Afterimage || #ONC2023 || - robyn marie - Wattpad

Story cover for Afterimage || #ONC2023 || by prose-punk

Afterimage || #ONC2023 ||

Reads 908
Votes 125
Parts 14
Time 1h 53m

Reads 908
Votes 125
Parts 14
Time 1h 53m

crime crimefiction familyissues familyproblems familysecrets generationalcurse ghost ghosthunting gothichorror horror horror-thriller novella onc2023 paranormal southerngothic urbangothic

Asa is an unwilling sensitive with a fear of mirrors and anything reflective.
     Amy is an unwitting empath. 
     Together they are responsible for murder.

THE SHIPPY SIBLINGS are rarely alone, despite living as secluded orphans on the remains of their family's generational farm. Tucked between the scrub-spattered brown hills of Salinas Valley, the decayed farmhouse is home to more than just the Shippy's family secrets. Ghosts vie for a foothold in this world, focusing most of their attention on poor Asa, whose lifelong Shadowman attachment has made it impossible for him to live normally.
    Amy, on the other hand, doesn't seem as heartily affected. Her constant struggle to erase the memory of their abusive, dead mother preoccupies most of her personality. But when a serial killer appears to be targeting them specifically, the siblings are forced to confront a haunting so personal, so vengeful, that it can only be family.

Warning: occasional language/thematic elementsAll Rights Reserved

crime crimefiction familyissues familyproblems familysecrets generationalcurse ghost ghosthunting gothichorror horror horror-thriller novella onc2023 paranormal southerngothic urbangothic

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14 parts

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The Tragedy of Eden's Gate by Maeve-Ashford

When a dark situation leads Theo to the quiet village of Eden's Gate, where the residents are odd and the pool of friends severely lacking, he's less than thrilled. The town is a miserable means to an end. And, to make matters even worse, he's pretty sure the house is haunted. Cold spots, flickering lights, a shadow that won't stop following him- a recipe for a haunting, and for a complete disaster. Sam is a vengeful spirit, cursed to walk the halls of his own murder scene for the rest of eternity, doomed to an afterlife of dismal solitude. And then his favourite resident goes and dies, the house is given to new people, and Sam discovers - quite by accident - that the boy sleeping in his room can see him. And he is the only one who can help Sam solve his murder. ───── • ⋆⋅⛧⋅⋆ • ───── Status: Complete Story length: 40,000 words ONC 2023 Prompt: • They were not real, everyone told me they were not real. But why are they here? Why are they trying to talk to me? Why are they calling me the ONE? Why are they staring at me like that? (23)

Come, Dark by Merlyn_Fereira

{Genre: Horror, Mystery-Thriller} A family, a curse, a legacy Treena is your typical spoiled rich brat. Her rebellious behavior and frequent rule breaking land her in trouble with her father. So her dad's genius solution to this? Send her off to a strict convent school. That's how Treena found herself, in a tiny dorm with goody two shoes Jennifer. One thing Treena can't stand is when someone assumes holier than attitude. But the convent is built upon dark roots. It hides an ugly secret, and everybody's life is in peril. Treena had to join forces with Jennifer, to get to the root of the incident in order to save herself and everybody else. Will Treena succeed or will darkness consume everything and everyone? *** Edited by @SharonRoden Cover designed by @Merlyn_Fereira 🥉 3rd place in BSRAngel's 'AuthorsDen Awards' 2025 | Best Horror/Crime Genre 🥉Bronze Harbour 3rd place winner in 'Whispering Waves' | Best Cover Winner 2025

Sam Walker and the Grim Reaper Services (ONC 2021) by darthwitty

Sam was having a bad day when he got the letter from the IRS. You'd think his day would get better after realizing it wasn't from the IRS, but you'd be wrong. *** Sam Walker considers his biggest problems in life as his coursework for his engineering major and his lazy roommate Jake. But when Sam receives a letter from the Grim Reaper Services, Jake winds up dead, and the Grim Reaper himself tells Sam he's not supposed to be alive, his problems get bigger. In order to prevent his life from being terminated, Sam must take on a job from the Grim Reaper to catch a notorious serial killer before October 31. With the help of Death's sister and Sam's other two roommates, he must face dangers and watch his back if he's to stay alive. Or the serial killer might just get another victim. Entry for the Open Novella Contest 2021 - Prompt #57 Round One Ambassador's Pick Round Three Shortlist ONC Honorable Mention in Fun Summer Reads Awesome cover designed by @Saskatchewan7

The Broker by aynorth

She stood and watched as her parents were murdered in front of her. As her childhood home was burnt to a crisp. Twelve years later, she's looking for revenge. When Amaraya contacts the most powerful man in Virginia, she will set off the trigger that has been inlaid into her life. She will start to become something she does not recognize. But to find the man that killed her parents, Amaraya is ready to do anything. Work with a ruthless serial killer? Check. Perhaps, recruit an arsonist with high moral standards and an awfully strong British accent? Check. Maybe go breaking hundreds of laws with an FBI mole? Check. Trust a man that can wipe her off the face of the Earth with the snap of a finger? Let her think for a second. Oh yes. Check. Now let's review the options. Amaraya wants revenge. The Broker is ready to give it to her. When she walks into the darkness, she won't come back. And Amaraya knows it. She's got nothing left to lose. Not one bloody thing. It's time to find the man that murdered her parents. About damn time, already. - 3rd Place in Action/Adventure at the Crazy Awards #1 in the Fatality Prevention Series

Dream for the Dead (Completed/Editing) by JamTartt

Tabitha and her mother think they have found themselves the perfect place to live: an extremely affordable mansion in a small town far away from Tabitha's father, a monster of a human being. However, if something seems too perfect to be true, it probably is. Tabitha meets a strange boy named Elias, a boy she finds hanging around on the mansion grounds. That's when Tabitha's life becomes rather peculiar, and she is forced into discovering some things she may have been better off never knowing. Our protagonist is thrown into a world of self discovery: a completely new world she never thought could really exist; a place where she must face her greatest fears, and unearth the bravery she never knew she had. Filled with terror, trying to muster unknown courage and motivated by the strength of young, fresh love and goodwill, Tabitha embarks on a journey like no other. But will her decision to save others put her own life in danger? (A paranormal novel with aspects of romance, violence, murder and time travel. I completed this work in 2015 and regularly check back to do minor edits and sometimes add facts/character histories etc. PLEASE NOTE THAT HEAVY THEMES ARE PRESENT IN THIS STORY, INCLUDING MURDER, SUICIDE AND A REFERENCE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT. PLEASE, IF YOU KNOW ANY OF THESE THEMES WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON YOU, RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO READ. Thank you).

[Not Just Any Other] Ghost Story by rskovach

A town with secrets. A girl with questions. And a revelation that's more shocking than any of them ever expected. * * * * * Sarah wants to spend the last months before college exploring her aunt's sleepy New England town while quietly crushing on the local football star, but the resident ghost has other plans. When evidence of an eighty-year-old murder is discovered, Sarah becomes convinced that the victim is trying to give her a message or perhaps, even a warning. But how could any of it be connected, and most importantly, what is there for her to be afraid of in sweet-as-(pumpkin spice) pie New Bedford? * * * CONTENT WARNING: This story has discussions and depictions of certain themes that some readers may find triggering. This includes verbal, physical, and sexual assault, issues surrounding mental health, and child loss. Read at your own discretion. Note that this is a first draft of this story. It is exclusive to Wattpad and if you find it elsewhere, it has been illegally pirated and you're at risk for malware. [Approx. 50K word Novel] (c) 2021-22 All Rights Reserved - Copyright RS Kovach

Talk To Me by OutOfMyImagination

Oliver Brown holds the gift of seeing spirits. After losing his grandmother, he neglected the purpose of his ability, and soon after, lived a ghostless life. But when Oliver's younger sister is discovered murdered in the woods, he desperately wanted to talk to her. This time, Oliver relied on his gift to find out what happened to his sibling. But after four years of choosing not to acknowledge spirits, he had trouble connecting with Leah. Will he be able to regain his ability? And if he does, who else is going to talk to him? Leah always felt fascinated by her brother's abilities. But being dead turned out to be more difficult than she expected. Will she be able to move on to the afterlife? And what is keeping her with the living? Past and present intertwined in one story, giving you full access to Oliver's and Leah's lives. This book is the first installment in the "Can You See Me?" series. Can You See Me Series: 1. Talk To Me 2. Soul Seers Content warning: detailed death scenes, kidnapping, rape, violence, explicit sex scenes, and other sensitive topics. Featured: Wattpad Mystery and Thriller at "The sixth sense" reading list. Wattpad Paranormal at "Life after Death" reading list. Wattpad Fantasy at "Dark Fantasy" reading list. The original work is published only on Wattpad by ©OutOfMyImagination

Get A Life | ONC2023 Shortlist by OnceUponASonder

While her best friend Cassidy snacks on brie and boys in France, Darcy Li-Quinn must face her last year of high school and the unpredictable wrath of her sister, Danica, alone. Darcy's plan for dealing with Danica and her heinous friends is simple-be invisible. But first, she's promised Cassidy she'll do 'one brave thing'. Mustering the courage to say 'hi' to the cute boy on the bus, Darcy expects rejection or indifference. She doesn't anticipate a grumpy ghost with unfinished business who needs her help. Suddenly, a quiet year of flying under the radar looks increasingly unlikely. *** Rationally, Hunter Viera knows that his brother's death wasn't his fault. But that doesn't stop his guilt about Archer invading his every thought or lessen the grief sitting heavy in his chest. Changing schools offers a fresh start, and Hunter's plan is simple-be invisible. But he hasn't counted on Darcy, or her ludicrous claim that Archer speaks to her from beyond the grave. Suddenly, a quiet year of sitting on the sidelines looks increasingly unlikely. *** This is a story about hearts and hope and public transport. This is Darcy and Hunter's story (and a little bit Archer's too). *** 'Get A Life' is my entry for Open Novella Contest 2023 and is inspired by the following prompts. 20. You finally build enough courage to talk to that cute someone you see every day on the bus. Their face turns dark as they respond "You shouldn't be able to see me." 9. There's an urban legend that's been circulating for years about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you stepped into this cab.

Ghost's Possession by CrysTravel2019

The Amityville House in New York is famous due to the murders of the DeFeo Family, caused by Ronald DeFeo Jr. Ronald claimed that malevolent voices told him to kill his family, and many people believed that he was insane. Crystal, 28, has always been interested in the paranormal. She decides to investigate if the paranormal caused Ronald DeFeo to murder his family. However, Crystal is not alone in the mission. Her friend, Adan, is also with her. Once they enter the house, neither realizes what they are facing. An entity within the home takes an interest in Crystal and is willing to use Adan to get to her. Inspired by the true story of the Amityville horror house and DeFeo Family [3x Featured in Ambys MediaDirectory & Paranormal] 🏆Ambys 2023 Paranormal Winner 🥈2nd place in Horror: Star Awards 2022 🥈2nd place Horror: Pacific Awards 2023 🥉3rd place in Mystery/Conspiracy: Gloria Regali Awards 2022

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Slide 1 of 9

The Tragedy of Eden's Gate cover

Come, Dark cover

Sam Walker and the Grim Reaper Services (ONC 2021) cover

The Broker cover

Dream for the Dead (Completed/Editing) cover

[Not Just Any Other] Ghost Story cover

Talk To Me cover

Get A Life | ONC2023 Shortlist cover

Ghost's Possession cover

The Tragedy of Eden's Gate

When a dark situation leads Theo to the quiet village of Eden's Gate, where the residents are odd and the pool of friends severely lacking, he's less than thrilled. The town is a miserable means to an end. And, to make matters even worse, he's pretty sure the house is haunted. Cold spots, flickering lights, a shadow that won't stop following him- a recipe for a haunting, and for a complete disaster. Sam is a vengeful spirit, cursed to walk the halls of his own murder scene for the rest of eternity, doomed to an afterlife of dismal solitude. And then his favourite resident goes and dies, the house is given to new people, and Sam discovers - quite by accident - that the boy sleeping in his room can see him. And he is the only one who can help Sam solve his murder. ───── • ⋆⋅⛧⋅⋆ • ───── Status: Complete Story length: 40,000 words ONC 2023 Prompt: • They were not real, everyone told me they were not real. But why are they here? Why are they trying to talk to me? Why are they calling me the ONE? Why are they staring at me like that? (23)