Comment from Sugar & Spice

Exceptional

Been riding down ya dark streets here Dean. Decided to pull up and put it in park in front of this delicious tale. Now if this ain't some shit. He is inside her house. You find what scares us to the core and exploit it...love it!!

Sugar

 Comment Written 11-Aug-2015

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reply by the author on 11-Aug-2015

Thanks, Sugar & Spice. I do try very hard to do just that. Sometimes it works, while others...e-h-h-h-h...not so much. The key is to keep trying I think--and just write about what scares us most--on a very personal level.
Thanks for dropping by and crusin' around a bit. I appreciate the awesome feedback, and those six stars.
Take care, and I'll holl'ah at 'cha later...
~Dean :}

Comment from Michaelk

Excellent

Chills man, I got chills. It reminded me of dial M for murder.
As always, you have the magic touch of describing so well that it feels like I've read a novel instead of only a few hundred words.
When she saw the man outside, I was thinking, 'Lock your doors, right now!' But the ending was just sublime. I love the cut off right before it happens, knowing exactly what's going to happen.
Wonderful work yet again. Another excellent Tiny Tale. :)

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 11-Jul-2015

Thanks so much, Mike. I'm really glad that you enjoyed this one, buddy.
Here's looking at you, kid. Heh-heh...
~Dean :)

Comment from sharonmealler

Exceptional

Oh my goodness! It makes you want to look under your bed! It was easy to read, flowed freely and left me wanting more. I enjoy your dark side

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 11-Jul-2015

Thanks so much, Sharon, and I am very pleased that you do, my dear friend. There are many who don't, I'm afraid, but that's okay. The fact that we all have diverse tastes--different liks and dislikes---is what makes living on Planet Earth an...interesting experience.
Much obliged for your complimentary comments, as well as your exceptional six star rating.
Thanks again! ~Dean :})

Comment from write hand blue

Excellent

Another good one for the collection.

That's the last thing you would want while suffering from the flu, or anything else for that matter. lol.

The reflection in the glass, scary. When stood behind you... It's time to switch the washing machine on.

A good scary story...

:) Mel.

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2015

Thanks so much, Mel. I'm glad you liked it.
~Dean :}

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Oh my!! I see you are up to your old and new tricks, again. You have written a wonderfully scary short story, but then you always do. This is extremely well written.

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2015

Thanks so much for your complimentary review, Barbara. I do try very hard to give anyone who reads what I've written a decent scare.
Much obliged, my friend. :}
~Dea

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

Yeah, I would have to say that that right there is a perfect moment of terror, those few seconds of realization the the patio door is not functioning like a window, but a mirror. And a dual twist in such a short work. No footprints in the snow- I thought for sure he was something supernatural. Your take, bringing it back to a killer, I'd much more shocking as you fooled the reader. Excellent!

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2015

Thanks so much, Ed. I appreciate you taking time out to read the story, my friend. I'll take "excellent" any day of the week, buddy!
Have yourself a great weekend, ya hear?
~Dean ;)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Yeah good one Dean. I like the twist of the missing footsteps in the snow, it took a couple of seconds to sink in that he was inside. Another good chapter,

valda.

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2015

Thanks, Pearl. I'm really glad that you enjoyed it.
~Dean

Comment from Walu Feral

Excellent

G'day Dean. Crikey mate you are the master of the twist at the end. You make it kind of sneak up and go boo! Well I guess that is the intention LOL. Great stuff once again. Cheers Fez

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2015

Yep, you're right about that, Fez, as that was my intention. Haiku is to poetry what flash and micro horror fiction is to prose, I think. At least that's how I approach it. It has to have that "Ah-Ha!" moment at the end in the reveal to be successful.
Thanks for your complimentary comments. I appreciate it, mate. :}
~Dean

Comment from Father Flaps

Exceptional

Hi Dean
Very effective. Fear that freezes a person from head to toe. You've nailed it with this short horrority.
Different times, I have imagined this myself...looking out the window into the night to see someone just standing there, staring back. That would be enough to give anyone a heart attack, especially an old coot like me. And that's without an escaped murderer.
Your story begins with the news of this perpetrator, but Jeanie allows her imagination to wander. Before she glances outside, she half-expects to see this criminal. But what she sees is even worse. Then, you allow the reader's imagination to take over and finish the gruesome tale. Well done!
I especially enjoyed,
"An uneasy feeling began to wash over her--like a malignant, oily fog."
Here's another,
"With horrifying, sudden clarity, the realization of what she'd just seen hit her like a sledgehammer blow to the gut."
and,
"She shook uncontrollably, like leaves in a stiff fall breeze."
finally,
"...it caught in her throat, choking off her air supply like a piece of half-chewed steak that simply wouldn't go down." .... nice similes, every one.

Perfect imagery!

You're just getting better and better, my friend.
Thanks for sharing!

shivers,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 11-Jul-2015

A-w-w-w-w...you're far too kind, Kimbob, but I never get tired of hearing such wonderful complimentary praise. I know what a staunch reviewer you are, so I know you don't hand out sixes lightly. That only makes your exceptional rating all the more special, my friend.
Thanks for taking the time to point out what you liked particularly about this story, and I very much appreciate your time and indepth review.
All my best to you & yours, my friend.
~Dean :)

Comment from Loyd C. Taylor, Sr

Excellent

Oh my goodness, what a horrifying story! Where's the commercial? We get so used to getting to a good part and then here comes the commercials.
I enjoyed your story and wish you the best!
Loyd

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2015

Thanks very much, Loyd, I'm really glad you enjoyed the story, and I appreciate you giving it a go.
I know what you mean about commercials. As a young boy, I never missed Rod Serling's Twilight Zone, the Alfred Hitchcock Presents hour, or the Outer Limits. That was a tactic those programs used quite a lot, but old Hitch always made the commercials very amusing with his introductory monologues. Are you old enough to recall those?

Thanks so much again, sir. I greatly appreciate it. ~Dean

reply by Loyd C. Taylor, Sr on 09-Jul-2015

Old enough? I think I came over on the Ark. Hey, you are welcome, keep up the good work. May I invite you to visit my work when you have time?
God bless, Loyd

reply by the author on 09-Jul-2015

I will certainly try and do my best, Loyd. Since my unexpected stay in the hospital for five days a little over a week ago, I've fallen so far behind in my review replies and answering all my messages.

I promise, I will try.

~Dean :)