Carina took the back roads to the book club meeting, as instructed by Faye. A piece of paper with the directions lay in the passenger seat. “Faye, where are you taking me?” She bit her lip and shook her head. The suburban roads were a winding forested labyrinth of century-old estates, humongous subdivisions, and farm ...

The Old Woman ran her fingertips over the dead leaves, then clenched her hand into a fist, and clawed at the drooped plants. Water dripped out of the hose on the dry ground beside her. A strong breeze rustled from beyond the garden fence. They stood in the distance. Without her glasses, they were blurry ...

Pangea gripped the cold metal of the polished mirror and slumped in her green chair. Tears tumbled down her face. Her eyes were the color of storm-tossed seas because of the images that flashed across the cold, clear glass every time she looked at it. The pollution of a packaged society sickened her. Pangea’s veins ...

The house vibrates with laughter, rocking the walls. Mom looks like she is about to lose it, so I place my hand over hers to calm her. I’ve been researching on Google, trying to learn what we’re facing. The last thing we need is for her to add to its power again. What I gleaned ...

Mr. Keith’s house is proving to be a surprise and not a pleasant one. I thought, relaxing against the back of the chair. I look at Mom and see she’s found new strength and is regaining her composure. Good! It doesn’t hurt to starve the monster and shut off its food supply for a change. ...

My heart sinks when I hear the front door lock, followed by the beast’s sinister laugh. I didn’t think beyond grabbing mom before she ran up the stairs, nor did I realize how powerful her emotions were to wake the monster. With my arm still around her waist, I pull her back down the stairs ...

The knocking at the front door cut my amusement short, and I’m a little apprehensive. My guard is up as I think of how the house can get its revenge for my taunt.  It surprised me when I opened the door and saw it was my mother. Thoughts swirl through my mind, but the main ...

Ramon A harsh raspy voice repeats my name; the house knows I’m here. Does it also comprehend why I’m here? It doesn’t matter; I will investigate when I’m ready and not on its terms. With that thought in mind, I ignore the call upstairs and finish unpacking. There is another bedroom on the ground floor, ...

Jared and Jenny’s parents died in a freak car accident when they were ten. The twins moved in with their mother’s identical twin sister, Tabitha. Their aunt’s house was an old Victorian set in Savannah’s historic district. It was four stories tall, with corner windows that faced east, west, north, and south. In each window, ...

Eddie had been planning his departure for ages. The incessant bickering which described his married existence drove him to drink. His spouse, Rita, a beauty in her day, changed once she had her claws on his back. She seldom bathed, let alone shaved her hairy legs. Her appetite never ceased, allowing her to blow up ...