dark fantasy Stories and Articles

The Sinkhole by Scarlett Stratten and Mark Slade

When Charlie begs his father to check out a strange hole behind their house, the last thing either of them expects is something real—something unnatural—lurking beneath their backyard. As steam rises and clicking echoes from the depths, their quiet life begins to unravel into something far more surreal.

And The Scales Fell From My Eyes by Thomas M. Malafarina

A renowned author claims a mysterious sequence of numbers — 11:11, 12:34 — are being sent to him by otherworldly “muses.” They gift him bestselling ideas…and then reveal a terrifying truth.

On The Devil’s Dole by E.S. Wynn

Each week, another address, another sinner. The Devil’s payroll comes with perks, but also with a curse.

A Name by Mark Slade

In this suspenseful story, a woman’s daughter tries to persuade her to stop practicing black magic in her kitchen to little avail.

The Queen of Death by Mark Slade

She walks unseen, whispered about in terrified legend — a ghost, a girl, a blade in the dark. In kingdoms teetering on the edge of ruin, a single figure drifts from palace to palace, hiding in plain sight, waiting for the moment to strike. But in a world of traitors, monsters, and undead queens… who is truly the hunter?

Dragon’s Breath by Shauna Klein

Two boys set off into the woods in search of adventure on a sweltering summer day. What they discover hidden beneath the weeds isn’t just strange—it’s impossible. But wonder has a cost, and the price of magic might be more than either of them is ready to pay.

Crom-Ya and the Little People By Gavin Chapell

Once mighty, now betrayed and hunted, the fierce warrior Crom-Ya seeks refuge deep in the marshes, where forbidden magic waits. Determined to reclaim his stolen throne, he must ally himself with eerie forces from beneath the earth, confronting terrifying truths that blur the line between bravery and madness.

Yōkai of the Rising Sun By Eric J. Guignard

Corporal Hutchins and a small group of marines survive a shipwreck after an attack by Japanese forces, only to find themselves stranded on a mysterious island. As they struggle with their injuries, starvation, and the ever-present threat of sharks, they stumble upon something far more terrifying: the island is inhabited by yōkai—the malevolent spirits of Japanese folklore. Perfect for fans of war stories mixed with folklore horror, this tale weaves together historical tension and the unknown, leading to an unrelenting sense of dread. Will the marines survive the haunted island—or will they fall prey to its monstrous inhabitants?