Shockingly Sinister Shorts #27

It was late at night as I headed out for a walk in our local park. Insomnia had been plaguing me for the last few days and I was hoping that the cool night air would help me settle down and sleep later
on.

As I traveled around the wooded path near the river gorge, I came upon a woman walking slowly ahead of me. At my current pace, I soon found myself within 15 feet of her. It was then that she turned, briefly, and glanced in my direction. 

She immediately increased her walking speed. Not knowing why she was hurrying, I also began to walk faster.

She turned again, looking in my general direction, and then began to jog. Fearing she had seen something I didn't, I followed her lead and jogged along behind her.

It was at this point she craned her head around and let out a long, terrified scream. She bolted off at a dead run. I was sure she had seen something horrible behind me, so I took off right behind her I was too afraid to look back and see what had frightened her so.

We crashed up the path leading to an overlook of the gorge. She was stumbling by the time she reached the top and threw herself on the railing overlooking the river. She whirled around, eyes wide and insane with fear. She let out a shriek of terror like nothing I had ever heard and then threw herself over the railing onto the jagged rocks some 50 feet below. 

As I reached the railing where she had stood just seconds ago, I couldn't imagine what was behind us that had scared her to the point of killing herself. I turned around to face whatever evil thing had chased us. Whoever or whatever it was, I was going to face it head on….. 

There was nothing there. 

Not a-single sign of anything nearby. Only two sets of foot prints were visible in the fresh mud leading up to the overlook. It was apparent to me that we had been alone on the path the whole time. 

I had to wonder what had driven the poor woman to such extreme actions. Was she insane? Could she have been on medication? I would never know for sure. The world just wasn't a safe place to be anymore. It was full of crazy people and I had the misfortune of running into one tonight. 

It was getting late. I took off the hockey mask I had been wearing and put my machete away in my backpack as I headed home.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #26

*A wealthy real estate owner lies on an operating table as he prepares for an extremely expensive face lift and Rhinoplasty surgery. After amassing his immense wealth, the years had not been kind to him in looks, so he had decided to take a chunk of those massive earnings and look as rich as he felt. At 61 years old, he was going to turn back the clock by a decade or two, no matter what the cost. An anesthesiologist walks in to prep his long surgical procedures. *

Anesthesiologist: Hey there, I will be your anesthesiologist for today’s procedures. Looking at your chart, you seem to be getting a lot of work done all at once. You know there is a slight risk involved with all that being done at once for a gentleman of your age?

Wealthy patient: Oh yes, the doctor explained it to me, but I am not much on waiting. I want it all over and done with as soon as possible so I can enjoy my life as the new me. Besides, the doctor said it was only about 1% risk for all the procedures.

Anesthesiologist: Yes, that is true. If you are sure, I will go ahead and prep you for your procedures.

Wealthy patient: I have been waiting for this for years so please let’s proceed.

*The anesthesiologist begins pulling out an array of hypodermic needles and vials. As he primes the gas mask, he strikes up a conversation with the man.*

Anesthesiologist: All this work you are having done today carries a staggeringly high price tag. If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do for a living?

Wealthy patient: I am in the real estate business.

Anesthesiologist: Wow, you must be really good at your job to afford this luxury surgery.

Wealthy patient: Oh I am not that good. I just bought property extremely low and sold it for a killing.

Anesthesiologist: Do you ever have trouble buying properties? I can only assume some of the people you buy from do not wish to sell for a low price, or sell at all for that matter.

Wealthy patient: Yes, there is the occasional thorn in my side. I usually just pressure them into the sell, or I find a loop hole in their deed and I am able to buy the property out from under them.

Anesthesiologist: I think you do not give yourself enough credit, you sound like you are very good at your job. What happens to those people you evict in that manner?

*The anesthesiologist begins filling a large hypo with a powerful local anesthetic as he continues to talk to the man.*

Wealthy patient: Who knows?  I guess they either move on and find another place to live or they get left by the wayside and life marches over them. Either way, it is not my concern.

Anesthesiologist: I suppose you're right. Ok now, I am going to start the local injection to your face. First I will be putting a general anesthetic into your IV to calm you down and help with the overall pain. Don’t be alarmed if you can’t move your limbs as it is perfectly natural.

*He injects the drug into the IV. True to his word, the man on the table feels a warm tingly sensation and cannot move his arms or legs.*

Anesthesiologist: OK, that was not too bad was it?

Wealthy patient: Nosh too bads. I feelsh funny all oversh.

Anesthesiologist: Yes, that is absolutely normal. I am now going to start injecting your face. When I do, you are going to be unable to talk at all. After that, we will put you under with the gas, are you ready?

Wealthy patient: Yesh! Bringz on the newsh me!

*The anesthesiologist is a master at his trade and soon the man’s face is completely numb and immobile, only the man’s eyes show any signs of movement.*

Anesthesiologist: There now, all done except for the gas. While I have you here, I wanted to tell you a story. This story is of a boy who grew up an orphan on the streets with no home. This boy lost his home and his mother when a ruthless real estate tycoon paid some officials off at city hall to steal their home right out from under them. They were homeless and his mother eventually died from pneumonia trying to keep her son alive on the streets. Luckily, the boy beat the odds and grew up to make something of himself. That boy became a renowned anesthesiologist working for one of the highest paid plastic surgeons in the US. He lived a very normal life except for the undying need for vengeance against the man who caused his mother’s death.

*The man on the table stares back at him. His eyes widen with terror as he is unable to react in any other way.*

Anesthesiologist: It is true that only 1% that undergo this combination of procedures die, but did you know it was usually a reaction to the anesthesia? I bet until just now, you thought being part of the 1% was a great thing? Well, I am sorry to say, you will not be waking up from this surgery. Welcome to the 1%......you are about to become a statistic.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #25

*Two strangers are sitting in the very back of a crowded  LAX to ATL flight. Half way through their 6 hour trip, boredom kicks in and they start up idle conversation*

Bored passenger: I really hate to fly. I am terrified of it.

Jovial passenger: Not me. I love it. Why do you hate it so?

Bored passenger: All the risks of what can go wrong. Missed flights, lost luggage, illness. Plus the feeling of being confined in this tight space...like being trapped in a small room! Not to mention, I have been living in fear of terrorist since 9/11.

Jovial passenger: Well as for me, I like the confined space. It helps to contain the possible chaos. I thrive on the chaos! The possibility for something horrible to go wrong is my bread and butter. It’s almost like gambling for high stakes for me. You really shouldn’t worry about bombs and such. They have so many new tech gadgets out there that it is near impossible for that to happen anymore.

Bored passenger: Oh? Is that so? Do you know  much about these things?

Jovial passenger: Oh yes, in fact, I have studied airport security for years now. I know every piece of hardware they use, what can and can’t get on board, and all their procedures.

Bored passenger: Wow, you sound like a master criminal or a terrorist ha ha. You don’t intend to blow us all up do you? Ha ha?

Jovial passenger: Oh good heavens no! Never anything so crass as that! A bomb would never make it onto the plane my good man.

*The jovial man continues the conversation as he shuffles his feet to reveal a small duffel bag between them.*

Jovial passenger: Take for example my carry on bag. It passes through 15 sensors at least before coming on the plan with me. It passes by bomb sniffing dogs and machinery. Even a simple metal detector would catch it if I were bringing a bomb on board.

Bored passenger: I see. You really do know your stuff.

Jovial passenger: I do indeed. Let’s say I wanted to create chaos and I was one of these “terrorist” as you asked earlier. I would have to mastermind a plan to get something terribly damaging, disrupting, and potentially deadly on this plane, all condensed down to the size of my duffel bag at my feet. Now, let’s say I beat the 1 out of 100 chance of getting my “chaos package” on board the plane without being searched. I would then have to find a way to deliver this terrible payload remotely without hurting myself. Maybe even placing the blame on another passenger so that in the unlikely event this “chaos package” did not bring the plane down, it would leave me free and alive to do it again another day. It blows the mind how all of this could come together as a plan. Wouldn’t you say so?

*The grinning man pats the duffel bag at his feet reassuringly*

Bored passenger: Uhh….yeah…if you say so. I honestly do not know if I should feel reassured or terrified.

Jovial passenger: Oh come now, don’t be silly! I was just having a bit of fun with you. Things like that only happen in the movies and in books. Now, if you will excuse me.... my in flight meal is not sitting comfortably with me and I must be excused for about 15 minutes to the rest room.

*The grinning man gets up and heads to the nearby rest room, leaving his duffel in the floor. He enters the lavatory and locks the door behind him, leaving one very worried and confused passenger sitting alone. The remaining passenger talks to himself nervously as he continues to eye the duffel bag with dread.*

Bored passenger: There is nothing in there……he was just pulling my leg. There really is tight security at airports. That man was just having some fun with me at my own expense. ……DAMNIT!  That duffel bag looks like it's bursting at the seams full! What if he really is a crazed terrorist and he managed to get something on board that could hurt us?

*Curiosity and worry get the best of him. He figures a quick peek for his peace of mind will not hurt anything so he reaches down and slides the duffel bag over to his feet. He grabs the zipper as he notices that the bag is vibrating strangely! Fear takes over as he grabs for the zipper. He is shocked when the zipper pops off in his hands as if it were designed to do just that, leaving no way to reseal the bag and leaving it fully opened. Ice cold horror seeps into his very soul as he sees the contents of the bag!*

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #24

*Two lifelong friends are taking a much needed getaway in the Appalachia Mountains at a private cabin. They have told family and friends alike they are away on business so they will not be disturbed and they can truly be away from modern day issues like cell phones, TV, and politics. It's just past midnight and the friends are in a heated debate over life after death.*

Practical friend: You cannot make me believe there are such a thing as ghost, no matter how hard you try!

Believing friend: How can you say that? I have seen things with my own eyes that make me a believer. Have you seen things that make you certain they don’t exists?

Practical friend: There would be proof by now if there was such a thing. Modern science would have found a way to reveal them.

Believing friend: Not true. Animals, that scientist have thought dead for thousands of years , are discovered every day in remote parts of the world. Ghosts are so far removed from this world, they could not possibly know how to find them, but ghosts do exist.

Practical friend: Listen, I am a man deeply rooted in reality. I have studied almost every NCIS tv show and forensic science special known to man. With all the grizzly murders that happen every day, would you not think that the vengeful spirits would haunt those murderers? Especially those that get away with it?

Believing friend: Who's to say they don’t? Maybe these murders are haunted to the point of insanity by the ghosts, or the ghosts come back and “get them” that is why they are never found out by the police. Maybe the nature of a murderer makes them so evil that they cannot see a ghost at all.

Practical friend: That is completely preposterous!

Believing friend: Prove that I am wrong then!

*The unbelieving friend reached into his pocket and pulls out a small pistol. In the blink of an eye he squeezes off 5 shots into the chest of his friend. The mortally wounded man slumps out of his chair and onto the floor as he stares up at his murderer. Still holding the gun, the deadly friend gets on his knees and lowers his head down to the dying man’s ear, as if to wihisper.*

Practical friend: No my dear friend….you prove me wrong!..........I will be waiting.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #23

*A frustrated father slams the bedroom door of his twelve year old daughter as he leaves her room. The daughter can still be heard crying softly as he returns to his bedroom and his waiting wife, who is already in bed. He starts pacing back and forth as he vents to his wife.*

Frustrated father: I’m telling you this whole “scary ghost woman” thing has to stop. Every night it is the same thing. She sees her outside her window or outside her door and she threatens to take her soul and hurt her parents! It’s very frustrating! Our daughter is going to be the death of me.

Consoling mother: I’m sorry honey. I am sure she will grow out of it soon.

Frustrated father: Not soon enough. She is already too old for this kind of thing!

Consoling mother: Just be patient dear.

Frustrated father: This has gone on every night since we moved into this place. Over two months now!

Consoling mother: Honey…..I need to ask you some questions….. and I want you to answer me very calmly. Just stand perfectly still, look at me, and answer me in a very normal tone……. Ok?

Frustrated father: Ok? I guess.

Consoling mother: Good….. now…..did she ever mention to you…..what this…ghost woman…..looked like exactly?

Frustrated father: Yeah all the time why?

Consoling mother: Did the woman she see……have crazy looking eyes….each a different color?

Frustrated father: Yes she did mention that.

Consoling mother: Did….this….woman have….sores on her face?

Frustrated father: Oh yes, she always mentions that.

Consoling mother: Would she ……happen to have…..crooked yellow teeth and scraggly, greasy hair?

Frustrated father: Dear lord honey, you have just described the “scary ghost woman” our daughter has been seeing every night. Do you know somebody like that?

Consoling mother: ……No…….

Frustrated father: Then how did you know what she looks like?

Consoling mother: Because she is sneaking up on you from the hallway right now!

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #22

* A young man who was on an Amazon conservation expedition had found 2 injured blue macaws in a poacher’s camp. These rare birds are sought after by poachers to sell as high dollar pets. He nursed them back to health and, due to his work background, was allowed to keep the now domesticated rare birds for himself. He planned on heading back to his parent’s house in America so he has them shipped ahead of his visit. He sends a message to his parents explaining how rare the birds are and one is for them and he will keep the other. A few days later, the young man arrives from his long journey at his parent’s home. *

Mother: Oh honey, you are so late, we thought you weren’t going to get here.

Young man: There was a delay at the gate and we sat on the runway for 2 hours! It is so good to see you!

Mother: Well dinner is almost cold! Come sit down and let’s eat and we can talk all about it!

*The young man and his mother enter the dinning room where his father is already seated at the table preparing for dinner. The young man takes a seat at the table.*

Father: Good to see you son! I was afraid I was going to have to eat without you!

Young man: Never fear! I am here now and we can let the feast begin.

*The mother quickly brings out steaming hot bowls of delicious smelling food as the family makes idle chit chat. *

Young man: So father, did you all get the birds I sent?

Father: Sure did! Boy they were some loud ones. We haven’t seen live birds since I was a boy back on the farm.

Young man: Did you manage them ok? I tried to get here fast so you would not have to deal with them long.

Father: Oh yes, we had no problems at all.

Young man: I would love to see them.

Father: Well, here they are now!

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #21

*A woman is happily preparing some apples to bake into pies. She can't find the cinnamon and is diligently digging in the back of her cabinets to see if she has any, but alas she is out. Her doorbell rings as she finishes the futile search. Answering the door, she finds her next door neighbor. He is a very strange man that keeps to himself mostly, which she preferred because he gave her a general unsettling feeling. Whenever she notices him around the neighborhood, he always seems to be staring at her in a very odd manner.*

Baking woman: Well hello there. Can I help you?

Neighbor: I couldn’t help but notice from the smell coming from your kitchen that you are making pies. I could smell them from my back porch.

Baking woman: Oh? You could tell that from the smell?

Neighbor : Yes and I could tell you did not have enough cinnamon in them so I brought you some over.

Baking woman: Wow! You must have one super nose to detect that. Here, let me pay you for that. I insist.

*Not wishing to be rude she beckons for the man to enter into the living room. She hurries off to get her purse to pay for the cinnamon because she did not want to have a debt with this very odd fellow. She quickly returns to the living room to find the man looking though her movie collection.*

Baking woman: Here we go. Five dollars should cover it.

Neighbor: Thanks...... I hate to impose, but could I borrow this movie here?

Baking woman: Well, I was watching that last night and got too sleepy to finish it so I cut it off, but I suppose you can.

Neighbor: Oh I know, I was watching it with you and I was really into it.

Baking woman: What? How were you watching it with me?

Neighbor: I noticed you starting the movie so I sat down by your back window.

Baking woman: You were what? Why were you doing that?

Neighbor: I didn’t want to bother you and it looked like a good movie so I just pulled up a lawn chair outside your window and watched it ….. with you.

Baking woman: That is just creepy! You did not watch the movie with me! You sat outside my window and watched me watch a movie! I think that is over the line! You should not do that to people!

Neighbor: I am sorry, I truly am.

Baking woman: Being sorry is not ok! That just bothers me. You have no right to do that to me. That’s probably how you knew I was out of cinnamon, you were watching me bake! That is just as bad as sneaking in my house at night and watching me sleep! 

Neighbor: About that…You really should have a doctor check out that mole on your lower back……

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #20

*A married couple was having a huge fight in front of their 16 year old son. The fight was centered around Mother’s Day. They had argued for weeks about how they would handle the event, but it was now the day before the holiday and things were getting very heated. The wife’s mother had passed away a few years ago and she wanted to drive two hours to visit the grave first. The husband wanted to go visit his still living mother first, who just happened to live 2 hours in the opposite direction. They both made valid arguments but it still lead to an all out fight with both parties saying horrible things to one another. After a solid hour of fighting, the couple agreed to disagree and they would both go their separate ways in the morning. The husband would spend the day with his mother and the wife would drive out and pay her respects at the cemetery. They left it up their son to decide whom he would choose to go with. The husband headed off to sleep on the couch as the wife stormed off upstairs. The next morning, the family meets in the kitchen.*

Son: Before anybody has a chance to start arguing again, I wanted to say I am not happy at all the way you acted. I really don’t appreciate you both putting me in the middle and making me choose who I want to visit today. I loved both my grandparents, and I want to show my respect and love for them both.

Husband: You’re right. We acted horrible.

Wife: I’m sorry we did that.

Son: You both are always telling me to find common ground in an argument and seek out a compromise rather than be a child and walk away mad. You both should practice what you preach. 

Wife: You are so right dear. I feel awful about how we acted.

Son: We are a family and we should do everything as a family. Since neither of you seem capable of being the adult here and coming up with a compromise that would be fair to us all, I took matters into my own hands and found a solution. 

Husband: Oh you did? What did you come up with son?

Son: It took most of the night, but I think my decision is fair for all. Now we can visit both of your mothers together at the same time.

Wife: What are you talking about? How is that possible?

Son: I brought both my grandmothers together. Dad, your mom is with her mom now.

Husband: WHAT! Oh my Lord! What have you done? Are you insane? You buried my mother?

Son: Please dad! That is absolutely crazy! I would never harm a hair on grandma's head! Last night I drove out and got grandma and brought her back here. She is waiting for us out in the garage as we speak.

Wife: That is a bit odd honey, but how does that bring us to a common ground compromise. We still have to drive for 2 hours to visit my mother’s grave.

Son: Nope! I went and got her too! I told you they were together…..

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #19

*Two brothers and a sister find themselves ripped from their home and confined in a very strange and alien place. A square room with 4 smooth walls and an open ceiling that is much too high to climb or jump to. The floor is layered in a strange, almost fuzzy covering that makes it very difficult to walk on. *

Little sister: What are we going to do? Where is mother? What do you think they did with her? 

Little brother: I have never seen anything like this place. Where are we?

Big brother: I have no idea guys but I plan on finding out. WHAT IS THAT? LOOK!

*As the three siblings watch in horror, a giant being with long hairless arms reaches into the square enclosure they have been confined to. They all scream in terror but the impossibly large alien being is unrelenting as it snatches up their sister and lifts her up and out of the enclosure.*

Little brother : WHAT WAS THAT THING THAT GRABBED HER?

Big brother: I don’t know, but I bet that creature had something to do with mother missing. They just better not hurt our sister or they will pay.

*After a few minutes, the giant creature returns with their sister in tow, it's massive hand like appendage almost completely engulfing her. The enormous being plops her down unceremoniously and she runs to the protection of her siblings. The creature is not finished as it leans it freakishly large head over and smiles showing rows of giant white teeth. It grabs up the smaller brother and hauls him up and away as he screams out in horror.*

Big brother: Are you ok? Did they hurt you?

Little sister: It was horrible! There were two of those giant things out there. They examined me all over and spoke in a strange language. One of them forced some really nasty yellow stuff down my throat with a tube thing and then they tried to make me drink from a strange object that smelled really funny. I just kept my mouth shut tight and they gave up and brought me back.

Big brother: Did you see mother?

Little sister: No but I am sure they have done something with her. Oh what will we do?

*The towering creature returns a few minutes later and drops the smaller brother back into the enclosure. It quickly snatches up the larger of the two male siblings. Despite his best efforts to escape the huge hand, even going so far as to bite down on it, the large creature whisks him up and away.*

Little sister: Are you ok?

Little brother : Yes, but what do they want from us? Why are we here? Why do they make us drink that horrible yellow stuff and examine us all over like that?

Little sister: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I just hope this ends soon. I am so scared!

*A few minutes later, the giant returns to loom over the square confined space. The massive hand returns the missing sibling. The giant head leans close and examines them all with eyes as large as their head. After it completes it's visual inspection the head zooms up and out of sight.*

Little brother: Are you ok?

Big brother: Yeah I am fine. They examined me all over, even looked in my ears and mouth. They made me drink nasty yellow stuff too. I honestly don’t think they mean us harm. Despite being so big, they were surprisingly gentle with me. One of the even hugged me up and patted my head like it was trying to calm me down. This has been a very strange day. If we stick together, I think we will make it through this ok.

*The three siblings huddle together and try to catch some sleep before the immensely huge creatures return and perform more confusing experiments on them.*

Giant creature 1: I feel bad for them. They are scared to death!

Giant creature 2: Yeah me too. Poor things. I hate that their mother was run over by a truck. Luckily somebody brought them here so we could at least try and give them a fighting chance at survival. I wonder what those poor little guys think about this whole thing?

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #18

*A small boy cries out for his father in the middle of the night. His father rushes into the boy’s room half asleep. Pointing franticly at his closet door, the cowering boy screams that he just saw a monster slither inside.*

Father: Calm down son. What is it now?

Terrified boy: It’s a monster! It slithered into the closet! It looks like a long skinny red snake with boney hands and a big mouth full of teeth! It’s eyes glow red like the devil!

Father: Now son we have talked about this. You know there are no such things as monsters.

Terrified boy: No dad, It’s real! I just saw it!

Father: Three days ago when you said you saw this snake thing at the window. I opened it up and looked and nothing was there.

Terrified boy: That’s when you let it inside!

Father: Two days ago you said it was under your bed. When I looked, there was nothing there.

Terrified boy: You chased it behind the dresser then.

Father: Last night you said it was behind the dresser. I pulled the whole thing out, and nothing was there.

Terrified boy: You ran it into my closet. Really dad I saw it peeking out at me. It is there! Right in the bottom of the closet. Please check for me.

Father: Ok. I am going to check this one last time. When I find nothing, you have to promise that you are done with this whole monster business.

*The father opens the closet door as the boy cowers under the covers. The boy peeks out to see what happens next. The father gets on his hands and knees and makes a huge production about searching for the “monster”. He throws clothes and toys about as he digs deep into the back of the closet. After a few minutes he stops suddenly, stands up, and exits the closet. He heads for the door out of the room when he freezes mid step, turns, and speaks to his son in a strange, raspy voice.*

Father: You have some good eyes boy. Too good!

Terrified boy: Why do you say that? Why are you talking that way?

Father: You always could see where I was hiding and I always had to find a new place to keep your parents from finding me. Well, tonight I found a really good hiding place. Just scream if you see a monster!

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #17

*A mailman pulls up to a quaint little farm cottage in the country. He unloads three large boxes and heads to the front door. After ringing the bell, an older gentleman answers the door.*

Curious Mailman: I got some more packages for you. That is like the 20th shipment of packages you have received this month.

Older gentleman: Yes, I supposed it is.

Curious mailman: If you don't mind me asking, what are all these for? It is policy I report any odd mail related things back to the office.

Older gentleman: I guess this does look suspicious. I tell you what, it would be easier for me to show you. Come around to the back cellar.

*The Mailman follows him around the back of the house then down a long flight of steps into a dark cellar where he reveals a huge machine that looks like something right out of a mad scientist lab.*

Curious Mailman: Holy heck! What is this huge thing?

Older gentleman: I call it The Eraser. This machine uses titanium blades, fire, and a variety of acids to completely erase something. Let’s say I wanted to get rid of a car. I would put the car into the main opening and within 20 minutes this machine would reduce it into less than an ounce of unidentifiable carbon. That is what I have been working on for the last 10 years and why I have also had so many packages lately. It requires a huge amount of maintenance to keep it running.

Curious Mailman: WOW! What exactly would you use this machine for?

Older gentleman : Well…so far, I have only used it on two really nosey Mailmen… you will be the third.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #16 (May Monster Madness Day 5)

*A young man arrives at an out of the way villa in Vermont. The villa is luxurious but is decorated with strange vine and twig decorations. While the nature decorations are odd, it is strangely beautiful. He approaches the front desk and is quickly welcomed by an older man in glasses.*

Older man: Welcome to our Villa. Are you the guest that won the free weekend pass?

Young man: I am! I can’t believe how nice this place is. I never win anything.

Older man : We are honored to have you here, just in time for a great celebration.

Young man: Oh? What celebration? Is that what these decorations are for?

Older man: Yes that is why we are decorating. You see, there is an ancient legend of an old and powerful creature that was supposed to live in the woods surrounding the villa. Some called it a witch, others called it a nature spirit. Those that would offer the right gifts were blessed with wealth and long life. Every year in the spring, we throw a celebration in honor of those old customs. In truth, it is just a marketing campaign and another reason to throw a party. The owner of this Villa, who lives up in New York, comes up with all these contest based around the customs of his ancestors. He is a real stickler for maintaining tradition.

*The older man takes the guests luggage and beckons for him to follow as he continues.*

Older man: There were 5 winners this year, but I fear you were the only one to show up. Just as well, we can give you our undivided attention as the guest of honor.

Young man: Wow, I can’t believe my good fortune. I just though I won a weekend getaway and five thousand dollars, but now all this! At first, I thought it was a gimmick but I took a risk.

Older man: Fortune favors the bold, that is for sure.

Young man: I even did some research on this area. I heard about this “witch” creature you spoke of, but it did not sound very nice… nowhere near nice enough to throw a celebration for at any rate.

Older man: Oh? What did you hear about this, “witch”?

*The two continue to a large doorway. The older man opens the door with a large iron key from around his neck, a shadowy set of steps descended from the doorway leading down.*

Young man: Just the usual things you could expect from a witch like being. It was horrible, evil, nasty, vile…. The book I read said it held those in the region in a thrall of terror. That the early settlers would offer sacrifices to it so that it would leave them in peace. My research went so far as to reveal that this awful being would eat the heart from its victims which would grant it an entire year of youthful appearance and health.

Older man: I had heard those same stories, but I fear that would fail to attract guests. My apologies for sugar coating the true nature of this celebration. I assure you, we only do it because of custom. Please follow me into the basement where I have a surprise waiting for you.

Young man: Great! I love surprises!

*The duo continues till the reach a large iron cage. In the center of the cage is a chest.*

Young man: So…. I have to ask you… was this all a clever ploy to get me to come down here so you could sacrifice me to this witch?

Older man: Heavens no! This is where I keep the petty cash locked up. It is archaic but effective. This is another of the owner s eccentric taste I fear. All valuable must be kept in this cage in the basement.

*He continues to speak as he unlocks the cage and heads for the chest.*

Older man: Nobody in these parts would ever perform such horrid crimes against humanity if such a foul witch ever existed. We simply go through the motions of the celebration like our ancestors did. If there ever was a witch, she can rot in hell because we won’t sacrifice for her miserable life.

Young man: I was afraid you were going to say that.

*Quick as lightening the young man whips out a very old hand sickle and with two quick strokes, hamstrings the older man. He collapses to the floor, unable to walk.

Older man: Wh…what….what are you doing? Are you mad?

Young man: Not mad, just hungry. You see I am the “witch” told in your legends, but I guess you could say more of a warlock in truth, though both description fail to define me. I am also the owner of this villa. Since your kind refuses to give me sacrifices, I must take what I need to live. The only catch is the “offering” must come willingly to this chamber for the ritual to work. I thank you for bringing me down here of your own accord. Now, if you wouldn’t mind holding still. This is a new shirt and I don’t want you thrashing about and getting blood all over it as I eat your still beating heart.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #15 (May Monster Madness Day 3)

*A small boy sits at a kitchen table littered with post birthday decorations and half eaten birthday cake. His mother is washing dishes and attempting to clean up some of the mess as the clock on the wall strikes 10pm.*

Cleaning mother: So, did you have a good birthday party?

Small boy: Yes momma. It was really good, especially the clown! He did all kinds of magic tricks!

Cleaning mother: He was something alright. He seemed a little creepy at first but…. Oh well, I'm glad you liked him.

Small boy: Mom… what does “eviscerate” mean?

Cleaning mother: What an odd question. That means to gut something ….disembowel it, like cleaning a fish. Where on earth did you hear that word?

Small boy: The clown said it.

Cleaning mother: The clown? Why in the world would he say that to you? What exactly did he say to you?

Small boy: He said he was going to come back tonight and ......“eviscerate” you and daddy.

Cleaning mother: Oh my God! What a horrible man to say such things to a child! He was creepy anyhow and he smelled bad. He was a terrible clown.

Small boy: You really shouldn't say such bad things about the clown momma.

Cleaning mother: Oh? Why's that?

Small boy: Because he's standing right behind you…..

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #14 (May Monster Madness Day 1)

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #14

*An unconscious man is tied to a chair in a dark, underground chamber. The only source of light in the room is an oil lamp sitting on an upturned barrel. The man jerks awake, clearly confused at his predicament. He panics and fights at his bindings as he hears footsteps coming near the closed door in front of him. The door opens and in steps a tall, pale man in a business suit and sunglasses followed by a smaller, muscular man with a beard. The bearded man is dressed simply in a flannel shirt and jeans. This seemingly mismatched pair closes the door behind them as the bearded man addresses the bound figure.*

Bearded man: I see you are finally awake.

Cowering man in chair: Oh please! PLEASE! Just let me go. I did not mean anybody any harm. I was just looking for friendship. You have gotten me all wrong!

Bearded man: Oh do I?

*Without looking the bearded man reaches back to his companion in the suit. The pale man hands him a large folder full of papers*

Bearded man: Let’s have a look at your history of looking for, ”friendship”.

*The bearded man opens the folder and begins reading through the papers.*

Bearded man: It seems here that you found “friendship” with a 15 year old boy a few years back. You told the boy’s mother that you were 10 years younger than you actually were so you could get closer for this “friendship”. You also told your boss and your friends that you had discovered that this 15 year old boy was, “your son from 15 years ago courtesy of a one night stand”. You used these lies to go on vacation with this boy, get time off from work, even leaving your job early every day and taking almost every Friday off to, “spend time with your son”. Does that sound about right?

Cowering man in chair: Please you don’t understand. I was confused! It’s not like it sounds!

Bearded man: Oh I think it is exactly as it sounds. You kept this ruse up till the boy turned into a man. After he was older, you no longer desired his “friendship”. In fact, you started looking for other forms of “friendship” right after his 18th birthday. Which brings you to being here with us in this place. We put those hidden and secret websites out there to find people like you. To attract those that….how did you put it? “are confused and seeking friendship”. You see, I was the one that was sending you those emails, posing as another 15 year old boy. It was I, posing as an innocent young boy, that made you drive out to the middle of nowhere in search of this "friendship". Your "confusion" lead you to be in the mess you find yourself now.

Cowering man in chair: Oh God no! Is this going to be on TV? Is this one of those shows that traps predators?

Bearded man: No, nothing like that at all. I promise you.

Cowering man in chair: Are you cops? By law you have to tell me if you are cops or it is entrapment!

Bearded man: Oh I can assure you, we are no cops. We have absolutely no affiliation with any legal or military group at all. You see, we are looking for fellow monsters like us. I think we can all agree, if you were  not a monster at heart, you would not have come looking for what we offered.

Cowering man in chair: Monsters like me? So this is some kind of a club? Is this an initiation? You guys are like me?

Bearded man: This is a club, in a manner of speaking, and we are looking for people like you. As to if we are like you, that is yet to be seen. We are all monsters in this room, and that is a fact.

Cowering man in chair: I don’t understand. What do you want from me?

Bearded man: We want to know who you really are……what... you really are. We seek out people that are not in line with the rest of society. The ones that are different. Those that have a hidden life in the darkness. Do you catch my drift?

Cowering man in chair: I….I.. think so. You want to know just how different I am. You want to see if I am good enough to be in your “club”. I have heard about clubs like this. I thought they were mostly in Europe? What do you need from me then?

Bearded man: Tell us what kind of monster you are? Admit it so we can see if you qualify to be one of us.

Cowering man in chair: OK….ok….I admit it. Everything your folder says is true. I lied to that boy’s mother, my friends, my boss and co workers, even my own family so I could have a relationship with him. I used to think I had a problem, but it is the rest of the world that has a problem. I am the normal one I tell you! What I do should not be wrong! It's what I need! It's what feels right to me! If that makes me a monster, then I am among the worst monsters in the world! THERE! DOES THAT ASNWER YOUR QUESTION?

Bearded man: It does. It does indeed. You are a monster, but you are like no monster I have met. You are not like us.

Cowering man in chair: What in the hell does that mean!?!?! You said you were monsters like me!

Bearded man: No, I said we were monsters, but even your dark, twisted, and evil soul is frightening to us. You see, all our lives, we have been called monsters by the masses. We were feared and shunned while true monsters like you walked around in the daylight spreading evil, lies, and ruination. You serve no purpose other than to deceive, hurt, and use people to fulfill your degusting fetishes and cravings. You serve no purpose on this earth other than that.

Cowering man in chair: But… but… you…. you said you were monsters too! You both are monsters! You said so yourself!

Bearded man: So I did. You see I am a werewolf…..and my over dressed friend behind me is a vampire. Together, we seek out true monsters in the world. Tonight we found one.

Cowering man in chair: You are a fucking lunatic! There are no such things as werewolves and vampires!

Bearded man: Oh yes, we are real. As real as you are evil.

*The pale man removes his glasses to reveal almost glowing red eyes as he lets out a feral hiss from his horribly fanged mouth. The bearded man removes his flannel shirt as hair bursts from his skin and his facial features begin to crack and distort into a half wolf/half human visage.*

Bearded man: I bet when you were a child, your mother would tell you scary stories about us, then calm you down by saying we did not exist. Well, my mother used to tell me stories about people like you, only she made sure to remind me you were real.

Cowering man in chair: OH GOD HELP ME! THIS HAS TO BE A NIGHTMARE!!!!

Bearded man: This is no nightmare, and trust me, I know what nightmares are. If you ever wondered if “monsters” like us have nightmares, we do. They are about real, flesh and blood evil like you. You are too monstrous, even for the likes of us, and tonight we will sleep peacfully knowing there is one less real monster in the world.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #13

*A gardener from a local landscaping agency is working in a large flower bed in a client’s back yard when he unearths a human skull. Thinking it may be a joke, he clears off more dirt until he is sure he has found the remains of a human. He runs back to find his boss in the front yard.*

Frightened gardener: Boss! Come quick! I just found a human body in the flower bed behind this house.

Boss: Now calm down. What do you mean?

Frightened gardener: I just told you! It's in the flower bed in the very back yard! I was putting in a drip line and I dug up a body! Somebody killed another person and buried them back there. What are we going to do?

Boss: Well just be calm for a second. How big is the flower bed?

Frightened gardener: What do you mean how big is it? What does that matter?.... Oh crap! You mean there could be others buried there too? Damn! It is absolutely big enough for at least one more body Boss.

Boss: That’s good cause now that you know about all this, you are going to be that other body!

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #12

*It is 2am in the morning. A compact car has slid on some ice and flipped over a wooded embankment. The car comes to a rest, upside down, at the bottom of a gorge after flipping many times. The driver awakens, shaken and battered, but alive. His legs feel unbroken, but trapped in the crushed dashboard. He hears the rustling of underbrush and a voice calls out to him.*



Rescuer: Hey are you OK buddy?

Trapped man: Yes, I’m trapped and can’t move.

Rescuer: Well the car is not on fire and it is not leaking gas.

Trapped man: Yeah I guess that is something to be thankful for.

Rescuer: I am glad I was walking through the woods nearby. Nobody would have seen you for days… even weeks.

Trapped man: My good luck just keeps coming.

Rescuer: Can you free yourself? Is there any way you can get out on your own?

Trapped man: No I am completely stuck. The dash has my legs trapped. I don’t think they are broken. If you can just wedge the dash off me, I may be able to walk away from this.

Rescuer: I don’t think that will work. I am afraid you will be dead in a few minutes.

Trapped man: What the hell are you talking about? I can most likely walk away from this if you will free both my legs.

Rescuer: You don’t understand. I just escaped from prison. I got put there for killing and eating my neighbor 11 years ago and I got a real hankering for some fresh meat.

 

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #11

*A young couple are awakened from a peaceful sleep by the sound of their front door being opened and a large object slamming into the floor.* 

Startled Wife: Honey!?! Did you hear that noise downstairs? It sounded like somebody opened the front door.

Calm Husband: Calm down dear. That's just my brother.

Startled Wife: Your brother? It’s 3am in the morning. Why would he be coming in our front door at this time?

Calm Husband: I called him before we went to bed. He is bringing in the trash bags, shovels, and Duct Tape like I asked him to.

Startled Wife: Why would you ask him to do that?

Calm Husband: Now that is a silly question! How else are we going to chop up and dispose of your body?

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #10

*Two 12 year old boys take a break from trick or treating behind an old abandoned house that is reportedly haunted*



Bored TOT: Halloween is just boring anymore. There is no real creep factor or supernatural danger to worry about. Not like in the movies.

Imaginative TOT: I know what you mean. Like this house. Sure it is rumored to be haunted, but why? By whom? This town needs a legend to make Halloween more sinister.

Bored TOT: Yeah a legend! Something really horrible that happened here. People would always look at this old house and remember that the horrible event took place on Halloween.

Imaginative TOT: I have really done some thinking on this. How does this story grab you? A Trick or Treater lures one kid back to this house every Halloween night and brutally slays them with an ax. It will be scary because the legendary killer is just a kid in a costume. Nobody will know who it is or how they are dressed.

Bored TOT: I like it, but why is this murderous kid like that? What makes him tick? 

Imaginative TOT: Hmmm, how about this. The kid had a father that drank too much and beat him and his mother all the time. The father felt guilty so he would wear an old devil mask, like from the 50’s, when he would beat them. In the father’s mind as long as he wore the mask, it was like somebody else was beating them. On Halloween night, the kid is really taking a beating from this guy and finally breaks. He takes a hatchet from the tool shed and hits his father in the back of the head with it… while he is still wearing the devil mask! The kid is so messed up by these events, he starts wearing his father’s mask and kills a kid every Halloween with the same ax he used on his dad! Like when the kid sees other kids in masks, he is compelled to kill.

Bored TOT: Wow! That is great. You have thought about it. What happens next?

Imaginative TOT: Well, his mother would be grateful that the kid killed his abusive and crazy father. So, when she finds out that her son chops up a random kid every Halloween, she not only covers and protects him, but even helps him kill the kids. It all goes down right here in this abandoned house they used to live in.

Bored TOT: That is brilliant! Great idea, but how do we start this legendary tale? I mean how do we spread it and get people to believe it actually happened.

Imaginative TOT: I’m glad you asked that. Every story has a beginning. Tonight is as good as any night to start it. 

*reaches into his candy sack and pulls out a bloody devil mask and a hatchet*

HOLD HIM MOM!

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #9

*A woman returns to her home after a 2 week business trip overseas. She is met in the living room by her husband.*


Returning wife: I cannot tell you how good it is to be home. I have missed you so bad. Come here and give me a hug. 

Surprising husband: Wait right there, don’t come any closer. I have a surprise for you.

Returning wife: A surprise? What on earth could it be, and why are you wearing that old dirty hoody?

Surprising husband: This hoody is hiding your surprise. Do you remember how you always talked about our neighbor David's abs? Do you remember telling me how you wish I had abs just like David?

Returning wife: Yes I do. David has amazing abs… oh honey! Did you join a gym?

Surprising husband: Nope…even better. *unzips hoody* I just took David's! You can barely tell that they are attached to this belt.

Shockingly Sinister Shorts #8

New Girlfriend: Wow, look at that girl's hair in that commercial. I wish I had hair like that.

New Boyfriend: My ex had hair EXACTLY like that.

New Girlfriend: No way! That is the most perfect hair in the world! That woman has makeup artist and video editors that make it look that good. There is no way that hair is real.

New Boyfriend: No really. She had hair that looked that way every day. She did not even do anything special with it at all. In fact, it caused us a lot of trouble. There was always some guy wanting to run his fingers through it.

New Girlfriend: I am sorry, but I cannot believe hair like that exists in the real world. It is just too perfect.

New Boyfriend: No really she did, and I will prove it to you. Follow me to the basement. Her head should still be down there in the freezer.