Mama | Sophie L Macdonald
Mama Sophie L Macdonald The Gift of Returning Award I can see her sitting under the Christmas tree; she is sobbing. I can peer at her world through this inky blue veil, and sometimes I reach towards her, but there […]
Sophie L Macdonald
I See You | Sophie L Macdonald
I See You Sophie L Macdonald The Heineken Memorial Award Pets aren’t allowed in motel rooms, but you were so quiet at my feet, and the lady didn’t look twice anyhow. “This way, Miss Smith,” she said. Obviously not my […]
A Gentle Touch | Sophie L Macdonald
A Gentle Touch Sophie L Macdonald The Black Tooth of Destiny Award Torturing someone is not for the sadistic. Many people think it is—that you must be fiendish and brutal, and delight in your captive’s pain. Untrue. A good torturer […]
Protest in Peace | Sophie L Macdonald
Protest in Peace Sophie L Macdonald Protest Pro Test Award He was sweating around the edges of his department store suit. From the crease across his back I suspected he had bought the jacket for our meeting. For me. […]
It’s All For You | Sophie L Macdonald
It’s All For You Sophie L Macdonald The Hindsight Isn’t 20/20 Award Part 4 Spring: Jake She found me in a graveyard. She saw me slumped against the tiny white headstone, with a bottle of a beer dangling from my […]
The Best Night of My Life | Sophie L Macdonald
The Best Night of my Life Sophie L Macdonald Hindsight Isn’t 20/20 Award: Part 3 “Take your clothes off.” “What?” I start to laugh, and then look over my shoulder in case Mum or Dad heard. “You heard me.” Mark […]
The Ones to Blame | Sophie L Macdonald
The Ones to Blame Sophie L Macdonald Hindsight Isn’t 20/20 Award – Part Two Autumn: Sarah We all file into the school hall, and for once there is silence. Mrs Richards stands at the same lectern I used to hold […]
Winner Announcement: Hindsight Isn’t 20/20 Part 1
Our guest announcer this week is contest creator and author Tobias Madden.
This is Not the End | Sophie L Macdonald
Young love leads to extreme ends in part 1 of this serial short.
Shapes in the Grass | Sophie L Macdonald
Shapes in the Grass Sophie L Macdonald Quitters Anonymous Award I am quitting you. My face is pressed to the grass, and I don’t know if I’m feeling cold from the ground or from the chill within my bones, pooling […]
Winner Announcement: To The Nines Part 9
Hello All, It is with great pleasure that I, Nick Lachmund, competitor and reader, have the opportunity to present the final winner announcement for this competition. The series has presented us with a wonderful variety of stories across a spectrum […]
Glitch | Sophie L Macdonald
Glitch Sophie L Macdonald The Lucky Numbers Award A sound. Like a bell. And a man. Leaning in—looking at me. I think it’s a glitch. I shouldn’t have been able to see them. It’s too late now—I got too close. […]
The Boy With No Name | Sophie L Macdonald
The Boy With No Name Sophie L Macdonald To The Nines: Part 9 The sun is making a trickle of sweat run down my shirt, and the casts on my legs feel hot against the padded seat of the wheelchair. […]
An Empty Head | Sophie L Macdonald
An Empty Head Sophie L Macdonald To The Nines: Part 8 Small whispers creep across the room, and I curl my fingers around the handle of the knife in my pocket. Would I use it? “Matthew,” I try, “you’re a […]
The Things They Know | Sophie L Macdonald
The Things They Know Sophie L Macdonald For the To The Nines Award Part 7 “Lisa? Are you okay?” I feel a cool hand on my shoulder. I stay on all fours for a moment, hands in the earth, […]
A Pocketful of Glitter | Sophie L Macdonald
A Pocketful of Glitter Sophie L Macdonald For the Everything is Everything Award An ordinary day can be turned into a magical one with a simple ray of sunlight shining onto a plastic white stick. “There it is,” I say, […]
A Bright Future | Sophie L Macdonald
In the world of high stakes politics, everyone is after their pound of flesh.
Stitches and Smoke | Sophie L Macdonald
Once upon a time there was a lady who made toys. She lived in the woods, and one day she found nine dead babies in the snow.
Immortality Kills | Sophie Macdonald
Local legends leave longtime friends in a lurch. Immortality Kills By Sophie Macdonald For the Eighth Wonder Award “Mia, help!” Jenny screamed, kicking her legs so violently I thought she would send us both over the edge. I helped her […]
We Keep Our Secrets | Sophie Macdonald
Matthew’s mother may be hiding something in part 5 of the Old Ones serial.
Blood on My Hands | Sophie Macdonald
Blood on My Hands By Sophie Macdonald, for the To the Nines Award (pt 4) Sam is working late. I’m curled in the armchair, glass of red wine in one hand, photo album on my lap, and Chopin’s Nocturne playing […]
Roses for My Love | Sophie Macdonald
How long is forever? Roses for My Love By Sophie Macdonald For the Separation Anxiety Award I am holding a red rose, and sitting on the doorstep of what used to be our house. The removal van has long gone, […]
Babies in the Snow | Sophie Macdonald
Part 3 of Sophie Macdonald’s Old Ones Serial sees Matthew reveal some disturbing secrets through the eponymous Ninny. Babies in the Snow By Sophie Macdonald For the To the Nines Award (pt 3) “Nice to see you again, Matthew.” Dr […]
My Best Friend | Sophie Macdonald
Cross your heart Hope to die. My Best Friend By Sophie Macdonald For the Horrors & Heidegger Award “Will you always love me the most?” “Cross my heart and hope to die.” This was how we made promises back […]
My Litany | Sophie Macdonald
Based on a true story. My Litany By Sophie Macdonald For the Horrors & Heidegger Award “I always see the little people on your ceiling,” Lizzie was lying on our bed when she said it, chubby cheeks flushed and […]
Whispering Time
Part 2 of ‘The Old Ones serial horror fiction.
Annabelle’s Feast | Carrington & Macdonald
The woods are full of magic, but they are not safe. Two strangers will discover this as they explore the strange pathways through the trees. And for one of them, the horrors they find will allow them to reconnect with […]
One of Nine | Sophie Macdonald
A Mother seeks help for her special child.
The Pact (pt 2)| Sophie Macdonald
Here’s looking at you.
The Pact | Sophie Macdonald
What lengths will you go, to keep a promise? The Pact By Sophie Macdonald For the Duets & Duvets Award Part 1 We make these pacts, don’t we? We lean in over glasses of wine in smoky pubs, and say […]