The Night - By S.G.J(Satori)

Written By: S.G.J(Satori)

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are pleased to feature "The Night," a compelling short story by S.G.J(Satori) in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This narrative takes readers on a chilling journey through the shadows of night, where reality blurs with the surreal. S.G.J(Satori) paints a vivid picture of a protagonist seeking solace from a tumultuous home, only to find themselves ensnared in a mysterious and haunting experience. The story's eerie atmosphere and suspenseful plot captivate from beginning to end, offering a thought-provoking exploration of fear and survival.

About the Work

"The Night" delves into themes of fear, escape, and the unknown, enveloping readers in a mood of suspense and unease. S.G.J(Satori) employs vivid imagery and an engaging narrative style to create a world where shadows and whispers hold ominous secrets. As the protagonist navigates a night fraught with eerie encounters, the story serves as a metaphor for confronting inner demons and the struggle for survival. The haunting imagery and unexpected twists keep readers on the edge of their seats, making it a memorable addition to the competition.

The Night

Original Submission by S.G.J(Satori)

The Night

The Night by S.G.J

Today 1:20 pm No category

The Ch

I never really liked the night. It wasn't the

dark that bothered me, it was the way

everything seemed different. Like how the

shadows moved when they weren't

supposed to or how the wind sometimes

whispered secrets, how tree branches

knocked on the windows, scraping,

screeching. My mom always said it was just my imagination, but I knew better.

There was something about the night that wasn't right.

It was around 10, when I left the house

that night. I know, I shouldn't have done it

but things at home were getting bad

again, I mean mom was crying in the kitchen and dad was yelling, his voice

echoing through the house like it always

did when he drank too much. I couldn't

take it anymore, so I grabbed my jacket

and slipped out the door. I started walking.

The night was colder than usual, I could

see my breath in the foggy air. The streets were empty which was odd since there

were always a few drunken stragglers

around. I walked past rows of dark houses, their window were hollow, dark and empty like eyes staring out into the void. I just

walked, I didn't have a destination in mind I'd probably end up at the park around the

block. I just needed to get away, who can

blame me. I needed to get somewhere,

anywhere but that house.

I kept my hands shoved in my pockets,

trying to beat the cold and just kept

walking, ignoring the icy chill of my

cheeks. The road was uneven, full of

potholes and bumps as if it was trying to

trip me, that's all life did with me lately.

Every few steps I'd glance behind me, half

expecting to see someone or something

following me but there was nothing,

no-one. Just the weirdly empty street and

the wind shaking the branches of trees

and howling orders to whatever secrets it

spreads.

After a while of cold, tired walking I saw

something ahead, a small flickering light at

the end of the block. It wasn't a

streetlamp, those were all off as usual. This

light was different, dim and unsteady like a

flame. Curiosity got the better of me and I

walked straight to it.

As I got closer I noticed the light coming

from one of the houses, one that looked

abandoned. The windows boarded up,

paint peeling off, grass overgrown yet the light was definitely coming from inside. I

hesitated for a moment my heart beating

faster. I should have turned around then

and there but something pulled me to the

house, like an invisible string drawing me

to the house. Of course I'd be the first to

die in a horror movie.

The front door was slightly open, creaking softly as it moved in the icy wind. I took a deep breath and pushed it open, stepping

inside. The floorboards creaked under my

weight, the air thick with dust. The light coming from a room at the end of the

hallway, flickering and dancing on the

walls.

I took a laboured breath and walked

slowly, my footsteps heavy in the silence.

The closer I got to the room, the colder I felt. I shivered and pulled my jacket tighter

around me trying to ignore the growing

sense of dread stabbing at my insides.

When I reached the doorway of the room, I

stopped and glanced inside. The room was

small, with just one window, boarded up

with rusty old nails and it smelt like

something out the boys bathroom. In the

center of the room was a single candle

sitting on the floor the flame weak and

unsteady. THAT wasn't what caught my

attention, instead it was the man sitting

beside it. He was hunched over, his back

to me, shoulders shaking as if he was laughing or crying, I couldn't tell. His

clothes were filthy and torn in places, his

hair dark, long and matted to his head.

Something about him made my skin crawl,

but I couldn't look away. I didn't want to.

"Hey", I said, my voice shaky.

The man didn't respond, didn't even flinch.

I swallowed hard and took a step closer.

"A-Are you okay?"

The man turned his head toward me and I

froze. His skin was pale and stretched tight

over his bones but it wasn't his

malnourished body or empty eyes that

made me want to run, scream, puke. It was

his mouth. His lips were sealed shut by a

zipper, a real metal zipper, the kind you'd

find on a jacket or bag. It was sewn into

his skin, the edges jagged and raw, like it

had been done recently. His mouth dripping fresh blood.

I took a step back, my heart pounding in

my chest. The man stared at me with

those empty eyes. I could see the pain, the fear trapped in them. Then I heard it a

faint sound, a distant whisper of a voice.

Coming from the candle or maybe the

shadows around it.

"RUN", The man tried to scream, his voice

muffled and distorted from the zipper but

it was clear enough, the desperation in his hollow eyes making the message

impossible to ignore

He pointed to the door, his bony finger

trembling.

That's when I saw them, the shadows. They were moving, swirling around the

candle as if alive, feeding off the light.

They twisted, turned, started to take

shape, horrible shapes that didn't belong

to this world. Faces with hollow eyes, limbs

bent in ways they shouldn't they were coming for me, I could feel it.

I turned and ran, sprinting away. My shoes slamming against the floorboards as I

bolted down the hallway. I could hear the

man behind me his screams growing

louder and more frantic as the shadows

close in on him. I didn't stop running. I

couldn't stop.

The front door was still open and I burst

out of the house. I ran down the steps,

across the overgrown grass and didn't stop, till I felt a tug on my leg. I looked

down and screamed as I saw a shadow

physically grab my leg. It yanked and I fell face first into the hard rough ground.

Blood fills my mouth, mixing with the taste

of fresh mud. My fingers clawed in the

ground collecting soil. My head hurt, hazy

that was a hard hit. I felt my body be

dragged across the yard, body aching, head pounding.

Next thing I know I wake up in a damp

room. Black mold stains the walls. A small

light hanging from the center of the room,

and what looks like a heart, a human heart

sitting in a metal tray. I shoot up at the

foul sight and back away into the cold

concrete wall.

I sit there, locked in the small, dark damp

room hoping to be saved. My skin

becomes pale, limbs become bony. How

long? Days? Weeks? Months? I wonder, are

my parents still arguing? Do they even realize I'm missing?

I stay in the room, trying to keep myself

from going insane, all I can do is sleep, lick

off some condensation from the walls. I

look back to the metal tray and feel myself

grow nauseous. That is disgusting. I force my aching limbs to push me up and realize

how skinny I have gotten. My clothes hanging off my small frame.

I kneel infront of the tray, seeing a lighter

and a candle beside the heart. I hesitate

but manage to light the candle. I pick the

heart up and bury my teeth into it ripping

off a piece. I pull it out of my mouth and

hold it over the flame. I brace myself and

squeeze my eyes shut before dropping it into my mouth. I force myself to swallow it.

I eat the entire thing, reminding myself

that I have no other choice. I have to

survive. I sit back down against the wall,

blood dripping from my mouth. I hear the

shadows whisper around me. My mouth tasting like iron.

After a long while I see a shadow emerge,

a dark slender figure emerging from the

floor. I look at its long clawed fingers

holding out something. I see a zipper, a

needle and thread. I stare it it.

Looks like it's my turn. But soon it will be

yours.

S.G.J

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform for writers worldwide to showcase their talents. This competition celebrates creativity and originality, providing a stage for diverse voices across genres. Participants engage with a global audience, sharing their unique perspectives and narratives. The competition fosters a community of writers and readers, united in their appreciation for the written word and the transformative power of storytelling.

We extend our gratitude to S.G.J(Satori) for sharing "The Night" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This gripping short story offers readers a thrilling journey into the mysterious and unknown, leaving a lasting impression. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors. Thank you for being part of this celebration of literary artistry.

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.