth pointed
Evan Bond December 8, 2021 2 Comments
dark
Into My Shadow: Dark Beginnings
[Content Notes: swearing, non-graphic torture.] Another lightning spell ripped through him, forcing Dira to tense and thrash uncontrollably in his narrow cage. Wooden bars all
Quillful Writer January 1, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Trees Swallow People: Part 1
In a public park there are trees that have never harmed anyone, lining the path from the entrance, shaping the jogs and evening strolls people
Conor Matthews June 19, 2022 1 Comment
Twenty-Word Stories for Halloween
Perhaps I should rephrase the title to “Twenty-Word Movie Synopses for Halloween”. At any rate, here are ten movies that I think would fit right
TzeLin Sam October 24, 2022 2 Comments
Fiction
The Cutting
This short story is a part of the MagicLand Chronicles. It is set during a time long before that of the events in my debut
Charles Bastille September 14, 2023 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part VII of Book II)
Introduction: When Seanix Flannery’s ex-wife arrives in The Rock, he is frightened about how she will react to him. Then, after discovering that she suffered
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm May 15, 2022 No Comments
christmashorror
Kill The Sacred Tree
“Once we begin, this story cannot be untold. Do you understand?” The child nodded and the man, a man who looked ancient in that child’s
Brittany Johnson December 22, 2021 7 Comments
horror
The Hand in the Snow
When dog walking goes wrong Photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels I watched as Chauncey sniffed at a mound of snow covered leaves and began
Pam Reeder February 5, 2022 5 Comments
The forces of good and evil are all around us!
FORCES OF GOOD AND EVIL
You look around the world. What do you see? You see the forces of good and evil coming at you and me. If you believe
Walker Ikard April 18, 2022 2 Comments
The Strange Death of Rusty Bob
Rusty Bob died at the library on an unseasonably cold Thursday night in early October. The following Tuesday, only a few minutes after closing time,
Brad Carter December 22, 2021 No Comments
Amushopihk
Sheriff Stuart silently crept around the lake, looking for the rock that signified the entrance to the cave. He took slow, careful steps in the
Chloe Longstreet February 26, 2022 8 Comments
Children
Hla
Hla was born with a cleft palate, doctors fixed that, but no doctor could cure her mind. She could do most things; driving was one.
Colin Devonshire July 7, 2022 No Comments
fantasy
Revenge of the mermaid
The mermaid languished around lazily watching from the corner of her eye, as the boys played on the banks of the lake. She resented them
Charlotte Rodricks September 29, 2021 47 Comments
chapter
The Trees Swallow People: Part 7
We can never go out the back ever again; there’s a tree trying to get in. I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone
Conor Matthews July 30, 2022 No Comments
horror
2. Priyatel – Dom (The Farmhouse)
It would have been a charming place, if not for the sense of desolation which hung about it. The farmhouse, a sturdy little building made
Eta George August 17, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
Flash Fiction: Mind Control, under her spell
A small gray house at the end of the street got my attention. There was nothing special about the house, and it looked like every
James Jordan June 9, 2022 No Comments
Fear Itself
What had changed? Yrla sat with her eyes fixed on the road in front of the dashboard. The sky above the road was grey and
Christina Nordlander January 17, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Trees Swallow People: Part 9
It had been days since we were trapped. What little light was managing to penetrate the forest of people outside my windows came in stages
Conor Matthews August 14, 2022 No Comments
Bangkok
Steam Room
Duanphen was thinking of hot Thai stew with plenty of garlic. It was edging past the nine-hour mark of soapy water scouring and sore fingers.
Alex Mathers July 19, 2022 1 Comment
divorce
The Pertinent Unobit
The window was open just enough to let in the cool night air. Its cooling effect, however, was lost on Richard. Bernard von Leiter. What
Tim McDaniel March 29, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Willing Wear Black
But are you ready to be willing?… Photo source: PhotoPea The roar of the pistol was deafening and the kick knocked it from my hand.
Pam Reeder February 2, 2022 3 Comments
conor
The Trees Swallow People: Part 8
We’re supposedly social animals, cooperative, empathetic. I’m not the most exuberant person, but I like to think I’m agreeable and can hold a conversation. I
Conor Matthews August 7, 2022 No Comments
Crime
The Culinary Killer Part I: A short story
Christopher Jones walked into his kitchen to find his very pregnant wife, dressed in a soft, red terrycloth bathrobe sitting in a chair and attempting
Robin Honigsberg July 22, 2022 No Comments
Solace
“Well, go on. He’ll be back soon.” The woman said, shoving his clothes in his arms. Absinthe blinked. “You said you weren’t married,” he said,
Cardaisha Johnson January 16, 2022 No Comments
I Will Never Stop Trying
My mother hated my second father when she met him. Luckily for her, she didn’t have to put up with him for long. My second
Chloe Longstreet February 18, 2022 20 Comments
horror
1. Priyatel – Medsestra (The Nurse)
1957, Somewhere in Russia It started first with the horseshoe. Usually undisturbed and thick with dust it had fallen off her front door one morning
Eta George August 7, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Trees Swallow People: Part 10
The invitation to meet Shepard was hidden amongst the clutter of post I had let pile up over the days. It was late August by
Conor Matthews September 1, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
Trapped in the Zombie Apocalypse
Made with Stable Diffusion and Photo Editing Software I stood on a dilapidated rooftop, surveying the desolate city before me. Crumbling structures, overgrown foliage, and
Timberly Price October 6, 2023 No Comments
litfic
The Portal
The portal opened on a Tuesday morning. It arrived suddenly, without notice. Sparks licked the concrete walls of the alleyway. Roaches scattered beneath the golden
Blake Talton July 31, 2021 No Comments
Sinking
It was the habit of Martin Law to get up from his desk and take a quick walk around the office at night. There wasn’t
Alina Lee August 7, 2022 1 Comment
All Undone
Rashida watched the lights of the corner stores pass by, shying away from her boyfriend’s touch. She toyed with a braid, rolling it between her
Cardaisha Johnson January 20, 2022 No Comments
boredom
The Mutilator
I am the mutilator. That’s what I saw. This dream, where I’ve found myself in the middle of the endless white space. No horizon, no
Andrey Lukyanov July 30, 2022 No Comments
Scary
A Hairy Morning
Sometimes a morning doesn’t begin the way we intend it to. This was one of those hairy starts! The photo is of the actual culprit,
This Life's Illusions June 30, 2022 17 Comments
Celebration
Fingers and Toes
“That time of the year again, huh?” the voice behind you asks. It’s a sing-song, dry husk of a voice, with the faint resemblance to
Brittany Johnson December 4, 2021 2 Comments
The Klein Moment
Jimmy Cortez walked out of the third precinct a free man on a Tuesday morning. By Friday night, he’d been reduced to a sack of
Brad Carter December 22, 2021 No Comments
family drama
The Lake House Part 5 of 5
The Santos siblings went to the lake for a relaxing escape, but by the end of their trip, it’s a race to escape the vacation
Reina Cruz December 25, 2022 No Comments
action
Options
“This was a mistake,” yelled Dave as he stared out the window at the dark, lurching shapes gathering even faster than the gloomy clouds on
Donald J. Bingle December 14, 2022 No Comments
The Farm
Elswyth didn’t have to be woken that morning. Her eyelids went up, and just a moment later she was able to kick her way up,
Christina Nordlander December 22, 2021 No Comments
family drama
The Lake House Part 4 of 5
The Santos siblings went to the lake for a relaxing escape, but by the end of their trip, it’s a race to escape the vacation
Reina Cruz December 19, 2022 No Comments
demons
The Demonic Boyfriend: A Short Story
Three months earlier, a mutual friend introduced me to Ron Turner at a charity gala auction for cancer research. We had both bids on the
Robin Honigsberg July 10, 2022 2 Comments
child
Choice
Cover by https://twitter.com/Default_Mistake?t=T13ESBEGBtvjBI7D7QrJBA&s=08 The night was a cliche dark and inside the hospital, where only a few months ago, Darlene had given birth to a
Saim Khurshid December 2, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Hell Unleashed(Part II of Book I)
Secrecy and Consequences as The Plot Sickens After Jade Malcolm and Seanix Flannery met, they fought for the ability to spend time together despite the
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm December 13, 2021 No Comments
The Light of the Shadow – Part 3
The couch cushions bulged, unburdened by any recent sitting. Squatting slowly, falling back on it, James let out a pleasurable sigh as he rolled back
Dan Jackson October 12, 2023 No Comments
For the Guy Who Has Everything
Concept by ChockaBlock The electronic signature pad turned his name to a stubby spatter of ink. The postman turned back and continued down the cul-de-sac
Christina Nordlander February 1, 2022 1 Comment
Capitalism
Meet the New Boss
“And then over at Hower and Drake, I learned how to play bocce – that’s this game with balls, kind of like bowling – and
Tim McDaniel December 20, 2021 No Comments
christmas horror
The Man Dressed as Santa
“It looks like we have another gift for you, Miranda,” the jolly sounding man dressed as Santa said. “Go ahead, open it up. I’m sure
Evan Bond December 21, 2021 No Comments
animal liberation
Appendices
Appendix A # The appendix twisted in Dr. Chamberlin’s tongs, hissing and spitting. “Careful, nurse,” he said from behind his mask. “This is a mean
Tim McDaniel January 9, 2022 4 Comments
Deep Cover
When I was thirty I became obsessed with the idea that I was an alien shapeshifter. It started out as a thought experiment, almost a
Christina Nordlander December 5, 2021 No Comments
ambush
The Dead Woods
THE DEAD WOOD Autumn, 1E194 Ulrich looked up into the dark clouded skies that blanketed the woods that he and his fellow survivors of the
Kelson Hayes September 7, 2022 No Comments
5. The Knight’s Wife – The Monster
The knight and the squire enter the stranger’s lair. There, they find something more than they bargained for… The Cave. Image © Eta George Contents
Eta George July 8, 2022 No Comments
1. The Knight’s Wife – The Forest
A knight, his wife and the squire stopover at a small inn. From the ancient forest behind the inn, something starts watching them with an
Eta George June 13, 2022 No Comments
zombie
Taken, One After Another
Chad still hadn’t returned by morning. We all knew he’d been taken, just like Sandy. That was the way it was, ever since the dead
Tim McDaniel December 24, 2021 No Comments
Elves
Hell Descent
THE NORTH SEA Winter, 1E77 Elvish longboats cut through the foggy mists of the night along the still icy waters of the North Sea. The
Kelson Hayes September 7, 2022 No Comments
3. The Knight’s Wife – The Wolves
As they camp in the accursed Forest, the wife and the squire entertain an unwelcome guest, while the knight is away, hunting… Around the fire.
Eta George June 25, 2022 No Comments
Creepy
The Stranger in the Mirror
Rayna sat in front of the mirror removing her makeup and wondered who she would discover underneath. The white paint came off her skin in
Natalya Monyok March 2, 2022 7 Comments
death hotel
Everything Ready?
‘Everything was ready for the ritual. What have you done?’ Mr Kirkwood asked. ‘Sir, I don’t feel right about this,’ Khun Daw answered. ‘You may
Colin Devonshire July 22, 2023 No Comments
Drive-in
A Night Out
“This movie looks so real!” the woman in the car next to him shrieked. He wished they would put the top up. Danny didn’t want
Evan Bond December 7, 2021 No Comments
adventure
Chocolate Factory Lottery
By Catherine Jordan I thought a candy factory tour would mean chocolate and sugar awesomeness. I poked my tongue into the five cavities I have.
Catherine Jordan October 17, 2021 2 Comments
Black magic
The Dark Tulip
‘Stop the car!’ ‘What?’ ‘Pull up now. Look,’ Mary Dawkins pointed ahead. Her husband strained, peering between the headlights, leaning forward to the steering wheel.
Colin Devonshire September 9, 2022 No Comments
dark
Boardgame Night
Silence. What a divine sound. There it was a small, wooden cabin surrounded by all kinds of trees that were now blanketed in untouched snow.
Calina Muresan January 30, 2022 No Comments
Dracula
Her Vampire Lover
“But I am a creature of the night,” Justin said. “And you – you’re a child of the sunlight. The sun I can never again
Tim McDaniel December 29, 2021 No Comments
cars
Lucky Number Thirteen
There she was. As beautiful as he remembered. The sparkle of the black paint had faded over the decades, but he recognized his girl anywhere.
Evan Bond December 7, 2021 No Comments
Serving of Revenge
Angus rearranged his bulky frame in the uncomfortable hard-backed diner chair. It was not the sort of establishment he was used to frequenting, but needs
Yvonne Lang March 20, 2022 No Comments
folklore
Ravenous
I feed on nightmares. Anguish, fear, horror and sweat. I lap it up. It fuels me, soothes me after a long day. What is day,
Reina Cruz October 16, 2022 1 Comment
Art
Pink Lipstick
The cup Artur has had brought up for her is minimalist in a greyish-green Chinese glaze that feels almost translucent between the fingers, but there
Christina Nordlander November 27, 2022 No Comments
horror
In The Foothills (Story Cubes #4)
Nestled in the foothills of the Front Range sits a compound. This compound has sprawling concrete walkways connecting the various buildings and cages. Buildings dotted
Michael Robert February 23, 2022 No Comments
#Halloween
Haunted House Tour
Sabrina shifted uncomfortably in her flimsy costume and too tight corset. She was not in the mood for tonight’s guests, but was at her busiest
Yvonne Lang October 16, 2022 No Comments
Chinese tea
Tea Junction
“I’m gasping for a cuppa,” said Angie. “We will not have your usual,” Suk answered. Angie was the new girl at Pert Exports, she brewed
Colin Devonshire January 13, 2022 2 Comments
The Eyes In The Night
Look out over your bed, In the nothing by the door, And you will find a chilling sight, The eyes in the night. They
Conor Matthews October 24, 2023 No Comments
boarding school
The Sacred Angels Academy Haunting — Part Two: The Voices
MARCH 14 Maggie awoke to the sound of rain against the window pane, but the room was brightly lit by the lights left turned on
Robin Honigsberg October 30, 2022 No Comments
The Greatest Enemy: Part 1
The Ronin of 71 Swords, Ishiro Tamayagi, strode into the Daimyo’s castle to present the heads of the neighboring warlord’s warriors. The 71 tassels of
Clay Vermulm December 16, 2021 2 Comments
conspiracy
Chooser of the Fallen
Maria sat by the computer on the varnished side-table and dad lay curled up in the couch watching some discussion program she couldn’t focus on.
Christina Nordlander January 1, 2022 1 Comment
The Trees Swallow People: Part 20
XX We spent the day following a cat. I know that sounds strange, but let’s be honest, we passed strange a long time ago. It
Conor Matthews April 4, 2023 No Comments
The Tree Swallow People: Part 19
It’s easy to think there’s only one outcome to events. Often the printing press is said to have brought about a new era in information,
Conor Matthews March 28, 2023 No Comments
The Many Deaths of Mita (Part III)
*** Upsidedown When actor Keaton Macbeth and journalist Mita Lopez met, they had each unexpectedly met the love of their lives. From the start, life
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm November 27, 2023 No Comments
The Trees Swallow People: Part 13
I don’t know if I believe in anything after death. I think there’s something, like a god or something, but not in the “God” sense.
Conor Matthews November 12, 2022 No Comments
Black magic
Here I Am
The bus rumbled like an empty stomach. We missed the bus stop by ten yards. It did stop. I got off alone. I didn’t wave;
Colin Devonshire February 3, 2022 No Comments
death
The -1st Hour of a Condemned Man
That morning, he cannot bring himself to eat. The guard puts out butter and apricot jam, and he feels the scents and his body does
Christina Nordlander August 8, 2023 No Comments
fantasy
The Fountain King
He sits upon his fountain throneendless vessel bound in bonecrimson, scarlet, dashed on stoneuntil his crime you will atone. It was a valley full of
Director Aldmann July 11, 2022 1 Comment
Fire in the Woods
Amber hoped it was her imagination, but it seemed unnaturally dark out tonight, even with the moon nearly full overhead. This close to the city,
Mercy Elizabeth October 23, 2021 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose and the Blood Peacock (Part V of Book III)
*** Recap War after war, heartache after heartache, and joyful moment after joyful moment, two things remained the same for The Royal Family of the
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm January 23, 2023 No Comments
The Separation
Her throat hurt. The pain had stitched it up so that she couldn’t swallow. Her mouth was dry of saliva either way. She tasted something
Christina Nordlander November 8, 2021 No Comments
Halloween Story 2023
iSpy
Who is inside Chelle’s phone? Chelle couldn’t figure out what was going on with her phone. She kept insisting to
Andy Spears March 20, 2022 4 Comments
#Halloween
Blind Spot
“I’m standing in the back yard now.” Aaron checked the bars on his cell phone; the signal was strong. “You have to fly out here
Donald J. Bingle August 12, 2021 1 Comment
#Halloween
House of Evil
She first met him crossing the street. He accidentally bumped into her, muttered, “I’m sorry,” and hurried on. But she saw him look back at
Robin Honigsberg October 13, 2023 No Comments
Cosmic Horror
The Lake House (Part 1 of 5)
The Santos siblings went to the lake for a relaxing escape, but by the end of their trip, it’s a race to escape the vacation
Reina Cruz November 13, 2022 No Comments
Campfire
Madman Muck
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Jake could just make out the
C.D. Hoyle August 11, 2022 1 Comment
apocalypse
The Jade Rose and The Blood Peacock (Part VII of Book III)
*** The Rose and the Peacock The next time Jade awoke, she found herself in one of the psychiatric rooms at the hospital. She was
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm November 26, 2023 No Comments
Passive Magic
Dear ADA Jessica Rhone, No, I’ll admit it never felt right. Not so much the murders—I didn’t think there was anything inherently wrong with killing
Ethan K. Lee April 24, 2022 1 Comment
Convention
Children of the Nightcap
Yuri loosened his tie even more and gratefully accepted the drink from the waitress. Stupid company policy, to wear suits and ties on all business
Tim McDaniel January 8, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Beginning of the End (Part I of Book I)
Introduction: In a world where the scientific community believed it knew everything, including that a zombie apocalypse was impossible, science learned the hard way that
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm December 11, 2021 No Comments
dragon
The Monk, the Spirit, and the Committee
It was the early years of the Great Famine, and the terrors of the provisional government knew no end. The democratic reforms, intended to reverse
Director Aldmann January 5, 2023 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part V of Book II)
Introduction: In the midst of a zombie apocalypse and a war with enemy factions, Seanix Flannery and his wife, Jade, faced unimaginable loss. All of
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm March 14, 2022 No Comments