psychological

Mind games taken way too far; explore the disturbing genre of psychological thrillers that make us question our perception of sanity and reality.

Our Pond
The high beams fanned out into the darkness, illuminating the first tentative snowflakes of what the weather prognosticators were forecasting to be the worst storm Michigan had seen in more than half a century. Clay gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as he turned off I-75 and towards his grandfather’s cabin.
By Brandon A Harrison4 years ago in Horror
The Ballad to Skate
A once cozy, quiet cottage has its doors open abruptly to the frigid cold. Two women, both in their thirties, burst into the cottage, causing quite a stir.
By Cara Jean Andersen4 years ago in Horror
Bury a friend
“This is your counselor, Mrs. Adams.” Even she flinched and looked away. I hated them all. I hated my parents for sending me away to stupid criminal school, even if I had done what I’d done. I hated the headmistress. The kid who was going to be assigned to show me around. This stupid school was built for kids who had serious problems. Most them were gang bosses, abusive siblings, kids who had hosted big heists. But none of them were anything like me. None of them had killed someone.
By And I am Nightmare4 years ago in Horror
Ice Breaker
After she had buried the body she brushed her hair, then put on her white gown and walked out to the backyard. She looked over to the mound of dirt and smiled. She made her way out on the pier over the lake and looked down at the frozen water. She carefully stepped down onto the hard surface. She walked slow and deliberate, step by step until she was far enough out to see the vast mountains around her. She knew this lake well, knew exactly where the thin spots of ice would be, she stood on one and waited. The weight of her and the warmth of her bare feet would soon do the work for her. She heard a small cracking sound and then another. There was no going back, she fell through.
By Raine Fielder4 years ago in Horror
Phantom
He was a skinny, handsome Indian man with a goofy smile and kind eyes. "Now this shouldn't be an issue," he said. "I've helped people with all sorts of problems –smoking, weight loss, anxiety, depression, fear."
By C S Hughes5 years ago in Horror
Shocking
I woke up and my eyes were foggy. My head was pounding, while I tried to focus my eyes. I lifted my hand to touch my head, only to be able to raise my hand an inch or two. “What the hell?” My eyes were more focused now, I was in a white room with 3 doctor looking men staring at me. “what’s going on?” I struggle to get the words out of my mouth. “Ha!” One of the men smirked, as he turned around, clipboard in his hands. “He’s going to act like he doesn’t know what’s going on? That’s rich.” The second man smiled, as the words came out of his mouth. The last man had a more gentle demeanor, he was much older than the other two, and almost seemed like he could be a grandpa. “Do you really not know why you’re here son?” He looked concerned.
By Joy 5 years ago in Horror
The Dutchman
Ed Leeson: Easy there, no one is going to hurt you. I just want to sit down and chat for a minute. We can loosen the restraints if you can calm yourself down. It will hurt a lot less and be easier for both of us.
By J. R. Harrison5 years ago in Horror
Static
“We’ll see you soon Maya”, my mom said wrapping her arms around me tightly in the driveway of our home. After a short while I gave her a tap on the back to signal, I was ready to come up for air and she released.
By Cameron Bauder5 years ago in Horror
Summer's End
BEEP! With a sudden jolt, I am brought back to reality. The light must have turned green. I look into my review mirror to see an angry man with an extended middle finger mouthing some curses my way. Lovely. Slowly, I draw a deep breath in and slowly release it. Lightly I press down on the gas pedal and begin to ease onward.
By Cassandra Grimes5 years ago in Horror
Black Hearts
Two bodies wash up on a sandy beach. It is the morning after a heavy storm and the air still smells of it. Their ship had been taken by the storm and these fortunate souls survived. One man coughs up seawater as he awakens. He is bald with unkempt, mangy mutton chops. Looking around he sees the other body beginning to stir. Their ragged clothes are waterlogged as they rise and approach one another.
By Tales from a Madman5 years ago in Horror
Repetition
Lights, it always began with lights. Laying in my own bed I waited heart racing in preparation for what would surely be coming once again. I am never truly alone and never truly free. Freedom means nothing to me anymore as I have only one choice, to wait and accept. A green cast slowly builds as orbs of green light pulse and throb as they enter my prison. Feeling my body tighten and go stiff as the light fell upon me. Trapped, unable to move as they neared, I felt my heart race faster. After all this time I should have been used to it but I wasn’t. Unable to look away the green light filled my vision and it tried to lull me into a trance. Unlike the others I had seen previously, prisoners like me, I was unable to fall into the trance. I suffered through the experience. Tingles along my body turned into pinpricks, pinpricks turned into feelings of needles stabbing into me. Whatever these things were did no lasting harm to my body but each experience left my mind grasping tight to sanity.
By jessica dorden5 years ago in Horror
PERILLUS INCORPORATED
Part1: The Bellowing Bull Ever so often one is allowed a glimpse into the inner workings—to witness the black blood that lubricates the world engine. For most who are granted the privilege, it is like a brief nightmare that gives hints of foul foundations, but for some who gaze into the abyss, it will mean lifelong days of terror that satiate unknowable wills.
By Brian Keith McMurray5 years ago in Horror