Two-Sentence Horror Story Contest

Event Information

When

THIS EVENT HAS ENDED
Sunday, October 1
to Tuesday, October 24, 2023
iCal / Google Calendar

Winner

Thank you to all who entered, and congrats to the winner of our second annual Two-Sentence Horror Story Contest!

All Participants

The cold chill on her neck was in perfect tempo with the panting right behind her! She turns around to see a seven foot tall, brown, wart skinned creature with red bulging eyes and yellow teeth stained in blood, foam coming from it’s mouth at the sight of tonight’s appetizer!

I’ve been consoling myself for months, that the idea of something coming for me, was only fears and anxieties. Then 3 nights later, in the midst of a blackout, slow heavy footsteps crunched on the gravel and I heard something at my door, trying to force its way in.

I stood in the bathroom, the gun gently moved in my hand as my palms began to sweat, my mind doubting my constitution to do what had to be done. But the Prince of Pop gave me all the instruction I needed, I was starting with the man in the mirror.

As she sat staring at the fire while summoning the spirits around, the flames grew larger! Her fear grew and reached for her cross around her neck and at that moment the sparks flew from the fire and the demon showed himself to her!

“Tck, tck, tck,” I heard as I watched the grandfather clock. My eyes looked at the hands, and then down to the beady eyes, and then at the rows of jagged teeth, and then the long, jet-black fingers tapping behind the glass.

The dark looked darker than usual – and a rising dread in me about something I couldn’t pinpoint, rose up. Then came sudden shrieking howls and the nerve shattering sound of something sharp dragging on the concrete.

It was late, pitch black, and the wind howled in the trees, but he had to know. He walked out his front door, coat flapping the wind, when a bolt of lightning suddenly illuminated a looming shape…

“Loud bird, loud bird, loud bird, loud; quiet bird, quiet bird, quiet bird, now.” On the garage floor, the 3-year-old hammered roofing nails deep and staccato into the colicky newborn’s eardrums.

She stopped in to visit with her mother and just found a bloody dish towel on the counter but no mother. The she saw the note, “I cut my thumb really bad and am at the walk in clinic”.

Walking through her house in the dark a shiver went up her spine as she heard an evil growl. Turning to find the light switch she saw a creature with horns reaching for her.

The two girls went through their sisters box and found a locket. As they opened it there was a picture of a woman’s profile, all of a sudden she turned and smiled…

Facing the empty woods, she brandished the knife with trembling fingers, a whimper slipping out between her lips. Something in the darkness snarled back.

The train was running through the Dead Valley in Nevada in that cold rainy October night. Suddenly I heard a long scream coming from the valley…

They say that pets can see spirits that people can’t. I don’t have any pets of my own, but my neighbor’s dog always likes to stare at me.

He smiled and caressed her cheek, knowing how lucky he was to have such a beautiful woman beside him. If only her eyes would stay in.

My wife decided to leave me on Thursday. I heard that she married a Zombie on Friday in the old church graveyard.

I’ve always faced my inner demons everyday. And yet, even then, I still stand in chains in this room.

i was using snap chat when the filter left my face and it was on something at the corner of my room.

I awoke to the sound of my own voice whispering in my ear, only to realize I was alone in the room.

She supposed there were easier ways to dispose of a body. But at least she got a meal out of it.

Red, black, and white are the colors of a fox. Red, red, and red are the colors of a fox-hunt.

As the girl stared at herself in the mirror. Watching her reflection move as she stood still.

As the girl stared at herself in the mirror. Watching her reflection move as she stood still.

Walking through her house in the dark a shiver went up her spine as she heard an evil growl.

I hear my name echoing from the guest room upstairs. But I thought I was the only one home?

Bloodlust filled eyes, covered with a film. Sickle-sharp fangs, dripping of blood and spit.

The raven sat, gazing with jet black eyes. Guess even nevermore was too kind a term for me.

I cried for help, any kind of help. Two eyes appeared out of the gloom to answer my pleas.

How real are the monsters in your head? Do you see them when you look in the mirror?

You’re supposed to see yourself when you look in the mirror. Not a horned monster.

I always wondered how long I can go without air. Ill finally be able to find out.

Take a ghost tour of the hotel they said. You wont stay there forever they said.

i heard a scratching noise on my bedroom window, like nails across a chalkboard.

I should’ve listened when my mom said not to go in the forest after dark. Snap!

I went to the rickity house for sweet-tasting treats. Not iron-tanged tricks.

I dreamed of blood and scales and horns. Good thing it was only a dream…

Living without a head can be uncomfortable. Trust me, I know.

Mal makes the best barbecue. His thighs are amazing kebabs.

I hear the voices of the soul of hell. I’m doing so well.

A knife weighs so little. But it can do so, so much.

I asked her to marry me. She said yes.

that’s when i saw it. the eye.

 

Contest

Why do we love horror so much? Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush, or the way it lets us feel that spike of fear when really we’re perfectly safe—perhaps curled up on the couch with a Stephen King novel. It’s the thrill of danger, without any actual danger! And anyone who has watched A Quiet Place can tell you: bigger (and louder) doesn’t always mean scarier.

The small things can be just as terrifying…

With that in mind, we’re celebrating October (the spookiest month of the year) with a horror story contest! You can enter as many stories as you like, as long as they are original and two sentences long.

For more inspiration, check out:

• Previous contests: 2022
• These 2-Sentence Horror Stories Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
• 50 Two-Sentence Horror Stories That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Rules

Compose an original horror story in only two sentences.

Submission deadline is October 24.

The winner will be announced October 31.

1. Participants must have a library card.
2. Ages 14 through adult can participate.
3. Entries must be submitted by the deadline of October 24.
4. Submissions will be judged by a blind review panel.
5. Participants may submit multiple entries but can only win one prize.
6. Submissions must be two sentences in length, with a maximum of 300 characters.
7. Subject matter must be appropriate for display in the Library and on Library social media. We will reach out to you if there are any concerns.

 

Prizes

Every participant will receive a custom bookmark with their best story illustrated with a photo or artwork. Multiple entries are allowed, but each participant will receive one bookmark.

The winner will be announced on October 31—Halloween!

 

 

Registration