Tag / free

by Warren Benedetto

“It’s What’s Inside That Counts” published by Space Squid

My surreal weird fiction story It’s What’s Inside That Counts has been published by Space Squid. It’s about a young girl who realizes for the first time that there’s a ticking clock inside of every living thing.

Content warning: terminal illness of a child

We gathered around the large table at the front of Mrs. Collins’ science lab, each of us outfitted in plastic smocks, rubber gloves, medical masks, and oversized goggles. We looked like the world’s youngest, most incompetent surgical team.

On the table was a dead pig in a stainless steel tray. I expected the pig to be pink like the ones in the movies, but it wasn’t. Its flesh was a sickly gray color, with a rubbery consistency that reminded me of a popped birthday balloon.

Mrs. Collins held up a scalpel. “Are we ready?” The other students nodded.

by Warren Benedetto

“Things Are Looking Up” published in Call Me When You’re Dead

My short horror story Things Are Looking Up has been published in Call Me When You’re Dead. After a man and his wife are in a fatal car accident, the man decides he will do anything to see his wife one more time. Even if he has to dig.

I’ve been in a dark place since the accident.

I know I need to let her go, to accept that I’m never going to see her again, but I can’t. I can’t rest. I can’t lie still. I can’t move on. All I can do is think about her. My wife. My love.

My Lisa.

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Matches” on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast

The audio production of winter horror story Matches—a dark(er) retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Match Girl—is now available to listen to on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast.

It’s the first story, starting about one minute into the show.

by Warren Benedetto

“Things Are Looking Up” published by Exquisite Death

My short horror story Things Are Looking Up has been published by Exquisite Death. After a man and his wife are in a fatal car accident, the man decides he will do anything to see his wife one more time. Even if he has to dig.

I’ve been in a dark place since the accident.

I know I need to let her go, to accept that I’m never going to see her again, but I can’t. I can’t rest. I can’t lie still. I can’t move on. All I can do is think about her. My wife. My love.

My Lisa.

by Warren Benedetto

“Dawn Patrol” published by Written Tales Magazine

My short (non-horror) story Dawn Patrol has been published by Written Tales Magazine. It’s about the sun setting on an old relationship that has run its course.

Scott steered his bike one-handed into the empty parking lot at Salt Creek Beach and coasted toward a row of palm trees inked black against the soft pink sky. He lowered his bike to the ground, then gazed at the water. The ocean was polished glass. Scott sighed. The surf report had promised chest-high swells. Normally, he would have been disappointed at having woken up extra early for nothing. Today, he didn’t care. He was awake anyway. He had never gone to sleep.

by Warren Benedetto

“A Perfect Fit” published in The Literary Hatchet #38

My psychological horror story A Perfect Fit has been published in Issue #38 of The Literary Hatchet. This special double issue is available to download for free, or you can pick up a print copy from Amazon.

The story is about a middle-aged woman who will do anything to maintain her youthful appearance. If the movie The Substance resonated with you, you should appreciate this one. It’s not a body horror, but it comes from the same place.

I stepped back to admire Poppy’s frame, noting the slight dimpling of cellulite visible on her hips and the fine vertical lines along the top edge of her upper lip. The ghost of a gray hair peeked out from behind the bangs she had added to hide her creased forehead.

“Poppy! Look at you!” I gushed. “How are you so perfect?”

by Warren Benedetto

“Final Notice” published by 100-Foot Crow

My dark sci-fi drabble Final Notice has been published by 100-Foot-Crow. It’s about what happens when you forget to make the payments on your self-driving car.

The first time I tried Chauffeur, it felt like magic. I watched in awe as it effortlessly piloted my car through traffic, the driver’s seat empty. Naturally, I signed up. $199 per month. I thought I could afford it.

I was wrong.

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Leftovers” on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast

The audio production of my horror story Leftovers is now available for free from the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast. It’s about an elderly woman living in a rapidly-declining urban neighborhood who subsists on an unconventional recipe from the old world.

Content warning: gore

The story starts around 6:50.

by Warren Benedetto

Listen to “Me, a Hero” on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast

The audio production of my psychological horror story Me, a Hero is now available to listen to for free on the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast. It’s about a man who joins the search for a missing girl in hopes of making an appearance on the local evening news.

Content warning: stalking (implied)

My story starts around the 17:30 mark.