Comment from Neonewman

Excellent

Besides, he was ten-years-old now; he knew how to handle himself.
Oh Yes! That's when all boys learn LOL! That they are still afraid of the same old shit they were last year LOL!
Well, I can see there is a new Monster in town and dammit if I don't want to have a drink with miss Mary Winterbourne.
Great delivery as always young man!
God bless!
Steve

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Jan-2015

Thanks so much, Steve, for your fantastic feedback, my friend. I'm so happy you enjoyed my monstrous musings, LOL.

Much appreciated! :}

Comment from lancellot

Exceptional

Very good. Well, you certainly have reached the originality threshold and I like the mix of poetry. You display all your skills on this one. Perfect 'pun' ending too. Great idea. I see a winner here.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2015

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reply by the author on 19-Jan-2015

Thank you very much, Lance. I'm very glad that you enjoyed this little terror tale, and I certainly am very grateful for your very generous rating and compliments. As to whether it's a winner or not, as long as you believe so, then perhaps I'll stand a fighting chance. We'll soon see.

Thanks again, my friend. Much appreciated. :}

Comment from daeneam

Exceptional

Mary Winterbourne was absolutely a monster! But, I don't think she could do similar things to the living. Evils have no power after death. I guessed, some sick-minded people are the ones who do such horrid things. They just used the popularity of Mary and spread horror in the community. c", Mae

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2015

Comment from Walu Feral

Excellent

G'day Anon. Wow that was one fantastic story to read mate. Right from the first word until the last you had me interested and that is quite a feat my friend. Good luck in the contest. Cheers Fez

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2015

Comment from emrpoems

Excellent

Stunning presentation of this horrible story. This might be Dean and if it isn't well someone is getting close to his ability. An amazing choice of topic . Vivid imagery created and a story well told so that the reader is engrossed and the events appear to be a true experience.
The end paragraph was much like the vampire stories where the horror continues
Best of luck in the contest

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2015

Comment from spe9im

Exceptional

I absolutely love horror stories. This tale had me from the first line. I couldn't stop reading even if I wanted to. I can't see anything wrong with this story. Great job on this.

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2015

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

This combination poem and story just reached out and smacked me around a little, as I'm sure it did to many others. Very well written and filled with information that could be true or at least to some extent. Great job. :-)

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2015

Comment from Ekim777

Excellent

A well written piece; the characters are convincing; our attention rivets on them. The dialogue is good and natural. So where does the horror creep in? I suppose fear and guilt amounts to horror when our humanity is shaken up or threatened. I have long tried to fathom the meaning of horror. Whatever it is, we need to have a willing suspension of disbelief. Death and darkness is an important ingredient in our lives. Hint and innuendo are important to. I think our author handles all these issues well enough but I am still bemused by the meaning of horror. -Ekim777

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2015

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2015

Thanks for voicing your opinions, Mike.

Horror is relative, and it fully depends on the individual. For example, I may have an unnatural, morbid fear of toilet paper (and, don't worry, it's just an example, LOL) which causes me to break out in cold sweats, shake uncontrollably if it's brought anywhere near me, while you might find that hilarious (I sure would!). So, what I might find terrifying, you will not.

I can tell you this, it isn't all about blood, guts, gore, hacking and slashing, like the Halloween, Friday the 13th or the Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. It's more like The Serpent and the Rainbow, In the Mouth of Madness, Jacob's Ladder, Saving Private Ryan and Full Metal Jacket type of horror I believe in and attempt to write.

"The 3 types of terror: The Gross-out: the sight of a severed head tumbling down a flight of stairs, it's when the lights go out and something green and slimy splatters against your arm. The Horror: the unnatural, spiders the size of bears, the dead waking up and walking around, it's when the lights go out and something with claws grabs you by the arm. And the last and worse one: Terror, when you come home and notice everything you own had been taken away and replaced by an exact substitute. It's when the lights go out and you feel something behind you, you hear it, you feel its breath against your ear, but when you turn around, there's nothing there..."
― Stephen King

"[Horror fiction] shows us that the control we believe we have is purely illusory, and that every moment we teeter on chaos and oblivion."
― Clive Barker

Comment from giraffmang

Excellent

A very strong and well written entry into the competition.

The framing of the tale and the interactions between the grandfather and grandson were very reminiscent of my favourite film, 'The Princess Bride'. Although a very different genre.

Great tension built up. Normally these tales result from someone being wronged so this a bit different.

A great read and great ending.

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2015

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2015

Thanks for those complimentary comments, Gareth. I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it.

Comment from mfowler

Excellent

A double whammy, here. The terrible story of the poor kids with the sewn lips and their deranged mother, followed by a death curse leading to a creepy visit to the house of the supposed purloiner of the dead killer's ghost's golden thimble. The two strands, of the story told and the child's experiences in his bedroom, are skilfully sewn together to create a creepy, coherent narrative. Well devised, well written, and well in in this unusual horror storycompetition. I'd swear you'd been in Dean Kuch's head. Perhaps you could enter that competition too.

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2015

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reply by the author on 17-Jan-2015

Thank you very much, mfowler. I will be sure to look into that, just as you've suggested.

I wholeheartedly appreciate you taking the time to read and respond to my work. I hope to give this Dean Kuch character a run for his money! :-)