In case the link was broken…
Below is my first post, and the first contest I won in the competition on the Fanstory website. It was a “Dialogue Only” contest.
Horror and Thriller Fiction posted October 9, 2025. First Place Winner
“Hey, you there? Radio’s spitting static again.”
“Yo, I’m here, Jess. Twist the dial a bit, maybe it’s just interference.”
“Interference? In the middle of nowhere? Gimme a break, Sam.”
“Alright, alright. What’s it soundin’ like? The usual hiss or somethin’ weirder?”
“Weirder. Like… whispers. Hey, you hearing this?”
“Whispers? Nah, my set’s quiet. You sure it ain’t the wind playin’ tricks?”
“Wind don’t say ‘help me’, bub. You tellin’ me you don’t hear that?”
“Jess, quit messin’ with me. Ain’t no way—”
“Shh! There it is again. ‘Help me.’ Clear as day. Sam, what’s going on?”
“Okay, okay, hold up. You’re on the old frequency, right? 104.7?”
“Yeah, same as always. Why’s it doin’ this now?”
“Dunno. Maybe someone’s hijackin’ the signal. Pirates, y’know?”
“Right, pirate radio in the desert? Sam, we’re fifty miles from anything. Who’s broadcasting ‘help me’ out here?”
“Could be a prank. You know, kids with a cheap transmitter. Did you check the console logs?”
“Logs are clean. No incoming signals, no overrides. Just… this voice.”
“Alright, creepy. You recordin’ it? Get proof.”
“Hang on, let me—oh great, battery’s low now. You got power issues over there?”
“Nope, all good. Lights are steady. Jess, what’s your location again?”
“Outpost 3, near the dry lake bed. You’re at 5, right?”
“Yeah. Ten miles apart. That’s too far for crosstalk. You try switchin’ channels?”
“Tried. It follows. Every frequency, same whisper. ‘Help me.’”
“Come on, Jess, don’t spook me like that. You sure it’s not in your head?”
“You callin’ me crazy? I know what I hear. Wait—there’s another voice now.”
“Another? What’s it sayin’?”
“Somethin’ like… ‘not alone.’ Sam, I’m freakin’ out here.”
“Okay, deep breaths. I’m gonna drive over right now. Stay on the line.”
“Drive? In the dark? Roads are half sand out here.”
“I got the jeep. Ten minutes, tops. Just chill. You got a weapon?”
“Yeah, the rifle’s by the door. Why?”
“Just… keep it close. In case.”
“In case of what, Sam? You know somethin’ I don’t?”
“Nothin’. Just stories. Old miners talkin’ ‘bout voices in the desert.”
“Stories? Like what?”
“Like… people hearin’ things at night. Whispers. Folks who worked these outposts before us.”
“And? What happened to ‘em?”
“Some left. Some… didn’t. Look, it’s probably nothin’. I’m on my way right now.”
“Sam, it’s louder now. Like it’s right outside. ‘Help me, help me.’”
“Jess, lock the door. Don’t go out.”
“Too late. I’m lookin’ out the window. Nothin’ but dark.”
“Get away from the window! You hear me?”
“Wait. There’s… there’s light. Out there. Flickerin’. Like a fire.”
“Jess, don’t you dare go out there.”
“I gotta see. Could be someone hurt.”
“Or it’s a trap! Stay put, ya hear?”
“Sam, I can’t just—oh no.”
“What? Jess, what’s wrong?”
“The light’s gone. But the voice… it’s inside now.”
“Inside? How—”
“It’s not on the radio anymore. It’s in the room. ‘You’re not alone.’”
“Jess, grab the rifle and get to the jeep. Now. I’m five minutes out.”
“Sam, I… I see somethin’. Shadows. Movin’.”
“Run, Jess! Get out now!”
“I can’t. The door… it’s stuck. Sam, it’s like someone’s holdin’ it shut. Hnng. Hnng. Hnng.”
“Break it down! Use the rifle!”
“I’m tryin’—wait. The whispers… they’re sayin’ my name now. ‘Jessss.’”
“Jess, listen to me. Shoot the lock. Get out!”
“I… I hear footsteps. Behind me. Sam, they’re—”
“Jess? Jess! What’s happening?”
“…”
“Jess, talk to me! Please!”
“Sam… it’s not just voices. It’s – .They’re here. They’re—”
“Jess, who’s there? What do you see?”
“Nothing… but I feel them. Cold. So cold. And the radio… it’s on again.”
“What’s it sayin’?”
“‘Stay with us.’ Over and over. Sam, I don’t think I’m alone anymore.”
“Jess, I’m almost there! Hold on!”
“Sam… if you get here… don’t come inside.”
“What? Why not?”
“Because… I don’t think it’s me talkin’ anymore.”
“Jess? Jess!”
“…”
“Jess, answer me! All I hear is static!”
“Sam… help us…”
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