Horror
The Truth Behind the Evil Eye: Belief, Culture, Faith and Psychology
The idea of the Evil Eye, or Nazar, is deeply rooted in many cultures across the world. For centuries, people have believed that someone's gaze, filled with envy or admiration, can cause sudden harm or misfortune. But is Nazar truly a supernatural force, or is it something shaped by psychology and belief? This article explores the origin of the idea, how religions view it, and what modern psychology says about it.
By Salman Writes2 months ago in Fiction
The Caretaker’s Cottage
As an avid, if amateur student of the lesser known castles and fortified buildings of the Highlands of Scotland and sometimes the Western Isles I was delighted when I received the phone call from an old university friend of mine who had continued this pursuit of learning in this field beyond the point I had moved onto the less exciting field of agricultural marketing.
By Simon Curtis2 months ago in Fiction
The Window No One Opened
The wind rattled the loose glass of the attic window long before I reached the staircase. This old house had lived a hundred lives, but tonight it felt more alive than it had in years. Shadows gathered near the corners, thick and silent, as if they too remembered what happened here.
By Salman Writes2 months ago in Fiction
The Lanterns of Taal Ridge. AI-Generated.
The path to Taal Ridge was a stitched scar along the mountainside — narrow, ancient, and always whispering. Locals said the wind carried the voices of those who had climbed before, a soft chorus urging every traveler not to turn back. But for Arel Vazim, turning back was not an option.
By shakir hamid2 months ago in Fiction
Couch Potato
It had been an extraordinarily long day for Gary. Much, much longer than any previous day. Gary was tired, so much more tired than he had been on any previously long day he had had. I should sleep well tonight, Gary thought to himself as he sat down. Sinking deeply into his well-worn plush recliner, his thoughts echoed: I should sleep.
By Ashley McMahon2 months ago in Fiction
Flash Fiction - Lost The Plot
Trudging along the cemetery path, they huddled together, hiding behind an umbrella that was doing little to hold back the driving rain. The wind howled, sometimes catching the umbrella in a way that made it seem as though it were breathing.
By John Watson2 months ago in Fiction
The Price We Pay
The thing I always dreamed about, wished for, longed for, turned out to be the worst thing that ever happened to me. Unfortunately, I realized it too late. I don’t know how it happened, but in a split second I found myself standing in a church in front of the pulpit, trembling, sweat sliding down my spine.
By Amira's thoughts2 months ago in Fiction
The Whispering Heart
No one knew how old the Great Oak was, or who had first discovered its secret. The tree stood at the heart of the woods, a gnarled giant with a hollow in its trunk so large a child could crawl inside. But it wasn't empty. It was a library. Not for books, but for feelings. They called it the Whispering Heart.
By Habibullah2 months ago in Fiction
The Halo
This story was inspired by recurring themes I've noticed in large entities. Companies going from individual people with big dreams doing a labor of love to cash hungry corporations who recycle the same crap. This genre is inspired by that, the electric state, liminality, surrealism, and other dystopian/cyberpunk themes. This story in particular draws upon religion to create a certain juxtaposition, inspired by other horror and "the salvation project". Written in November 2025 as a freshman in high school.
By Chad McBroski2 months ago in Fiction
