Dark Harbor Magazine Issue #001
The first issue of Dark Harbor Magazine has arrived, and it’s filled with seven unforgettable stories. These aren’t just tales of fright. Each one is an exploration of what it means to be human when the world becomes strange, eerie, or downright unsettling.
Dear Readers,
The first issue of Dark Harbor Magazine has arrived, and it’s filled with seven unforgettable stories. These aren’t just tales of fright. Each one is an exploration of what it means to be human when the world becomes strange, eerie, or downright unsettling. Each disturbing story invites you to see through the eyes of characters standing on the edge of the unknown, where every shadow tells a story, and every choice has a cost.
“Dead Pixels” by Chris Maiorana
Ruby’s job at the mall’s retro video game kiosk seemed simple enough—until a mysterious customer and a cursed Atari cartridge turn her night into something far darker than nostalgia. In this unnerving tale of ambition, secrets, and consequences, Ruby learns the hard way that some games are better left unplayed.
“Introduction to What We Talk About When We Talk About Horror and Other Stories” by Douglas Ford
In a story about ambition, secrets, and the uncanny bonds that shape a writer’s life, a young storyteller reflects on the strange inspiration behind her breakout success. What begins as an exploration of craft twists into a haunting meditation on the shadows that linger in the creative process.
“Belgrade Butcher” by Nenad Mitrović
A routine investigation spirals into a macabre journey as two detectives confront the grisly work of a sadistic killer. Layered with chilling detail and unsettling revelations, this psychological thriller forces the question: what lies at the intersection of justice, obsession, and the darkest corners of human desire?
“A Distant Howling” by Jon Adcock
Tormented by his curse, Stefan Varga clings to faith and humanity while the full moon looms above. When a lost child and a relentless predator cross his path, Stefan must confront the darkness within and beyond in a fight for more than just survival. But in a world of monsters, salvation comes at a price.
“Mr. Loveless in Room 719” by Chris Scott
Doug Loveless checks into a hotel for a routine business trip, only to wake up trapped in his room with no clear explanation and no way out. As days stretch into weeks, he’s drawn into a surreal web of cryptic conversations, eerie encounters, and revelations that turn his understanding of himself—and the world—inside out. Freedom may be within reach, but the question remains: at what cost?
“Royalty” by Emerson Bell
A routine investigation into a mysterious death unravels a chilling tale of obsession, madness, and an ancient, otherworldly influence. As a detective pieces together the haunting legacy of Anne Elliot and her enigmatic doll, he discovers some threads should never be pulled. In this grim descent into the macabre, the line between reality and nightmare frays to breaking.
“The Dog Days of Summer” by Jessica Clem
In the sweltering heat of a forest alive with secrets, Katie and Alice embark on a journey that spirals into an unimaginable horror. When Katie's obsession with cicada exoskeletons leads to an eerie discovery, the sisters are thrust into a harrowing encounter that will test their bond—and their sanity.
Each story in this issue is a portal to another world. Some will unsettle you, some will provoke deep thought, and all will linger with you long after you’ve turned the page. They remind us that the unknown isn’t just in the shadows—it’s within us, waiting to be discovered.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Your curiosity and support bring life to this dark harbor, and we’re thrilled to have you here. Together, we’ll keep the lanterns shinning bright in the darkest corners of our imaginations.
Until next time, stay curious, stay brave, and maybe keep a light on.
Yours in fright,
The Dark Harbor Editorial Team