Use what you have learned in this unit to write your own horror or suspense story. Your story should be 2 pages long and include the following:
an unreliable narrator (optional)
foreshadowing
stock character
foil
withheld information or a shocking twist
The rain pelted against the windows of the secluded cabin, the only source of light coming from the crackling fireplace. Inside, Sarah sat huddled on the couch, her hands gripping the blanket tightly as she listened to the storm raging outside. She had come to this cabin to get away from the stress of city life, but now she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach.
As she tried to calm her racing heart, Sarah's mind kept drifting back to the strange noises she had heard in the woods earlier that day. The crunch of branches underfoot, the rustling of leaves in the wind - they had all seemed innocent enough at the time, but now they felt like a dark omen hanging over her head.
Suddenly, the cabin door creaked open, causing Sarah to jump in her seat. She turned to see a figure standing in the doorway, barely visible in the dim light of the room. Heart pounding, she called out to the shadowy figure, but received no response. Panic rising in her chest, she reached for the fireplace poker, ready to defend herself if necessary.
But as the figure stepped closer, Sarah's breath caught in her throat. It was just a man, a weary traveler seeking shelter from the storm. Relief flooded through her as he spoke, introducing himself as John and explaining that he had gotten lost in the woods.
As the night wore on, John and Sarah sat by the fire, sharing stories and laughter. John was a stock character, the charming stranger with a mysterious past, and Sarah found herself drawn to his enigmatic personality. But as the fire died down and the storm raged on outside, Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
It was then that the first hint of foreshadowing appeared. John mentioned in passing that he had lived in the area many years ago, before abruptly changing the subject. Sarah felt a chill run down her spine, wondering what secrets he might be hiding.
But it wasn't until later that night, when Sarah awoke to find John standing over her with a knife in his hand, that she realized the truth. John was not who he claimed to be. He was a dangerous criminal who had been hiding out in the woods, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
An unreliable narrator, Sarah had been blind to the signs of danger all along, trusting a man who had meant her harm. With a shocking twist, John lunged at her, and in a final act of desperation, Sarah managed to defend herself and escape into the stormy night.
As she ran through the dark woods, the sound of John's maniacal laughter ringing in her ears, Sarah realized the true horror of her situation. She had been a pawn in a deadly game, and now she would stop at nothing to ensure her survival. The truth had been withheld from her, but now she would fight to uncover it and make it out alive.