Scary Holiday Tales to Make You Scream Read Free Page A

settling on 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
    He couldn't get over the feeling. The relief to be able to live a day free of pain. His thoughts kept wandering back to the frail old lady and how she so willingly helped him. He was fortunate in that respect, he figured. Through it all, there was always someone who was kind to him; his boss, Julie at the diner and now the old woman.
    The television faded into the backdrop as he made himself comfortable in his chair. He took a long, slow drink of his beer before setting it down. His thoughts, they flew through his mind in a blaze. He felt, dare he think, happy at that moment. Content and most pleased with the sudden change of events. He thought this, as his eyes grew heavy.

    ***
    A chill floated in from beneath the door and through the cracks in the window frame. Zak grabbed a blanket and wrapped himself in it. He sat back down to enjoy the end of 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
    The chill continued to grow, until Zak could take no more. He felt the cold as it bit his cheeks and nose. His breath rolled from his mouth in a white plume. Getting up he took the blanket and wore it like a robe. The plaid blanket draped as he shuffled his feet across the floor towards the thermostat.
    "Jesus," he complained, tapping the thermostat, which read 27 degrees. Zak checked the windows, then closed all the drapes, checked the door and then went back to the thermostat. It read twenty-five degrees.
    Zak turned, angry and cold. He had every intention of calling the superintendent, but there would be no phone calls anytime soon. Zak stepped back, as three black creatures crept towards him. He recognized them as the creatures in his dream. Their small furry frames covered in matted black fur. Their eyes and mouths were stitched closed by three small X'.
    They danced and shook violently as they approached him. Zak tried to move, but it was as if the cold had frozen him in place. The creatures slowed - he stared down at each of the identical-looking beasts.
    Zak broke free of his fear and lunged for the bed as one of the creatures flew at him. He heard the thud as it hit the wall. He turned to see the other two helping the third to its feet.
    Quickly he made his way over the bed and to the door. The knob was stuck, and when Zak tried to remove his hand, he realized his hand was stuck too. Frantically he tried to open the door, then tried to free his hand from the doorknob. He could hear behind him the approaching creatures as they dragged their feet across the hardwood floor. The scratching got louder as Zak increased his tempo of pushing and pulling on the door. Still it would not budge.
    He let off a wail of fear as one of the creatures lunged onto his back. He looked over his shoulder as the stitched eyes monster seemed to be staring back at him. Then it tried to open its mouth. The stitches, which appeared to be pulpy flesh, stretched to reveal a row of shiny silver teeth. The creature couldn't keep its mouth open though, and with each effort, its mouth would clamp down tighter. Zak slapped at the thing as he continued frantically to open the door.
    Another wail crossed his lips when the second creature pounced on him. He could feel their claws digging into his shoulder and back as they began to tear at him.
    Soon all three of the creatures were on him, each clawing at him, and fighting to get their mouths open so they could devour him. The pain in his back was blinding. Still he tried to open the door with the hand that was stuck to the doorknob. With his free hand he slapped at the creatures, trying to get hold of their fur, something to help him get them off.

    ***
    "Oh-God!" Zak Tran woke with a fright. His hands dug into the arm of the chair, and his legs pulled close to his chest.
    "You did not thank Jahobe."
    Zak jumped from the chair. He backed into the kitchen, pointing a trembling finger. "How did you get in here?" He asked the old woman.
    "You did not thank Jahobe, so he sent me to deliver a