Grandad is dead at the dinner table. He’s been sitting there for forty minutes and no one else has noticed. He’s still wearing the pink paper hat that came out of his Christmas cracker, and he’s smiling – He’s smiling at me. I’m eight years old when this happened. We’ve […]
Just outside of the town I live in, there is a massive densely wooded park that is largely forgotten. It’s not that people don’t know it is there, but it’s simply more of an afterthought. It’s not ideal for hiking, it doesn’t have any kid-friendly play areas, or even a
We found an abandoned structure in the middle of the wilderness. I wish we hadn’t. Read More »
Scientists theorize that if the brain experiences something extremely traumatizing, it is biologically hardwired to forget it. I can prove, through my own experiences, the invalidity of this claim. On September 22, 1998, my parents threw me my eighth birthday party. That was 16 years ago, but I can still
Close Your Eyes, Cover Your Ears. Read More »
Jack’s heavy footsteps crash across the muddy ground of the forest. His breath is heavy and ragged, having been running for what felt like hours. He was properly lost, having been totally turned around in the ambush. His father had warned him not to stray into the forest at night.
The White Wolf of Woodberry Read More »
I Through my peephole, I saw that it was still there. The flayed skin glistened under the dim glow of the hanging incandescent lightbulb. It knew I was watching and came close until the peephole framed only its visage. The conjoined faces of my neighbors stared into me, with mouths
Paige woke up at 11pm. Just a second before, her alarm clock had roused obnoxiously from its silence – neon red numericals Vegas-bright in her room. As usual when she woke, she thought excitedly about her babies. Even though she had never given birth, they were still her babies. On
I awoke upon a field of frozen ground, shivering in the bitter cold as I tried to find my way in the darkness, and stumbling across the pitch while my eyes tried to adjust. It was almost pitch black, the only illumination coming from a pale orb in the sky
I was the leader of a hooligan firm in the 90s. Now I’m cursed for life. Read More »
The booming knock on the door was deafening as it echoed throughout the house. Having just arrived home, the sound startled Alan Holloway while he casually threw his coat on a nearby chair. Recently divorced after catching his wife cheating, Alan now lives alone, completely consumed by his work as
The Affliction Box Read More »
“How do you know that what you experience is real?” Was the question I posed to my class that blustery Thursday morning in January. I teach psychology at the University of Maryland, in College Park, Maryland, and that day we were beginning our unit on perception and cognition, one of
The Hallucinations of Cy Abrendo Read More »
While others can find forests unsettling in the dark, I’ve always found that there is something uniquely tranquil about walking through a forest at night. There would be no one but me and the sound of the wind through the trees, the rustling of small animals through the leaf litter
Don’t Look, Don’t Listen Read More »
Waves washed in fury upon the shore with black-stained waters bloodied by the night. The sea spat salt and roared in protest of all things happy and holy. Its rage was without thought or reason, merely a cruel instinct bound to its ever-writhing form. And the people of Mortar’s Isle
The Evil of Mortar’s Isle Read More »
“Getting laid is overrated anyways. My first time was the quintessential fantasy. An older quirky party girl who would show me the ropes. It was awkward and fumbling and we kept clacking our teeth together. You know what I got out of it? HPV,” my friend Eduardo said with a
I Lost a lot More than my Virginity Last Night Read More »
These logs are from Senior Technical Operations Specialist III K.Z. Okpala’s private files. These files have been compiled using an offline text software built by K.Z. Okpala. These files are conjecture and only reflect the opinions and biased insight from STO III Okpala’s perspective. All names, personally identifying details, and
I Worked at a Top Secret Government Research Lab. I Need to Share My Journals. Read More »
Read Part one here Read Part two here Read Part three here This is a message to the citizens of the planet Earth. I am speaking to all races and creeds, to the people of all nations and religions. Our petty differences and disputes – they mean nothing now. We
I am a foot soldier in a war against an alien race. This is my story. Read More »
Every fourth Thursday in November, families across the country gather together in celebration of the love and appreciation they feel for one another. This of course takes place over a delicious Thanksgiving feast of turkey, yams, dressings, and pies! At least that’s the Hallmark definition, but most of us just
Dreams, it all started with a dream. It wasn’t anything ambitious or grand that I yearned for; all I wanted was freedom. But time has a funny way of twisting things; now all I dream of is the end. Every night and every contemplative waking moment, my thoughts and dreams
Upon A Crimson Throne Read More »
Another abandoned homestead passed by in the dead of night, the rotten buildings illuminated only by the lights of Gareth’s beat-up Saturn. He counted it in his head as he continued down the endless, winding road through the rolling hills of the Dakotas. Along the way he passed the sign
Town of the Tall Man Read More »
There is a statue my family has retained ownership of and cared for during many centuries. Supposedly it is of a great grand relative of some type who helped establish our family’s wealth by forgotten means, and who helped establish the regional government. Whatever entire significance the important figure had
“Do you think we’re dead?” I gave Eleanor a perplexed look. “I can see your breath. And we’re talking right now, so…” “No, no,” she muttered, shivering in the keening wind, “not here. No sense in asking that here.. I mean out there.” I stared out past the dark sea,
This Cruel Place, Beyond the Blizzard Read More »
I was close to my pops and it hit me hard when he passed. I want to say this before I go any further. He was always good to me and I only have the fondest memories of our time together. Days in the park, playing catch, fishing trips…You know
My grandfather contacted me from the afterlife. It’s not what you think. Read More »
Nothing and no one lived in the house. Nothing except the creeping moss and the attic spiders. No sounds of mirth emanated from within, no did lights of joviality come forth from its large grey windows. For all intents and purposes, it was as silent and welcoming as the grave.
The House of Dead Gods Read More »
“All a skeptic is is someone who hasn’t had an experience yet.” — Jason Hawes“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” — Stephen King Clinking and clanging filled the room, coming from finished plates and drinking glasses. As supper was ending,
No one likes the dark Read More »
My head loilled back, allowing me a view of the clear night sky. I’m no astronomer, but I had a childhood fascination with stars and constellations. There was the Big Dipper, Ursa Major. Gemini. Orion, and- I did a double take. Right in the centre of Orion was a big,
I Got Invited to a Party that Didn’t Happen Read More »
“Stephen, I noticed you haven’t put out any Halloween decorations this year,” said Eve, my nosy neighbor and head of our townhome association. I was in a rush and didn’t want to get into it with her. “Yes, I’m well aware, Eve. We’re working on it,” I replied, trying to
Halloween on Carpenter Drive Read More »
