2025 Spooky Story Competition

Running

I ran as fast as I could, my calves burning like fire. There was a tall guy, about 6’8”, chasing me. He was walking at a medium pace, each footstep crashing down like an earthquake. I was sprinting down a dark, dingy ally. I felt the walls of it layered in graffiti and moss that had never been cleaned off as I tried to steady myself. I should not have come to London. I turned a corner and smacked straight into a big, burly man. He had broad shoulders and a big tattoo across his chest saying ‘DANGER’. This couldn’t be good. I looked straight up into his horrifying face. His teeth were obviously mistreated as six of them were gold. He had a slight Russian accent as he said, ‘Hello beautiful. You’re in rough part of town now’. Then everything went black. I woke up dazed; there was a ringing in my ears. My vision was still a bit blurry. I tried to feel if there was a bump on my head, but my hand wouldn’t move. I glanced down and my skinny wrists were tightly strapped down to a plastic chair. I tried to call out but my voice was scratchy, and it would have been a miracle if anyone heard it who cared. The tall guy span round quickly in a black office char which was shredded from head to toe. He said in a north London accent: “Comfortable? You’re going to be there for a while”.

BY FLORRIE TURNER