Tag: short story
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A BRIEF TREAT
by William J. Jackson Ilsa Waters found her future waiting, pink and fragrant, atop the marble island in her remodeled kitchen. Surrounded by wood paneled walls and white countertops, a stainless steel sink with elephantine faucet, it greeted her quietly. Softer than love in sugary whorls over placid fondant. “I can’t believe you got me…
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The Door
There are few objects more ordinary than a door. We pass through them a dozen times a day without thought. They separate rooms, mark boundaries, provide privacy. But in horror, doors carry far heavier meaning. They become symbols of fear—of what lies beyond, or of what might cross through when we least expect it. A…
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A Jagged Domain
AUGUST 10, 1970 New keys are a beautiful sight to behold, especially at the start of Summer, when the world is welcoming all to step out and embrace new promises. “There you go, Mister Newfield,” Mike Parsons said, voice lethargic, eyes red. “The Block’s all yours. Rent’s due every first of the month.” Walter Newfield,…
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A Lasting Gift
‘He’s here, you know…’ ‘Grandma, who’s here? What do you mean?’ ‘It’s my sweet John, your granddad, he’s always here when I need him. He’s just over there, at the end of my bed. I know you can’t see him. But he’s smiling that smile I used to love so much’. Eloise looked up at…
Peter
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THE SHADOW
My last post was the continuation/conclusion of “Testament”, a terrific story posted by Jack Tyler. It felt so good to be able to have some writing done, since lately life has been preventing me from doing so. I’m glad to say that I decided to start a short story for my post this week. But…
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Happy Days
A chill fog dampened the sounds of the city as I arrived, cloaking the once proud Victorian street in gloom. Dilapidated and awaiting demolition, the street had one remaining house showing signs of life. My destination. Above the door, a flickering neon sign proclaimed “Happy Days”. In the grimy window hung a lopsided sign announcing:…
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The Lair of the Beast
Silence, heavy and invasive, enveloped me. Resting against the coldness of a wall, I took what could be my last breath. And listened. The only sound came from the pounding of my heart. Nothing from within the lair of the beast. The beast was away. But not far, foraging for sustenance. This was my brief…
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Chimera
They call these places Gothic. Ruined places of worship that horror movies love to shoot, in the dark, preferably during a thunderstorm. Except today was a bright blue gem of a day, not a thundercloud in sight. If it wasn’t for the decayed body of a man recently found in the ruins of the crypt,…
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Lucky Guy
Walking through the debris, the twisted and burnt remnants of technology and humanity, I didn’t feel lucky. In a newly cratered field, littered with nothing but fragments no larger than a wallet, there could be no survivors. ‘Mr. Saunders, you look like you could do with this.’ An emergency first responder, covered in smoke and…
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THE DERANGEMENT REMAINS by William J. Jackson
Had I known the content of the individual and possessed knowledge of the damnable settlement from which he hailed before our venture, I would have slain the man on the spot. You might find this statement unsettling, but please, bear with me. I am the last survivor of a peaceful endeavor, and what I pen…
Threads that Bind 