October 2020 Prompt: Short Horror

Illustration by Ella Hoyt

Thank you to everyone who submitted to our October short horror prompt! We received some great two-sentence horror stories and eerie haikus; here are some of our favorites! Want to see your work featured here in the future? Submit to Open Mic Online through our Submittable!
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​Two-Sentence Horror Stories
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This Halloween, it wasn't the ghosts, skeletons, nor costume-less child that caused her panic but the yellow brew in the glass pot: it was a reminder she came for coffee she never made. Work's cloud was angry; as its thunders struck her head for time wasted, 6 joyful voices sprinted by, a reminder that the true horror of Halloween is an inability to play.
By Venus Alemanji 
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Oh, what disarray—I can’t for the life of me find where I’ve misplaced my hands—under that blanket there, or by my fingernails?—where did I put my hands, my lovely hands that, when I first spotted them in that Boston wedding in 1922, I knew they just had to be mine. But there's the door, at least I have my face made up—oh my, don’t be shy—come on in and let me get a closer look at your lovely green eyes.
By Jasper Lee-Lin
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​Eerie Haikus
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[untitled]
​I went to the prom,
had nobody to go with,
we had a great time!
By Ella Hoyt
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"waking to a nightmare"
i imagine i
don't daily dream of dying,
but i know better
By James Karroum
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"I open a door"
It is standing—there
In the middle of the hall
A frown on its face
By Jasper Lee-Lin
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"The dog"
The dog from the street
Barks and twitches in circles
Til' its head falls off
By Jasper Lee-Lin

By Sarah Swackhamer