If only Bruce didn't have to commute all the way to Los Angeles, he wouldn't have to walk so early. At this time of the morning it was easy to imagine stuff. Like they say, "It's darkest before dawn," and more often than not, he spotted things lurking in the shadows. He wasn't sure what they were, but they were certainly out to get him. It reminded him of countless zombie movies, of how those dead, decaying creatures crept out of the woodwork and ate people alive. Those films had haunted him for years and inspired the majority of his nightmares, starting back in 1968 after he had fidgeted his way through the movie, "Night of the Living Dead." It never mattered how his dream began. He could be in high school taking a math test, but somehow he'd wind up being chased by those flesh-eating creatures.

They're coming to get you, my boy! taunted a voice that sounded exactly like Boris Karloff’s. They're coming to get you!

---

DIRTY, STINKING RAT

 

As soon as his dog Jiggers had guzzled his fill, Paul headed toward the backyard door. As he walked along, he heard a faint scratching sound. He glanced to his right and spotted something moving on top of the water heater. When he realized what it was, he nearly jumped out of his slippers. "Holy shit!"

Standing upright on its hind legs was a rat the size of a small cat. Before Paul could recover, it leaped onto the wall and scrambled down to the floor. It moved so quickly it turned into a blur and disappeared behind the water heater.

Clutching his chest, Paul gazed at his dogs. "Mother of God! Did you guys see that?"

From his blank expression, Jiggers seemed to have missed the entire affair. But slinking close to the floor, Lady peered at the water heater and softly whimpered.

---

AMBER'S CORNER

 

Amber glanced at the electrical box then turned toward me. "The girl on the poster," she answered.

I rolled my eyes and looked over. It was too dark to make out the details, but I'd seen it about a hundred times before. So I hollered, "What about her?"

I will never forget what happened next. She answered, "That's me on the poster and it says I died in a car accident!" Then, as she stepped off the curb and into the street, she vanished before my eyes.

"Holy crap!" I shrieked, as my heart damn near blew a gasket. I just sat there, bug-eyed and trying to catch my breath. I couldn't believe it. Where did she go? Then, suddenly, my van's radio flipped back to normal. A cold shudder ran down my spine. I kid you not, the hair on my arms stood at attention.

---

INSIDE THE BOX

 

Josh bit down on his lower lip and inched closer. His stomach shriveled and his heart raced. The box was positioned at eye level but turned slightly to the left. The area around it looked uninviting and exceptionally murky. Maintaining a reasonable distance, he leaned forward and peered at the opening. It's just too dark . . . He crept forward and raised his right hand. I'll turn it toward me . . . so I can see better.

When the boy touched the box, a strange iciness chilled his fingers. A gust of air rushed across his face and before he could react, something lunged through the opening and grabbed him by the wrist.

---

EPITAPH

 

Warren struggled to his feet, and again proceeded toward the bathroom. It occurred to him the more pills he took the better he felt. He opened the medicine cabinet and swallowed two additional Darvadols. Jeez, I'm only supposed to take one at a time.

Looking into the mirror, he discovered a smirking Justin standing beside him. Go ahead, take some more, the fifteen-year-old urged. Take a whole bunch more so we can sit down and have a nice, long guidance session!

As Warren peered inside the bottle, he discovered the capsules had grown arms, legs, and small, gargoyle-like faces. They bumped into each other as they frolicked about. Take me! they cried. Take me, and be free from all your guilt and sorrow!

---

SHADY TRAILS

 

After drinking his fill, Maverick appeared raring to go, but just like before, he kept glancing around. Horses, just like most animals, were extremely sensitive to their environment. Even though the murder had occurred five weeks ago, he still might be sensing something disturbing.

Jenny shuddered and looked over her shoulder. She could have sworn someone had been watching her through the trees. Perhaps seeing the crime scene had roused her imagination. She retrieved her water bottle, took a swig, and wiped her mouth. Stop it, Jenny. There's no one else around here.

---

PIZZA PAL

 

"A set of keys jangled from the other side of the door. I glanced outside and, instead of a two-story drop, the roof to the dining room was just a few feet below. While I climbed through, I heard a key unlocking the door. Just as it flew open, I dropped out the window.

"The second I hit the roof top, I hurried over and jumped again. This time the drop was a lot farther down and my ankles took a beating.

"I hobbled off . . . glad to be alive. But being curious, I stopped and looked back. Nick was in the window staring down at me, and I swear his eyes were as big as baseballs. The pupils weren’t even round! I know it's going to sound completely whacko, but they were shaped like black diamonds! I swear – you can strap me to a lie detector if you want – but there was nothing human about those eyes of his."

---

SCARE TACTICS

 

Miranda Howell clenched her fists and approached the door to the mailroom. Her hair appeared ruffled, her eyes red and watery. Perspiration had soaked through her blouse, her nylons were torn, and a black purse hung from her shoulder. She wore what resembled a Bluetooth phone in her right ear. Taking a breath, she gazed at the business card clutched in her hand. "Last one . . . almost there." She shook her head. "Brahman . . . I hope you're wrong."

She shuddered then wiped her forehead. The card slipped from her hand and drifted to the floor. She glanced at her watch. It was midnight, exactly. "Howell 7167," she whispered.

The door opened and a blinding light flashed. Miranda shielded her eyes, inched inside, and the door closed without a sound. The ceiling lights flickered as the corridor remained hushed. Then, after a long, lingering moment, a single scream erupted.