Short Stories

On spindly legs the ghastly little creature made it’s way down the hallway to the top of the stairs. Its head was oblong rather than round; it’s eyes large and glassy. The mouth was a large upside down smile framed by rows of sharp, serrated teeth. The creature was probably only three feet in height, and maybe weighed only sixty pounds, with skinny arms and legs on a reptilian body, but as it stood with the light from the lone bulb swaying behind him, Jamie was as frightened as he’d ever been in his brief five years on this planet.

A ghost story

Sunday 7th December 2008

A piercing scream echoed around the bedroom, shattering the serenity of the morning. Nicola Morris jerked her head around to look at her husband, who was lying on the bed watching television. “I wish you’d turn off that damn TV, Johnny” she said irritably. “It’s time we got going.” She selected a pair of tights from the dresser drawer and began pulling them on.

Johnny didn't move. “But I'm enjoying this,” he protested.

“And what precisely is it you're watching?” she asked. “Some stupid horror film by the sound of it.”

I have been down here for so long, if I am even really beneath anything. Nor do I even know where it is I really am, though I have been here for so very long, I only know that I am in the lair of a beast.

Like a true nature's child

We were born, born to be wild . . .

—Steppenwolf (1968)

Lab days were the worst for Kooper whose stomach wasn't always up to the task when time came to inspect the gooey innards of assorted frogs and cats. Carver High's seniors called Wednesday's laboratory period Brown Bag Day because when Dr. Tompkins handed out those paper bags they were not intended for lunches going 'in' but for breakfasts coming 'out.'

Larry Sellers looked down at the oblong obstruction that was now residing in his foyer. He gauged that the maple-stained chest was roughly 4 by 4 by 2 feet, but had no clue as to what could possibly be inside to make it so heavy. He had used all of his strength to push it into the house and now that the mysterious box was inside his home, an exhausted Larry wondered why he had found it sitting on his front porch upon returning from work. Staring pensively at the box, Larry racked his brain but could not come up with any ideas as to who would have left him such an object.

My eyes were first opened in a small bookstore, where Avenue J met Eighth Street. Filled with musty old books to the ceiling, this was the place I fell in love with the world of words, unaware of the power they held within.

"I'm here to tell you about maggots."

The man behind the podium never seemed to stand still. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and sometimes he took a step or two, moving forward and back. His hands waved through the air to give his story emphasis. His manner was animated, alive; which was ironic since this man's profession was the analysis of insect activity after death.

He looked into the auditorium at the university students that comprised his audience. The Forensic Entomologist was a guest speaker and the subject was forensic science.

Colonel John Hillman, United States Marine Corps, attended a White House reception in June, 1921.While there, he received a message from the office of Naval intelligence summoning him to a midnight meeting. The forty-year old officer, resplendent in his dress blue uniform, his chest decorated with medals, tendered President Harding his apologies and reported as ordered.

Admiral Skaife, intelligence chief, gave Hillman a cigarette and asked: "Colonel, do you believe in vampires"

"No, sir."

"Know what vampires are?"

"Creatures who drink human blood. "

After the first week of searching, Richard knew he would never find his daughter alive. He felt it in his bones.

Larry Rossman pulled into the driveway of Bertha Todd at dusk. His band's national tour had been long and exhausting. After two months of performing three concerts a week, he was glad it was over. Now he could rest, write some new songs, and enjoy being with his girlfriend, Robin Bennett, here where they would not be harried by fans or the paparazzi.

"So this is the magic place," Robin said as she got out.