What do you think?
Happy Friend Day: a short horror story
When the plant stops being a plant, it’s already too late.
Camille's best friend Avery bought it as a friendship anniversary gift. She ordered it from a storefront with five-star reviews and free shipping.
That was a mistake.
What's sitting in Camille's apartment by nightfall doesn't need sunlight anymore. It doesn't need water. And Camille's phone is in the other room with the thing that used to sit quietly in its pot.
And somewhere in another state, Dominic has the same gift.
Celebrate warmer weather with a creature feature by TNae Wilcox!
Camille's best friend Avery bought it as a friendship anniversary gift. She ordered it from a storefront with five-star reviews and free shipping.
That was a mistake.
What's sitting in Camille's apartment by nightfall doesn't need sunlight anymore. It doesn't need water. And Camille's phone is in the other room with the thing that used to sit quietly in its pot.
And somewhere in another state, Dominic has the same gift.
Celebrate warmer weather with a creature feature by TNae Wilcox!
21 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2026
About the author
TNae Wilcox
10 books24 followersI consume stories. No prejudices about what medium they come in. I also write dark fiction/fantasy. They come in book form. For now.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 5, 2026
If you're looking for a gripping horror novel that hooks you right from the start and drags you into a chilling nightmare, this is it! Even though it's a quick read, it's packed with gore and terror. Tay-Tay is the only author I know who can deliver a short horror story that rivals those lengthy 200-page books.
Avery and Camille have been best friends for ages. Avery has this quirky habit of picking out “Friend Day” gifts that Camille just doesn’t vibe with. This time, Avery decides to choose a gift based on reviews, but let’s just say those reviews can be pretty misleading—and downright dangerous! Oh, and did I mention that Avery was thoughtful enough to get the same gift for their other friend, Dominic.
It's a fast-paced read, and I can't recommend it enough! 🖤
Avery and Camille have been best friends for ages. Avery has this quirky habit of picking out “Friend Day” gifts that Camille just doesn’t vibe with. This time, Avery decides to choose a gift based on reviews, but let’s just say those reviews can be pretty misleading—and downright dangerous! Oh, and did I mention that Avery was thoughtful enough to get the same gift for their other friend, Dominic.
It's a fast-paced read, and I can't recommend it enough! 🖤
May 4, 2026
4.5⭐️
I love my Bookstagram community for so many reasons, one of which is getting to find how creative and talented my peers are.
This short story by TNae Wilcox tickled my brain in so many great ways. In it, we see the unique friendship of Camille, Avery, and Dominic. Avery is one of those friends who can’t give a “normal” gift to save her life. In the past, she’s given Camille a taxidermied rat. And on this day, she’s gotten each of them a special plant. Special, indeed.
When the plant is delivered, Camille thinks it’s ugly. But when it begins to “evolve,” Camille quickly changes her mind and ends up fighting for her life.
I really enjoyed this story. So much so that I was disappointed when it ended. I wanted to see more between Camille and Avery. And Camille and…the plant. What we do get is creative and unsettling, and I can’t wait to read more from TNae.
I love my Bookstagram community for so many reasons, one of which is getting to find how creative and talented my peers are.
This short story by TNae Wilcox tickled my brain in so many great ways. In it, we see the unique friendship of Camille, Avery, and Dominic. Avery is one of those friends who can’t give a “normal” gift to save her life. In the past, she’s given Camille a taxidermied rat. And on this day, she’s gotten each of them a special plant. Special, indeed.
When the plant is delivered, Camille thinks it’s ugly. But when it begins to “evolve,” Camille quickly changes her mind and ends up fighting for her life.
I really enjoyed this story. So much so that I was disappointed when it ended. I wanted to see more between Camille and Avery. And Camille and…the plant. What we do get is creative and unsettling, and I can’t wait to read more from TNae.
June 26, 2026
“Never trust a five star product review in a horror story.”
Happy Friend Day proves that some of the best horror comes in small packages. TNae Wilcox takes an everyday object a houseplant and twists it into something deeply unsettling. The premise is brilliantly relatable. We’ve all accepted gifts we didn’t really want just to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Here, that simple act spirals into a nightmare that’s equal parts creature feature and psychological dread. The pacing is sharp, the tension never lets up, and the creeping sense of helplessness makes this story incredibly effective. It reminded me that horror doesn’t need hundreds of pages to leave an impression.
Happy Friend Day proves that some of the best horror comes in small packages. TNae Wilcox takes an everyday object a houseplant and twists it into something deeply unsettling. The premise is brilliantly relatable. We’ve all accepted gifts we didn’t really want just to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Here, that simple act spirals into a nightmare that’s equal parts creature feature and psychological dread. The pacing is sharp, the tension never lets up, and the creeping sense of helplessness makes this story incredibly effective. It reminded me that horror doesn’t need hundreds of pages to leave an impression.
July 31, 2026
A quick and fun horror story that sticks with you. Wilcox is showing us just how impactful short horror can be
August 10, 2026
Such a fun read!
Happy friend day!! This was fast and fun, loved it! Definitely reading more from this author. A very quick read!
Happy friend day!! This was fast and fun, loved it! Definitely reading more from this author. A very quick read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews