psychological

Mind games taken way too far; explore the disturbing genre of psychological thrillers that make us question our perception of sanity and reality.

Side Effects
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. The single candle stood out like a beacon of hope and safety. Jay stood looking. The cabin, with it’s candle of safety and hope, looked so far, far away. “Too far” echoed through her mind. Her shoulders slumped. “But it looks familiar” she thought, familiar in a strange kind of way. The term ‘oddly comforting’ sprang to mind.
By JD Grainger4 years ago in Horror
My Deliverance
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. I am standing in the woods. I can see the candle in the distance, glinting, calling to me. Who lit a candle in the old abandoned cabin? Nearby I hear the soft crackle of leaves. I am alone. Is there someone else in the dark with me? My pulse quickens and my breath catches in my throat. But then I realize, it’s me. I am crushing the leaves. I am walking toward the candle in the window. I am drawn to the candle. Suddenly I am face to face with the window. I press my forehead to the glass. The flame dances and flickers. It is trying to tell me something, but I don’t understand.
By Ava King4 years ago in Horror
Written in Shadows
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Granted, the cabin in front of her was more a shack than a cabin, the window more of a hole in the wall, and it was midday, not nighttime. But Park Ranger Christie Adams was an aspiring writer, and embellishing the truth was her trade.
By Claire Lindsey4 years ago in Horror
Ascending
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. A warm glow, beckoning me forward, but I hesitate. I steel myself against it, without any idea as to why. This cabin, this place on the lake, a second home in which I was loved beyond measure. My grandparents were a port in the many storms of my childhood. A respite from the internal battles I waged in the darkness each night, haunted by an inability to conform.To mold myself into the person I thought my family could love without any ‘in spite of’ attached. A version of me that would fill me with pride instead of shame. But as I felt myself pulled forward by an unseen force, I noticed her standing in the window.
By M.M. 4 years ago in Horror
Dinner
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. I slowly walked around the old rusted gate, trying to get a better look inside.The clouds are full tonight and a light drizzle begins. I definitely don’t remember a candle being lit ever in that cabin, could it be another survivor? The grass was cold and wet against my ankles as my curiosity pushes me forward. Every night for months I’ve walked the perimeter looking for signs of life after the blast. This is the first time I’ve found anything concrete. This is supposed to be a dead zone, and it isn’t the only one out there. After The Great Voltaic War, cities and towns are so rare that the majority of us have given up hope in finding one. I was a scout for a small team of survivors, out searching for food and supplies. Moving closer to the cabin, to get a better view from the old worn window. Someone or something was definitely inside. I never thought the day would come, I haven’t met anyone new in over three years. After the EMP blasts billions of lives were lost world wide. Everything was gone, there were miles of abandoned homes, schools and businesses. The EMP bombs managed to take out every single grid on the planet. I bet this old cabin didn’t even notice it happened.
By Heather Payton4 years ago in Horror
ADLs
ADLs THE CABIN IN THE WOODS had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Well, I suppose that’s one way to start a story, young man. What magazine did you say you?
By Kevin Wright4 years ago in Horror
Reunion
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. "So, how have you been?" I asked.
By John Eva4 years ago in Horror
The light
Jolting up from the floor I look around and stand up hastily, looking out the window I see nothing but darkness and a... dim light in the distance? The light almost seems hazy; maybe covered over with a dark grainy film. As I stare hearing a voice in my head: “It’s here”. I shake my head in an attempt to regain control of my thoughts- Suddenly. No. Abruptly, a very loud noise shakes the room I’m in forcing me to cover my ears, my body his the floor and my back presses against something cold and wet; normally I’d be concerned by this odd feeling, but I’m too alarmed to even think about it.
By Xo 4 years ago in Horror
Apron's Folly. Runner-Up in Campfire Ghost Story Challenge.
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. It was an early summer night, rich with the smells of wild honeysuckle and apples fallen off their trees. The cicadas whirled their music through Grover's Field, and under the starlight, the six of us had wandered into nature to get drunk and sweaty and carefree. But then, after the first libations were poured, Mac looked over towards the shell of Apron's Folly, and exclaimed, waking us up from our revels.
By Justin von Bosau4 years ago in Horror
The One You Don't See
The cabin, the candle, left with just a smear of smoke as the last piece of light fell into darkness. The front page of the stack of paper on the desk read:
By Robert Hammond4 years ago in Horror
babel Cabin
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. Apart from the stars and moon in the night sky, it was the only visible light source for kilometres. The dark woods, or Montes de Málaga, were a far cry from the brightly lit city of Málaga just a few kilometres away. At certain parts of the woods, you could see the city. But from the cabin, it was only tall pine trees and faint views of the stars that could be seen. But even so, Málaga was what remained in Mateo’s mind all throughout that evening and into the night. For in Málaga, was this strange but wonderful Irish girl called Eilis.
By Some Guy4 years ago in Horror
My Heir
The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window. A candle I had set with meticulous purpose. The incipient marker of what was to become my legacy.
By Justin Andrews4 years ago in Horror