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Stories in Horror that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.

my sister's city
I don’t tell anybody where I’m from. If they ask, I say I’m from ‘here’, or just outside a major city, or Canada. Nobody asks for details when you say you’re from Canada. I lie because there’s nothing in my hometown but weeds, and the cemetery, and my sister, who paints things that aren’t real and faints a lot. If you saw her paintings, you’d recognize them. She’s famous, my sister. Famous and crazy and fainting.
By Jules Labout a year ago in Horror
The Claw Machine
She was passed out with a little black book beside her, when little Joseph decided to run away from home that day and go to the carnival. He tugged and tugged on mom's arms but nothing would wake her. Nothing at all. Feeling the anger in him well up he stomped and growled and said mother from a low aching voice that ached within his belly. Mother had been tired for days and she promised him they would go today because it was the last day and if they didn't go today the carnival wouldn't come back for a whole nother year!
By L.K. Rolanabout a year ago in Horror
Howling
"Oh my god, isn't she precious?" Jeannie cooed. Marcus had to admit she was right. The dog was awfully cute. She was tiny, couldn't have been more than a couple of months old. Dark brown fur and ears way too big for her body. There was a little sheet of laminated paper taped to the window with the pet store logo and some basic information, a kind of doggy dossier.
By Daniel Bradburyabout a year ago in Horror
Wood Smoke: Nature’s Rustic Scent
Rugged white pieces tumble to the soil, collect on the wood heaped underneath the cabin’s iced window. Fuel for the as it were remaining source of warm since the control went out.
By Shams Saysabout a year ago in Horror
The Darkness Is a Memory
It was dark, but not just dark, it was pitch black. And despite the warnings from home, telling me I shouldn't go out because it was too dark, I went out anyway with my dog.
By Riccardo Valleabout a year ago in Horror
Absence of Light
It is said in the folklore of vampires that they cannot cross running water. Last night I learned, while reading the book Haunted America by James Willis, J.K. Kelley, and Love Belvin, that ghosts are said likewise to be repelled by bodies of water. The authors, though, assured the reader that this is, in fact, not the case. While vampires are said not to be able to cross the running water that must symbolize purity, baptism, and the salvation of the Majestic Christ, ghosts, not manifestly damned in the same way as vampires, are attracted to the currents of water, according to the authors, because the human body, the "mortal coil" they have shuffled off, is made largely of water, the electromagnetic energy conductor that generates the spark by which the discorporate entity can manifest in our world.
By Tom Bakerabout a year ago in Horror
Ginge. Content Warning.
In the heart of a dark forest, nestled within a gingerbread house that exuded an irresistible aroma, resided the Gingerbread Man known as Ginge. Created by the infamous baker Jakof Gustofoson, Ginge was a wicked cookie who enjoyed luring unwary victims to his home, where he subjected them to a slow, agonizing torture before he feasted upon them. The dark molasses used to make him was a reflection Ginge’s shriveled soul.
By Mother Combsabout a year ago in Horror
Heavenly Seas Chapter Three
The last thing on Elodie’s mind was heading to the gym. The doctors suggested it, but she always shrugged it off. She couldn’t imagine anything worse, though she was there with dumbells in her hand.
By Chloe Gilholyabout a year ago in Horror
The red scorpion
I know that when dawn breaks I will be devoured by the red scorpion I tattooed on my chest. I remember the moment, the euphoria of that Friday when I decided to get it tattooed. I dreamed of having it on my skin, I chose it with the care with which one chooses the love of one's life. Its shapes, its figures, its imposingness. I had woken up on my eighteenth birthday. My mother had lost her authority to command. As soon as it was daylight, I ran excitedly to the Moroccan's shop, on the outskirts of the city. I arrived at his business after lunch. The Moroccan, with a reputation for making pacts with the devil, greeted me with a smile. I stripped before him from the waist up and gave myself to his ways. The process took seven hours. I wanted it to be impeccable, shining on my chest.
By Salgadoabout a year ago in Horror
The Forbidden Resurrection
Author's note: This was my entry into the 2024 Autumn Short Story Writing battle. Now that the competition has concluded, I am publishing it here on Vocal. The prompts I had were "Cemetery Tale," "Film Set," and "Soulmates." Enjoy!
By Bradley Ramseyabout a year ago in Horror
An Offer You Can't Refuse!
Liam slumped on his couch, scrolling through job listings with the energy of a half-dead sloth. His current job was driving him insane, and he was desperate for a change.
By Komalabout a year ago in Horror
Movie Review: 'Nosferatu'
Nosferatu Directed by Robert Eggers Written by Robert Eggers Starring Lily Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bill Skarsgard
By Sean Patrickabout a year ago in Horror