Dark Fantasy Short Stories

A beer run becomes an interdimensional excursion. Two men settle their differences after discovering an extraordinary secret in the wilderness. A woman faces the bureaucracy of a digital afterlife. A grieving man seeks to know where his wife was reincarnated. Strange lights in the sky transform the lives of a small town. God and the devil play billiards for people's souls. A teenage deity's science project sprouts a startling discovery. These and more dream-like detours into the surreal, interstitial, and inexplicable await within. Chock full of gooey, mind-bending goodness.

From the Outback to Ireland's Skies: One Pilot's Journey Beyond Borders. In the dusty desert of the Australian Outback, Max's life revolves around taking jaded tourists up in his plane, finding joy only in the moments spent in the sky. His routine is disrupted when a Japanese man named Hiroki appears, trying to persuade him to join a band of misfits in Ireland. Initially, Max rebuffs Hiroki, haunted by past traumas that surface in his dreams. As Max struggles with his inner demons, Hiroki persistently offers him a chance to chase a new dream. It isn't until Max's precious plane is damaged ...

From USA Today Bestselling Author, Uvi Poznansky, comes an anthology of dark fantasy stories: Come into a strange world, where everything is firmly rooted in the familiar—except for some quirky detail that twists the yarn and takes it for a spin in an unexpected direction. So prepare yourself: keep the lights on. If you like to read Edgar Allan Poe, you’ll love this horror anthology, where a woman—or rather, her ghost—finds a way to outwit the devil.★★★★★ "To say her stories are one of a kind would be a disservice as they are really one of no other kind: Twisted is unique....

The first collection in the ongoing series of fantasy stories from the world of Esowon. You'll find dastardly beasts, tortured monks, and unexpected lovers in a set of tales that'll transport you to lands lost to time. Delve into these companion novellas to The Kishi, an African fantasy based on Angola folklore.

Each night, the world is overrun by bloodthirsty demons. For centuries, humanity survived only by hiding behind defensive wards – magical symbols of power. Now, though, the rediscovery of other, long-forgotten wards has given them the magic they need to fight back.... In Tibbet’s Brook, the fighting wards have brought change, heightening tensions and grudges of a troubled past. Selia Square, the woman they call Barren, has long been the force holding the Brook together. As a terrifying new threat emerges, she must rally the people of the Brook once more.

The workings of heaven are shrouded in mystery and myth, leaving us to only theorize as to what awaits us when we pass. There are those among us, however, that are special cases. These are good people who have committed a horrendous crime, such as murder. What makes their cases special, however, is the fact that by committing these egregious acts, one could argue that they have made the world a better place.

This 30th issue of Tales from the Canyons of the Damned consists of five sharp, suspenseful, thought provoking short stories - each from a different featured master of speculative fiction. This issue includes the short stories: "Something Bad" by Jeremy Essex, "On a Front Porch on a November Afternoon" by M. Regan, "The End of the World and a Super 88" by Michael Ezell, "Winning in Real Estate" by Lara Frater, and "The Lost Tapes - Shane Starr" by Daniel Arthur Smith.

I woke to a mass of men writhing and broken, moving as one in their attempt to reach that great circle of light. They looked like ants, but ants without exoskeletons: their soft bits shredding, their hard bits breaking, to make a sort of chicken-leg jello out of humanity. The cries of pain and cries of triumph mixed. But one man keeps saying, "2π28.57mm. 2π28.57mm. 2π28.57mm.” Pointing at the circle of light. Claiming he cut it. Cut what? And why?

Captain Torren, the warden of the Dormigan Prison, knows that the mysterious Prisoner 34 is much more dangerous than the authorities think. Torren does his best to guard him, going so far as to break some of his orders, but the new governor's sudden wish to personally inspect the prison threatens to destroy the shaky balance the warden has achieved. Will the Prisoner comply and help Torren through the inspection? What will he ask in return? And will he keep his word?

Sixteen years old, Caina is a student of the Ghosts, the spies and agents of the Emperor of Nighmar, and from them she learns the arts of stealth and infiltration, of disguise and intrigue. But when a man dies of a mysterious poison, Caina faces a deadly test. Because if she doesn't solve the murder, she might die next....

Werewolves, vampires, and gargoyles... these are just a few of the creatures that you will encounter in this collection of short terror stories. From the chilling tale of a man who transforms into a werewolf on the night of the full moon to the terrifying story of a vampire who hunts down its victims in the dead of night, these stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Her voice is her brand. It’s also kind of a public safety concern. Marinella’s streaming channel serves up immersive sound, chill vibes, and just enough siren magic to keep her audience blissed out—without triggering another spontaneous group swim. But with sponsorships vanishing and rent climbing, she’s running out of ways to keep things ethical, engaging, and technically legal. Enter WaveSound: a glossy audio-tech giant with prototype headphones, aggressive KPIs, and one marketing director who’s a little too enthusiastic about her “authentic resonance.” They want her ...

Four dark tales of the holiday spirit. In "Christmas Eve Gift", Old Bill sets out on her annual Christmas Eve journey to her niece's house and encounters an unexpected darkness along the way. In "A Dark Christmas", Alice, a dark daughter of the vampire, Elizabet, turns the table on a family of hunters. In "On the 7th Day of Christmas", Sunny finally gets to throw a party, only a monster shows up and twists a small kink into her New Year's Eve festivities. In "Twelfth Night", A 13-year-old encounters the Woman with No Face for the first time.

This is a collection of 10 strange tales of horror and dark science fiction. Included within are monsters, ghosts, zombies, aliens, and even a few special Halloween stories. Releasing this special compendium for all the ghouls, goblins, gremlins, and spooks looking for something to listen to during the dark and dreary nights!

An evil stepmother, a dark enchantment and a charming stranger... Life as I know it will never be the same again. I always knew my stepmother wasn’t too fond of me, but I never could have imagined the depth of her hatred—or why. A secret diary hidden within the quaint little coffee shop I run could be the key to everything—as could be the charming stranger who appears one day. Who is he, and why do I feel such a connection to him? ✨ FAIREST ROSE ✨ is a spicy novella perfect for fans of: fairy tale retellings new adult romantasy friends to lovers mystery with high stakes paranormal...

Step into the shadows—if you dare. Flowers at Midnight is a razor-sharp collection of flash fiction that packs a punch in 300 words or less. Each story is a fleeting glimpse into the uncanny, the eerie, and the unexplainable. From cursed objects and vengeful spirits to ancient rituals gone wrong and eldritch creatures hiding in plain sight, this collection blends the chilling atmosphere of horror with the dark beauty of fantasy. Perfect for fans of bite-sized terror, haunting imagery, and twist endings that linger long after the final sentence, these stories are designed to be devoured in...

"Brainfire-Light and Dark Stories to Ignite Your Imagination" is a collection of 30 fictional, nonfictional, humorous, and autobiographical stories. There is something for everyone in "Brainfire, "including Sci-Fi, Action Adventure, Fantasy, and Humor. A bonus section on "Surviving Lethal Threats," features five short stories on situational awareness. These informative stories will help the reader understand and use situational awareness in everyday life. Each story in "Brainfire" begins with an introduction by the author, giving the reader insight into the story and its creation.

Explore love, ambition, and hidden talentsBintou Sissoko faces a pivotal moment in her life as she grapples with love, betrayal, and the allure of the supernatural. A talented linguist working at Timbuctou's prestigious Sankore Institute, Bintou's passion for ancient manuscripts is matched only by her desire for a second chance at love. When her ex-boyfriend Ibrahim, now living in Ireland, extends an invitation to visit, Bintou finds herself torn between her longing for a fresh start and the uncertainties of uprooting her life. As she contemplates her future, Bintou is thrust into a ...

As her power grows, a grandmother must choose between her safety and her family.In the arid landscapes of the Arizona Hopi Reservation, Nokomis Nicholas, a woman with a unique connection to the land, grapples with a difficult decision. Her granddaughter, Tansy, is in the care of her spiteful daughter-in-law, Yamka. As Komie's power over the land grows, she must decide whether to stay and protect Tansy or leave and search for a place where she truly belongs. When a wise confidante offers her guidance, Komie is torn between the memories of her ancestral lands in Maine and her current ...

Embrace your destiny. Uncover the power within. In the bustling streets of Tokyo, Hiroki Kubo's life takes an unexpected turn. Working diligently at Mizuho Bank, Hiroki finds himself torn between the traditions of his family and the desire to forge his own destiny. But when he crosses paths with Genzo, a mysterious restaurant owner who sees potential in Hiroki's hidden talents, everything changes. As Hiroki grapples with the decision to embrace his newfound abilities as part of the Unhidden, a group with extraordinary powers, he faces opposition from his family and the uncertainties of a ...