Micro Fiction Horror
For the month of May 2025, these are the 100-word stories that intrigue us most.
* Descent from Hell by Deanna Davidson
* A Will to Burn by Simon Mohsin
* The Polyglot by Timothe Davis
* First Date by Bethany Tatman
* Green Fingers by Bill Cox
* Melissa's Final Exotic Pet by Paul Burgess
* Teeth by Willow Nichols
* My Friend by Jim Harrington
Descent from Hell
by
Deanna Davidson
Bones protrude from the sodden earth, sinew dangling from the white knuckle, like spiderwebs. A disturbed grave gapes open, a coffin lies on its side, splinters of wood littering the graveyard, like confetti. Spectral bodies flit past the black abyss of Jeremy’s “final” resting place. Stone cracks, and the metal gate creaks as the dead grow agitated, awakened from their slumber. Clinking of skinless limbs jostle over the uneven grounds, leaving bony imprints with each step as Jeremy leaves his departed chasm behind. Past the gate he descends upon a quiet city, looking for the one who stole his head.
Deanna is a Creative Writing Major at California State University, Northridge. She writes dystopian, fantasy, and sci-fi short stories, as well as children's literature. She can often be found with a book in one hand, and coffee in the other.
A Will to Burn
by
Simon Mohsin
It felt damp. There was the stink of rotting flesh. His body is wedged in a suffocating space, the walls pulsing as if alive. Though his eyes see nothing, he can visualize gnarled limbs slithering closer, their rancid breath crawling over his skin. Something cold brushes his cheek—a raspy, hungry whisper echoes in his skull. Clawed fingers scrape his ankles. His scream is smothered by a squirming tendril. The walls tighten. His ribs crack. Darkness shudders around him. The creatures giggle. Had he known it would be so lonely and dangerous, he would have requested cremation in his will!
Simon Mohsin is a multidisciplinary professional with over 15 years of experience in political science, foreign affairs, business management, and development studies, alongside running three entrepreneurial ventures in agro, toys, and women's essentials. An avid writer, public speaker, and health enthusiast, he also consults for various organizations, mentors youth, and has recently ventured into fiction writing and academic research. He published his first sociopolitical thriller novel title Kantajir Kaktalio Kando (Coincidental Chronicles of Kantaji) in his native language Bangla in Bangladesh. He has also published a few children's short stories in local and international publications.
The Polyglot
by
Timothe Davis
“Danke.” She covered her mouth.
“What?”
Fucking skin. She’d mistaken the last one for American.
“Listen, lady, I can’t help you if you don’t speak.”
“I’m … sorry,” she stammered.
He shook his head. “What’cha need this axe for anyway?”
She shrugged. She couldn’t trust her voice. The tongue slid wrong, and the skin kept slipping.
“Stupid tourists,” he mumbled.
Her eyes flashed. She understood. But new skin bleeds.
She smiled, walked to the restroom, and looked back.
He grinned, unzipped his pants, and followed.
Dumbass tasted divine. His skin fit perfectly.
“Adios, tonto,” she whispered.
Damn! He was Spanish.
Timothe Davis is an African-American writer based in Dallas, Texas. His fiction often explores generational horror, identity, and the longing for belonging. He is currently working on a collection of short stories.
First Date
by
Bethany Tatman
Paige walked into the kitchen. ‘Nice place.’
‘Thanks.’ Jake gestured towards the marble countertops. ‘I can’t wait to cook for you.’
‘I’m sorry it took so long,’ Paige said sheepishly. After matching online, they’d messaged for four months before she was ready to meet in person.
‘It’s no stress, really.’
Paige knew most men wouldn’t be so patient and said, ‘Still, I appreciate it.’
‘It’s like you said.’ Jake grabbed a chopping board, ‘After what happened to Hayley, you have to be cautious.’
Paige froze.
She hadn’t told Jake her sister’s name.
It had never been released to the public.
Bethany Tatman is an aspiring author living in Melbourne, Australia. She has previously been published in AntipodeanSF, Lot's Wife, and Nat 1 Publishing's anthology 'Not Enough Space.' She can be found at @bethany_writes on Twitter and @bethanywritesbooks on Instagram.
Green Fingers
by
Bill Cox
The tractor drives backwards and forwards in the field, preparing the soil for this year’s growing season. I sit outside my cottage, watching its progress while basking in the early April sun.
I consider my own garden, where bright yellow Daffodils and purple Primula are blooming. It occurs to me that it’s time again to feed the soil of home. I make a mental note to search through the dating apps tonight, seeking that special, lonely soul who won’t be missed. Someone to join the others, those decomposing underneath my garden, their tormented souls feeding my perfectly manicured lawn.
Bill Cox lives in Aberdeen, Scotland with his partner Hilary and their daughter Catherine. Writing was a childhood sweetheart that he lost contact with after he left school, only to rekindle the romance in his fourth decade. He writes poetry and short fiction and his work can be found in various places, if you look hard enough.
Melissa's Final Exotic Pet
by
Paul Burgess
Melissa had always loved exotic pets. Still, raising alligators and rattlesnakes was one thing, but keeping a zombie was another; reptile bites don't create more reptiles, after all. I’d heard about her gator “smiling” and her rattlesnake blowing fork-tongued “kisses”, so I could already imagine her cooing about the "hugs" Robbie would try to give her.
She hadn’t been feeling well, so I checked on her yesterday. I can’t stop hearing the thud of her and Robbie bumping mindlessly into the backyard fence.
I cried for days after burying them together—just the way she'd have wanted.
Paul Burgess, an emerging poet, is the sole proprietor of a business in Lexington, Kentucky that offers ESL classes in addition to English, Japanese, and Spanish-language translation and interpretation services. He has contributed work to Blue Unicorn, The Orchards, Lighten Up Online, and several other publications and has recently begun writing short fiction.
Teeth
by
Willow Nichols
I will never forget the day I found out the tooth fairy wasn’t real. Fishing through mom’s drawers, I discovered a zip lock bag resting on the bottom under miscellaneous odds and ends. The bag was filled with minuscule teeth, with a piece of tape clinging to the bag. It read “K.C. Baby Teeth.” Moms keep everything. Upon opening another drawer, I discovered the most curious thing. Now, of course, what I wasn’t expecting to find that day in the depths of my mom’s room was sixteen more bags of teeth marked with names I do not know.
Willow Nichols is a New England based writer and bookseller. She has two upcoming short story publications in Blood+Honey Lit Magazine and an unnamed queer charity anthology. You can keep up with her work at Novellamenagerie.com
My Friend
by
Jim Harrington
Binky’s Bar was full of grown, yet still adolescent, men. The smells of sweat and garlic pizza permeated the darkness. A jukebox struggled to be heard. Once acclimated, I turned my attention to the young woman sitting at the bar. Auburn hair capped a gentle face. The voice in my head named her Queen Bee for the way the nearby drones swarmed around her. I wanted to ask her out, but I couldn’t. I had to bury the twins first. I’d planned to do that immediately, while they were still warm. My friend wouldn’t let me. Damn my friend.
Jim Harrington lives in Huntersville, NC, with his wife and two dogs. His stories have appeared in The Yard, Short-Story.me, Ariel Chart, Spank The Carp, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others. More of his works can be found at https://jpharrington.blogspot.com.