Eva gently closed the door to her parents' house, feeling the echo of wood against frame as if sealing a chapter of her life shut. The tears, which had been her faithful companions since the night before, now flowed freely down her face, carrying with them the pain of a betrayal revealed in a video that had virally spread across social media. Her steps towards the university were heavy, each laden with the weight of a tru...

I gripped my cellphone in anger, the plastic creaking as I squeezed it, hard. "Moxie, I just finished with a client, but the taxi that I had asked to wait, and paid a hefty tip, left me here, stranded. It's after five, so no cabs are going to come pick me up in this area. There's a bus terminal two blocks up, so I'll go catch a bus back into the city and hopefully be able to meet you at Caesar's at seven. See you then, ba...

I remember the day she moved in. She looked like nothing special, a thin, mousy woman with a bob haircut and a drab blue-gray dress that cloaked her figure if she had one at all. To my surprise, she stopped at the door of the vacant apartment right next to mine. I flashed a quick, polite smile, then slid inside my little sanctuary, hoping to avoid any involvement with a new neighbor. For the first few days, all was quiet...

I arrived at the village of Weir with my meagre belongings stuffed in a bag, clutching Lord Ledley's letter in my breast. I tried to ask the carriage driver for directions to the estate, but he had left almost before I set foot on the ground. A passing woman was kind enough to point me towards the path that led out of the village and into the forest. Following it would eventually take me to the river Auber, where the Ledl...

“How is she?” “The same, Mr. Anguera.” “Emma’s head isn’t covered any more.” “No. She pulled the covers off after sunset.” “But she was still unconscious?” “Yes.” “It’s been three days and two nights. What is the longest you’ve seen someone sleep?” “People can be in comas for years and come out alive.” “But my daughter isn’t in a coma. The brain-scan guy was very clear about that. How long can she stay asleep naturally?”...

I can't even remember who I was before this, or what my life was like. All I know is that I love her. Everything is black at first when I wake up. Although "wake up" isn't quite right. It's more like I come alive. And my ears are the first to start working again. I hear the sounds of her. Then I open my eyes. But “open my eyes” isn't quite right either. Somehow it's as if they're already open, and they just... turn on. An...

When Sutton first showed up at the church that Wednesday afternoon, Pastor Hall looked glad to see him. No doubt the preacher thought a long-absent member of his congregation was finally returning to the flock. Sutton hadn't been to Sunday service in months, not since before his wife had passed away. As the two men sat in Pastor Hall's office, Sutton stared down at his hands. "I know you probably won't believe what I'm ab...

November 3, 1937. I’ve arrived at the house. I admit it’s in much better condition than I expected it to be – it’s old and dusty and the electricity is erratic, but other than that it’s quite impressive. I had no idea Uncle Jedediah had such means. The furniture alone must be worth a small fortune, and I haven’t even delved into the library. The solicitor’s letter said I should not throw anything away before getting it ap...

Despite its strangling grip, I’m attempting to outrun the darkness again, as futile as that may be. Even when the sun shines, I feel no warmth. But what choice do I have? No one sees the tempestuous clouds hanging over my world, urging me to think there’s no hope. But I refuse to give in to despair. And so, I tell myself, This time will be different. I glance down at my sandals. They are clearly the wrong choice as I stum...

Sleep paralysis is a state during waking up or falling asleep in which one is conscious but in a complete state of full-body paralysis. During an episode, one may hallucinate (hear, feel, or see things that are not there), which often results in fear. Sian lay in bed. Her boyfriend was working away from home for the night, so she had the whole bed to herself. As usual, before bedtime, she’d been scrolling through porn onl...

I was summoned to the coven house. Gretta and Samantha were already there. We were led to the potion room where a young man in a doctor's coat was waiting. A physician’s exam table was in the corner of the room. It had never been there before. Tichaba walked towards the three of us. “We want to make sure that all is going well with your pregnancies. This doctor will be doing your exams.” The doctor, his expression a creep...