Welcome to our 2019 $500 Halloween Horror 50 Word Story Contest. Yes, that’s right. It’s already here. Every year we run our contests, and those of you who have been frequent readers, this is what you’ve been waiting for.
First we will be doing a print issue! We will be doing 2 print issues, and we will pick entries from this contest to be in our issue. If you had a 50 word story designated to be in our print issue, from a past contest, please contact us.
Second, we will be giving out a $500 reward for the best 50 word horror story. This is not easy for us. Every Writer is not doing as well as it did in the past, but we want your stories. I believe writers should get paid for their work. I wish we could pay all of our writers, but it’s just impossible. So $500 for 50 words, I think is a unique and valuable statement to our readers. Ten dollars a word is what all writers really deserve.
So here are the rules:
• Story must be scary
• Story must be 50 words
• Story must be original and your own
• Story may not be published elsewhere
• Story must have a title (does NOT count in word count)
• Deadline is October 25, 2019
• Enter as many times as you want
• Story must be written in the comments below!
• Be nice or be disqualified
I love these stories. This is one of favorite traditions of Every Writer. I look forward to this every year, and this year I have extended the time we are going to spend with the contest.
The winners will:
• Be announced on October 31, 2019
• Will get $500
• Will be published in our digital and print issue.
• Will get an author page on our site
There is no entry fee for this contest. It would help us out greatly if you would donate 1$ or more, if you can, to help out the site. We would really appreciate it. A donation will not be considered in the deciding this contest.
If you want to keep up with me on Twitter, please follow me at @everywriter, I follow back all writers.
Good luck, and let the writing begin.
HERE IS THE WINNER
I have picked 4 stories. They all have times and days on them. If the winner does not respond by Friday 11/22/19 the money will go to the next story on the list. Here are the top 4 stories in order. ONLY OUR 1st PLACE WINNER gets the $500. Also, so this insanity never happens again, the winner will be invited back next year to be one of the judges.
WINNER 1st Place:
Kit Steward 10/13/19 5:20 pm
THE MIDNIGHT INCUBATOR
She heard mushy sounds for days and suffered from unbearable itchiness.
A doctor’s visit revealed earwig pupae nesting in her ear canal, it was flushed out.
Later, weary from stress, she crawled into bed.
That night while she slept, the creature returned.
And finding the eggs missing, it laid more.
2nd Place:
Elizabeth Lee 09/24/19 4:36 pm
Secondhand Doll
She didn’t want a secondhand doll so she flung it across the room. Porcelain cracked against the wall. Her mom made her glue the pieces back together. A thin shard sliced her hand, baptizing the doll in her hateful blood. The secondhand doll decided she didn’t want an ungrateful child.
3rd Place:
Alexander Daley Escobedo 10/25/19 3:38pm
Heirloom
We Buried my brother today. Suicide. He thought something evil was haunting him. He’d been medicated, institutionalized, shocked and secluded. He found his own way out. I wish I could tell him I’m sorry. Or had listened more closely. Because, when I got home, it was on my couch. Laughing.
4th place:
JB 10/25/19 8:12pm
TITLE: RESEVOIR
We should have known something was wrong when we first tasted the water. It was a little brown, but no more than usual in this apartment complex.
We kept drinking it until it turned black.
When they opened the water tank, they found the bloated, rotting corpse of my neighbor.
We usually always contact the winners first, but after all the trouble, we are opening up the process. I am again, very sorry for how late this is. I did not expect 4000 stories. Next year I will be ready.
Brianna Keeper says
SOMETHING ABOUT HARRY
Smelling his butt, something was off. The pack and I kept a watch on this one, full moon and all. Imagine our horror, when our four legged friend transformed into a two legged monster. Still, tastes like chicken.
Sharon Jansen says
In the Shadow of Death
Suddenly it was night in the middle of the day, and I felt a shadow approach me. As I turned on my torch, what I saw before me sent shivers up my spine, making me gasp for air. It grabbed me by my neck, sucking the life out of me.
J. Federle says
PATIENT FILE: MALE, 47, COMATOSE
I’m a night-shift ICU nurse: I monitor sleeping patients through a small viewing window. Started last week—remote hospital, but good pay. Weird staff though… Head nurse said, “If a figure appears in the room, leave. Get coffee.” But my call light’s on. And the old woman… she needs me.
J.H.Bauers says
Keys turned counter. Engine cooling down. Mothers car parked next to fathers. Walkway clean as when I left.
Mailbox was empty, address numbers fading. The smell of the oven cooking dinner for four.
Each step ran rhythmic to my encounter. Trail of gruff left under. The door opened, I saw
Tamara Reid says
POP GOES THE NIGHT
It straddled my chest, one hand pressing my mouth to muffle the screams. Rotting flesh filled my nose. Its other hand secured behind my ear, trailing a pointy thumbnail just under my eye. As it forcefully pushed in, the pop jolted me awake.
I sprang up, terrified, unable to see.
Denise says
Perpetuam Memoriam
The founding fathers lie in repose. I stand alert, ready. The chapel, still as remorse. The oaken side door agape. I aim my red redress at the offending figures. The organs bellow, the carillon deafens. I drop the aerosol. The door wheezes shut and limestone grates as the sarcophagi open.
Craig says
THE CUCKOO’S MOTHER
A baby cries in the night. I sit up, eyes closed, still half asleep. Pulling myself out of bed, I go to him, my breast ready – feed him, coo to him, finally he sleeps, and I return to bed. In the morning I remember, but I remember: I live alone.
Paul Weidknecht says
And One Unknown
He woke knowing the house was empty; just some creepy night feeling. From his window perch he saw four walking toward the dead-end graveyard: Mom, Dad, Jules, and one unknown, obscured in phosphorescent mist. They stopped, now all pointing up, as the phantom nodded and returned to the house.
Linda Olsheska Brenner says
Investigating the Black
Pulling up her hood, believing she looked unbeatable, Susie descended the cellar stairs past jars filled with old summer peaches. One jar was bigger, white inside instead of pale orange. Curiosity stopped her. A mouth opened, cracking the glass and a waterlogged skull rammed into her hood, howling for her.
MJ K says
Fractions
Sitting in math class my palms sweat profusely. The equations written across the page start to melt together. Numbers blend together creating tiny warriors, holding the fraction lines as spears.
They stare at me with a malicious look on their eyes.
When they jumped, I fell out of my desk.
Ryan Rosta says
Daydreams
She crept silently, cold feet on cold marble trailing crumbs of earth. A single scarlet tear falls on alabaster wiped clean by a delicate pale finger.
Her shining eyes steal a mournful glance at the soft orange-red dawn before the crypt door closes.
She misses the warmth of the sun.
Clarke Wainikka says
No One
He’d been following her for four blocks.
The crunching of boots on half-melted snow.
The streetlamps flickered, flaxen safety.
She ran and the footsteps followed.
Then, silence.
Darkness.
She turned. It was gone.
Again, the footsteps but no one.
Only the crunching sound of boots and then, her scream.
Adam Ehrenberg says
Clarke, your story is very good.
Clarke Wainikka says
Thanks, Adam! I appreciate that.
Esther Lee says
THE HAUNTED PUPPY
By: Esther Lee
There was a family that owned a mother dog.The dog had a puppy Ara .
One day Ara was gone! The family looked around the town asked every single person.One of the men said that she went to the HAUNTED FOREST! They found ARA but she was a Barkula.
Jeanne Yoo says
The Hunted Library
by :Jeanne Yoo
One day Esther went to the Dracula village, to the famous library called THE WORLD OF BOOKS. In the library, she noticed that people looked scary. Esther tried to go out but something grabbed her, so she turned around and saw a hideous person. Esther was never able to escape.
Liam Furey says
DON’T TRUST THEM!!!
It’s sickening to think about but the world has to know . Period 6 sitting in class. Suddenly over the speaker principal Roper sounding lifeless when he mumbled, “Don’t Trust Them”. Then the gruesome sound of Ropers Throat being slit. Worse part their still out there, not humans, DON’T TRUST THEM!!!
Scott Zhao says
AI
I noticed something about my classmates.
They’ve changed.
They like different things now.
They talk different now.
They don’t get hungry now.
They’re AI’s
Tomorrow is a special day.
They say they’re going to change me.
To me I don’t think so.
They are going to get rid of me.
Nikki says
Mr. Fear
It’s cold under the covers. I can see my breath. The bed shakes and I hold on tighter. To what, nothing. My bed is gone and I’m alone with him. Mr. Fear. His perfect smile on his pale face. His suit, looking freshly ironed. He’s holding my covers. It’s cold.
Nicole says
You Are A Doll
The doll smiles at me. Her small mouth perfect, but her icy blue eyes are angry. At what, I do not know. But she’s mad at me. I pick her up.
“You are a doll,” I tell it.
Then it gets hot. I drop it, setting fire to the carpet.
John E. Fedyna says
Dream Date
She asked him out, planned the date, and drove.
Now they’re on a moonlit hike through the woods to her favorite place.
“What a night!”, he mused.
Suddenly, a clearing with a bonfire. In a flash, black hooded figures encircle them.
She shrieks, “ I said I’d get a human sacrifice!”
John E. Fedyna says
After Hours
He was a vocal skeptic to those saying the building was haunted.
Deactivating the alarm and entering alone to finish work, it felt creepy.
Instantly, a loud bang in front of him. Panic and fear envelops him..
After hearing a maniacal whisper, “We exist”, the door locks itself behind him
John E.Fedyna says
Desert Doom
Slamming the brakes on the lonely desert road, a coyote steps slowly aside.
Cursing, I pass on.
Later on my left, it’s running effortlessly alongside at seventy miles per hour!
A tire blows.
Sitting in the disabled car, invisible laughter and footsteps approach.
How can this be? Skinwalkers aren’t real.
Conductor says
I am the Conductor. I am the only man in the history of mankind to not only trick Lucifer in his own lair, to escape Hell and to see The Door. Satan is here. I need help. This is the story of your reality right now! This is a warning.
Sandra Atkins says
Don’t Put on Your Glasses
Shadows rolled off the bed around. Goblins with fangs and claws morphed into familiar shapes as Martha neglected her glasses and shuffled to the bathroom. “These old eyes playing tricks on me.” Something held out her glasses from the void. She wished to God that she hadn’t put them on.
Arleen Fackina says
Death’s Path
I was dying as I lay alone in the empty hospital room. I felt everything around me growing black as the last pieces of my life slipped away. In my twisted mind’s eye, I saw the horrific faces of my many victims. What would happen next? Then the devil appeared.
William A. Welton says
From the Wall
I opened the door to my bedroom. There was a twisted human shadow on the wall. Cast by nothing, it seemed a living presence on its own.
Slowly, it changed shape, as the figure turned toward me and grew. I couldn’t move. It thickened and rose, separating from the wall.
Arleen Fackina says
Corn Demon
I peered into the cornfield; the scarecrow. It was closer than it had been the day before. I shut the drapes before peeking through. It was closer, moving on its own. I opened the drapes. The scarecrow leaned against the window, eyes glowing red, blood dripping from its mouth.
William A. Welton says
The Face in the Upstairs Window
Beyond the bedroom window, the faintly luminous figure appeared: a bulbous head, worm’s mouth full of teeth, its eyes full of anguish and hunger. The room was on the second floor. Through the window beside it, the street view was no longer visible. Everything was gone. Its eyes upon me!
Curtis Norris says
BUH-BYE!
“We’re sorry, sir, but we’ve overbooked. You’ll have to deplane.”
“But we’re already flying!”
“We appreciate your understanding. Please stop struggling.”
“You can’t! I won’t! Shut that door!”
“Please let go of the door jamb, sir.”
“This is murder!”
“Thank you for flying Budget Air!”
“I still want my miiiiiiles!”
Curtis Norris says
THE SUBSTITUTE
Teacher’s fingernails scraping the blackboard hurts our ears. The sound of those nails snapping off is even worse, as she claws away with both hands, leaving bloody streaks through the chalk. Worst of all, the squeak of her teeth against the slate. Growling, she turns to teach us a lesson.
Jade Hicks says
In The Darkness
You open your eyes but see nothing. You scream out but hear silence. You try to get up but your legs aren’t moving. You reach all around and feel nothing.
Wait, what was that?
You go back to feel again.
Something grabs your hand.
Oh no! It’s dragging you away.
Curtis Norris says
THE LUNCHBOX
Bobby opens his superhero lunchbox at noon. Four fingers in a stay-fresh bag. A bloody heart stuffed with scalp. Two eyeballs resting in a bowl of grapes. A thermos of…something. The note reads: “Father will not be picking you up from school today. Don’t be late for dinner! Love, Mom.”
MM says
Haunted
My friends keep on telling me that the apartment I’ve rented was haunted. I didn’t mind, actually. Last night, I fell asleep soundly but I woke up feeling heavily. I opened my eyes and saw a bloody doll staring at me. Surprisingly, her lips moved. “Will you play with me?”
William A. Welton says
The Gaze from Below
I feel strange pulling in the flesh of my palms, look down at my hands: I see two mouths opening there. They are ravening, fangs clawing the air. Across black lips snake serpent tongues. Above each one, appear twin swellings; skin snaps back, and eyes emerge, of malice and hunger.
MM says
Were you still asleep?
It’s already past midnight. You were riding a cab, on your way home.
Tired of many sleepless nights, you fell asleep.
Suddenly, a tap from your shoulder awakened you.
“Here’s your stop, Sir.”
You took off the cab immediately.
Still yawning, you looked back and saw your body still sleeping.
Curtis Norris says
AUTOPSY
“I can’t perform this autopsy.”
“Why not? Did you know the victim?”
“Briefly. For the three fun-filled days she hung in my cellar.”
“Oh, god. Then it’s you? You’re the Endtown Eviscerator?!”
“Yes. And I have more bad news.”
“What’s that?”
“I won’t be able to perform YOUR autopsy either…”
Bianca C says
The girl
By: Bianca
Across the room and yet again the eyes, blood struck just staring back at me,silently. Yet again the girl is back to haunt my nightmares, to “play” with me. Yet again I must stay up because I’m afraid of what would happen if I ever so slightly closed my eyes
Akshay Melwani says
I smile as the flames engulf the old, abandoned home. Ten years ago, on Halloween night, this haunted house killed my brother and my friends. Finally, I had got my revenge.
Men in white take me back to the hospital. I hate it here. They say I committed the murders.
William A. Welton says
Wait for It
My eyes open. Darkness. I feel myself blink, but I am blind. It’s hard to breath. Panicking, I move my arms and legs; they come up short against the solid walls of my confinement. I push and push again. No give. Where am I? Oh god… The dirt above me.
Curtis Norris says
DIY
“See? Just here in the scan? That’s the madman living inside your brain.”
“It’s unbearable! What’s the cure?”
“Drill, of course. A five inch bit should suffice. Through the nose.”
“Yes, I see. I’ve got it here. I’m using a nine incher, though. Better safe than sorry, right, doctor? Doctor?”
Vivian says
The Full Moon is a Killer
I sink my teeth into an apple. In the moonlight, I see the white flesh of it has turned red I flip on the light bloody footprints cover the floor. I look in the mirror my eyes are yellow. My lips drip with blood. But I don’t remember wolfing out.
To Jo says
The Final god
—
She deified the lucky numbers and the fortune cookie that revealed them.
13 knife wounds.
3 follicles of hair, evidence.
8 am, time of murder.
10 days before the arrest.
A 30 year to life sentence.
Assiduously, she prayed in the cell, awaiting the revelation of 14, her final god.
Vivian says
so chilling
To Jo says
Glad you think so 🙂
Curtis Norris says
BLACKOUT
Blackout.
Flashback: Your co-workers. Shots cracking. Trapped. Falling bodies. Panic!
Blackout.
Flashback: Your friends. Running. Crawling. Blade swinging. Bloodied faces. Terror!
Blackout.
Flashback: Your family. No escape. Slippery tools. No control.Tortured screams. Horror!
Blackout.
Flashback: Your house. A broken window. Your bed. Under it. Waiting. Waiting. Your turn!
Blackout.
Vivian says
Even Death Gets Visited by Ghosts
Her face haunts me wherever I go her mouth open in a silent scream. Icy hands trace the name Lamantha on my arm. One night I just can’t stand it anymore I grab my scythe. And walk to the cemetery. I slam my scythe through Lamantha headstone. And I Smile.
William A. Welton says
The Antiquarian
He rarely speaks to humans now. But when the evangelist came to his door, he let him in. And the children, selling candy; they were invited in, too. Something in his voice and his eyes persuades, against all better judgment.
His spells need fresh skulls; his soups require fresh meat.
Elaesa Jones says
THE NIGHT
In the mansion, is a view to a kill.
Crimson stains on the satin sheets, can you feel the chill?
The descendants of Dracul stir, murmuring curses.
Falling snowflakes on human bodies, as the king smirks.
Blood seeps from the human bodies like wine.
“It’s time to feed my children.”
William A. Welton says
The Demon’s Box
Having performed the requisites spells and rituals over the course of days, he knew that now the box contained the demon, the evil sentience with a thousand eyes, waiting only for him to open the lid to grant his darkest wish. Opening the box, those eyes feasted on his mind.
Nicole says
Grey
I roam the white halls. The blinding light making me look grey. I turn the corner and they stop dead. They scream. They run. Repeat. Forever. This madness will never stop. Forever I am trapped. A ghost to all.
I’m transparent but still here. Help me leave this horrid hospital.
Nikki says
Drawings
I can’t draw, I won’t draw. They change shape and move as soon as I’m done, and all I can do is watch. They attack each other and I have no control. Like I said, I can not draw. I’m not good at keeping it the same. I won’t draw.
Elaesa Jones says
LOSING HIS MIND
Late at night, he defied everything, and stitched his creation up.
He felt like he was losing his mind, as he poured half his soul into the creation, his masterpiece.
A single was all it took to wake the sleeping creature.
His first victim was the creature who woke him.
Nikki says
Thee in the Morning
It’s three in the morning. My curtains are open, even though I remember closing them before bed. The tree taps on the window, it’s branches casting shadows on my bed.
The noise becomes unbearable. I sit up and the branches become long fingers, ending with sharp nails. Then a face.
Elaesa Jones says
EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL
“What a pretty portrait, can’t I look as lovely as that portrait forever?” the prince asked.
“How much is eternal youth? Will an eye buy me eternal beauty?” the prince mused.
“No dear, your soul will do, for your wants.” The devil replied.
One soul for his desires and doom.
Elaesa Jones says
YOU BETTER RUN
Edward’s got a quick hand; he’s got a knife as he prowls the streets at night.
You better run when see him ‘round, outrun the blade.
Henry’s got a shattered mind, he drowns it in his pills and drink.
He used to be so sweet, not anymore.
James Dorr says
TOUT DE SUITE
(and the insurance payout won’t be too shabby either)
I never would have purchased this house if I’d known that it was crawling with homeless guys. I mean, really, all the listing said in the paper was that it was “lived in.”
That’s why tonight I’m setting it on fire.
Elaesa Jones says
THIEVES SWING BELOW
He stole six mouthfuls of food, and ended up in the cemetery.
With a life of sin under his belt, it was time to ordain.
They’d just scatter all his bones away.
“Oh no!” he cried, “Oh Yeah~” they smirked.
They got him at last, and he couldn’t get away.
Elaesa Jones says
GETTING YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER
The seven undertakers gathered ‘round the poor man.
Caskets, nooses, and knives ready for their terrified customer.
Alive, but not for long though, his time had come.
He ran, and the undertakers gave chase.
“Where do you want your body sent?”
“Body? Ha! There isn’t going to be no body!”
Elaesa Jones says
SPECIAL ICED CAKE
A cup of cobra venom, two tablespoons of opium, frosted with cream and topped with belladonna.
A special cake she made just for him, sweetened with sugar and orange juice.
She watched him eat the special iced cake, “What’s the recipe?” he asked.
“One unfaithful boyfriend, sugar, and poison too.”
Elaesa Jones says
HYPNOTIZED
The Hypnotist smirked as her body swayed to the music, and he stitched the seam across her left eye.
He’d already unzipped her body, and was removing the undesirable part of her heart.
How the lightning glanced; he only had this half a chance.
By midnight, she’d be his doll.
Elaesa Jones says
NEVER WAS A LOVE LIKE MINE
There was never a love like mine, for you.
There never was a poison so strong.
You’ve never been loved this way.
There was never a love like mine for you.
There never was a knife so sharp.
I will be only Dear, so promise you’ll never roam, stay here.
Elaesa Jones says
LULLABY IN THE DARK
She stroked her husband’s hair, as she sung him a lullaby.
“Sleep my love, sleep my only dream, in the dark~” she sang with a voice like spider silk.
She watched his beautiful blue eyes flutter shut as he fell asleep.
She pulled the knife out from under her pillow.
Sharon Johnson says
Karma Curse
Thy vilest acts I have endured.
Dry bones: my dreams to dust you’ve turned.
Bloated tick: fat with my blood. Now,
Take thy tincture of tainted deeds;
Wear thy rags of wicked schemes.
From quick to dead you’ll pass unseen.
Stand alone on Charon’s charred shore;
Thy turn: Forevermore endure.
Elaesa Jones says
I’M IN LOVE WITH YOUR BODY
Magnus smiled as he snuggled into Clara, as they watched the bats fly by.
He purred as he peppered her shoulder with butterfly kisses.
“I’m in love with your body.” He whispered.
“Aw, you’re-” CRUNCH goes the throat and spine.
He chews, and savors the flavor of Clara.
Very good.
Annie Pichardo says
I love what you wrote. Very Creepy. 🙂
Emma Wilson says
— THE VAMPIRE —
The vampire crept from door to door, hoping someone would finally let him in, but all they did was give him candy.
He grew evermore thirsty, but not entirely out of his luck. He used the candy to lure children back to his den. Their blood was so much sweeter.
Elaesa Jones says
THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL
“Anthony Merlow, you are being charged with third degree murder. You’ve murdered thirteen innocent young men and women, with aforethought and malice, what do you have to say for yourself?”
Anthony looked around the courtroom, the blood still fresh on his hands.
“I did it for the money.” He replied.
Elaesa Jones says
I MIGHT JUST DISAPPEAR
My sister killed me for my boyfriend.
I can’t get his attention now, for kill my sister in return.
Slowly I’m being forgotten by my parents, and my friends.
I can’t get their attention; I can only destroy the vapors around me.
If he forgets me, I might just disappear
Autumn Steele says
WHOSE THERE?
Tap, tap, tap. Something is outside my bedroom door. “Hello?” suddenly, I am completely frozen, goosebumps rise to the surface of my skin. Tap,Tap,Tap,Tap. Its the sound that only sharp needles make….. when ready to KILL… TAP!TAP!TAP!TAP!TAP! My door slowly creeks open… “STOP!!!”
Autumn Steele says
THE HOUSE
At the end of the street, there’s a house. THE house. The house that never leaves a survivor. The house that got rid of rid of my family. The house that got rid of my neighbors. The house that got rid of the world. The house…… is MY house. I cannot leave.
Autumn Steele says
Just DIE already!
I’m watching you. I’m ALWAYS watching you. When you sleep, eat, and do weird things. I see ALL of it. Sometimes, I wish I could strangle you. But most times I just want to watch you suffer a painful and excruciating slow death.
Sincerely, The Ghost waiting for your death.
Bindu John says
“WELCOME”
While walking home, Jill discerned strangers pointing at her. She shrugged.
Near her gate, a smiling woman walked up, “Welcome”.
“Welcome where? Who are you?”
Jack called out from their lawn, “Why’re you talking to yourself?”
As Jill’s eyes widened in horror, a truck screeched to a halt. Too late.
Atty Svendsen says
Damn Chili
My guts were killing me. I hate public johns. Thank god the building was empty and clean. Leaning forward I noticed a pair of rotting feet in the stall next to me. They moved. I yanked up my pants and ran like hell; it cackled at my back.
Victoria Crawford says
Night Eyes
Shadow hugs the wall. Night eyes glare above and squeeze his skull. Knife prick, quick lick. He peers up, hiding from the Watcher’s eyes. The ancient Face! always hunting. Not tonight disappointment.
Dark faced Moon, billion years boredom, grits teeth, dark time yearns: he needn’t see jerks below.
amr tamim says
The Shooter
Our ballista hammers out another volley. My loader slaps my shoulder. I open up through the wire with the enormous Browning.
Through the mist I see consuming tracks littering the wheat fields. Our principle firearm cycles as actinic light burns the skyline.
My dissolved eyes sob. Divine beings, if you don’t mind not once more.
amr tamim says
Abigail
She strokes the charm as the breeze cries. She kisses the rosary and moves into the smelly bed. Branches ambush the battered house; downpour pelts the shot windows.
She longs for frigid lips.
The shadow underneath her bed shifts, mixes. A hard hand strokes her coppery hair. “Abigail,” he murmurs.
amr tamim says
Crisp Meat
The hunt gathering had surrendered any expectation of finding any overcomers of the accident. The island smelled of death and the warmth was terrible.
The main survivor had been tailing them for a considerable length of time, hunger distressing his stomach. He assaulted them that night.
After three weeks, another pursuit gathering showed up.
amr tamim says
Under the Old House
The storm cellar was wet unmistakable, still, a messed up window high on the divider, shards on the concrete floor, bug catching networks as thick as haze, contacting me.
I went after the light string, where I realized it ought to be, and the virus hand was around my wrist, pulling me down.
amr tamim says
Dream, and I’ll Come For You
When I was seven I saw forks emerging from the sleeping pad underneath me as I angled above them, startled.
It happened again the previous evening.
Excessively old and weak to move, I lie here speared by apparition forks through my eyes, mouth, heart, and spine.
They all believe I’m dead.
Lynn Love says
HARD WEATHER COMING IN
A flicker of gold in the storm, small enough to nestle in my fist. A rising trill of birdsong cuts the wind. I don’t want to see or hear. It’s the canary I bought Ada. The one who’s neck I broke… The one I buried with her in the woods.
RKS says
The Weary Traveler
He looks harmless enough, but don’t let that fool you.
He travels all day and all night to find you.
He reaches up and grabs from behind you.
You’ll surely scream when he finds you.
Wait who is that behind you?
Time to put life behind you.
RKS says
Bring Me Home
Late at night and you’re all alone, you’re car broke down and you have no phone. All of a sudden you hear a noise from the woods, you see six figures in hoods.
You try to run and you try to scream but can’t, all together they start to chant.
Lynn Love says
HER EMPLOYER
Sarah braids the hair her employer gives her – raven, copper, blond – into a glossy noose. She is untroubled by its presence, snaking round her ankles. When she finds a glob of pink flecked with red, she tosses it into the fire, smells the flesh burn. He pays so very well.
Lynn Love says
TRANSFORMATION
The scraper curls away layers of wallpaper, decades peeling onto the floor. Dan spots something – handwriting. He crouches, picks up the yellowed scrap, reads the childlike scrawl. ‘I am the last one left. But they will come again tonight. They live under the floor.’ Around him, the old house creaks.
Tamara Reid says
This is really good. The “…decades peeling onto the floor…” was a nice touch. Well done!
Sharon Jansen says
The Wicked Never Rests
I went to a cemetery to prove ghosts or ghouls don’t exist. I sat next to a tombstone.
“Come get me, you ghosts,” I yelled.
“Are you sure?” whispered a voice.
There was no one around; I was terrified. I started to run, but was soon dragged into a grave.
Michael Devine says
THE NEW GAME
The schoolboy sat at the front of the room, the teacher’s brains splattered over the desk, the board problem left undone.
Then at the bullies he stared, their heads popped all in a row.
With that, he let the rest go. Adults would come soon. This new game was fun.
W.C. Scharff says
Late Night Television
Eric watched the television with glazed eyes. His lids blinked open and closed as he drifted in and out. The pictures in front of him resembled a flip book as the black oozed out. From the ooze came a hand. Eric blinked again, he blinked for the last time.
W.C. Scharff says
Just Breathe
Tammy placed the c-pap over her nose and mouth. The machine began to hum. She was excited for another good night of sleep. She closed her eyes in joy. Suddenly her eyes opened, Tammy couldn’t move her body, she couldn’t reach her face. Then she heard the hum stop.
W.C. Scharff says
Flatline
The sound was deafening. Kayla could feel the pain shooting through her body, she could feel the beat of her heart pounding. First in her chest, looking down and seeing red she could feel the heartbeat move to her lungs and throat. Then she felt it no more.
Virgil Burton says
Graveyard Killer pulling up to the house,who car is that Mat asked. Probably the owner Chad said as the man gets out the car. Chad, Mat gets out the car. Hello I’m James the man said. Hi I’m Chad in this is Mat, would you guys like to see the inside, yes as he wave towards the others to get out the car. As they move there things in night approach, Jess and Mat head towards the woods to have some alone time. I’m so horny Jess said, we can stop right here. No way Mat said, look there’s a shead up ahead. They make it too the shead as they doing there thing Mat seen something in the shead as the light flicker on in off. Oh Shit! He said as he fell down, what baby there is a dead body hanging on a hook in there. Are you serious Jess ask as she look for herself. Oh my guy she said as she scream and then they both run back towards the house.
Sharon Jansen says
Banished
I was standing on top of a building. I didn’t know where it was, or how I got there.
“Jump,” a voice told me. And so I did.
Suddenly, I was out of my body. I could only watch, perplexed, as a demon with amber eyes took possession of it.
Sharon Jansen says
Mother Monster
“Come to me,” said a voice.
I looked around, but found no one. Then I saw a shadow; it looked like my dead mother.
“Mom?” I said.
I went closer and reached out for her, but that’s when the shadow turned into a monster and pulled me into the wall.
Sharon Jansen says
Deathbed
I was woken up by my roommate screaming. She said a ghost was trying to kill her.
“There’s no such thing as ghosts; it must have been a nightmare,” I said.
But, right then, a pair of hands reached out through the bed and pulled her in as she screamed.
AMIT ROSHAN MINJ says
Someone Was Here
While walking on street, I heard someone’s whispering. I look back quickly, nobody there. After passing three blocks, I heard screaming, I look back but again no one is there; I got frightened and starts running. When I open the door, someone shove me down. Someone is without doubt here.
Vic Ortiz says
THESE EXCHANGE RATES ARE HELL
—
“Clean record…Looking good!” said the angel.
“Ohhhhh. No offerings from 1991-1994. You owe twenty bucks plus interest. Come back when you pay it off.”
“Hold on, I waited an eterni-”
He plunged to his new job at the DMV in hell.
Dollar’s worth a thousandth of a cent down there.
Chloe Putnam says
the other parents: (BTW this is a true story that happened to me)
When i was young i was raised by my family, no dad. I remember telling my mom about my ‘old parents’, the people I saw in my room. my family showed me a picture of the people, my DEAD great grandparents. They died five years before i was born.
Lisa W says
La Llorona
Like a blanket of dead fingers, the wind wrapped around us. We doubled our pace into the blaze of the setting sun, towards the distant shadow of our car. Heads down we crunched through the sand, the cold tightening it’s grip as La Llorona’s wail reached our ears.
Tamara Reid says
THE MIMIC
Mom screamed, like she’d stumbled across a spider. Her shriek came from downstairs. ‘Why is she up?’
She screamed again, calling my name. ‘She needs me.’ I sprang from my bed, confused. Scared.
As I passed the hall closet, Mom’s hand grabbed mine, pulling me in, whispering.
“That wasn’t me.”
Dina Towbin says
The Pumpkin
Her sister’s intricate handiwork, the carved pumpkin with a glowing candle, illuminated the porch. Glancing at the knife in her hand, Mary lifted the pumpkin’s top with a wet pop. The blood dripping, dripping down struck the flame, which swirled, flashing purple as the pumpkin’s soft flesh embraced the blade.
Jessica Federle says
Ohh! Chills. Nice one!
Greg says
Nice! Set the Halloween mood, pumpkin and murder
Rose Mary Boehm says
Eeeek. Imagine this on your porch. Shivering.
Robert Colin McGinnis says
“The Whisper.”
The whisper was neither soft or harsh. Unsure where it originated. She cocked her head. There. Closer and softer still. Frightened. She gathered her dress and raced down the stairs of the dark castle. Yet again. Closer. Softer. Opening a door. She ran. Yet it followed. Closer and softer
still.
Kathi says
Shivers. Left with the feeling that it is her sister’s blood that drips and feeds the flame. .
Dina Towbin says
Could be…
Andrew Towbin says
Wow! Another goose-bump inducing piece. If you were a hit man you’d be known as great at your craft, efficient and deadly!
Carol says
Creepy. Happy Halloween.
Gentry Webb says
The Monster in the Tree
It was just me and my niece outside. As I am pushing her on the swing she tells me to look at that guy in the tree. I reply “what guy?” She runs to the house. The guy starts after us. We wake up. “Did you see him?”
Michael Devine says
FRANCIS BACON’S JILTED LOVER
“I beg of you, take me back. I’m no longer afraid.”
“Afraid? I will make you live forever!”
When he was chained to a pipe, pliers, scissors, and bone saw were used to get his face just right.
‘In 2019, the painting Jilted Lover sold for a record 143,000,000,000 pounds.’
Michael Devine says
This is a trick I’ve learned. The title introduces both characters, so you don’t even have to mention their names in the story, or who’s talking, or their relationship, it is all obvious from the title, saving many words. Bacon did sell a tryptych for 142 million in 2013 his record price, and all art record at the time.
Chloe Putnam says
The Well:
The well next to my house was known. Put something in, it never comes back.
My friend went to the well and stood on it, she fell in.
That was three days ago, she’s back now. But she’s different. She has black eyes.
I’m hiding from her. Help.
Arianna says
I See People
Walking down the street I saw a cat.
It was black, and bloody.
It also scared and shaking.
I went to help the cat.
Suddenly a knife dropped.
That was when I saw them.
They were shadows huddling around the cat.
All of the shadows held knives.
Help me…
Chloe Putnam says
The Demons.
You know those weird black figures that hide in your room and watch you? One’s following me. It keeps coming closer. Why? I go into the bank and see a robber, he shoots me. The demon takes my soul and brings me to hell. What did I do?
Jari blake says
Day 31 of month 11 is solely for the unforgiven when no one’s safe if they be the living for it’s upon a moonless night the blood thirsty gouls and goblins seek
To find themselves a big black cat
a tail of rat Or even better than either that
An eye of knewt a pinch of knat and one big jucy wing of bat !
Children beware as spells be cast
And all must hide behind your mask
Broom riding witches with long reaching grasps will snatch you up as they fly past
They’ll offer up some candy sticks but
Those tasty licks as treats me tricks
And all they’ll find once the caldren boils is the fleshless bone of cat and yours.
You’d best beleave it and my warning heed
To fool you all on Hallows Eve
This is a Hellann Bach adventure and written for all my favorite kids and yours.
Oh, and God and Mom and Gramma Trudy.
By Jari Blake
Aka Hellann Bach
Ha ha ha ha
Teehee he he he
You’re oh so easy to deceive
Does anyone out there even remember
There’s no 31st day in the month of November
Trick or treat you all
Grammy