psychological

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

Pen-pals
The old wooden door opened with the scraping and creaking that comes with age, from the warping effect of many rainy days followed by warm ones. Its maroon paints flaked and a few pieces fell off as one of the things entered. In one corner of their little room they sat. They knew what it meant if a thing came in: they wanted something. Commotion began in all of the other rooms too, the bleating chatter of a group working out what is going on, or what may be coming. Its footsteps sounded wet, which fitted with the drumming of the rain on the roof, and the small stream being allowed in by the crack in the corrugated panels. Where it fell it made a small path on the soft floor.
By Jamie Allen5 years ago in Horror
Curiosity killed the Cat
Bye Jo, I’m going to miss you I whispered. Too scared to say it loudly in case he heard me! I turned and waved, licking my lips imagining what it would be like to run to him and kiss him just like Whitney did in The Bodyguard. “Oi, you going to stand there staring into space all day? Some of us have a plane to catch” said an old lady who looked like a cross between Mrs Shrek and Nanny McPhee. She was about 5ft tall with a slight hump on her back, skin that looked like a shammy leather, arms like popeye with a red angry boil on her nose. She was carrying two worn out leather bags, one in each hand as she barged past me to passport control.
By Rachael Cumberbatch 5 years ago in Horror
The Granting
A crackle of thunder snapped Raziel awake from his much needed rest. 5:55 slightly illuminated his bedside meanwhile the dark motel room was eerily quiet. Deathly still.
By Aisha Brown5 years ago in Horror
The Book
The lone lightbulb swayed incessantly from the ceiling even though there was no breeze: the only window had been painted shut and wouldn’t open with the most stubborn of tugs. Rain streaked the dirty panes of glass, cast down from a morning sky full of dingy clouds. Stacks of cardboard boxes occupied space beneath the window, beside a serviceable twin bed, and a microwave and small coffee maker sat on a worn-out horizontal dresser -- but that wasn’t enough padding to keep Ethan’s voice from echoing off the bare walls of the small, square room.
By Joy Holmes5 years ago in Horror
Little Black Book
Moira Lark had a near perfect hand. She thumbed her large stack of bills. With total confidence, she pushed all the money onto the table and said, “Straight flush.”
By Matthew Krasula5 years ago in Horror
Richard Penny
Palm Beach can be warm in February, but it wasn’t today. Overcast and cold droplets brought a chilly morning South Florida. Low 50’s never looked good on palm trees. Priscilla, my friend, often insisted on brunch at Le Bilboquet, ordering eggs benedict with a side of country ham. The drive from West Palm, to me, never seemed worth the drive. The weather was never nice when I had time for the beach, and I could never afford more than a bagel and OJ anyway. Even after parking, the rain continued following me down Hibiscus Ave to Worth. I decided to travel light that miserable, gloomy morning with only my phone, wallet, and keys stuffed in my old jacket.
By C.J. Goodin5 years ago in Horror
Coiner
"Soak on that I am so." In solace, I write this. Friendless, frightened. I am alone, unknown. Where— or perhaps the better question is how— am I? Bisected, I am born. Halved, I have received breath, my death circumvented with each new incision.
By Eric Belanger5 years ago in Horror
When Chaos Loses Patience
It seems like every doctor’s office is the same room, despite the minute differences in decor. They all contain the same, solemn atmosphere, with some people waiting too long for their appointments while others fidget nervously in the hopes of positive news. Children bored, making noise, being shushed by parents while the adults actively press the meager selection of toys upon them for a temporary reprieve. There are plenty of things in a waiting room that most people can agree they’ve been around more than once, no matter where they live. Most interactions are minimal, but polite, at best.
By Dani Banani5 years ago in Horror
Luck of the Draw
I wouldn’t call myself “unlucky,” but as of late, I’ve had more than my fair share of displeasing circumstances—today in particular.
By A. Leigh Corbett5 years ago in Horror
The Stories I Must Write
What is this? I have no business accepting this. I'm just an English major student, and not a very successful one in the grand scheme of things. Doesn't the term, "Cs make degrees" mean anything to anyone? Was there some sort of competition? A lottery? Did students just get selected randomly? Not that I'm complaining or anything. I'm just stating the facts here. Student loans need to be paid and I need the cash. The letter that came with the package:
By Fergus Thomson5 years ago in Horror
The Ritual
It was hard for Rebecca to tell the world how she really felt. And even harder for her to explain what the list of names in her little black book in her closet was for.
By Aubrey5 years ago in Horror
BB
Clarke glanced at the small notebook gently hovering above his nightstand next to his antique brass alarm clock. He smirks and shakes his head. I really shouldn't worry so much. He said to himself, lighting a cigarette and grabbing his coat from the wall.
By Price Henry5 years ago in Horror