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29 Best Dark Short Story Ideas

Showing 29 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

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Write a story that takes place entirely in the dark.

Write a story in the form of letters. Plot twist: it's revealed that the character who wrote them died from unnatural causes years ago.

Shaking, you take a step back from the sight in front of you. You'd never seen so much blood in your life.

I thought he seemed a perfectly normal human being, until he started speaking.

Doppelgangers exist in this world. You just met yours — and they're not friendly.

You know how when you see a bear, you should stay calm and make loud noises? For this… creature… you have to do the opposite. You have to run.

The pumpkin flickered while you carved it… but there was no candle in it.

Write a story about a ghost hunter who doesn't believe in ghosts -- until he gets stuck in a haunted mansion overnight.

Write a story in which it becomes night forever. The sun has gone.

Set your story at a graveyard overnight.

An evil king has seized control of the land. The world's only hope? An even eviller witch who has the powers to stop him.

What are you talking about, dude? I'm right here? Can't you see me?

Someone steps out of your television set… and you were watching a horror movie.

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