The Conclusion of a Sad Fate - By Asia Terrelonge

Written By: Asia Terrelonge

Category: Horror fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Asia Terrelonge presents a captivating entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her horror fiction piece, "The Conclusion of a Sad Fate." This competition welcomes writers from around the world to showcase their creative talents. Terrelonge's narrative dives into a world of psychological turmoil and eerie occurrences, inviting readers to explore the darker corners of the human psyche. The story unfolds in a setting where darkness permeates both the environment and the protagonist's mind, weaving a chilling tale of mystery and introspection.

About the Work

"The Conclusion of a Sad Fate" immerses readers in a haunting atmosphere, blending elements of psychological horror and suspense. Asia Terrelonge skillfully crafts a narrative that delves into themes of guilt, perception, and the supernatural. The story's mood is tense and foreboding, with vivid imagery that captures the protagonist's spiraling mental state. The writing style is evocative, drawing readers into the protagonist's unsettling experiences and the mysterious events that unfold, leaving a lasting impression of dread and intrigue.

The Conclusion of a Sad Fate

Original Submission by Asia Terrelonge

THE CONCLUSION OF A SAD FATE

It was a dark and stormy night-scratch that, it’s always dark around these parts of the city. My thoughts were the things that made my life particularly uncontrollable … like a hurricane.

Sometimes, I wonder if someone high above has made a gambling deal on my life and plans to make me push through all this misery with no consent given from me just to win it at all costs.

When a classmate of mine passed away, I did not really process it or even care, they bullied me, so my immediate thoughts were ‘’Good riddance.’’

Of course I was never that mentally incompetent to voice those feelings, but the eyes of the rest of the class digging into me made me grimace as I just knew they thought I did that crime.

To be honest, I know it was not me. Afterall, wishing for their death is not the same as following through with it, no matter what my suspiciously vivid dreams about that classmate's demise trying to lure me into believing say.

After the troublesome and irritating venture that was the school system, it was time to spread my spiritually broken wings and either commit to another learning session that was college or sacrifice myself to the working world to just have barely enough funds to survive.

I chose the least masochistic choice available to me and sadly no, it wasn’t unemployment.

The working world was not pleasing at all, but it was better than the false kindness of all the school systems. Nobody cared about making friends, just to not be a nuisance, so that was one positive point to that.

The strangeness around my workplace started in the neighborhood I was in after I left school. With people dying off higher than before is what I heard from the gossiping parents around the corner. It was deeply unfortunate that my lucid nightmares of bloodshed came back again to deprive me of a peaceful slumber.

The consequences of little to no sleep were leaking through to my daily life. My unwillingness to commit to such horrible sleep, especially with those types of dreams, led to ways to stay up more.

My performance at my job that was barely considered acceptable fell so low my superior had to have at least two talks with me. The warning hanging in the air of what would happen if there was ever another discussion coming from them did not elude me.

I got better at hiding the signs of restlessness, and that drug dealer around the dark alleyways of my home was helpful in recommending stimulants to keep a body awake. Though...the withdrawal symptoms were harsh and long sleeves with thick neck covers became my best friend to hide the damage I have done to my skin because of the withdrawals.

This state of unsteadiness continued for a few more weeks miraculously even though I thought death should have dragged me away already until my circumstances changed forever after I found out the truth.

My superior is dead, the same one that gave me those warnings from before, that superior was found mangled beyond recognition in my neighborhood.

I did not even know they lived around here but seeing that sight before going to work scared me enough to go right back inside my home.

I am not sure why the sight was so appalling, I was apathetic to the death, but it was the image and words that only I heard, spoken out in the nearby vicinity of the body

‘’Such pliable and easy prey.’’

Followed by the scenes of blood that’s not there appearing on my hands.

Usually, my strange sense of logic would have convinced myself that it was just a vivid daydream, b-but it wasn’t.

It felt this deep twisted satisfaction from looking at the body that could have only been real.

T-That meant it w-was me, all those years ago with that classmate, maybe even the other people who died off in the area was my doing.

I tumbled to the bathroom, the lights flashing on and I scrubbed, scrubbed and scrubbed until my hands were raw but it will never feel clean again but before I could even do anything else…I heard it

“1, 2, 3, the voice whispered….and there stood a sign that prompted fear”

In the mirror, that thing’s in the mirror and it wrote a sign in ink? black blood?

Whatever it was the sign said ‘’Three lives forever damned to hell’’

I saw the chains around the three figures of my classmate, my superior and a random stranger, and in my increasingly hysterical mind I was glad it was not more souls that were lost.

I shattered my mirror with a punch, even though the voice, the laughter was still there feeling like it was echoing in the walls of my home, of my mind and I tore up any reflective surface, obliterated most things around me to oblivion but it never stopped taunting me, haunting me. My head bashing against the wall was ineffective in silencing the sounds before I leapt out my now broken window to the ground below.

It was so quiet, so blissfully silent, I didn't hear the screams of horror from the people around me, just the fact that my body has been so… exhausted for as long as I could consciously use it, so to feel so boneless, so free was new… but lovely and I smiled, the blood I couldn’t feel or taste bubbling up to spill over my lips and I closed my eyes while begging that those lives I wrongfully claimed will not be waiting to spend an eternity with me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform that celebrates the richness of literary and poetic expression. This international competition invites writers and poets to share their unique voices and stories, fostering a global community of creative minds. Participants explore a wide range of themes and styles, contributing to a diverse collection of contemporary literature and poetry. The competition is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of the written word.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Asia Terrelonge for her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. "The Conclusion of a Sad Fate" is a testament to her ability to craft a gripping and thought-provoking narrative. We look forward to seeing more of her creative endeavors and wish her continued success on her literary journey.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.