The Chair

Beware of what you buy

I stare at my new chair. 
Dark walnut. Matches my desk.
Sturdy. Hard, but a cushion will fix that. 
Faded flower pattern on the back.
A thin crack on the armrest. Gives it character.
But—
It looks… 
crooked.

I didn’t notice it at the thrift store. 
Maybe that’s what I get for being cheap. 
…frugal.
I sit in it again. 
Feels normal. 
I push it into the desk.
And walk out of the room— 
A creak.

I stop mid-step.
Silence. 
Just the hum of the AC. 
The sound was subtle. 
I would’ve missed it if I had already stepped out. 
I turn. 
The chair isn’t pushed all the way in anymore.
Two inches out. 
Barely noticeable.
But I notice things like that.

I walk to the chair, unafraid.
I pull it out. 
Rock it.
Solid.
I push it back in.
I wait. 
To make sure. 
I turn to leave again, listening. 
The hairs on my neck rise. 
Nothing. 
I keep going and don’t look back.

A few hours later, I return to my study.
I’ve forgotten about the chair.
Until I reach the door.
My palm is slick against the frame.
I hesitate.
Step inside.
And freeze. 
The chair is pulled all the way out.
Turned halfway toward me.
Like it’s waiting.
For me to sit.

I stand there. 
Trying to make sense of it.
My heart climbs into my throat.
I inch closer.
It needs to go. 
I should return it.
No—
I should throw it out. Or better, destroy it. 
I clench my fist.
Move in.
Reach for the armrest—
The second I touch it—
I’m pulled down.
Forced into the seat.

I try to stand, pushing up, but I can’t. 
It’s like I’m sealed in.
My back. My arms. My legs.
I scream, but I don’t hear it.
Then—
something hits me.
A surge.
It tears through me. 
Ripping. Pulling. Like something is being dragged out of my body.
Then—
nothing.
Silence.
I try to move again. Still stuck.
But—
I’m… standing…
No.
My body is.
It moves slowly. Testing.
It turns.
Looks at me.
And smiles.


I write weekly bite-sized horror vignettes.

You can find more of my work here, including exclusive expanded endings of my stories → https://rickshorrorflicks.substack.com/

(P.S. This story has a wild plot twist in my expanded complete version!)