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101 Word Short Stories

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Perchance To Dream

July 29, 2025 7 Comments

By J. R. Roth

It is midnight. I sit, curled in a ball at the head of my bed; my arms clutch my legs to my chest, my back pressed against the wall in the corner of my room. The only light is the shaky red glow from the cigarette gripped between my fingers, but my eyes are accustomed to the dark.

The air stirs. I hold my breath; his return is imminent.

I dare not close my eyes, not since that first night the shadow man with no face appeared at the foot of my bed. “Sleep,” he whispered.

I will never sleep again.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jyll H. says

    July 29, 2025 at 10:34 am

    So vivid and creepy. I was cringing and had to shake it off. Well done!

    Reply
  2. Sally says

    July 29, 2025 at 2:56 pm

    So creepy and real. I felt like I was in the room watching, and waiting. So relieved to find that I’m not!

    Reply
  3. Alex says

    July 30, 2025 at 12:24 am

    Vivid and scary. Your prose is great too. You did a nice job in building the dread and eeriness. Superb write, J.R.!

    Reply
  4. Faith says

    July 30, 2025 at 6:47 am

    Loved the description – I could vividly see you sitting in bed and felt your fear.

    Reply
  5. Pamela Cartlidge says

    July 30, 2025 at 10:13 am

    Great scene setting.

    Reply
  6. Ed Kratz says

    July 30, 2025 at 10:26 am

    Great horror. Well done done.

    Reply
  7. Linda Jo Nelson says

    July 31, 2025 at 8:27 pm

    wow very intense. I may not sleep tonight! Sets a real scene

    Reply

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