Rosemary Cain was known for being the best baker in the county. She would always win the first prize ribbon in every contest. One evening, while Rosemary was getting ingredients for baking, she saw her husband Bennie flirting with Charlotte Berry. How could Bennie cheat on her? Gripping the paper bag tightly against her chest, she went home. After entering the kitchen and dropping off the groceries, Rosemary returned to her garden. She hummed to herself, plucking a skeletal poinsettia. ‘Just a few petals will do,’ Rosemary thought as she returned inside—the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and oatmeal. The door opened, letting the evening cool air into the unbearably hot kitchen as Bennie walked in. Rosemary pulled…

Paul was a security guard at the Silent Centre Museum in Oak Heart. Though he had been working there for a while now, he had never worked the night shift. Anthony was usually the guy who did, but he was currently on vacation. That would mean it would be up to Paul to take over that shift. “Paul, we need to talk,” Anthony said to him, coming in for his shift that day. They had never spoken to one another before, so it was strange for Anthony to start a conversation now. “Sure, man, what’s up?” Paul answered, figuring it was due to their work protocol differences, as he put his gear away. Anthony looked around, making sure they were…

Monica knew that whatever this was, impersonating him was not her best friend. His skin hung loosely upon his frame. His eye sockets were sunken and dark, and only two tiny dots shone within the swirling darkness. When he walked, he dragged his feet. He no longer spoke, and yet everyone else thought it was normal. ‘How could this be normal?’ she thought to herself. Was everyone seeing the same person as her? Monica knew what to do, but first, she needed proof. So she set up a camera one evening, inviting him over to her home. When Monica excused herself and left him alone, she hoped it would let its guard down and reveal what it was. Upon reviewing…

Nyoka lived in Giverny, where she owned a bakery shop called Reverie. She was beautiful with her long golden curly hair that went to her waist and bright blue eyes. The townsfolk swore that she looked straight out of a fairytale. Nyoka always ensured that everything she baked, from the sweet to the savory, was made ‘just right.’ She aspired always to make people smile and feel welcome in her bakery. Berard, however, disliked Nyoka. He said she was too nice and fooled all the townspeople. He needed to get rid of her, but the only way to do that was to ensure they were alone. It had been raining that day, and he saw her walking in the rain…

A creak outside his office caused Micah to stop typing on the report before him. He stood up from his desk and went to investigate. Micah opened his office door and peeked out into the hallway. He looked left and then right, but it was empty. The only thing abnormal was the blinking overhead lights. “Did everyone go home already?” Micah asked aloud. He took out his phone to check the time, only to find the service signal marked with a red ‘X.’ “I must have worked later than I had initially thought,” he mumbled, putting his phone back into his pocket. Closing his office door, he walked down one of the hallways, peeking into the other office windows to…

Alice arrived at Clare View Point. She had saved just enough money to get there but needed to save the rest for lodging and food. It meant taking other forms of transportation was out. Alice had decided to see if someone would be willing to give her a ride. After all, the last stop she was heading to was pretty close; it would still be a long walk on foot. Alice scanned the faces of the people standing outside the bus station. There stood a handsome man walking to the parking lot. “Excuse me!” she cheerily spoke, walking up to him, who stopped to listen.”By chance, could you give me a ride?” Alice asked. The man looked at her. “Where…

There was no denying that Jun was handsome. You could ask anyone regardless of gender, and they would talk to you forever, fawning over his looks. Rin, however, found it irritating, accusing Jun of using his features for his selfish advantage. One afternoon, Rin was alone with Jun, cleaning up their homeroom class, when Rin used this opportunity to address Jun about his abuse of vanity. “People only like you for your looks,” he scowled. Jun shrugged and continued to sweep the floor. How stuck up can this guy be? Rin thought to himself, scoffing at the reaction he had received. If only Jun were no longer handsome, everyone would see him for who he was. Rin spotted a pair…

Mel would go to his family’s vacation house by the lake during the fall. It was a peaceful community with retired inhabitants. He arrived just as the sun rose over the tree line, having made the late-night drive to avoid traffic. Turning the car into the driveway, he parked it and turned it off. Mel opened the car door, taking a moment to stretch out. Going to the back of the car, he opened the boot, gathered his bags, and took them inside. His parents had left a note on the counter. Walking over, he glanced at the note briefly. The note stated that the pantry and fridge were restocked. If the power were to go out, use the generator…

In a little village, tucked away from the rest of the world, lived Nils, a doll maker. His home is up on a hill, completely isolated from everyone else. He creates dolls for those who have lost their friends and loved ones—an empty husk without a soul. There is a rumor that Nils once brought his wife to be back to life. Since he had dabbled in black magic, he broke the rules that were once taught to him by his master. When Nils brought her back to life, she was no longer herself. She had harmed many people, and thus, he had to end her life a second time. Not wanting his apprentice to make the same mistake, he…

That night, the words of my father lingered on… “Son, never allow wrongdoing without vengeance. Each time someone crosses you, don’t simply double-down, but make them pay threefold – they crossed you even if they didn’t have to!” …that night, after I finally found him…for so many years he’s kept himself hidden under a fake identity, a different address, with his wife and kids. Who would’ve even thought this man could live a life so familial, so ordinary, so fake? That night I entered a house; no one had heard me, nor suspected what I would do in the moments that would follow – he was upstairs, fucking his wife. Unnoticed, I entered the room and observed their act. He…

That night, the words of my father lingered on… “Son, never allow wrongdoing without vengeance. Each time someone crosses you, don’t simply double-down, but make them pay threefold – they crossed you even if they didn’t have to!” …that night, after I finally found him…for so many years he’s kept himself hidden under a fake identity, a different address, with his wife and kids. Who would’ve even thought this man could live a life so familial, so ordinary, so fake? That night I entered a house; no one had heard me, nor suspected what I would do in the moments that would follow – he was upstairs, fucking his wife. Unnoticed, I entered the room and observed their act. He…

Sarah had always been an early riser. Her job as a nurse required it, and after years on the same schedule, her body woke her before the sun even began to rise. This morning was no different. As she shuffled into the kitchen, she flicked on the light and set the kettle to boil. While waiting for her tea, Sarah glanced out the window. It was still dark outside, but she could just make out the silhouette of the large oak tree in her backyard, its branches swaying gently in the pre-dawn breeze. But something was different today. There, among the leaves, she saw a figure. Her heart skipped a beat. It looked like a person, standing perfectly still in…

Mel would go to his family’s vacation house by the lake during the fall. It was a peaceful community with retired inhabitants. He arrived just as the sun rose over the tree line, having made the late-night drive to avoid traffic. Turning the car into the driveway, he parked it and turned it off. Mel opened the car door, taking a moment to stretch out. Going to the back of the car, he opened the boot, gathered his bags, and took them inside. His parents had left a note on the counter. Walking over, he glanced at the note briefly. The note stated that the pantry and fridge were restocked. If the power were to go out, use the generator…

In a little village, tucked away from the rest of the world, lived Nils, a doll maker. His home is up on a hill, completely isolated from everyone else. He creates dolls for those who have lost their friends and loved ones—an empty husk without a soul. There is a rumor that Nils once brought his wife to be back to life. Since he had dabbled in black magic, he broke the rules that were once taught to him by his master. When Nils brought her back to life, she was no longer herself. She had harmed many people, and thus, he had to end her life a second time. Not wanting his apprentice to make the same mistake, he…

There was no denying that Jun was handsome. You could ask anyone regardless of gender, and they would talk to you forever, fawning over his looks. Rin, however, found it irritating, accusing Jun of using his features for his selfish advantage. One afternoon, Rin was alone with Jun, cleaning up their homeroom class, when Rin used this opportunity to address Jun about his abuse of vanity. “People only like you for your looks,” he scowled. Jun shrugged and continued to sweep the floor. How stuck up can this guy be? Rin thought to himself, scoffing at the reaction he had received. If only Jun were no longer handsome, everyone would see him for who he was. Rin spotted a pair…

“How the hell am I supposed to memorize all of this?” I texted my girlfriend. Century-old floorboards creaked beneath me as I paced back and forth nervously. “It’s gonna be fine,” she responded. “You got this.” I sighed. It felt like a thousand rubber bands were wound tight around the base of my skull, slowly squeezing every last bit of meaningful focus out of me. I knew I had to do well on this test. Anything less than an 80% would surely get me dropped from the class and if I got dropped from the class, I knew that I would never end up becoming a paramedic. And if I never became a paramedic, I knew that I would never…

A creak outside his office caused Micah to stop typing on the report before him. He stood up from his desk and went to investigate. Micah opened his office door and peeked out into the hallway. He looked left and then right, but it was empty. The only thing abnormal was the blinking overhead lights. “Did everyone go home already?” Micah asked aloud. He took out his phone to check the time, only to find the service signal marked with a red ‘X.’ “I must have worked later than I had initially thought,” he mumbled, putting his phone back into his pocket. Closing his office door, he walked down one of the hallways, peeking into the other office windows to…

Monica knew that whatever this was, impersonating him was not her best friend. His skin hung loosely upon his frame. His eye sockets were sunken and dark, and only two tiny dots shone within the swirling darkness. When he walked, he dragged his feet. He no longer spoke, and yet everyone else thought it was normal. ‘How could this be normal?’ she thought to herself. Was everyone seeing the same person as her? Monica knew what to do, but first, she needed proof. So she set up a camera one evening, inviting him over to her home. When Monica excused herself and left him alone, she hoped it would let its guard down and reveal what it was. Upon reviewing…

Alice arrived at Clare View Point. She had saved just enough money to get there but needed to save the rest for lodging and food. It meant taking other forms of transportation was out. Alice had decided to see if someone would be willing to give her a ride. After all, the last stop she was heading to was pretty close; it would still be a long walk on foot. Alice scanned the faces of the people standing outside the bus station. There stood a handsome man walking to the parking lot. “Excuse me!” she cheerily spoke, walking up to him, who stopped to listen.”By chance, could you give me a ride?” Alice asked. The man looked at her. “Where…

Nyoka lived in Giverny, where she owned a bakery shop called Reverie. She was beautiful with her long golden curly hair that went to her waist and bright blue eyes. The townsfolk swore that she looked straight out of a fairytale. Nyoka always ensured that everything she baked, from the sweet to the savory, was made ‘just right.’ She aspired always to make people smile and feel welcome in her bakery. Berard, however, disliked Nyoka. He said she was too nice and fooled all the townspeople. He needed to get rid of her, but the only way to do that was to ensure they were alone. It had been raining that day, and he saw her walking in the rain…

Sarah had always been an early riser. Her job as a nurse required it, and after years on the same schedule, her body woke her before the sun even began to rise. This morning was no different. As she shuffled into the kitchen, she flicked on the light and set the kettle to boil. While waiting for her tea, Sarah glanced out the window. It was still dark outside, but she could just make out the silhouette of the large oak tree in her backyard, its branches swaying gently in the pre-dawn breeze. But something was different today. There, among the leaves, she saw a figure. Her heart skipped a beat. It looked like a person, standing perfectly still in…

“How the hell am I supposed to memorize all of this?” I texted my girlfriend. Century-old floorboards creaked beneath me as I paced back and forth nervously. “It’s gonna be fine,” she responded. “You got this.” I sighed. It felt like a thousand rubber bands were wound tight around the base of my skull, slowly squeezing every last bit of meaningful focus out of me. I knew I had to do well on this test. Anything less than an 80% would surely get me dropped from the class and if I got dropped from the class, I knew that I would never end up becoming a paramedic. And if I never became a paramedic, I knew that I would never…

I remember that night all too vividly, as if the memories were etched into my very soul. It was a cold, moonless evening, the kind that sends shivers down your spine and makes you wish for the warmth and safety of home. But little did I know that home would offer no sanctuary from the horrors that awaited me. We were gathered around the campfire, a group of friends seeking refuge from the darkness that enveloped the forest like a shroud. The flames danced and flickered, casting eerie shadows upon the trees that loomed ominously in the distance. It was then that I first heard it, a faint rustling in the underbrush that sent a chill down my spine. At…

That night, the words of my father lingered on… “Son, never allow wrongdoing without vengeance. Each time someone crosses you, don’t simply double-down, but make them pay threefold – they crossed you even if they didn’t have to!” …that night, after I finally found him…for so many years he’s kept himself hidden under a fake identity, a different address, with his wife and kids. Who would’ve even thought this man could live a life so familial, so ordinary, so fake? That night I entered a house; no one had heard me, nor suspected what I would do in the moments that would follow – he was upstairs, fucking his wife. Unnoticed, I entered the room and observed their act. He…

Chapter 1: The Arrival My name is Emily Parker, and I’ve always been drawn to the mysteries of the supernatural. So, when rumors of a haunted mansion hidden deep in the woods reached my ears, I couldn’t resist the pull of curiosity. Little did I know that my quest for answers would lead me into the heart of darkness itself. The forest around me was alive with the sounds of the night, a cacophony of rustling leaves and chirping insects that seemed to whisper secrets in the darkness. The moon hung low in the sky, its feeble light struggling to penetrate the thick canopy of trees that surrounded me. The mansion, a looming silhouette against the night sky, seemed to…

Mel would go to his family’s vacation house by the lake during the fall. It was a peaceful community with retired inhabitants. He arrived just as the sun rose over the tree line, having made the late-night drive to avoid traffic. Turning the car into the driveway, he parked it and turned it off. Mel opened the car door, taking a moment to stretch out. Going to the back of the car, he opened the boot, gathered his bags, and took them inside. His parents had left a note on the counter. Walking over, he glanced at the note briefly. The note stated that the pantry and fridge were restocked. If the power were to go out, use the generator…

In a little village, tucked away from the rest of the world, lived Nils, a doll maker. His home is up on a hill, completely isolated from everyone else. He creates dolls for those who have lost their friends and loved ones—an empty husk without a soul. There is a rumor that Nils once brought his wife to be back to life. Since he had dabbled in black magic, he broke the rules that were once taught to him by his master. When Nils brought her back to life, she was no longer herself. She had harmed many people, and thus, he had to end her life a second time. Not wanting his apprentice to make the same mistake, he…

A creak outside his office caused Micah to stop typing on the report before him. He stood up from his desk and went to investigate. Micah opened his office door and peeked out into the hallway. He looked left and then right, but it was empty. The only thing abnormal was the blinking overhead lights. “Did everyone go home already?” Micah asked aloud. He took out his phone to check the time, only to find the service signal marked with a red ‘X.’ “I must have worked later than I had initially thought,” he mumbled, putting his phone back into his pocket. Closing his office door, he walked down one of the hallways, peeking into the other office windows to…

Monica knew that whatever this was, impersonating him was not her best friend. His skin hung loosely upon his frame. His eye sockets were sunken and dark, and only two tiny dots shone within the swirling darkness. When he walked, he dragged his feet. He no longer spoke, and yet everyone else thought it was normal. ‘How could this be normal?’ she thought to herself. Was everyone seeing the same person as her? Monica knew what to do, but first, she needed proof. So she set up a camera one evening, inviting him over to her home. When Monica excused herself and left him alone, she hoped it would let its guard down and reveal what it was. Upon reviewing…

There was no denying that Jun was handsome. You could ask anyone regardless of gender, and they would talk to you forever, fawning over his looks. Rin, however, found it irritating, accusing Jun of using his features for his selfish advantage. One afternoon, Rin was alone with Jun, cleaning up their homeroom class, when Rin used this opportunity to address Jun about his abuse of vanity. “People only like you for your looks,” he scowled. Jun shrugged and continued to sweep the floor. How stuck up can this guy be? Rin thought to himself, scoffing at the reaction he had received. If only Jun were no longer handsome, everyone would see him for who he was. Rin spotted a pair…