Welcome to the library's inaugural Two Sentence Horror Story Contest. We received 99 entries from children, teens, and adults in the Atlantic City community, which were judged by a panel of library staff. Our chosen winners are as follows:

Ages 12 and Under

First Place:

Her face was so perfect, but it was getting late. So I hung it back up in the closet with my other ones.

-- Liany Parada

Second Place:

I'm walking in a dangerous street at night and see a girl. I ask her "isn't it dangerous here?" and she answers "when I was alive it was..."

-- Justin Ramirez

Third Place:

There was a picture on my phone of me sleeping. I live alone.

-- Fabio Rojas

Ages 13 - 18

First Place:

I woke up at 3 am to use the bathroom. I heard people talking downstairs, but I thought I killed them all!"

-- Giuseppe DiPaola

Second Place:

I heard tap, tap, tap, tap, tapping on the keyboard from my office downstairs. I went to the office and read on the screen "I'm watching you."

-- Abnielis Rodriguez

Third Place:

I don't usually repeat my mistakes but since I hit that kid while driving drunk, I always see him on the same corner with the same clothes and I always kill him again.

-- Dickson Moreno

Ages 19 and Older

First Place:

My watch beeps telling me I reached my step goal. I'm just getting out of bed for the first time today.

-- Nakia Weekes

Second Place:

I walked over to the printer. The paper came out and read "You're next!"

-- Nakia Weekes

Third Place:

I really have to fix the draft coming from the attic. The first step is getting stronger chains for the demon so he stops trying to escape.

-- William Powell