The Orange Glow
At first, it looked like dawn on the far side of the world. Another morning stirring people from their sleep, full of the laughter and promise of a new day. Until the horizon began to burn. As he watched it…
Twisty Tales
Little Rooms. Trap Doors.
Twisty Tales
Little Rooms. Trap Doors.
Genre: Horror
Dark and unsettling tales meant to disturb, frighten, or haunt.
Love Lies
Every night my love lies in my arms, and I tell her I love her, and I know it’s true. I gave her my vows for better or worse, in sickness or health, till death do us part. I kiss…
My Turn
Hudson leaned his broom against the attic support post as he spied an ancient cigar box in the dusty corner. He opened the box, tossed the tarnished jacks across the floor, and bounced the rubber ball as he resumed an…
The Sound Outside
Ted muted his TV and cocked his head. “Help!” rang out from outside. There it was again. He pushed his recliner upright with a groan, grabbed his Mag-lite, and headed out the door into the moonless night. He swept the…
Three Minutes to Midnight
At three minutes to midnight, the observation window of the orbiting crew capsule shattered into a million pieces, and she was sucked into the vacuum of space, instantly transformed from a vibrant, living human to a dark, dead satellite, silently…
A Day in the Life
I live alone in a one-room studio apartment, with no partner, roommate, or pet to keep me company and ease the crushing loneliness I feel. The room is small, with minimal furnishing — a bed, sink, toilet, desk, chair, and…
False Dawn
A flash of light invades my closed eyelids, rudely wrenching me awake from my dreams. I prop up on my elbows and rub the sleep from my eyes. Morning already? The clock on the nightstand says 2:47 AM. That can’t…
But I’m Glad It’s You
A lone silhouette approaches in the flickering lamplight, a petite, feminine form, skirts flowing in the breeze and high heels echoing across the cobblestone street — click-clack, click-clack. I step out of the shadows into her path. “Oh, my!” she…
A Chat With Aileen
I type: “Good morning, Aileen. How are you doing?” The black screen flickers to life with eerily fluorescent green words. “Good morning, Joshua-0918. I am doing very well, thank you, and ready to assist you today. How can I help…
Maxibo’s Magic Moment
On a cool November morning, Josh and his labrador retriever, Maxibo, set out for their morning walk along the forest trail near home. Josh wanted a change of scenery from the usual and chose a part of the trail they’d…
The Night Creature
I lie in bed waiting, silent and still. The glow of the nightlight casts eerie shadows on the wall. Above me, the heater vent gapes with slatted teeth. Air stirs. Shadows flicker. Two pinpoints of red appear, the hungry eyes…
Together Forever
I hold her hand, barely able to see her closed eyes in the dim light as she sleeps, so peaceful and still. I marvel at her sight; she is every bit as beautiful now as the day she said “I…
The Watcher
I’m being watched. I feel eyes on me, studying my every move. I look around my little apartment, searching for a bug, a hidden camera, a microphone. Anything. I find nothing. Am I going crazy? They say computers spy on…
A Birthday Story
Today is my birthday. My guests gather around me at the table, all in good spirits. I’m so glad they are here to celebrate with me today. Birthdays only come once a year, you know. “Make a wish,” someone says,…
The Puzzle
I open the bag and pour the three thousand jigsaw pieces onto the dining room table. This is going to be a challenge, trying to assemble the puzzle without the reference photo on the box cover. I bought the puzzle…