On the Fringes of Reality

Where the ordinary world reveals its true nature

Category: micro-fiction

  • Micro Monday: Dead to the World

    The scalpel traced the Y-incision across the cadaver’s chest. James concentrated on keeping his hand steady, aware of Dr. Winters watching from across the dissection lab. His appendectomy scar itched…

  • Last Words

    Maya’s phone held twenty-three recordings of people dying. Her latest was a homeless woman outside Tesco who’d clutched her hand and said “sorry” to someone who wasn’t there, her final…

  • Micro Monday: Where Are You?

    What’s my middle name? WHAT’S MY MIDDLE NAME?

  • Micro Monday: Feeding Time

    “Third helping today,” Maureen said brightly, ladling more gravy onto Tyler’s plate. “Growing lad, aren’t you?” “Always room for seconds with this one,” Pat agreed, beaming. “Or thirds. Or fourths.”…

  • Micro-Monday: Welcome Home

    The Latchkey – Part III You’ve been sitting in the same position for three hours now. That’s fine. Comfortable chair, good book, nothing urgent to do. Except you can’t remember…

  • Micro Monday: Blood Pressure

    Vinny checked the paperwork twice. O-negative, taken this morning, properly stored. He held the bag up to the fluorescent light, examining the colour. Rich. Healthy. The donor had excellent iron…

  • Micro Monday: Reunion

    Thomas woke with a business card in his palm: “You know where to meet me.” He walked to their bench overlooking the empty beach. Grey waves rolled endlessly towards the…

  • Micro Monday: Ghost Stories

    The Latchkey – Part II “Right, that’s it!” Zoe slammed the remote down as eight-year-old Harry threw another cushion at his sister. “Bedtime. Now.” “But we’re not tired!” Mia protested,…

  • Micro Monday – Introducing: The Latchkey

    The Latchkey – Part I You ever notice how your front door sometimes… moves on its own? Like you’re certain you shut it tight, but when you pass by again…

  • Micro Monday: The Optimist

    Eve smiled at her wrist display. Thirty-seven days of perfect sleep scores, stress levels in the green zone, and she’d hit her target weight. The tracker buzzed: Excellent progress! Your…

  • Micro Monday: Lab Rats

    Lab Rats represents a delightful (for me, anyway) departure from the typical On the Fringes of Reality stuff. While my usual contemporary horror and gothic-inspired horror tales explore familiar human…

  • Flash Friday: The Apartment

    The bedroom door was closer to the corner than it should have been. Every morning, muscle memory gave Fiona eight steps from wardrobe to door. Tonight, her foot landed on…

  • The Gothic Hour: The Invitation

    “Pray, forgive the lateness of the hour.” The voice carried the refinement of centuries past. “I find myself quite lost in this tempest.” She clutched her shawl. His pallor, shadows…

  • Timeline

    A series of social media posts trace a family’s digital journey from innocent beginnings to devastating end.

  • Micro Monday: The Light – Three Truths

    Hero Martin still feels his heart racing when he thinks about it. Three weeks now, and the image hasn’t faded—the woman on the bridge, leaning forward into nothing. “I just…

  • Observer

    Commander Walsh checked his tether and gazed down at Earth’s curve. The blue marble rotated peacefully beneath him, cloud formations swirling over familiar continents. Then he saw it. A brilliant…

  • Update: Echo Room

    Just a short announcement: I’m delighted to report that Echo Room is featured on Free Flash Fiction. If you’ve not visited Free Flash Fiction, you really are missing a trick!…

  • Micro Monday: Neighbourhood Watch

    Monday, 18th March Spring cleaning today. Found old diary behind wardrobe. Pages and pages of complaints about neighbours! Funny how worked up I’d get about small things. Much calmer now…

  • Watching

    Alison noticed him first from her bedroom window. Seventh floor of the tower block opposite, a pale figure pressed against the glass, staring up at her. She stepped back from…

  • The Last Bus

    Keith stumbled across the road, vodka still burning. She’d better have his dinner waiting. Better be hot, or she’d get what she deserved. The horn blared as he lurched into…

  • Micro Monday: The Corridor

    I know this hallway better than my own heartbeat—thirty-seven steps from the elevator to my office door. I’ve counted them a thousand times. The footsteps behind me started at step…

  • The Gothic Hour: The Letter

    You find it amongst your father’s papers, tucked between his will and insurance documents. Your name catches your eye immediately—typed neatly at the top of what appears to be a…

  • Gate 47

    Written in response to a prompt from @danprattwrites (thanks, Dan) which was… 100 words or fewer Location: airport check-in Action: following Object: ring He’s been following me since security. Same…

  • Micro Monday: A Triptych

    Today, a micro-fiction triptych – three stories that circle the same golden moment, each revealing different truths about longing and the human heart. The Wedding Ring: Three Longings The Angel’s…

  • Routine Maintenance

    “Just a routine cleaning today,” the hygienist said, adjusting the overhead light. “Open wide for me.” Diane settled back in the chair as the familiar scraping began. The hygienist hummed…

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About

On the Fringes of Reality is a collection of contemporary horror stories that explore the unsettling spaces where our ordinary world reveals its true nature. Each tale examines the familiar through a darker lens, finding terror in technology, relationships, and the everyday moments that suddenly turn strange.