Scott Sterling
Bio
đź–¤I write short horror storiesđź–¤
-My work drifts all across the horror spectrum-
🧠Psychological dread
❤️‍🔥 Romantic obsession
🌌 Cosmic horror
🪞Surreal nightmares
đź•Ż Gothic tension
🩸 Slow-burn suspense
đź’€ And the quiet violence of being human
Stories (5)
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I Feel Empty Even In My Happiest Relationships
I'm lying next to someone who loves me completely. Their breathing is steady, peaceful. The room smells like the lavender candle we lit hours ago. Their hand rests on my shoulder, warm and certain. Everything should feel perfect.
By Scott Sterling5 months ago in Humans
Series Finale. Content Warning.
You'd think dying would hurt more. I'm sitting here now, watching my blood pool beneath the microphone stand, and all I can think about is how we were only twelve minutes into episode forty-seven. The red recording light still blinks on my laptop screen. Still capturing everything.
By Scott Sterling5 months ago in Horror
Vanishing
Nate and I had been together for about a year, and we were always looking for something new to do. One Saturday, we saw a new escape room open in Oak Hollow. It was called The Vanishing, and the ad claimed it was inspired by local history. We thought it sounded interesting, especially since we'd done a few escape rooms before.
By Scott Sterling10 months ago in Fiction
Lost in the Pines
The sun dipped behind the jagged peaks of the Colorado mountains, casting an amber glow across the vast expanse of wilderness that stretched ahead. Tessa stood at the edge of the lodge’s wooden balcony, her heart swelling with excitement as she breathed in the crisp mountain air, scented with fragrant pine and wildflowers. She had envisioned this getaway for months, a romantic escape filled with intimacy and tranquility. Adrian, tall and lean with tousled dark hair, emerged from inside the lodge, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Tessa! Come look at this view!” His voice was warm, inviting, and she couldn’t help but smile as she watched him lean over the railing, eyes sparkling like the lake below. “You’re going to get eaten by a bear if you lean over like that,” she called jokingly, walking up beside him. They were an odd pair, she thought. Tessa was bubbly and spontaneous, often prone to fits of giggles. Adrian, on the other hand, exuded a calm and thoughtful confidence, his humor laced with a hint of mischief. “Bears don’t like popcorn, right?” Adrian quipped, joking about their favorite movie nights, and she felt warmth bloom in her chest. “Plus, I’m a man of many talents. I could wrestle one if I needed to.” “Right! And I’d just stand there and document the footage,” she teased, rolling her eyes playfully. Their laughter echoed for a moment until it was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Vera and Elias, their close friends, ambled into view, the embodiment of the joy this trip promised. Vera was a whirlwind of energy, her light curls bouncing as she bounded up the steps. “Did someone say bears?” she laughed, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on! I want to go into the woods and find some adventure!” Elias followed, his demeanor more laid-back, a gentle smile on his lips. “Let’s just hope the adventure doesn’t include being bear bait,” he joked, earning a playful punch on the shoulder from Vera. “Always the optimist, Elias,” Tessa chimed in cheerfully. Despite their differences, the four of them fit together like pieces of a well-chosen puzzle. Their friendships were a tapestry woven with shared laughter and inside jokes, and Tessa cherished that bond. “Okay, how about we go for a hike before dinner?” Adrian suggested, eyes lighting up at the thought. “I saw some trails leading down to that beautiful lake.” Vera clapped her hands in excitement. “Yes! Let’s explore! I wanted to take a picture of that view for Instagram anyway.” Elias smirked. “You and your Instagram. Just remember, no filters needed out here.” With that, they gathered their supplies—water, snacks, and a camera for Vera. Tessa watched Adrian as he efficiently packed his backpack, his determination evident. She adored his practicality; he always balanced her whims with a safe foundation. “You ready for this?” Adrian asked one last time, looking into her eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation. “Absolutely,” she grinned. “Adventure awaits!” As they set off down the trail, the woods enveloped them in sounds—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the distant gurgling of a stream. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, and Tessa couldn’t suppress her giddiness every time she heard Vera’s laugh ring out behind them. “Race you to that big rock!” Vera challenged, taking off with Elias in hot pursuit. Tessa and Adrian followed at a leisurely pace, content to soak in the serenity surrounding them. Adrian brushed Tessa’s hair back, a tender gesture that sent butterflies flitting through her stomach. “Look at you—you’re glowing. Who’d have thought a weekend in the wilderness could bring out your inner model?” “Must be the mountain air,” she replied coyly, glancing at him sideways. “Or maybe it’s just you.” As they neared the big rock, Tessa felt a slight unease creep into her heart. “Adrian, do you think we’re going the right way?” “Sure we are! The map marked this trail,” he encouraged, reassuringly squeezing her hand. But there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes that made her stomach drop. Following the wider trail, they took a wrong turn at a fork, drawn in by the sounds of splashing water. They wandered deeper into the forest, moving through dense thickets and straying further from the lodge than they intended. “Maybe we should head back,” Tessa suggested, her intuition twirling somber threads in her mind. “Just a bit longer!” Vera called from ahead, her laughter echoing as she and Elias continued on into the distance. “The more we explore, the more fun we’ll have!” Adrian glanced back at Tessa, his expression cautious. “Okay. Just a little bit, then we’ll loop back,” he agreed reluctantly. “Stay close, everyone!” Tessa shouted, a reminder as they pushed forward into the labyrinth of trees. The deeper they went, though, the more unsettled Tessa felt. The woods grew thicker, shadows lengthening and stretching like ominous fingers. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched as whispers ran through the underbrush like secrets trailing just out of reach. “Vera! Elias!” she called, suddenly realizing they had grown distant, the sounds of their laughter swallowed by the wild. Adrian’s brow furrowed. “They shouldn’t be far ahead. Maybe they stopped to take pictures?” They walked further, the quiet deepening as the forest seemed to unfurl into a heavier atmosphere. Tessa tried to shake off the gnawing anxiety overwhelming her heart, convinced it was merely a symptom of being far from the comforts of civilization. She clung to Adrian’s arm, his presence grounding her. “That way!” she pointed, spotting a rustling in the bushes beyond. “I think I heard them.” As they turned toward the sound, a distant frenzied shouting erupted—and not from Vera or Elias. “Tessa!” Elias’s voice broke through, stricken with desperation. Adrian bolted forward into the thicket, dragging Tessa along as her stomach twisted in dread. Emerging in a clearing, they found Elias on the ground, panting with fear, his shirt torn and bloodied. “What happened?” Adrian demanded, kneeling beside him. “They… They were just there! They came out from the shadows!” Elias gasped, fear shimmering in his eyes. “Tessa, they took Vera!” “What do you mean? Who took her?” Tessa’s heart raced as reality crashed over her like a wave. “The mountain tribe!” Elias stammered, panic rising in the pitch of his voice. “They don’t want outsiders on their land!” Adrian’s expression shifted, a sharp intensity taking hold. “Well, what the hell are we waiting for? We have to find her,” he said with determination, adrenaline coursing through him. “No! We need to get out of here!” Elias urged, shaking his head frantically. “We can’t go after them—there are too many!” “I’m not leaving her!” Tessa insisted, clenching her hands into fists, a protective fire igniting in her chest. Adrian exchanged a look with his friend. “We have to get her back, Elias.” Panic surged in Elias’s voice. “Tessa, Adrian, this isn’t a game! We’re outnumbered!” But Tessa refused to back down, her gaze steeled. “We’re not leaving her behind, do you hear me! I'm not fucking leaving her!” With weary resignation, Elias nodded and rose shakily to his feet. Together, they pressed on into the forest’s dark heart, unwilling to abandon their friend even as the shadows closed in. Day quickly faded into darkness as they followed the cold track, their hearts racing with every crackle of branches. They braced themselves for a confrontation in the unforgiving wilderness, unaware of the horrors lurking among the trees. As they drew closer, distant chanting curled through the night air, louder and louder vibrating the very marrow of their bones. “Oh My God…” Tessa whispered... The clearing pulsed with firelight, flickering against the twisted figures of the tribesmen. They danced in wild, fevered movements, their bodies streaked with dirt and something darker—something wet that gleamed in the glow. The guttural chant that spilled from their throats sent a sick tremor through Tessa’s body. Vera was bound to an X-shaped wooden frame, just inside the edge of the clearing, her wrists lashed tightly above her head. Her face, streaked with sweat and terror, twisted as she struggled against the restraints. The fire beneath her crackled hungrily, licking closer, the heat already turning her skin red. Adrian, crouched beside Tessa and Elias, tightened his grip on the jagged rock he’d picked up. His jaw clenched. “We have to move fast,” he murmured. “I’ll cut her down. Elias, you cover me. Tessa—when we get her free, you lead us back.” Elias swallowed hard, his face ghostly pale. “Oh, God no, i can't do this, i can't do this Adrian, please!” Adrian’s expression darkened. “For Christ's sake Elias, get a grip. We can do this guys, we just have to be quick. Tessa, are you with me?” Tessa’s heart hammered against her ribs, but she nodded. There was no other choice. Adrian inched forward, body low to the ground, his breaths slow and deliberate. Elias followed, gripping a thick branch like a weapon. Tessa’s hands curled into fists. The moment Vera was loose, they’d bolt into the woods. But as Adrian reached the base of the structure, one of the tribesmen abruptly stopped moving. His chanting faltered, and his head snapped toward them. The others followed, turning in slow eerie unison, their dark eyes reflecting the firelight like hollow pits. Then, chaos. The nearest tribesman lunged, a crude blade flashing. Adrian barely dodged, slamming his rock into the man’s skull with a sickening crunch. Elias swung wildly, catching another in the ribs, but there were too many. Hands grabbed at him, pulling him down. Tessa scrambled backward, her voice caught in her throat as Adrian tried to cut Vera’s bindings. He managed one wrist before something pierced his side—a spear, sharp and jagged, tearing into him like a butcher’s hook. He choked, blood bubbling past his lips. “Run,” he rasped. Tessa couldn’t move. Elias screamed as hands wrenched his arm backward until it snapped. The sound of it made Tessa's stomach lurch. They swarmed him like wolves, knives flashing. His blood sprayed across the dirt. Vera’s freed hand clawed at her remaining restraint. “Tessa, help me!” Tessa stumbled forward, but the fire suddenly flared higher, and the tribesmen turned their attention to Vera. One yanked a smoldering branch from the flames and pressed it against her exposed stomach. Her frenzied scream tore through the night. The smell hit Tessa next. Burnt hair, flesh cooking like meat. She gagged, but they weren’t done. Another plunged a knife into Vera’s thigh, twisting, relishing the way she writhed. Her body convulsed, her free arm thrashing wildly. Adrian, on his knees, reached for her. A blade slashed across his throat. He collapsed soundlessly, blood gushing from the open wound. Elias was already dead—his skull caved in, eyes glassy. Vera was screaming desperately as fire engulfed her. Tessa felt herself falling. Her legs gave out, her vision blurred, and the world around her dissolved into darkness as Vera’s agony rang in her ears. --- Cold. Damp earth pressed against her cheek. Tessa’s eyes snapped open, her breath hitching as she gasped for air. She was lying on the forest floor, curled in a bed of rotting leaves. The fire, the clearing, the bodies—gone. Where was she? She jerked upright, her pulse a frantic drumbeat in her chest. The silence around her was suffocating. No wind. No insects. Just the steady drip of water from the trees. Why was she still alive? Tessa forced herself to stand, her limbs aching as if she had been dragged for miles. She turned in slow circles, scanning the shadows. Nothing. And yet… she wasn’t alone. A flicker of movement. Just at the edge of her vision. She whipped around, but there was nothing but trees. A shudder crawled up her spine. They let her go. But clearly not out of mercy. For sport. Her breath came faster, shallow gasps that fogged in the cool air. She had to move. Now. She started forward, every step careful, deliberate. The undergrowth crackled beneath her feet, deafening in the silence. She forced herself to stay calm, to push away the rising nausea clawing at her throat. Then, the whispers. Not words. Not voices. Just a rustling, soft and deliberate. All around her. They were watching. Tessa broke into a sprint. Branches tore at her arms, cutting deep, but she didn’t slow. She leapt over a fallen log, her breath hitching with every step. The trees blurred past, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She had to reach the lodge. She had to— A sound. Closer this time. She spun, backing against a tree. Silence. But she could still feel them, just out of sight. A shadow shifted. Then another. A breath ghosted against her ear. Tessa screamed and bolted. The trees parted suddenly, and she stumbled into a clearing. There it was. The lodge. She could see it. The wooden balcony, the porch light—so close. Her legs burned as she pushed forward. Almost there. She forced herself to move faster, her lungs on fire, every breath sharp and ragged. She didn’t dare look back. She could feel them, their presence thick and suffocating, lurking just beyond the trees. A sob clawed up her throat and she let out a desperate whimper. Just a few more steps. The porch. The stairs. She could already see herself bursting through the door, collapsing inside. Maybe someone was there. Maybe she could call for help. Maybe— Something moved at the edge of her vision. Not behind her. Ahead. The porch light flickered. A shadow stretched across the wooden planks. Tessa skidded to a stop, her heart slamming against her ribs. A figure stood beneath the light, motionless. One of them. He was waiting. She took a step back. The figure took a step forward. Bare feet, caked in dirt. A spear gripped loosely at his side. His face was obscured, just out of the light, but she could feel his eyes on her. She turned her head slightly—just enough to see the treeline behind her. More shapes shifted in the darkness. They were everywhere. They had never been chasing her. They had been guiding her. Panic surged hot and electric through her veins. Her hands shook, fingers twitching at her sides, but she didn’t dare move. The man on the porch tilted his head slowly, like a predator watching prey take its final breath. Tessa swallowed hard. No way out. Tears blurred her vision. The tribesman began to move towards her. Not fast. Not rushing. Just stepping forward with a certainty that made her stomach drop. Tessa— clinging to the very last shred of fight she could muster, turned to run. Just then the spearhead drove through her back, cutting through muscle, shattering bone. Her body arched, eyes wide, her mouth opening in a silent scream. Blood spilled hot down her stomach as the tip burst through her ribs. She collapsed to her knees, choking, fingers clawing weakly at the dirt. The world tilted. The trees blurred. Footsteps circled her. Slow. Methodical. A hand gripped the spear, yanking it free. Pain exploded through her, worse than before, her body pitching forward. The dirt was warm beneath her cheek. In that moment all she could think about now was Adrian, with his easy smile and the way he always pulled her close. Vera, laughing so hard she snorted, her wild curls bouncing as she doubled over, always the loudest, always the bravest. Elias, with his quiet kindness, the way he would sit beside her in silence when words weren’t needed, his steady presence a comfort she had never truly appreciated until now. And one after another, the spears pierced her body. The night swallowing her whole.
By Scott Sterling10 months ago in Fiction
