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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#272: Fright Night

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyFright to share your stories (and potentially be featured on our social accounts)!

Spooky season has arrived, and what better way to embrace this time of year than by diving into some spine-chilling writing? I’m constantly amazed by the variety of enthralling narratives we come across in this contest — from subtle, eerie stories with sinister undertones to tales that are outright macabre.

So, as one of the year's most popular holidays approaches, let’s get into the Halloween spirit and conjure up some creepy tales. Grab your coziest sweater and favorite hot drink, and let’s get writing!

This week's prompts

Write a story with the aim of scaring your reader.

Short Story – 112 stories

Start or end your story with someone running away from something, literally or metaphorically.

Dramatic – 85 stories

Write a story from the point of view of a ghost, vampire, or werewolf.

Short Story – 144 stories

Center your story around someone trying to resist their darker impulses — and they’ll either succeed or fail.

Angst – 63 stories

Write a story in which the narrator or a character says "Did you hear that?"

Short Story – 84 stories

Stories

“Rockabye Whispers ” by K FS

Submitted to Contest #272

Nothing says Halloween like a good Haunted House, or Haunted Forest. That wonderful adrenaline rush, that heart pounding thrill of the scare. For some people, this is an ongoing addiction. Their life is spent in the pursuit of the next Haunted Tour, Ghost Walk. They actively search out the unexplained, the unknown, frequently viewing television shows with the tag line "Did you hear that?"While these people seek encounters with the undead or otherworldly, for most people these brushes with the specter world are sudden and jarring.&n...

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“End of the Road” by Adam Haines

Submitted to Contest #272

The full moon rose high above the old church at the end of the road and cast shadows through the overgrowth of trees which landed on the stone path leading from the lake to the front entrance."Quiet now, Luke.” The rough voice belonged to William.Soft moans came from his companion as he answered him, “Dammit all, I’m trying. You wasn’t the one shot!”As he said this his weight shifted and William’s left arm went tighter around him in an effort to keep him upright, his eyes darting all around them.“Yeah, I know, but I told you, watch those wom...

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“Forest Whispers” by Joe Miller

Submitted to Contest #272

Forest Whispersby Joe Miller The wind howled through the trees, sending a shiver down Mia's spine. She huddled closer to the warm campfire. The forest buzzed with the sounds of night—crickets. Leaves rustled, and an owl hooted in the distance. Then, a different sound pierced the air, making her heart race. “Did you hear that?” she whispered, her voice barely rising above the crackling flames. Tom, her older brother, glanced up from prodding the fire with a stick, his brow furrowing. “Hear what?” he replied, irritation creeping into his tone....

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“Yurika's Tale” by Lucy Plumme

Submitted to Contest #272

“Did you hear that?” “What?” “I heard Yurika was spotted going to a hotel with Teacher Masuda.” “Wow, seriously?!” “Isn't Teacher Masuda…” “Yes! He's already married. Doesn't that make her a third wheel? I can't believe she did that.” Yurika could only stand in front of the door, listening to her classmates' chatter and the harsh words from the people she thought were her friends. She almost couldn't hold her tears anymore. But no—they might think she's playing the victim if she cried. While rubbing her eyes, the announcement rang. ‘St...

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“Amelia” by Anna Ellington

Submitted to Contest #272

“So, the legend goes that Amelia Turner was the hottest chick in town, right?” Andrew started. He kept one hand on the wheel, his other arm casually draped over the back of the bench seat as he turned his attention to everyone in the cab. His features were muted with the blackness of the country roads on a dark night. The headlights from his old truck illuminated only a small patch of road as the truck idled along in the ruts. No need to steer towards the location of this legend. We weren’t the first to go looking for Amelia. “No joke, it wa...

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“The Workshop” by Ty Warmbrodt

Submitted to Contest #272

Beneath the Northern Mountains, on a plain covered in snow a foot deep, by a frozen solid lake, rests a cabin whose fire keeps the windows glowing. Its stone chimney pumps smoke into the overcast sky that sends a light snowfall to the ground. The night isn’t dark because the white surface of the ground reflects what little light there is back into the sky, making it easy to see. Inside, a tree trimmed in red and gold sits in the corner of the living room. From the mantle stockings hang, one labeled Josie, the other Maggie. By the fireplace i...

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“Chasing Down the Devil on the Taconic State Parkway” by Rebecca Lubin

Submitted to Contest #272

Once upon a time, when my father was a young man, he was chased by the Devil while driving southbound on the Taconic State parkway. Prior to this paranormal encounter, the Taconic had always been a long, lackadaisical scenic splay of pavement for our family, the link between New York, where we lived, and New England, where our Grandparents quaint little home lay. On the day that The Devil tried to get my Dad, he had dropped off my mother and brothers and me in Massachusetts for a visit, and then had turned around to drive back home. I don’t ...

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“The Knowing” by TheLastShepherd Gaming

Submitted to Contest #272

The Knowing. The loud creak and clang of metal shocked me to life. The joltfiring all my nerve endings at once. I am blind, floating dissociatedfrom my body and life. A klaxon like a screaming beast roars into my mind. Gurgling, Swallowing? I will be devoured. No its draining. I am sinking, I was floating.Snakes wrap around me and slither across my skin, trying to encompass my being and crush me in their death grip. Still blind no sight only feel and fear. Blurry, I gasp as my eyes try to focus, the pain is blinding. Suffocation, no breath,...

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“The Mannequin” by Rhiannon Mattison

Submitted to Contest #272

“That thing gives me the fucking creeps.” Amber said, looking out the passenger side window, gesturing lazily. “Language.” Her dad said, his voice gruff and gravelly. “But what thing?” They were stopped at a red light in the daily school traffic. “That mannequin right there. The one with the watering can next to those flowers.” His eyes followed the direction of her finger, now firmly pointing at the thing in question. It stood about five feet tall, with shiny blonde hair and eerily bright blue eyes. The mannequin was...

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“The Package” by Daniel Linehan

Submitted to Contest #272

Stanley looked at Ray quizzically. “What?” “Look, I’ll explain it again,” Ray said, a bit irritated. “We go in, we follow the directions, and we get out. Then we go collect our money. Simple. And we do it together; you’re not alone, I’m right here with you.” “Amen to that,” Stanley replied. “The last job almost killed me. I hate working alone.”&nbsp...

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“Three” by Rachel Kenley Fry

Submitted to Contest #272

Arthur’s back popped as he bent to pull a carrot from the rich soil of his vast garden. He stood stiffly and looked toward the sun, which was sinking below the horizon. Time to head in. As he trudged slowly toward his hut, the brick walls glowing red from the sunset, he made a mental inventory of work to do tomorrow: hill potatoes, weed onions, and inspect his ten-foot-high barbed wire fence for weak spots to reinforce. Wearily, he punched the 12-digit PIN into the keypad on his door and scanned his eyeball. He sunk into his sole kitchen cha...

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“The Garden” by William Fowler

Submitted to Contest #272

He couldn’t have been more excited. It was his first big purchase and it was all his own. John had seen the house listed in the paper and for the price he couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.John's parents had passed away suddenly while he was finishing school leaving him all alone. He struggled with the loss but deep down he had always felt lost and alone. He had used the little inheritance he received to purchase his first house.He thought he had won the lottery when his offer on the old foreclosed farm house was accepted. He loved the ide...

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“Blackout Terror” by Yayra Pongo

Submitted to Contest #272

It was just past 8 PM when the blackout hit again (or as we call it Dumsor). Another usual evening, another power failure. The moonlight, filtered through the rusted window bars, was the only source of light in the room. The sound of generators could be heard from neighboring houses, but in the boarding house, the only noise came from the quiet hum of the boys shifting and whispering in the dark. "Ah, chale e be like say this country no go ever fix this light off nonsene," Samuel muttered under his breath, sitting on his bed with his phone ...

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“Her Eyes” by Vilma Cardona

Submitted to Contest #272

Her eyes opened slowly, blinking a few times. All that was in front of her was a dark room. The noise was coming from the other bed that was by the corner of the room. The room had two beds and one crib. She laid still on her bed facing the wall, she tried to breath as normal as possible, or she thought she was, pretending she was still asleep. The only thing moving were her eyes to try to understand what the noise was and why there was a conversation so late at night. The laughter was coming from Johanna’s bed. She heard the laughter again,...

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“Gutless” by Erinne Lubisich

Submitted to Contest #272

I saw the farmhand, first. He started out as a small silhouette, barely visible though my car windshield, his frame dwarfed by the vast expanse of cornfields. That must be Ben, I thought, remembering the letter my uncle had sent me the week before. I sighed. As much as I hated myself for getting into this situation, I knew there was no way out. Not after my divorce and my failed career as an author. It was either this: live with my eccentric uncle on his farm ...

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$250

Prize money

488

Contest entries

175

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 18, 2024 EST

Won by Mortimer Ridgewood 🏆

Title: Drone

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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