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.
Unrested Development
I stood on the porch in the setting late summer sun, watching the last of the moving trucks backing cautiously out of the drive. I lifted a tired hand in thanks and turned to face my new home. Truthfully, it was lovely; a simple three bedroom farmhouse, painted a faded white, hidden away on a larger parcel than I ever thought I would be able to afford. Half a century of storms and wind had pressed and ironed it into the landscape, but the bones of the house were strong, and it was new in all the ways that mattered: a fresh roof, furnace and hot water heater. It was exactly the kind of house that I had always envisioned for myself, right down to the small porch that looked out over the shady front yard. I should have been happy, or felt even the barest flutter of excitement, but standing there, as the sun sank into the patchwork of woods and fields behind the house, I felt nothing except a bemused bitterness at my very lack of feeling.
By Christopher Abel5 years ago in Horror
Return to Sender
All that Garrett could do was stare from where he stood in the open doorway, unsure of whether he should enter the room fully or turn and run. Running wasn't going to help. This was already the last place he could think of to run away to. The old garage was mostly abandoned, but his uncle still owned it and no one outside of the family even knew where it was. Except the package already waiting for him in the middle of the room when he arrived.
By John Dodge5 years ago in Horror
The Brown Paper Box and the Nightshade Arcade
"It's the damnedest thing," I said. "So, you didn't send it?" "How would I have sent it? You said it didn't have a stamp or return address or nothing?" Lillith's voice said across the receiver. She was getting irritated.
By Gregory D. Welch5 years ago in Horror
Shadows of Coffee
Tyler walks into the house knowing that it’s empty, but he yells out anyway. “Hello!” This is unprompted by any foreknowledge of anything out of place. He has a small headache, and even his voice was a touch annoying, making his current aloneness a comfort in the kitchen's gloom. He turns the blinds to let in the mid-morning light.
By Whitney Davis 5 years ago in Horror
Eryn
Sirens awoke the sleeping city of Dustian. Rubber wheels powered through the friction of the street as it sped through the city. Damien and his team were determined to save the family of four from their burning apartment. The common red, big fire truck dashed past all the red lights and every speed limit. Tired pedestrians had their bags packed, even miles away from the scene just worrying if the fire would spread. Black smoke submerged from the fourth floor and third window to the right. Cries of help could be heard from the desperate family. Everyone in the building had already evacuated themselves into the courtyard garden. Damion parked the truck in its designated red painted spot on the curb and signaled his team to go. Five firefighters ran inside to help the distressed family. The rest of the thirteen man team prepared the powerful hose and the electronic lift. Ethan counted down with three of his fingers. Once they were all lowered, Ethan cranked the lever and the ultra large house sprayed water to the fourth floor and third window. The crew was relieved to see every member of the threatened family come out of the apartment entrance in the hands of the safe firemen. The mother looked to be crying, the father just as concerned while their two young kids were clueless of their near death.
By Rita Otkupman5 years ago in Horror
The Library
The Library By Jason Dilan My grandfather used to tell me stories all the time and I loved him so much. Whenever I would come to visit I would spend hours going through all of grandpa’s belongings. When you get to be 80 you acquire many treasures and trinkets. Grandpa’s home to me was a museum hidden with treasures and stories. Every time I discovered a treasure I would bring it to grandpa and ask him to tell me the story behind that treasure. Grandpa's stories were always fascinating to me and I would hang on his every word. Now that he is gone I remember his stories and try my best to write them down as they were told to me. I hope one day to leave his stories to my own grandkids.
By Jason Dilan5 years ago in Horror
Dreams Come True, and Nightmares Too...
Harry had seen a lot in his many years as a postman. He’d delivered letters to George Clooney and Julia Roberts. He’d delivered parcels to Bill Clinton, and birthday cards to Paul McCartney. But today was a first, because he had to deliver letters to Dr Frank N. Stein, in his clinic in a converted old run down church.
By Steve Moran5 years ago in Horror
Rocky Mountain High
Rocky Mountain High By
By Jamey O'Donnell5 years ago in Horror
The Looping Way of Things
Viv looked down at her ring while she smoked, her eyes tracing the intricate mathematical design wrought in micro-fine platinum wire, finer than the thinnest human hair. Since the day it had come into her life Viv had been losing herself in her ring. A therapist once told her she was “dissociating” when she did that, retreating to an inner-space where she was safe from what she feared most, which he said was “abandonment.” He always wanted to talk about her father.
By J. Otis Haas5 years ago in Horror
