#gothic thriller

[yeolsaintlaurent]

Crimson Veins, Midnight Flames ch.1 [BBH]

pairing - baekhyun x fem reader

genre - mature, smut, thriller

themes - Social Divide, Ambition and Privilege, Dark Desires, Identity and Self-Discovery, Love triangle, Sex, Mystery and Gothic Elements

Synopsis - Explore the intricate world of Oxford University, where Baekhyun, a scholarship student, intertwines with the wealthy elite led by Sehun Oh and Y/N Van der Bilt. Against the backdrop of seductive parties and concealed love, the tale unfolds at the grand Ivy Crest Estate in the picturesque town of Willowbrook. Here, secrets and power plays unravel, revealing a collision between societal expectations and personal truths, with gothic nuances weaving through the rich tapestry of privilege and deceit. This is where the heart of the story beats, echoing with the footsteps of characters entwined in a dance of love, betrayal, and hidden mysteries.

A/N - Hi my lovelies~ I am so so so excited to be sharing this new series with you guys. Ever since I watched Saltburn at the cinema, I had wanted to write a fic inspired by it. As always, let me know what you guys think about my new series. <3

Chapter 1: Freshman Impressions

The air at Oxford University was alive with anticipation as freshmen flooded the campus, eager faces filled with excitement and trepidation. Banners fluttered in the crisp autumn breeze, welcoming the newcomers to a journey of knowledge and self-discovery. The courtyards were abuzz with freshmen finding their way, guided by the hopeful energy that marked the beginning of their academic adventure.

Baekhyun, clad in his drab attire, navigated through the sea of unfamiliar faces with wide-eyed wonder. His jet-black hair, styled in an old-fashioned way, hinted at his reserved personality. The banners overhead welcomed the freshmen, but Baekhyun felt like a stranger in a foreign land, an outcast amidst the throngs of students who seemed to effortlessly find their place.

As he lugged his bags, Baekhyun's gaze wandered, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. He saw students with smiles that mirrored the banners' enthusiasm, groups forming friendships that would last a lifetime, and laughter that echoed through the courtyards. His introverted nature left him feeling like an observer on the fringe of a world that he yearned to belong to.

The first day unfolded like a whirlwind, a cascade of introductions, campus tours, and the overwhelming realization that the journey ahead was as daunting as it was promising. Baekhyun, however, found himself struggling to connect with anyone. Ignored and brushed off when seeking directions to his dormitory, he felt the weight of his scholarship status more acutely than ever.

Upon reaching his dorm room, Baekhyun peered out of the window overlooking the courtyard, a view that would become a daily spectacle. It was there, amidst the crowd, that he saw Y/N for the first time. Her uber fashionable outfit, designer bag and shoes, and captivating beauty drew his attention like a moth to a flame. She stood with her friends chatting away, a cigarette in hand, an embodiment of the privilege that seemed so distant from his own reality.

Despite the magnetic pull he felt toward Y/N, Baekhyun remained introverted and nervous. He watched her from a distance, his silent admiration painting a picture of unspoken desire. The window-sill overlooking the courtyard became his silent refuge, and Y/N's presence, a beacon of aspiration in his mundane world.

The University's welcome reception dinner, a grand affair filled with chatter and clinking cutlery, brought Baekhyun face-to-face with the stark realities of his social standing. Most seats were occupied, and the few attempts to find a place were met with dismissive glances. Eventually settling into a solitary spot, Baekhyun's solitude was interrupted by Chanyeol.

"Hey mate, mind if I sit here?" Chanyeol asked, already pulling out a chair opposite to him.

Baekhyun, surprised by the friendly gesture, nodded. "Uh, sure. Go ahead."

Chanyeol flashed a friendly grin as he settled into the chair. "I'm Chanyeol, Chanyeol Park. What's your major?"

"Baekhyun Byun," he replied, still adjusting to the social interaction. "Psychology."

"Sound choice!" Chanyeol exclaimed. "I'm going for Business Administration. Got big shoes to fill as the family heir and all that."

The grand hall echoed with the chatter of students, and the vibrant atmosphere contrasted with Baekhyun's more reserved demeanor. As Chanyeol animatedly shared stories, the world around Baekhyun seemed to fade into the background, and his undecipherable expressions spoke volumes.

Chanyeol, with his outgoing personality, remained oblivious to the intricacies playing out in Baekhyun's mind. The topic veered towards Y/N as Baekhyun's gaze occasionally flickered toward her table, a subtle yet persistent attraction that Chanyeol noticed with a knowing smirk.

"I see where your interests lie," Chanyeol teased, nudging Baekhyun with a playful grin. Baekhyun responded with a nonchalant shrug, but his expressions betrayed a depth of emotion that went beyond mere acknowledgment.

Leaning in conspiratorially, Chanyeol continued his narrative. "That one there, whispering sweet nothings in her ear? That's Sehun Oh. Summered in Spain together after sixth form, so they're practically inseparable now." 

Chanyeol, always eager to share insights, revealed another layer to the story. "Sehun and I are good mates. Our fathers are business partners, and I've been a frequent guest at the Van der Bilt family galas at their estate," he confided in Baekhyun, unaware of the internal turmoil brewing within the quieter companion.

With each word, Chanyeol's extroverted energy almost felt like an intrusion for Baekhyun, who continued to listen to the endless stream of information about Sehun and Y/N. The dynamics between the trio unfolded in the narratives Chanyeol wove, and Baekhyun's expressions served as a silent canvas for emotions that ran deeper than the surface suggested.

Two weeks later :

The day of the first assessments arrived, and Baekhyun, armed with a sharp mind and a focused determination, emerged from the exam hall. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the bustling courtyard. As the other students dispersed, Baekhyun, oblivious to the world around him, made his way to the nearest notice board. The anticipation of upcoming exams lingered, and he scrutinized the posted details for any schedule changes or possible rearrangements of exam halls.

Lost in the sea of information, Baekhyun suddenly became aware of a commotion nearby. A voice, soft but urgent, reached his ears, seeking a graphing calculator amidst the departing students. He hesitated, not wanting to be drawn into the social currents that flowed around him. The solitary pursuit of knowledge called to him, urging him to retreat to the quiet confines of his dorm room for a session of solitary reading.

A tap on his shoulder shattered his reverie, and Baekhyun turned, finding himself face-to-face with the very object of his admiration—Y/N. Time seemed to freeze, and he felt a strange mixture of elation and nervousness as she stood before him. Her flustered demeanor and earnest expression captivated him, momentarily blurring the lines between his introverted world and the vibrant social tapestry around him.

Y/N, with a hint of desperation in her voice, asked if he had a spare graphing calculator. She explained that she needed it for her upcoming exam and had forgotten her own. Baekhyun, still in the grip of surprise, felt his hands instinctively reaching into his corduroy messenger bag. Without uttering a word, he handed her the calculator, a simple yet profound act of kindness.

The transformation in Y/N's expression was instantaneous. Gratitude and happiness radiated from her as she clutched the calculator in her hands. In a burst of genuine emotion, she planted a quick but heartfelt kiss on Baekhyun's cheek, catching him completely off guard. Before he could fully comprehend the moment, she enveloped him in a warm hug, expressing her thanks.

"I'll get it back to you! Thank you so much!!" her voice echoed behind her as she sprinted towards her exam hall. Baekhyun stood there, frozen for a moment longer, the weight of the unexpected encounter lingering in the air. The courtyard resumed its rhythm, but for Baekhyun, a simple act of generosity had set in motion a chain of events of social dynamics and hidden desires.

#--yeolsaintlaurent #exo #exo scenarios #exo x reader #baekhyun fic series #baekhyun smut #baekhyun fic #baekhyun #exo baekhyun #kpop fanfic #kpop smut #baekhyun x reader #baekhyun x you #baekhyun x y/n #saltburn #baekhyun x saltburn #saltburn but make it exo #gothic thriller #gothcore #thriller #psychological thriller #chanyeol #sehun #oh sehun #saltburn 2023

[haveyoureadthishorrorbookpoll]

Have you read...

Eric Ross is on the run from a mysterious past with his two daughters in tow. Having left his wife, his house, his whole life behind in Maryland, he’s desperate for money–it’s not easy to find safe work when you can’t provide references, you can’t stay in one place for long, and you’re paranoid that your past is creeping back up on you. When he comes across the strange ad for the Masson House in Degener, Texas, Eric thinks they may have finally caught a lucky break. The Masson property, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in Texas, needs a caretaker of sorts. The owner is looking for proof of paranormal activity. All they need to do is stay in the house and keep a detailed record of everything that happens there. Provided the house’s horrors don’t drive them all mad, like the caretakers before them. The job calls to Eric, not just because there’s a huge payout if they can make it through, but because he wants to explore the secrets of the spite house. If it is indeed haunted, maybe it’ll help him understand the uncanny power that clings to his family, driving them from town to town, making them afraid to stop running. A terrifying Gothic thriller about grief and death and the depths of a father’s love, Johnny Compton’s The Spite House is a stunning debut by a horror master in the making.

submit a horror book!

#The Spite House #Johnny Compton #horror books #horrorbookpoll #horror #bookblr #books #gothic horror #paranormal horror #ghost stories #ghost story #gothic thriller

[weirdlookindog]

La jena di Londra (1964)

AKA Hyena of London

#la jena di londra #hyena of london #giotto tempestini #diana martín #tony kendall #1964 #1960s movies #gino mangini #gothic thriller #horror movie poster

[aarontaylorsjohnson]

live every day like you're david hasselhoff after his final performance of the starring role in "Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller" in 2001

#jekyll and hyde #david hasselhoff #he has the SWAG #musical theater #theatre kid #broadway #musicals #theater #drama #gothic thriller

[chanelslibrary]

🌙𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰🌙

The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Anisa Ellahi’s day job is translating subtitles for Bollywood movies, but her dream job is translating great literary works! When her mediocre, British boyfriend Adam shows off his extensive knowledge of multiple languages, Anisa’s self worth hits an all time low. The final straw is when Adam learns to speak her native tongue, Urdu, fluently overnight, and she forces him to tell his secret. There is an elite, invite-only language program that guarantees fluency almost instantly. Anisa practically jumps at the offer to enroll. As she learns more about this mysterious but efficient program, Anisa discovers the cost might be too gruesome to stomach…

Wow this book! It has a great plot, and I loved that it had subtle gothic thriller vibes throughout. It was also nice to learn through Anisa about Pakistani culture, the dynamic of India and Pakistan and the history of the two countries (since I know very little I am ashamed to admit!), as well as life as a British Pakistani woman in England. The reason for my 3 star rating is although Anisa isn’t a very likeable character, she was relatable (everyone makes mistakes in friendships, relationships, their careers, etc.). But most of the other characters weren’t likeable either…and I feel like we need SOMEONE to root for lol. Also, at the end of a book I need some kind of conclusion. It was a very ambiguous ending which I wasn’t a fan of.

It’s a good book, and fans of Babel will like it. There is more of a focus on relationships/friendships v. translations/literary work than Babel.

#book blog #book aesthetic #bookworm #bookstagram #books #bookblr #book #book academia #book review #book reviewer #the centre #Ayesha manazir siddiqi #book edit #gothic thriller #thriller books #dark academia books #book recs #book rec #book recommendations

[annafromuni]

A New View into Dark Academia with The Cloisters

The Cloisters by Katy Hays dips into a new side of dark academia for me, one which has spurred a wave of curiosity from deep within, and that is art history. Art history is one of those subject that I wanted to take at school but my subject choices didn’t align right for that to happen so getting that art history immersion through Ann (just one letter off!) and this mesmerising read was truly a…

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#the cloisters #katy hays #met cloisters #the met cloisters #the cloisters musuem #dark academia #occult studies #tarot studies #art history studies #gothic thriller #mystery thriller #dark academia books #dark academia reads #adult fiction #book review

[cybermouche]

#gothical music #gothic thriller #thriller soundtrack #mistery #hypocritical #music art #Spotify

[jenmedsbookreviews]

The #Bookvent Calendar 2023: Day Six

My day six #bookvent selection is a gothic beauty, one steeped in mystery, a historical tale that uses Europe's dark history to frame a story of obsession and control. @Anna_Mazz @OrionBooks #books

#Bookvent – Celebrating my top reads of 2023 My day six #bookvent selection is from one of the few authors I will make a trip into the past for. A truly beautiful gothic tale, this book drew me in from the very beginning, framing the story in one of the darkest times in Europe’s past. With a protagonist who is trying hard to find their place in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile, it…

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#Anna Mazzola #Bookvent 2023 #Gothic Thriller #Historical Thriller #Suspense

[desdasiwrites]

– Megan Shepherd, The Madman's Daughter

#book quote of the day #megan shepherd #The Madman's Daughter #Inspired by The Island of Dr Moreau #creepy gory books #horror #historical fiction #ya #retellings #gothic thriller #halloween season #book quotes

[splatland]

BOOK REVIEW: HEMLOCK ISLAND, A NOVEL by Kelley Armstrong

The setting for Hemlock Island is an ominous one. Steeped in Native American legends, Lake Superior is the largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. Hemlock House is located on a small, private island in the middle of the lake and lacks any internet, cell, or landline phone access. For author, Laney, it’s a dream come true — a place to write without interruption, a place of inspiration. However,…

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#dark fiction #gothic horror #gothic mystery #gothic thriller #horror

[bespectacled-bookwyrm]

I finished "Pine" by Francine Toon!

It's a really good book, and I'm definitely keeping it!

I especially liked the gothic elements. It's said to be a winner in the 2020 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year, but I feel it took a LONG time for the crime elements to pop up.

Regardless, I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it! :D

Now to figure out what I should read next. . .

#Reading #Gothic #Crime novels #Gothic thriller #Thriller novel #A really good book! #would recommend

[yeolsaintlaurent]

New Fic Alert!!

a small teaser + moodboard for the upcoming untitled baekhyun fic!! I already have three chapters down, and will post chapter one in a couple hours!!

"Lost in the sea of information, Baekhyun suddenly became aware of a commotion nearby. A voice, soft but urgent, reached his ears, seeking a graphing calculator amidst the departing students. He hesitated, not wanting to be drawn into the social currents that flowed around him. The solitary pursuit of knowledge called to him, urging him to retreat to the quiet confines of his dorm room for a session of solitary reading.

A tap on his shoulder shattered his reverie, and Baekhyun turned, finding himself face-to-face with the very object of his admiration—Y/N. Time seemed to freeze, and he felt a strange mixture of elation and nervousness as she stood before him. Her flustered demeanor and earnest expression captivated him, momentarily blurring the lines between his introverted world and the vibrant social tapestry around him."

What do you guys think? ^^

#--yeolsaintlaurent #exo scenarios #exo #baekhyun fic series #baekhyun smut #baekhyun fic #baekhyun #exo baekhyun #kpop fanfic #kpop smut #baekhyun x reader #baekhyun x you #baekhyun x y/n #saltburn #baekhyun x saltburn #saltburn but make it exo #gothic thriller #gothcore #thriller #psychological thriller

[grungeprincess2]

Creepy nails

#nail art #nails #inspo #alternative #alt girl #ideas #goth #grunge #horror #scary #creepy cute #creepy aesthetic #eyes #nails inspiration #nails inspo #vampire #thriller #tw blood #tw bones #art #pinterest #inspiration #hell is a teenage girl #aesthetic #it girl #this is what makes us girls #gaslight gatekeep girlboss #gothic #red nails #black nails

[aregebidan]

“who are you? i don’t even know your name” “don’t be in such a rush. you will give me a name someday. and i live in terror of that day” / “i’m afraid to turn around. not of your anger, though. i’m afraid i’ll see nobody” / “go on dreaming. when you dream about my likeness you create it” / “when you loved no one you never thought of death” / “give her proof of her love” “shall i?” “kill her before she sees you” “no!” “then kill yourself” “how?” “let her go”

literally who is doing it like them. no one. no one. no one.

#panna a netvor #turn my ashes into a fucking. dvd of this cinematic masterpiece #what if the beauty and the beast had reverse pygmalion and galatea but also reverse orpheus and eurydice— #—and also just the most banger lines to ever fuck the mind of man even in their depowered slightly clunky youtube english subtitle form #to understand the script in the original would be too much for me. i’d drop dead on the spot. i’m completely serious #what if. creation myth love story death tale gothic thriller. and there was exquisite music and a bird guy with an evil internal monologue #whose only wish ever was to be rewritten revised killed off and resurrected and irrevocably changed by love……oh i’m going insane #film

[hellosunnycore]

𝕻𝖊𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖆

for the Bad to the Bone zine!! UPDATE: print is in my store now!!

#perona #ghost princess perona #one piece #one piece fanart #fanart #thriller bark #art #pink art #lolita #zine #it's been a GOOD while since I drew this one but I still really like it #and the zine is so full of talented artists I'm still very very honored that I got to draw my fave pink girl #I had a lot of fun dressing her up #ngl I kinda want this outfit #I kinda wanted to title this post 🅱️erona but the gothic font already makes it look like that HAHA

[midwest-horror]

SOMEWHERE IN OHIO

#midwest gothic #backroads #southern gothic #midwest vibes #my pic #photographers on tumblr #americana #small town america #mundane #green #midwest thriller