Spooky Short Story
1 min
2026 Spooky Short Story Contest Finalist
Caroline H. - 6th Grade
Bright colors bloomed all around. Plants waved from welcoming storefronts. It would appear that this was an ideal town. But I would soon learn that couldn't be farther from the truth.
At first, it was just a presence — that feeling you get when you know that all is not good. Something has gone horribly wrong, but you don't know what it is exactly. You can't name it, but you know it's there.
At once I knew what the issue was. A predator was out and I was prey. I instantly went on high alert. It felt like a sort of shadow. You can't outrun your shadow, can't outsmart it. No matter how you try.
I began to dash. The bright city colors no longer looked friendly. They appeared to be ready to swallow me, drag me down into heavy chasms of green and blue and yellow.
I passed a ghastly sort of ranch as I ran. What a contrast! Its gateway declared something I didn't have time to read. Lizards crawled on old boxes as skinks flicked their tongues about from dusty corners. They stared. What was a human doing in their midst?
I had no time to stop at this hollow shell of a place. I kept running, soon ducking into a café for shelter.
Kids inside formed a dense crowd. I had to force my way through to crouch down in a small cranny, only slightly hidden from view by a topiary bush.
However, my desperate hiding spot was found, and a shadowy figure burst into the café wearing a tall top hat. The figure — my stalker — was here. They stared into my eyes with their own eyeless face. I cowered in fright.
And then the midnight reality ceased. I awoke in a cold sweat.
We love sharing Short Stories
select a story!
0