#Supernatural Suspense

[charitysplace]

Book Release Announcement: Raven

Hello, gumshoes! I’m spiffed to announce the second book in my supernatural suspense trilogy, Raven, is now available. You’re gonna love this series set in 1920s San Francisco. This time around, Raven and Byron run amuck of an ancient threat hell-bent on manipulating them, while their sparks of attraction fly. And there’s an adorable new kitten in their life, too! You won’t want to miss a minute…

[theimaginationstationpodcast]

The Listeners Beneath: A Chilling Horror Story for Adults | Paranormal Thriller, Short Story

Sarah thought her new home would be a peaceful escape, but the silence was anything but calming. When faint whispers and scratching emerge from beneath the floorboards, she discovers something unspeakable lurking below. A spine-tingling horror story perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers and supernatural suspense.

[kweiss01]

From Plot to Punchline: Deconstructing Story Structures

[ngdrb]

The Curse of Seraphina's Dollhouse

My latest book

A child receives a beautiful dollhouse that mimics her shown home, but the miniature versions of her family start to behave increasingly ominously.

[diana-andraste]

Angel, Rockwell Kent, 1916

[thegirlwiththelantern]

[animeglitch]

[novella-november]

Are you planning on writing a long series of stories? Got an epic story planned? Heroes saving the day?

Miss long series that had 26 episodes per season that let you gt to know the characters enough to love them and develop them properly?

Learn how and when to *lower the stakes*.

Obviously, this tip does not work for every type of story out there, but it helps for a *lot* of them.

If you are constantly giving your characters Bigger and Badder Big Bads, and having your characters succeed each and every time 'against all odds', if you are constantly upping the ante and the adrenaline, and you don't have any kind of relief because every successful defeat of a villain is just used to bring in a new even worse villain?

Your readers are going to stop being in suspense and start growing very, very exasperated, and worse, *bored*.

If your stakes are too high for too long, and especially if your characters always succeed, your readers are not going to be in suspense or fear for your characters after you reach a tipping point, where that suspense is too much and overcomes *your reader's suspense of disbelief.*

If you spend 500 pages ramping up the tension one twist after another, one disaster after the other, one slavering monster after the other, and you never ever ever stop..... your readers are going to get exhausted, and they're going to get bored. Especially if every time you raise the stakes impossibly higher, nothing of real impact actually scales up to meaningfully hurt the characters.

You're going to go from readers thinking:

(book one, genuine) "Oh no! Werewolves have broken down the door and are going to eat the main characters!! How are they going to get out of this!?" (genuine)

to

(Book seven, Sarcastic) "Oh no. Super Mega Ultra Deadly Werewolves have broken down the 100-foot thick bunker door to infect the main characters and make them cannibalize and murder their friends alive. How ever are they going to get out of this one? (turns a page) Oh look, a deus ex machina. who could have forseen that." (turns another page. finds another Even Higher Stakes Fight) "Why am I still reading this."

If you want to keep your readers interested, you can't just drag them along with unending action, you have *got* to give us time and space to get to know the characters when they're not in life and death situations.

Give us fluff!

Give us characters patching each other up after the latest fight.

Give us characters gathering ingredients for their friend's favorite food while they're recovering from an injury on the road.

Give us characters coming across an old person on the side of the road and just helping out, giving them company, and hearing some tales of the world from before for no reason other than it is a kindness.

Give us your characters coming to a new city during a festival and actually exploring it, trying new foods, learning more about the local traditions and maybe realizing how much time has passed while they've been traveling without a calendar or way to keep track of time passing.

Just. Give us something more than endless, breathless horror and rising stakes. To have successful, sustained suspense, you have to give your characters and thus, your readers readers, time to breath.

[basicallyanotherwitchesthing]

Rafe Quilty - The Tenth Session - Jonathan Cape - 1972

[sweethoneyrose83]

Final Girl Dialogue Prompts

Facing the villain head-on:

"You’ve taken everything from me. Now it’s my turn."

"You think I’m afraid of you? I survived worse than your nightmares."

"I’m not running anymore. This ends here."

Resolving to fight back:

"If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me."

"You can’t break someone who’s already broken."

"I’ve played your game long enough. Now we play mine."

After a close escape:

"I’m still breathing. You’re going to wish I wasn’t."

"It’s not over until I say it’s over."

"You think I got this far by accident?"

Discovering inner strength:

"All this time, you thought I was the weak one. But I’m still here."

"I’ve been underestimated my whole life. That’s your first mistake."

"Fear used to control me. Now, it fuels me."

Climactic moments:

"One of us isn’t walking away from this… and it won’t be me."

"You want me? Come and get me."

"I’ve been running from this my whole life. Time to stop."

Quiet resilience after the fight:

"I didn’t survive just to die here."

"It’s over. I won."

"Tomorrow’s going to be a better day… if I live to see it."

Psychological resistance:

"You might control my nightmares, but you’ll never control me."

"I know what you are. But you don’t know who I’ve become."

"Every scar is a reminder that I’m stronger than you."

Confrontation with the villain:

"You’ve terrorized me long enough. Tonight, it ends—one way or another."

"I’m not running anymore. If you want me, come and get me."

"You thought I was scared? I’m just getting started."

"It’s funny, I was always afraid of the dark… but now, I see through it."

Moments of fear but gathering courage:

"I can feel you watching… but that means I can see you coming."

"I'm shaking, I won’t lie… but you should be scared too."

"I’m alone, sure. But that makes me dangerous."

"You think fear makes me weak? It’s the only thing keeping me alive."

After surviving a horrific event:

"You’re not the first monster I’ve survived, and you won’t be the last."

"I didn’t survive all this to die here, now."

"I might walk out of here covered in blood, but at least I’ll walk out."

"I’ve faced every nightmare you threw at me. What else do you got?"

In a desperate fight for survival:

"I'm done playing your game! Now it's my turn!"

"I’m not locked in here with you… you’re locked in here with me."

"You may be stronger, but I’m faster, and a hell of a lot smarter."

"You want a final girl? I’ll give you one you’ll never forget."

Mocking or taunting the villain:

"All that stalking, for what? Just to lose to a girl?"

"I guess you didn’t plan on me fighting back, huh?"

"You had me running scared, but look who’s cornered now."

"Oh, did you think it was going to be easy? That’s cute."

Facing near-certain death but refusing to give up:

"Maybe I’ll die here tonight, but not without taking you with me."

"You might kill me, but I swear you’ll regret it."

"I’m not dying without a fight, not tonight."

"Every scar you gave me just made me harder to kill."

After defeating the villain:

"I told you. This ends with me."

"You should’ve killed me when you had the chance."

"Looks like the monster finally met its match."

"Who’s the hunter now?"

[aventurineswife]

Trick or treat :3

Trick-or-Treating Mishaps!

Summary: On a chilling Halloween night, you and Sebastian go trick-or-treating and discover a mysterious house offering enchanted candy. After indulging your curiosity, you unleash mischievous ghosts and a lurking specter. Together, you confront the supernatural chaos, forging a strong bond as you uncover the secrets of the night.

Tags: Halloween Special Fanfic, Human! Sebestian, Supernatural, Horror(kinda? I tried my best 😔), Adventure, Trick-or-Treating, Enchanted Candy, Ghosts(👻), Suspense, Platonic Relationship, Friendship, Human! Sebestian.

Warnings: Mild horror elements, Spooky themes, Paranormal activity, Intense situations, Human! Sebestian.

A/N: As someone who has never celebrated Halloween her whole life, I hope you enjoy this piece of fic 😇

The chill of Halloween night hung heavy in the air, the moon casting an eerie glow over the neighbour hood. Your heart raced with excitement as you adjusted your costume—a makeshift witch ensemble complete with a crooked hat. You turned to Sebastian, who was beside you, dressed in a simple black cloak. He had always had a serious demeanor, but tonight, something about the atmosphere made him appear more intense, as if he sensed the looming darkness around you.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of anticipation.

“Absolutely! Let’s get some candy!” you replied, your voice bright against the backdrop of creaking branches and rustling leaves.

The night was cloaked in darkness as you and Sebastian set out for a night of trick-or-treating. The crisp autumn air was alive with the sounds of laughter, distant music, and the rustle of leaves as other kids darted from house to house. Dressed in your costumes, you felt the thrill of Halloween, but the atmosphere had an underlying chill that sent shivers down your spine.

As you strolled through the neighbourhood, you admired the elaborate decorations—glowing jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs clinging to trees, and ghosts hanging from porches. But as you turned onto a quieter street, the mood shifted. The lights flickered ominously, and an unsettling silence settled around you.

“Does it feel… off to you?” you asked Sebastian, glancing sideways at him. He nodded, his expression serious.

“Yeah. It’s too quiet here.” Just as you were about to suggest turning back, you spotted a house at the end of the street, adorned with an eerie glow and a sign that read,

“Magic Candy: Trick or Treat at Your Own Risk.” Intrigued, you exchanged glances with Sebastian, and he shrugged, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

“Let’s check it out. It might be fun.” you said, excitement mingling with unease.

Approaching the house, you knocked on the door. It creaked open, revealing a shadowy figure in a tattered cloak. With a raspy voice, he offered you a bowl filled with strange, glittering candies.

“Take one, if you dare…” he rasped, his gaze penetrating. You hesitated, glancing at Sebastian, who stepped forward, a protective instinct flickering in his eyes.

“Do you really think we should?” he asked, his voice laced with caution. But your curiosity got the better of you, and you reached into the bowl, pulling out a shimmering piece of candy that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

As you popped the candy into your mouth, an electrifying sensation coursed through you. The world around you twisted, colors blending and morphing, and suddenly, you were surrounded by ethereal, shimmering figures—ghosts that danced in the air, laughing and swirling around you.

“Whoa!” you gasped, your eyes wide with wonder and fear. “What’s happening?”

Sebastian’s face was pale as he took a step back, his instincts kicking in. “Stay close to me! We need to get out of here!”

But before you could respond, the ghosts turned their attention to you, their laughter echoing eerily. They moved closer, their translucent hands reaching out, and you felt a cold grip on your arm.

“Help!” you cried, panic rising in your throat. Sebastian immediately stepped in front of you, eyes narrowing as he faced the spectral figures.

“Get away from them!” he shouted, a surprising fierceness in his voice. The ghosts paused, their laughter fading into a low murmur, as if they were assessing him. A moment of tense silence hung in the air, and you could see confusion flicker across Sebastian’s face.

Just then, a larger specter emerged from the shadows, its eyes hollow and mouth twisted into a menacing grin. It reached toward you, and instinct kicked in.

You grabbed Sebastian’s arm, pulling him backward as you dashed for the nearest tree, pressing your backs against the rough bark, heart racing.

“What… what just happened back there?” you whispered, trying to keep your voice steady.

“I don’t know,” he replied, his brow furrowing as he peered around the tree. “That candy was definitely enchanted. I’ve never seen anything like those ghosts—or whatever was that thing.”

You shivered at the memory of the creature’s hollow eyes. “Why were they after the candy? And who was that man? He sounded… off.” Sebastian nodded, his expression serious.

“There’s a lot we don’t understand. That candy could have been a trap—something meant to lure unsuspecting trick-or-treaters into danger. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more going on in this neighbourhood than meets the eye.”

“But why now?” you asked, struggling to piece it all together. “Why do this on Halloween? Isn’t it supposed to be a fun night?”

“It might have something to do with the thinning of the veil between our world and the spirit world,” Sebastian speculated, his voice low as the specter’s form hovered dangerously close. “On Halloween, the supernatural often becomes more active, and it’s possible that the candy was some kind of conduit for those spirits to reach out.”

You frowned, the implications heavy on your mind. “So, this could happen… again?”

“Maybe,” he said, his gaze still fixed on the specter. “We need to be careful, especially if we encounter anything strange. And we should warn others.”

A chill ran down your spine at the thought of what might lie ahead, but there was a strange comfort in knowing you weren’t alone in this. “I’m glad I have you here,” you said softly, casting a sideways glance at him. “I don’t think I could face this kind of thing on my own.”

Sebastian gave you a quick, serious glance, and for a moment, his usual stoicism cracked, revealing a flicker of warmth. “I won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll figure this out together.”

As the specter finally moved away, the tension in the air began to lift. You felt your heart rate start to normalize, but the shadows still danced at the edges of your vision. The laughter of other trick-or-treaters rang hollow against the backdrop of your encounter, a reminder that not everything was as innocent as it seemed.

“Do you think this was just a random occurrence or perhaps a dream or something?” you asked quietly, still peering out from behind the tree.

“I can’t shake the feeling that it’s part of something bigger and something real,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “We need to keep our eyes open. Whatever is happening here might not be over yet.”

Together, you stepped out from behind the tree, the night still young and fraught with mysteries yet to unravel. With newfound resolve and the strength of your bond, you ventured back onto the path, ready to face whatever the Halloween night had in store.

Does anybody play DTI 😭? I NEED HELP IN CH2!! 😭

[acinematicworld]

Final Destination (2000) ✈️

[all-about-the-tea-parties]

So you’re telling me, catalyst of the entire cannibal cult Lottie, big plot twist of the end of season one Lottie, vehicle of most of our foreshadowing and supernatural/psychosis metaphor Lottie, lynch pin of the teams struggles with the wilderness Lottie, most interesting almost oppositional adult character who is actually deeply sincere Lottie, the crux and answer to whether or not the spooks are just mass hysteria Lottie, big potential for REAL investigation into the adult versions of the characters Lottie by acting as an antagonist to them emotionally, the only reason I find the adult timeline remotely reasonable to watch (I’m so tired of the “who is out to get us??” Plot line) Lottie…

Is dead.

And not just dead.

Dead. Off. Screen.

Dead! Off. Screen!

Unceremoniously.

Nobody LIKED her!!! And she’s what??? The new Travis???? The new character whose death propels the girls into new issues??? But NAT already DIED. And that wasn’t even the original plan for Nat!!

So WHY. Kill LOTTIE.

Like.

Ughhhh.

And it wasn’t satisfying. I’m all for killing off fav characters for tragic narratives but it doesn’t feel tragic I feel blindsided.

The poor actress. I was so looking forward to her being a central part of the group.

[jessread-s]

hello I just wanted to ask if you have any good book recommendations that are thriller ,suspense and murder mystery for example the inheritance games or haunting adeline if you do know any books like these two please tell me thank you 😊.

Hello @lila-216 ! Thank you so much for your ask! 🫶📖✨🌷 I LOVE giving recommendations. If you need more individualized recommendations (ex: by trope) please let me know and I'd be happy to fulfill your request!

My favorite YA mystery/thriller books ₊˚ʚ 🔍₊˚✧ ﾟ.

The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson

The Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards

My favorite Adult mystery/thriller books ₊˚ʚ 🔍₊˚✧ ﾟ.

The Alex Stern series by Leigh Bardugo

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

In the Woods by Tana French

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

[twilightsagasworld]

Garrett x Reader part 2

Unsettling revelations

(Y/n) sat across from Chief Swan, her hands trembling slightly as she recounted the events at the museum once more. The grizzled police chief listened intently, brow furrowed in concentration.

"And you're certain this man had red eyes?" Swan asked, jotting down notes.

(Y/n) nodded shakily. "Yes, they were unmistakable. And his skin - it was so pale, almost unnaturally so. And the way he moved, it was..." She struggled to find the right words. "Inhumanly fast and graceful."

Swan's expression grew increasingly grave. "This matches the description of a suspect we've been trying to track down for some time now. A dangerous drifter with a history of violence."

(Y/n)'s heart sank. "So you know who he is? What does he want?"

The chief sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, we don't know much about his motives or origins. All we can say is that he's extremely volatile and unpredictable. A real threat to the community."

Bile rose in (Y/n)'s throat as a horrifying realization dawned on her. "The children... Am I putting them in danger by being around them?"

Swan reached across the desk, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "We're going to do everything in our power to keep you and the kids safe. In the meantime, I'd advise you to be extra vigilant. Don't go anywhere alone, and keep your doors and windows locked at all times."

(Y/n) nodded mutely, her mind racing. She had to find a way to protect her students, even if it meant putting herself at risk.

As she left the police station, a dark shadow seemed to loom over her. The unsettling encounter had shaken her to the core, but she knew she couldn't let fear consume her. She had to be strong, for the sake of the children.

Little did she know, the danger was closer than she could have imagined...

(Y/n) gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she drove back to the school. Chief Swan's words echoed in her mind, the ominous warning about the dangerous drifter sending a chill down her spine.

Her thoughts raced, trying to process everything she had learned. This man, with his unnatural speed and chilling red eyes, was a known threat to the community. And he had singled her and the young boy out at the museum. The realization that her students could be in danger because of her filled her with a sense of dread.

As she pulled into the school parking lot, (Y/n) took a deep, shuddering breath. She had to pull herself together and figure out how to keep the children safe. She couldn't let this stranger's dark presence cast a shadow over their lives.

Stepping into the familiar hallways of the school, (Y/n) felt a small measure of comfort. This was her domain, a place where she could protect and nurture the young minds in her care. She made her way to the principal's office, determined to discuss the situation and implement any necessary safety measures.

However, as she approached the office, she noticed that the door was slightly ajar, a faint light flickering from within. Furrowing her brow, (Y/n) pushed the door open cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest.

The sight that greeted her made her blood run cold.

There, seated in the principal's chair, was the red-eyed man from the museum. A twisted smile spread across his pale features as he locked eyes with her, his gaze burning with a predatory intensity.

"Hello, my dear," he purred, his voice dripping with a chilling menace. "I've been waiting for you."

(Y/n) felt her breath catch in her throat, all the color draining from her face. How had he found her? And what did he want? Panic gripped her as she realized that she was now completely alone, with no one to come to her aid.

Swallowing hard, (Y/n) knew she had to find a way to escape, to get help and protect her students. But the man's unsettling presence and the malice in his eyes made her doubt whether she would even make it out of the room alive.

The tension in the air was palpable, and (Y/n) could feel her heart racing as she braced herself for what was to come. She knew she had to be strong, for the sake of the children. But in the face of this supernatural threat, she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly prepared for the horrors that lay ahead.

( for @twilightlover2007 )

[tapperhet-em]

14

Chapter 13

Meeri may have run off from the men at the cabin, but NO ONE escapes Melba...

Lorcan was walking back up the trail to the cabin with Melba when she took off and strained hard against the end of her lead.  Since it was pitch black, with the moon behind clouds, he had her on a lead so they didn't get separated.  Whatever had her upset, she was damn near yanking him off his feet but wasn't barking.  What the fuck was up with his dog?

Then he heard it, light footsteps coming towards him fast.  Meeri!?  That explained Melba not barking, but what the fuck had Meeri running in the dark, alone, and with no light?  More importantly, where the fuck were the other three to let her out there alone?  He couldn’t hear any heavy boots behind her, so she was most definitely ALONE.  It wasn't just the King's soldiers that were a danger, there were wild animals in the woods.  Someone was going to hurt later, severely. 

Listening closely to the sound of her approaching, and using Melba's reactions as a guide, Lorcan zeroed in on how far Meeri was from him, and where in the road she was.  Standing still, he whispered to Melba to be silent and hold position, she sat at his side in obedience.  The wait seemed to stretch on forever but he could hear Meeri getting closer.  Was she barefoot?  Why did it sound like bare feet on the dirt and not the shoes she’d had on earlier?  No!  She certainly wouldn't have left the cabin without shoes.  It still sounded as if she was as she drew closer. What in all the hells had gone on at the cabin?! If the others were still alive, they might wish they weren't when he was done with them.

Finally, she literally ran right into him like he'd planned, so hard in fact that it knocked Lorcan back three steps to get her to a complete stop.  His arms banded around her to keep her from fleeing again, and his head dropped so he was talking right next to her ear.  She hadn't just been running, she'd been at a full sprint.  Not only that but she immediately went to struggling with him for freedom.  What the fuck?

“I don't know who you are running from, or why.  I don't fucking care either, right now.  What I DO care about is your understanding that you are not taking one more goddamn step, in any fucking direction, without me. It is NOT fucking happening, Meeri.  I will put you up over my goddamn shoulder and carry you if I have to.” He didn't yell.  He wasn't harsh.   He was firm.  It was all he could do not to shake her with the adrenaline running through his system.

“Lo!”  Meeri’s arms instantly went around him, and she clung to him like a child to a parent as she sobbed into his chest.  When she had first run into him, he'd felt like a damn tree.  But when his arms had gone around her, she'd been more afraid she'd found one of her uncle's soldiers. Of anyone to find her, at the moment, he was the only one she wouldn't argue with.  Even if she'd caused problems for the others, Lorcan wouldn't hate her.  Would he?

reblog banner - @cafekitsune