The End of 2024 50-Word Horror Story Contest!
Unleash your darkest nightmares in our bone-chilling contest! We’re seeking the most terrifying tales told in exactly 50 words. Make us tremble, make us shiver, make us afraid to turn out the lights.
Can you craft a complete horror story that will haunt our judges’ dreams? We want stories that linger in the mind long after reading – tales of psychological terror, supernatural dread, or unspeakable horrors.
The Rules:
- Must be a horror story
- Exactly 50 words
- Must be a complete story with beginning, middle, and end
- Submit by January 1, 2025
- Enter as many times as you dare
- Post your story in the comments below
- The most terrifying tale wins
The Prize Package:
- Featured author spotlight on our platform
- Publication in our winter horror issue
- Promotion of your writing-related work/website
- Opportunity to join our horror writers’ community
Polish your most spine-tingling micro-tale to perfection. We’re ready to be horrified, disturbed, and thoroughly unsettled by your compact masterpieces of terror. What nightmares lurk in your imagination? Share them below – if you dare!
Winners will be announced January 15.
Submit your 50-word horror stories in the comments. Multiple entries welcome! Post ’em in the comments.
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Home from his midnight shift, his heavy boots clomped across the centuries-old floorboards. The mattress squeaked as he slipped into bed. His icy hands caressed me as the weight of his body spooned mine. I rolled over horrified, seeing nothing but the headlights of my husband’s truck arriving home.
Damn! The power must be out again. It’s pitch black in here. I wonder how long I’ve been sleeping. Why is it so hot and stuffy in here? Now where did I put my phone again? I try to sit up and bang my head. Oh God! I’m buried alive.
Are your hands steady? Are you sure you’re ready? Please do, make it quick and promise, not to get sick. What? Yes, I forgive. Of course, I want to live. Tis the King’s command on this platform I stand for I’ll soon be dead when you chop off my head.
Claire wondered if she would ever be able to forget. Their first kiss, his tender loving gazes. The gentle, warm smile as he caressed her body. Those wonderful, passionate, never-ending nights they made love. She wondered if she would be able to forget all of those women he killed.
“If you could see yourself through my eyes,” My Mother always said, “You would see how beautiful you truly are.” But that was nothing but a big fat lie. I knew I couldn’t believe her, because even after I plucked her eyes out and looked, I still didn’t see it.
“But Doctor,” My wife said. “I thought you said this was a simple procedure. How could this happen?”
“Honey,” I tried to say. “Ask him how long I’ll be this way?”
For I couldn’t move a muscle. Not even my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” said the doctor. “Nurse, call the morgue.”
“It’s not the fall, it’s the sudden stop that kills ya.” Bob laughed as he jumped from the plane.
God, he loved the rush. He’d made this jump a thousand times.
The earth got closer. Time to pull the cord.
“Oh shit!” He said, “How could I forget my parachute?”
OMG, Richard, I’m so sorry. I feel so stupid! First of all, congratulations on your win. Second, I am new to this 50-word writing, and I submitted all of my stories to you. I truly apologize. Now that I have read all of the submission forms. I promise it won’t happen again.
Now I really feel stupid. Please disregard that last comment by T.S. Kincaid. Thank you
“Everything looks fine.” The doctor said.
“But doctor, I’ve been pregnant for over a year!” I argued.
“That’s perfectly normal under these circumstances.” The Doctor replied.
“Circumstances?”
“Yes, alien babies always take longer.”
My mind rushed back to the night of that awful nightmare. I realized it wasn’t a dream.
“Please come in. It’s nice to finally meet one of Judy’s friends.” My mother said from the kitchen.
“Mother? Who are you talking to?”
No response.
I walked around the corner to find my mother’s dead body and my stalker who promised to kill me if we were ever alone.
Mike, from next door, is so weird!
Even the animals in the neighborhood cringe and flee in his presence.
And what’s up with that serrated knife he flashes from under his dark overcoat?
Rumors of people missing when he’s around. And those jagged teeth!
Yeah, I think I’m in love.
“Where have you been, Emma?” Her mother asked.
“Out in the meadow playing with Sally,” Emma replied.
“Oh? Is she your new friend? Where does she live?”
“She said they’re up on the top of that hill.” Emma pointed.
“But there’s nothing there but a cemetery,” said Mother.
“I know. Exactly.”
I banged on the door. Seeking refuge from the treacherous storm.
It creaked open. A tall candlestick-looking man stood in the frame.
“Thank God! May I come in?”
He beckoned me forward.
I entered saying, “I was told this place was haunted.”
“It is. We’ve been waiting for you!”
I saw the way she flirted with him. That pretty pearly smile. Those dreamy, tawny-eyed glances. I warned her to back off. She just laughed at me. Then, without warning, she disappeared. She was delightfully delicious. They’ll never find her charred remains. I warned her. So, who’s laughing now?
It’s bitter cold. The ice creaks and pops as I stand at the substantial hole in the middle of the frozen lake. Fortune awaits if I catch the elusive monster. I sink my line, a huge tug. Caught off guard, I lost footing, plunging into the hole. I’m the bait.
Darn Fool! Take your life jacket. Although he couldn’t swim, he was too macho. I told him secondhand wasn’t always a bargain. But he just smirked. The little boat actually went farther than I thought without the plug. Which I tossed into the water as I waved from the shore.
“When are you due?” I asked the young lady on the subway.
“She’s due any day now. I can’t wait. I’m about to bust.” She replied.
“Oh? It’s a girl?” Checking my purse for the knife, I smiled.
I always wanted a baby girl and tonight I would have one.
They said the accident was bad, but I never imagined my boyfriend would be unrecognizable. I couldn’t bear all of those tubes and that grotesque machine sucking the life in and out of him.
I took a deep breath and pulled the plug.
His wife rushed in.
Oops! Wrong room.
Of course, I knew better than to talk to strangers. It was drilled into me since I was a tot. But who listens to their parents? He seemed so nice. Completely harmless. I didn’t realize the danger I was in until I saw the shovel. I wish I’d listened now.
The tapping on my bedroom window, mistaken for rain, knocks louder. It lures me from my dreams. I clinch the covers while I rise.
My pulse races, as I sit stealthy. I gather my courage and approach the window.
“Who is it?” I whisper.
“Death,” it answers. “Let me in.”
I stood in the judgment line, reflecting the sins of my life.
I wasn’t that bad, just couldn’t decide which truth to believe.
I entered the elevator.
“When will I know my fate?” I asked the liftman.
‘Right now.” He smiled as he pushed the only button.
“You’re going down.”