Goosebumps 2023 Novels & Stories

“You hear that?” Mama’s eyes went to the door. “Mm.” “What is it?” I asked. She grinned, all mischief again. “Da dead. Dey like company. I tole you, da dead do walk tonight. Dey answerin’ Marie call.” A shape bumped the stilts under us. The shack shuddered. A hand, grey, bloated, ringed, floated up against the step and then slipped away, dragged by something we couldn’t see. I looked to the door. The gator watched me with old eyes. Past it, something enormous moved under the surface, then sank. The swamp swallowed its secret.

Took bribes. When it blew up, Owen caught the fallout. Even if he knew nothing, the stain stuck. No more public appearances. His once-spotless career—done. I heard from an old classmate that Owen had been asking around for divorce lawyer recommendations. Around the same time, Jordan and I were backstage at an international brand runway show. Killing time, bored out of my mind. I picked up a pen. Started doodling. "Aubrey? Aubrey!" Jordan's voice cut through. "I've been calling you—you okay?"

He leaned in to kiss her gently, his affection palpable. Just as they settled onto the couch, the sound of the television captured their attention. Alexa’s gaze turned to the screen as a breaking news segment flashed before them, the words “Gruesome Discovery” glaring ominously. The news anchor’s serious tone filled the room, detailing shocking events that happened earlier that morning. “Several lifeless bodies were discovered in a nearby forest, showing disturbing signs of what appears to be an animal attack. Alexa's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing. The room's cheerful atmosphere vanished, replaced by unease.

In the end, even though it had a spooky vibe, it was just an old abandoned house and nothing else. Fitzy mock-scowled. “Oh, c’mon. Set a good example for Gavin, why dontcha?” Kevin shook his head and grinned. “Nope. Been there and done that, Fitzy. We’re good.” Bill, who’d been quiet up until then, smiled at me and said, “Creature from the Black Lagoon is showing Wednesday night at the park, Nate. You down?” I grinned. “Yeah, definitely.” “Cool. If you get there first, save me a spot.”

I did everything to be a good friend, only to be treated as my so-called best friend’s scapegoat. When her husband found cigarette ash in their house, she claimed I was the one smoking. When she snuck off for a private rendezvous with her lover, she told him she was celebrating my birthday. And when she got pregnant, she pinned the blame on me again, declaring I was consumed with jealousy—that I had spiked her drink and hired someone to violate her. Enraged, her husband marched to my doorstep wielding a blade and hacked me to death. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the exact day she had asked me to cover for her affair.

Animosity. A dampening surge of panic spews down my spine, plaguing my bones. It's raw. It's paralyzing. I start to ripple with panic. Whoever this giant is, he isn't a good person, that is if he is really human. Why is he loitering like doom in our compound at this hour? It's almost ten at night for God's sake. Who the animal is he? How did he even get in?

she said, and fled before anyone could thank her into a speech. They went out into a morning that behaved itself in order to be harder to oppose. The river offered practical advice in a cold, repetitive wave. Shops opened their eyes. The shoemaker’s wife stood in her doorway wearing an apron that had outlived three children, and next to her a landlord’s notice scowled from the glass: INCREASE DUE: Impact of Gatherings; Pest Abatement; Insurance Risk. “Pests,” the wife said, when she saw where Evelyn’s eyes were. “We had a mouse because winter. We killed it with flour and honesty. They want rugs.” She looked as if she would enjoy apologizing to no one.

His hot breath washed over me, making my skin prickle with fear, and I felt his gaze like a physical touch, making me shudder. The chains creaked and groaned, straining against the beast's fury. I knew it was only a matter of time before Romain broke free, and I was consumed by the horror that loomed before me. The Moon Goddess seemed to have abandoned me, leaving me to face this terror alone.

I rumble fastly, a trait that's become normal for me. "Heaven wait! Let's talk." But I don't want to talk, at least not right now. I rush out of his room quickly. Boy what a weird day, never would I have thought Sky would ever chase after me. You would think that a seventeen year old girl would be terrified of facing her parents after disappearing for two days but no I don't feel fear, I feel numb. My heart isn't beating rapidly in my chest and my fingers aren't shaking as I type in the code to the penthouse.

disappeared. Abir glances down toward the basement. In Goddess' Name! His own father may be one of those buried there? I sway, dizzy with the horror of it all. It is only Silvia's hand on my arm that holds me together. Her voice rings out across the murmurs and shocked gasps as the werewolf packs try to understand all that has happened. "Packs," she calls out, "There is one more thing we must do. Tonight at Wolf Moon. A ceremony!"