Horror

The Things That Almost Got Said
“I haven’t done this in a long time.” “That’s all right.” “I don’t even know where to start.” “You can start anywhere.”
By Sound and Spirit21 days ago in Fiction
The Last Light
Every night at exactly 9:17 p.m., a soft yellow light appears in the third-floor window of a narrow apartment overlooking a silent street. The timing never changes. The bulb never flickers. The light never fails.
By Waqid Ali 21 days ago in Fiction
Shadows and Light
He grew up in the soft hum of stained glass, where sunlight through colored panes made angels dance on the walls. The church was a fortress, its rituals a rhythm that promised safety. Prayer was a language he learned before he could read, and faith was a comfort as sure as his mother’s hand.
By Sound and Spirit22 days ago in Fiction
Fraser River, 1858
"I taste blood." "Stag? Is it stag? Might just be a fawning doe again." "Not hart blood." "The salmon are spawning upstream. The old bear could have got one."
By Jennifer A. G.22 days ago in Fiction
A Crown of Beauty
“Do you remember that verse I told you about?” “The one from Isaiah?” “Yes. The one about a crown of beauty instead of ashes.”
By Sound and Spirit22 days ago in Fiction
Employee Guidelines
We’re pleased to have you joining us. Please note that your first shift begins tonight. You may notice that the building feels larger after dark. This is normal and does not require any acknowledgement.
By Courtney Jones22 days ago in Fiction
The Silent Symphony of Raven’s Peak. AI-Generated.
The winding road to Raven’s Peak was less of a path and more of a warning. Covered in a thick, suffocating mist that seemed to breathe with a life of its own, the trail led to a village that maps had forgotten fifty years ago. I, Oliver Vance, a journalist obsessed with urban legends, was determined to find out why an entire community had simply stopped speaking.
By Md. Rejaul Karim22 days ago in Fiction
How to Succeed at the Benson Directory®. Runner-Up in Instructions Included Challenge. Top Story - January 2026.
Congratulations and welcome to the Benson Directory® employee #22391! As our newest call handler, you will have the privilege of speaking with dozens of unique and interesting people on a daily basis as well as the opportunity to earn bonuses for high performance. Contained within this handbook you will find a set of ease to follow instructions designed to help you settle in to your new role and begin paving the way to success.
By S. A. Crawford22 days ago in Fiction
Nightshift at the Bunker
Author Note: I published this a minute a too late to be submitted for the Instructions Included challenge. Still pretty proud of it, so I figured I'd publish it anyway and maybe continue with this world building.
By Celia Olson23 days ago in Fiction
To Catch A Killer. Content Warning.
This was an actual flyer, that I paid to have made, and it was after the Delaware State Police had without a doubt developed the suspect in the shooting.
By Susan Payton23 days ago in Fiction
Welcome to the Teddy Bear Division. Content Warning.
Welcome to the Teddy Bear Division, Since I won’t be there to tell you all of this in person, I’ll state the obvious: this primer introduces general guidelines. No one of any significance will critique you. No one will reprimand any action you take. Only you can decide what is necessary and imperative at any moment, in any situation. As long as you do your job, you will face no real backlash here. You have carte blanche. You are a ghost. In this light: relax, and have fun.
By Philip Canterbury23 days ago in Fiction
How to Become a Werewolf. Honorable Mention in Instructions Included Challenge.
Thank you for choosing Lycan Brands for your life alteration. WARNING: Side effects of becoming a werewolf may include: bloodlust; drowsiness; insomnia; increased appetite; nausea and decreased appetite caused by overeating; supernatural strength; intermittent and inexplicable aches and pains; itchiness and rash. Do not proceed if you are allergic to becoming a werewolf, or have vasovagal syncope related to the sight of blood (sudden drop in blood pressure resulting in loss of consciousness), or if you are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant.
By Ophelia Keane Braeden23 days ago in Fiction