Years had collected into decades before Zach and Gina returned to their parents’ unfinished basement. The constant smell of mildew had kept them away during countless visits home. Once a refuge for friends, it now served as a time capsule. A chocolate-colored shag rug segmented the area as a rec room. Two ancient, faded plaid ...

I walk out of the gym alone into the blinding sunlight. I raise my arms to shield my face when the red glow of my hand catches my attention. Twisting my palm over, I look up at the sun through my fingers. Funny how your hand looks almost translucent when you hold it up to ...

Leaves of scarlet and gold covered the street and sidewalk. The neon signage of the Italian restaurant, Pomodoro, shined blurry on the asphalt. The eatery consumed most of the block. It shed its warm interior into the wet outdoors. A large chalkboard menu visible to onlookers boasted happy hour specials in block letters. Amidst the ...

Marley’s eyes bulged at the sight before her. In all her years using the abandoned plantation as a shortcut from school, she had always found the cellar door of the dilapidated mansion secured. Two padlocks restricted access. Not only were the devices missing, but the double doors were open, exposing a flight of wooden stairs. ...

Carina took the back roads to the book club meeting, as instructed by Faye. A piece of paper with the directions lay in the passenger seat. “Faye, where are you taking me?” She bit her lip and shook her head. The suburban roads were a winding forested labyrinth of century-old estates, humongous subdivisions, and farm ...

The Old Woman ran her fingertips over the dead leaves, then clenched her hand into a fist, and clawed at the drooped plants. Water dripped out of the hose on the dry ground beside her. A strong breeze rustled from beyond the garden fence. They stood in the distance. Without her glasses, they were blurry ...

Pangea gripped the cold metal of the polished mirror and slumped in her green chair. Tears tumbled down her face. Her eyes were the color of storm-tossed seas because of the images that flashed across the cold, clear glass every time she looked at it. The pollution of a packaged society sickened her. Pangea’s veins ...

The house vibrates with laughter, rocking the walls. Mom looks like she is about to lose it, so I place my hand over hers to calm her. I’ve been researching on Google, trying to learn what we’re facing. The last thing we need is for her to add to its power again. What I gleaned ...

Mr. Keith’s house is proving to be a surprise and not a pleasant one. I thought, relaxing against the back of the chair. I look at Mom and see she’s found new strength and is regaining her composure. Good! It doesn’t hurt to starve the monster and shut off its food supply for a change. ...

My heart sinks when I hear the front door lock, followed by the beast’s sinister laugh. I didn’t think beyond grabbing mom before she ran up the stairs, nor did I realize how powerful her emotions were to wake the monster. With my arm still around her waist, I pull her back down the stairs ...