The top three submissions from our October 2024 writing contest: write a two-sentence horror story or a terrifying haiku.

Word of October

Nicholas Bontzek, First Place Winner

Darkness arises
The spirits dance in anger
Quiet, flames go out

Thieved from Dead Hands

Dante Bortolotti, Second Place Winner

Trod on grey gardens
Spade through earth's frozen heart will
Ravage peace of death

Summer Chills

Xavier Salazar, Third Place Winner

Amelia shivered at the sight of her son playing in frost-bitten summer grass, as soft-spoken strangers with the star of life on their breasts and frosty breath crowded her. They told her it was too cold to be out without a winter coat, and that can’t be right, because her son is in her lap, asking for ice cream.