Short Stories

Flash Fiction for Your Phone and Beyond

Horror Stories

Ghost Witch by Patrick K. Hoople

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 Native Americans refer to her as Skuda-ku-mooch or Ghost Witch. Tales that my, great grandmother would tell, entertaining my sister, Adelynn, and I late on autumn nights. My great grandmother was blind from birth, yet she claimed to have seen Skudakumooch in spirit as a child.Lore of the Skudakumooch has dwelled in my subconscious since I was a toddler. My mother … [Read more...] about Ghost Witch by Patrick K. Hoople

What are We? By Wendy Montoya

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I wasn't comfortable here, I should have just said “no!” The house was abandoned, and from what Kelly confessed to me while driving here, made me angry. How could she and Marco's go behind my back she knew we just broke up? I sighed. My heart raced as we got out of the car to the sounds of the beating bongos; Marco's is here. I stood in the corner of the flashing lights … [Read more...] about What are We? By Wendy Montoya

Tales of Marlow, Pennsylvania by Brad Yaskowitz

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"Tales of Marlow, Pennsylvania" by Brad Yaskowitz Marlow, PennsylvaniaOctober 14th, 1792Mary Lewis, twelve-years-old, is awoken in the night to the sound of pecking at her window. When she investigates she finds a crow perched upon the sill. To her amazement, it speaks to her, complaining of the cold and asking to be let in. Mary cannot say why, but this creature … [Read more...] about Tales of Marlow, Pennsylvania by Brad Yaskowitz

Wolf Wolf by Mike Ward

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Wolf Wolf by Mike Ward Darien was learning how to live again. There was no reason to deny it. She knew what she was. After all the nights, waking up in the woods with bloody hands, but it was getting easier. She found the right foods that didn’t hurt her stomach, did Yoga, and she was back to her job after 6 months of leave for “exhaustion.” No one seemed the wiser.Things … [Read more...] about Wolf Wolf by Mike Ward

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

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Tales of Mystery and Imagination, 1919THE TELL-TALE HEART TRUE!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! … [Read more...] about The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

Looking for the Unseen/Seen by Anshika Arora

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On a sunny winter morning, I heard the honking of my school bus; dressed up in my new uniform I hastened to get to my first day in the assembly. Standing in the last queue I noticed a woman in a white cloak crossing from the adjacent window in the dark passage that led to a remote corner of the school. I wondered who it was; what she was doing there; where she was heading to. I … [Read more...] about Looking for the Unseen/Seen by Anshika Arora

My Daughter’s Best Friend by Michelle Reynolds

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“Here you go Missy.” Elizabeth hears her daughter say as she enters the kitchen. Brooklyn is sitting at the table, pouring milk into the empty glass in the seat beside her.“Who are you talking too Brook?” Elizabeth asks as she approaches. She feels a shiver run up her arms, the room much colder than she remembers. She’ll have to turn up the heat when she has the … [Read more...] about My Daughter’s Best Friend by Michelle Reynolds

The Message on Emily’s New Phone by Charles Lee

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Emily Bradley wanted a smart phone for her tenth birthday. Her mother and step-father had been reluctant to give her one because they felt it was a luxury for a child to have, but finally agreed to surprise her with one for her birthday.At bedtime, as Emily laid the phone on the stand beside her bed, she noticed a text message on the phone. She was surprised because no one … [Read more...] about The Message on Emily’s New Phone by Charles Lee

The Birthmark by Loretta Martin

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The Birthmark by Loretta Martin  I was born with a birthmark that looked like a bruised flower. It trailed along the left side of my face, from hairline to where neck and shoulder met. I grew accustomed to open stares, sidelong glances, and children being chastised for pointing.Mama, a midwife who townsfolk called the Bayou hoodoo woman, raised me alone. She wore … [Read more...] about The Birthmark by Loretta Martin

The Deceased’s Wife by Charles Milton Lee

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The Deceased's Wife by Charles Milton Lee Three elderly women stood huddled in a corner of the funeral home, whispering and glaring at the deceased's wife."Just look at her," whispered one. "It's her husband's wake and she's traipsing around in a bright muumuu and thongs. What a disgrace.""Well, truth be known, she supposedly never loved him and it shows," said the … [Read more...] about The Deceased’s Wife by Charles Milton Lee

Monday the 28th of August

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Monday the 28th of August By Dean MacAllister  Today is the worst day I have ever experienced. But it’s not over yet. It’s not going to end for thousands of seconds.  Thousands of raw, grating seconds.I know, I’m the one with the problem. Not you. You have coping mechanisms. Your brain has worked out that to experience every second of every day would quickly lead … [Read more...] about Monday the 28th of August

Night of Fire and Glass by Justin Bendell

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Night of Fire and Glass by Justin Bendell  The freaks are out again tonight. I hear them howling. I hear branches cracking off trees.There were out last night, too. It has been warm and heat draws them to the streets. It's been like this since the war, or since the raids, but really it started with the slave ships.There they go again. The screams. I think of … [Read more...] about Night of Fire and Glass by Justin Bendell

Footloose by E. W. Farnsworth

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Footloose by E. W. Farnsworth It was dark, and the party was going to start on the other side of the freshly-plowed south pasture anytime. Bob impatiently stomped through the damp earth toward the Thompson Farm.“Come on, Sis. We’ll be late.”“I can’t keep up, Bobby. You go right ahead. Becky Thompson will be waiting for you. I know how to cross the pasture well enough … [Read more...] about Footloose by E. W. Farnsworth

Dream of a Late Husband By Kris Lester

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Dream of a Late Husband By Kris Lester In her dream, she sat motionless on the couch and watched the T.V., turned to mute. She couldn’t have told you what was on. She wondered what he was doing at this moment.All of their beautiful memories from a life together surrounded her. Black cats in a furry swirl slept on the window seat. Stacked on the coffee table were photo … [Read more...] about Dream of a Late Husband By Kris Lester

Frozen Treats in the Dead of Night by Rachel McGirt

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Frozen Treats in the Dead of Night by Rachel McGirt Richard woke to the sound of the screen door slamming. Confused, he turned to check the clock. 3:17 am it blinked at him, before going dark. A knot of anxiety cramped his stomach. He knew something was wrong.He got out of bed, reaching for his robe. That’s when he heard it. Terror replaced the anxiety and he fought the … [Read more...] about Frozen Treats in the Dead of Night by Rachel McGirt

One Scoop Too Many By Josh Senecal

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One Scoop Too Many By Josh Senecal The decrepit vehicle creeped along the side road, it's hypnotic tinny tune warped “Turkey in the Straw” into an echoed mess across the wooded landscape. The children drawn out, induced by inherited instincts pasted down the generations, the ice cream truck had arrived. Parents peeked out the doors as the children ran with an artificial … [Read more...] about One Scoop Too Many By Josh Senecal

Paying the Night Differential by Paul Weidknecht

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Paying the Night Differential by Paul Weidknecht The East River’s dark surface rippled in blurry color from the reflections of the anonymous apartment towers and the light-crowned Chrysler Building straight ahead, its spire bright under the chilly spring night. Though no tourist, Pasquale thought Midtown looked just fine. What wasn’t fine was standing on this pier waiting for … [Read more...] about Paying the Night Differential by Paul Weidknecht

The Intruder by Brad Yaskowitz

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The Intruder by Brad Yaskowitz I’m standing in the desolate lunar surface. Before me is the planet Earth, behind me is the blackness of space. In the silence, in the cold, I’m reminded of growing up in Montrose, Colorado. It was my time in the woods that inspired me to become an astronaut. I think the virginal feeling of the forest under the ice cold burn of the stars on a … [Read more...] about The Intruder by Brad Yaskowitz

Witch Dream by Jack Daykin

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Witch Dream by Jack Daykin I’m posting this here, asking for your help. This is true. I had my friend Josh sleep over at my house. We are both in high school, and honestly, his life sucks so bad it’s just easier to have him stay at my place. My dad drives us both to school in the morning. My parents are alright you know, but I have to say I feel, now, like there is something … [Read more...] about Witch Dream by Jack Daykin

The Body Farm By Chelsey Zhu

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The Body Farm By Chelsey Zhu Daniel believed he had found the perfect girl. She was bright and enthusiastic, and most importantly not squeamish about his work.“This really is fascinating, Dan,” she said as they arrived at his laboratory hand-in-hand. “What do you do here every day?”Daniel smiled as he took out his key and twisted it into the rusted iron lock hanging … [Read more...] about The Body Farm By Chelsey Zhu

Soup by Michelle Reynolds

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Soup by Michelle Reynolds Around 12:16 pm, Jimmy pressed his greasy fat fingers against the glass barrier, leaving a smear in their wake as he pointed at the steaming mess of food that laid on the other side. Without having to see, the lunch lady already knew who the vermin was.“Oy! Get your fingers off my glass Jimmy.” The lunch lady screeched as she pointed a stern … [Read more...] about Soup by Michelle Reynolds

Winner: Death into the Heart by Jesse Chapin

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Death into the Heart by Jesse Chapin “Dead?” she asked the officer standing at the door. Martha wore a shocked look.The officer explained that her husband George must have been trying to catch a light when a semi-truck slammed into the driver’s side door. “We need you to come downtown, ma’am. I can drive you.”She was riding in the back of the cruiser watching the … [Read more...] about Winner: Death into the Heart by Jesse Chapin

Lyssa by Heather Terry

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Lyssa by Heather Terry I was sitting in my room when I first saw it. Or thought I saw it, I suppose. I can’t say that I’ve ever actually seen anything. But I knew it was there, nonetheless.I was working on my homework, and my doodles, when the resident feline, Sphinx, leapt from my lap and tore out of my room with a yowl. I jumped and whirled towards the window at my back … [Read more...] about Lyssa by Heather Terry

October 22, 2015

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October 22, 2015 by Rayma Elaine It was a chilly Thursday, sometime last November. I had very late night at the office. Since I was the last one there, I had to check all the rooms and then lock up. I turned out the last light, then was on my way out. I locked up and headed to my car. I went to unlock the door, when I see that it’s already unlocked..? I always lock my car … [Read more...] about October 22, 2015

Taming the Devil by Chris Martin

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Taming the Devil by Chris Martin Since her mother left and they moved into that old Victorian home, Martin saw his daughter, Eva, change drastically. She was once a sweet little girl, dancing and singing, but after her mother ran off to Vegas, Eva became angry and emaciated. Her voice was hoarse, though the doctors could not figure out why. Her skin had become pale and … [Read more...] about Taming the Devil by Chris Martin

Hello There by Cecil Wilde

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Hello There by Cecil Wilde You know those horror stories that start out with a line something like 'it was a dark and stormy night'? This isn't one of those.It's actually a pretty average night. October's a mild enough month anywhere in the world. In the Northern hemisphere, leaves are falling from the trees right now. Maybe you can hear a few of them pitter-pattering on … [Read more...] about Hello There by Cecil Wilde

Blemmyae by Drew Nowlin

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Blemmyae by Drew Nowlin Detective Burns and Lowry hurried down the creaky hallway with weapons firmly drawn. Cobwebs and exposed wiring along the ceiling blazed with an eerie yellow hew when the flickering lights pulsed. The old mining facility had long been abandoned due to dangerous conditions, but now harbored something far more deadly. The two detectives came to a closed … [Read more...] about Blemmyae by Drew Nowlin

Five Fun Facts About Me by Ard Connell

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Five Fun Facts About Me by Ard Connell No, don’t wake up. I’ve been waiting for a quiet moment.I apologize for the difficult first day. The migraine is not an introduction of my choosing and is a rather unfortunate byproduct of my emergence. Truth be told, in a darkly humorous way a splitting headache is an appropriate beginning, don’t you think?Given that we are not … [Read more...] about Five Fun Facts About Me by Ard Connell

The Red Priest Beatrice Preti

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The Red Priest by Beatrice Preti Father Rosso stood over the corpseless head, his beautiful white robes stained with blood. His body was rigid, yet calm, like a man at prayer, which he might have been, save for the knife clenched in his fist.Hell would be one sinner fuller tonight."Father?" The girl's voice cut the air like a bone saw. The priest stood up, thankful … [Read more...] about The Red Priest Beatrice Preti

It Will Consume You By Miriam A Averna

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It Will Consume You By Miriam A Averna Even before I open my eyes, I feel its dark, malignant presence. It stands motionless in the corner of my bedroom. The air is cold but thick with a putrid stench that hits me in waves. I can feel its eyes boring into me. My mind is alert but my limbs are paralysed, fear rendering them so.What does it want from me?From the gloom, … [Read more...] about It Will Consume You By Miriam A Averna

Modern Day Witches by Chelsea Pifer

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Modern Day Witches by Chelsea Pifer No one believes in witches anymore, I thought as I drove to pick up my witch costume for Halloween. The realities of life are much more frightening. That's when I saw her.A woman was hunched over a sign that read: “Please Help Me Find a Cure”It was the sign that first jarred my attention. I could not see her face from her position. … [Read more...] about Modern Day Witches by Chelsea Pifer

Horror by Kelsie Stelting

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Horror by Kelsie Stelting “Can’t we watch something more interesting?”Heath wanted me to watch some documentary about the civil war that had just been released at our local movie theatre. He was always watching war movies, and I was just happy to see a mildly humorous rom-com.“For me?” he asked, taking hold of my hand and kissing it.I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”I … [Read more...] about Horror by Kelsie Stelting

Doppelgangers by Paul Weidknecht

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Doppelgangers by Paul WeidknechtThese weird double-people Melody observed from time to time around the house never hurt her, but the moment she realized they were imitations and not real people, a chill would run through her that made her scalp tingle. They were always silent, and seemed sad, or at least like something bothered them. The first one—a copy of Uncle … [Read more...] about Doppelgangers by Paul Weidknecht

The Bunny Mask by Ashley Slattery

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The Bunny Mask by Ashley Slattery When I was younger, there had been a few kids in my area that had gone missing and were later found dead. The killer would never leave clues and the police were baffled. The only clue that eventually was discovered, came from the older sibling of one of the kids, who said she saw her little sister leave the house with a man in a bunny mask. … [Read more...] about The Bunny Mask by Ashley Slattery

Dance with the Devil by Tim Sacks

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Dance with the Devil by Tim Sacks “Who’s that over there?” Alex inquired, surreptitiously pointing to an arguing pair in the back. They were an odd twosome to be sure. The girl, while decked out in the usual scant attire, also bore a pair of spectacles on her nose which gave her a kind of scholarly look. In fact, as far as she could recall, she was the only stripper Alex had … [Read more...] about Dance with the Devil by Tim Sacks

Under My Skin by Pavel Soham

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Under My Skin by Pavel Soham Ever looked in the mirror and realized that what's looking back isn't you?It happened to me when I was twelve. There I was, brushing my teeth in front of the bathroom mirror, when I saw him. Looking back at me through my own eyes. And he knew that I knew. He smiled; a ghastly, skeletal smile from ear to ear. It was the most sinister smile I … [Read more...] about Under My Skin by Pavel Soham

Nightmare by Nicholas Anakwue

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Nightmare by Nicholas Anakwue Jane is lying stiffly on her bed, wondering what could be making all those shifting noises coming from her sitting room. She tiptoes from her room, trying to listen for the noise, but in the time it took her to have dressed up, the scuffle from the parlor seemed to have quieted, as if it had heard her arrival. Jane switches on the lights and … [Read more...] about Nightmare by Nicholas Anakwue

The Scarecrow by Grey Harlowe

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The Scarecrow by Grey Harlowe When we first heard him say it, we thought he was crazy. Life in Burns, Nebraska can do that to you. Especially if you’re manning the register of your father’s farm supply store alone, like Troy had been, while his dad trekked back and forth to the hospice. Troy’s mom about to die could have pushed him over the edge, too. It seemed like a lot to … [Read more...] about The Scarecrow by Grey Harlowe

The Eyes Have it by Thomas Fredric Jones

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The Eyes Have it by Thomas Fredric Jones We left the thing lying under a board in the backyard. Neither of us said a word until we reentered the house, then whispered about what we should do next. We knew that if we tried to remove it from the hole we'd dug for it, there was a good chance one or both of us would be severely injured, or even killed. The new life form was … [Read more...] about The Eyes Have it by Thomas Fredric Jones

Greensville by Samantha Schneider

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Greensville by Samantha Schneider I like Greensville he’s always been nice to me. I meet him a month ago on my way home from school; when I accidently dropped my stuffed animal down the street drain I tried to reach down to grab it but my arms weren’t long enough. But he was nice enough to hand it up to me. After that he followed me home and now lives in my closet. I give him … [Read more...] about Greensville by Samantha Schneider

An Open Window by Kerry Billings

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An Open Window by Kerry Billings It was the breeze that woke me. I opened my eyes to the gaping window, white curtains catching wind, dancing like spirits. The whole thing made me uneasy, but I in a way I couldn’t explain.Pulling the covers over my shoulders, I rose to close the window pausing at the sill to look out. It was the time of night where the streets are so … [Read more...] about An Open Window by Kerry Billings

A Grave Concern by Greg Beatty

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A Grave Concern by Greg Beatty Steve walked slowly along the gravel paths that wound through the cemetery. Megan walked beside him. She kept up a steady stream of chatter about everything from the acorns that rained down to make the squirrels ecstatic to what it meant that one tombstone was covered with moss while the one next it was pristine. Steve didn’t answer her … [Read more...] about A Grave Concern by Greg Beatty

Invocation by Lesley Mace

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Invocation by Lesley MaceThe café is crowded. Elise huddles in a corner, the other chairs from her table are gone: stolen away by predatory teenagers. Elise barely noticed.In thrall to the story she reads, the muted roar of shifting conversations is sucked away, her forgotten coffee cooling as she turns the pages. Her absorption only frays as she feels the hairs rise … [Read more...] about Invocation by Lesley Mace

Trick or Treat by K. A. Hardway

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Trick or Treat by K. A. Hardway  She had finally done it. She had become a cantankerous old lady.When those teenage boys went tearing through her front yard on their dirt bikes, she had pounced. She shouted at them. Fumed.“Stay out of my yard!”One of them, the oldest-looking boy, looked sincere when he apologized. The other two found it funny. No helmets, … [Read more...] about Trick or Treat by K. A. Hardway

“The Bargain” by Ian Hunter

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“The Bargain” by Ian HunterFrom the comfort of his airline-assigned seat, Terry watched the storm raging outside his window. Terry hated to fly. Bumpy flights like these were the worst. Terry decided to get his mind off the turbulence the only way he knew how: idle chatter. “These damn little planes are so cramped. Never enough room for your legs.” As if to punctuate … [Read more...] about “The Bargain” by Ian Hunter