Romance Horror – Halloween Stories

Under the Bell Tower: A University Murder Mystery

John — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:54:46 +0000

The story begins with four students: Daisy, an arts major with a knack for quick thinking; Rex, the computer geek who would surprise you with his wit; Holly, the psychology enthusiast with an uncanny intuition; and Alex, the history buff with a love for crime novels.

One evening, during a campus ghost hunt, Daisy stumbled upon an old, rusty key and a worn-out diary. Alex identified the diary as dating back to the early 1900s. As they opened it, a cold breeze swept through them, leaving everyone with goosebumps.

The diary belonged to a former student, Martha, who wrote about a series of murders at the university. She suspected a professor, identified only by the initials “J.B.” The diary ended abruptly, hinting that Martha might have been the final victim.

Alex, an ardent fan of Sherlock Holmes, proposed that they solve the mystery. The rest, despite being creeped out, agreed, expecting it to be more amusing than terrifying.

Over the following days, they embarked on their investigation, splitting responsibilities according to their strengths. Daisy explored the campus’ old buildings for clues, Rex trawled through digital archives, Holly interviewed elderly locals, and Alex studied the diary meticulously.

They found an old news article reporting the unsolved murders. The victims were all students, found in locked rooms, and each left a note saying, “J.B. has my heart.” The article gave them chills but also led them to the fact that there was a Professor Bartholomew’s ancestor, named John Bellinger, who taught at the university during that period.

However, this investigation took a turn for the worse when they found a fellow student, Ethan, dead in his locked room with the same message on a note, “J.B. has my heart.” The mystery was no longer a mere intriguing curiosity but a chilling reality.

As they shared the news with Professor Bartholomew, his reaction was a mix of shock and delight. He promptly said, “Now this is what I call active learning!” His joviality, despite the grim circumstance, struck them as odd.

As the campus was seized by fear, Daisy noticed something uncanny. The old key she had found fit the lock of a secret compartment in the statue of the university’s founder. Inside was a blood-chilling sight: a small, glass jar containing a preserved human heart.

With the campus under police lockdown, our four friends decided to confront Professor Bartholomew. To their surprise, he wasn’t surprised. Instead, he laughed uproariously, exclaiming, “Oh, brilliant! You’re onto something, but not quite there yet.”

Exasperated and frightened, they decided to consult their psychology professor, Dr. Harper. Sharing their findings, they noticed her growing increasingly pale. She revealed that she was a direct descendant of John Bellinger and that she had discovered the same diary years ago.

“But I thought it was just a family legend. I never took it seriously.” Dr. Harper confessed. “J.B., the murderer, was my ancestor, but I swear I have nothing to do with Ethan’s death.”

Then came the plot twist that no one saw coming. Dr. Harper’s assistant, a soft-spoken grad student named Brian, revealed himself. He was the one committing these murders, inspired by the legend of J.B. to revive the century-old mystery. His initials, “J.B.,” were a creepy coincidence, or perhaps a twisted destiny.

Brian, who was expecting the students to accuse Professor Bartholomew, was taken aback when they confronted him instead. The quartet had deduced the truth from the oddities in his behavior and his peculiar interest in their investigation.

As it turns out, Brian had also found Martha’s diary independently and started the deadly game. The professor’s strange behavior and creepy ancestor story were merely red herrings that added a touch of humor to their eerie adventure.

In the end, Brian was arrested, and our heroic foursome was commended for their bravery and keen investigative skills. And although the murders were solved, the legend of the ghost tours became even more chilling, with Professor Bartholomew delighting in adding this real-life murder mystery to his tales.

And so, the laughter, chills, and frights continued in the hallowed halls of the university, where murder mysteries were as much a part of the curriculum as were history and psychology.

The post Under the Bell Tower: A University Murder Mystery appeared first on Halloween Stories.

Love, Lies, and Lemon Tarts

John — Thu, 18 May 2023 12:35:18 +0000

In the small, idyllic town of Bittersweet Hollow, where murder was as uncommon as a good hair day in humidity, life took an unexpected turn. It started when the charmingly cynical baker, Sally, met the extraordinarily eccentric librarian, Hank.

Their romance began over a shared love of lemon tarts and mystery novels. Sally, a master of pastries, had a knack for baking tarts as tart as her wit, while Hank, with an uncanny memory, could recount every twist and plotline from his vast library. They met at the annual Bittersweet Hollow book club, where Hank choked on one of Sally’s lemon tarts as he passionately argued about the latest murder mystery novel.

After the choking incident, Hank began frequenting Sally’s bakery. Their conversations were filled with laughter, debates over who-dun-its, and a growing suspicion about each other. Oddly enough, at the same time, Bittersweet Hollow’s murder rate skyrocketed from zero to two. The victims? The town’s gossips, who, for some reason, always seemed to be whispering about Sally and Hank.

The irony wasn’t lost on either of them. Two murder mystery lovers, falling for each other, while actual murders were happening around them. And each started having the same unsettling thought: “Could my sweetheart be a killer?”

Hank noticed how Sally’s eyes gleamed with a strangely triumphant glow whenever a new murder was announced, almost as if she was celebrating. Plus, her seemingly innocent bakery knife collection was extensive enough to make a butcher blush.

Meanwhile, Sally was suspicious of Hank’s extensive knowledge about the most intricate murder methods and his uncanny knack for predicting where the next murder would occur. He’d been right about Mrs. Pringle, the town’s nosiest gossip, meeting her untimely end at the duck pond.

Their suspicions about each other grew, but so did their feelings. Their dates at the local diner were filled with coded banter and suspicious glances. They’d playfully accuse each other of being the murderer, laughing while secretly analyzing each other’s reactions.

One night, during an unnaturally dark and stormy night, they decided to confront each other. Hank invited Sally to his library after hours. Sally, always ready with a tart retort, agreed, taking along a batch of her “special” lemon tarts.

“I’ve been thinking, Sally,” Hank began, as they sat across from each other in the dimly lit library, “these murders… they’re a bit too close for comfort, aren’t they?”

Sally smirked, “Funny you mention it, Hank. I’ve had the same thought.”

An eerie silence filled the room as they locked eyes, the tension as thick as Sally’s custard cream. Hank reached out to grab a tart but froze as he saw Sally’s hand move towards her bag, where a glint of metal peeked out.

In a split second, both reacted. Hank flipped the table, sending the lemon tarts flying, while Sally pulled out her knife. They stood in a standoff, each accusing the other of being the Bittersweet Hollow Murderer.

Just then, the library door creaked open, and in walked old Miss Maple, the town’s cat lady, her eyes wide with surprise. “Oh, my! I didn’t expect to find the two of you here!” she exclaimed.

Sally and Hank, still in their standoff, asked in unison, “What are you doing here, Miss Maple?”

“Well, I… I came to return this,” she stuttered, pulling out the latest murder mystery novel. “I… I must’ve accidentally taken it when I was

… cleaning up after… after Mrs. Pringle at the duck pond.”

The penny dropped. The town’s unassuming cat lady, a murderer? The very thought was funnier than a cat in a hat. Hank and Sally burst out laughing, their standoff forgotten.

As it turned out, Miss Maple, tired of the gossips spreading rumors about her beloved cats, decided to take matters into her own hands. She’d been using Hank’s predictions and Sally’s bakery as her alibi, making them look suspicious to each other.

In the end, the lovebirds, caught in a romantic murder mystery of their own, breathed a sigh of relief. Their love story was no longer shadowed by suspicion and fear. Well, except for their fear of Miss Maple’s cats, who, as it turns out, could be quite murderous when they wanted to.

The post Love, Lies, and Lemon Tarts appeared first on Halloween Stories.

The Man From The Past

John — Wed, 17 May 2023 12:16:39 +0000

Once upon a time, in the forgotten corners of Eastern Europe, nestled deep in the Carpathian Mountains, there existed a small, quiet village named Verkova. The inhabitants of Verkova lived in fear of the ancient legends told by their ancestors, of a vampire named Vladislav who, they believed, had haunted their lands for over two centuries.

Vladislav was not your typical vampire. He was a nobleman, of sorts, having been born into an aristocratic family in the late 18th century. He was turned into a vampire at the tender age of 25, and had since lived in isolation, feeding off animals and the occasional unlucky traveler who wandered too far off the beaten path.

In the village of Verkova lived a young woman, Maria, a 35-year-old widow with a son, Ivan. Maria was known for her strength and resilience. After her husband’s untimely death, she had taken up the mantle of both mother and father, working tirelessly on their small farm and raising their son alone.

One day, a severe storm raged over Verkova. The winds howled, and the rain hammered against the roofs. Maria was returning home from the market when she lost her way in the storm. As the night fell, she found herself in the forbidden forest, the one rumored to be the dwelling of Vladislav.

Maria stumbled upon an old castle, hidden deep within the forest, where she decided to take shelter from the storm. She was unaware that this castle was the very dwelling of Vladislav, who, upon sensing her presence, was drawn to her. He was captivated by her beauty, her bravery, and the tender love he sensed for her son.

The vampire approached Maria, making no effort to hide his true nature. Instead of reacting with fear, Maria, ever the brave soul, looked into his eyes and saw a loneliness that mirrored her own. She did not scream or attempt to flee; she stood her ground, meeting his gaze with unwavering strength.

Vladislav found himself falling for Maria, her courage, her kindness, her indomitable spirit, and her love for her son. He opened up to her about his past, his transformation, and the solitary existence he had led for the last 200 years.

Maria, in turn, told him about her life, her struggles, and the love she had for her son. Their stories intertwined, two hearts finding solace in each other’s company. Their connection grew stronger with each passing day, and Maria found herself drawn to this ancient creature, seeing the man within the monster.

However, their love was not meant to be easy. The villagers discovered Maria’s frequent visits to the forest and suspected she was in danger. They set out to kill Vladislav, armed with stakes, garlic, and holy water.

When the mob arrived, Maria stood in front of Vladislav, defending him. She pleaded with her fellow villagers, telling them of the man she’d come to know, who was more haunted than haunting, more sinned against than sinning.

The villagers, driven by fear and superstition, refused to listen. It was then that Vladislav, not wanting any harm to befall Maria, stepped out from behind her and allowed himself to be taken. As he was dragged away, he looked back at Maria, his eyes filled with a sorrowful love.

That night, the village rejoiced, thinking they had rid themselves of the ancient terror. But Maria, alone in her small house, mourned for a love that was as beautiful as it was doomed. The vampire’s love had changed her, giving her hope and companionship in her lonely world.

The tale of Maria and Vladislav became a legend, a story whispered in hushed tones, a testament to a love that transcended time, age, and even death itself. The villagers might have silenced the vampire, but they couldn’t erase the love he left behind in the heart of a brave mother. Love, Maria realized, was the only thing more immortal than a vampire.

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The Ugly Duckling

John — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 08:21:37 +0000

Shannon. 19, wiry, likes to online shop. “No, that’s ridiculous” she thought. Shannon has been attempting to fill out her dating profile for months. She’s socially awkward and academically ahead of everyone in her class. She wasn’t going to go to college, but it was that or take a low paying, dead end job, even though she did that anyway to take away some of the unseen costs of actually being a college student.

“You’re never gonna meet anyone if you can’t even figure out how to introduce yourself. It’s pretty funny actually”, her sister Angie quipped while scavenging in the cupboards for something to eat. “Yeah, that’s nice” Shannon quipped back staring out the window at the inevitable rain that clouds the neighborhoods every late April in the mid-west.

“You know, I really like how this looks. I wish I didn’t have to order it. I wonder if some place local has this?”. Angie questioned while scrolling through her tablet. Angie stands up and walks over to the window to see what Shannon is staring at. “You know I was just giving you shit” she backpedaled. “I kn-” Shannon stopped speaking mid sentence and both girls look over at the tablet. *PING*.

“Wow, hey, look. They actually have this necklace at the Saint & Sinner shop over off 4th street”, Angie remarked, staring down at the tablet then back up at Shannon with wanting eyes. “No”, Shannon said. “WHY NOT?! You know I have to work. Come on, pleasssseeee. I’ll owe you BIG TIME!”. Shannon looked up at the clock and back out the window. “Sure, I guess, but you know I hate going down over that way”, Shannon asserted, flooded with memories that she’d much rather forget.

Shannon put on her coat and shoes and grabbed her keys to head out the door when she noticed her laptop was still open with the page of the dating site still open. She sighed with exhaustion and closed her laptop. “Maybe later”, she stated, while having every intention of opening it back up later and finishing her profile. “Why can’t I meet anyone?” She thought while getting into her car. Oh, let’s not open that book.

10th street, 11th street, 12th, 13th street….15th street? How could I have missed it, she thought as she turned around to see where she went wrong. She pulled down the street back to 13th and stared from 13th to 15th street, very confused. Looking down towards 15th, she could see a slit dip in the road that resembled another street.

Shannon pulled down the street and sure enough, there was a smaller, not visible from the road if you drive by, dirt road that had a worn down sign at the front of it. “14th street” Shannon said aloud, with an annoyed tone cascading her inner monologue. Shannon parked, killed the ignition, and walked up to the store. “It looks like a ghost town around here” she thought, looking around at the dreary landscape.

She walked into the quaint but creepy little store. “Who would buy any of this stuff” as she looked around the store at the vast array of what seemed like spices, clothes that could have been made in 1850, and what seemed like gadgets that were already broken before someone even bought them. She made her way to what seemingly was a glass case with an array of jewelry.

“Wow” she thought reassuringly. “I was wrong, these pieces are beautiful. Even if I can buy one of these, Angie will owe me for the rest of her life”. Shannon thought to herself.

“CAN I help you?” A plump man with glasses sporting the name tag that read”Watson” said, quite loudly. “Uh, well I..” Shannon trailed off as she caught the glimmer of a necklace that seemingly called her name as it gleams. “Ah. That item is..of rare value”, Watson exclaimed as he caught Shannon’s gaze.

“However, we can make exceptions, can’t we?”. “Feel free to try it on, but beware, this is not the kind of item you want to become addicted to buying”. The shopkeeper warned. “I cannot possibly afford it anyway” Shannon moaned begrudgingly. With a gleam in his eye and slight grin, Shannon noticed but disregarded, he said “We are running a special right now on Jewelry. $50 miss, and it’s yours”.

“Oh, well, alright”. Shannon said, reaching into her pocket. *Ding* the registers sound alarmed as it scraped closed. “This bitch better pay me back” Shannon thought, remember that Angie was now on part-time hours at her restaurant. Shannon drove in the opposite direction of the shop and noticed a color change in her rear-view mirror. She noted that the shop’s light was off.

What kind of shop closes at 3pm? Must not be a very popular shop, she thought. Shannon pulled into the driveway of her parents house and got out of the car. As she turned the key inside of the front door, she thought she heard footsteps on the sidewalk behind her. She whipped around quickly, only to see nothing. A blank street. A dog barking ominously a few streets over only compounding Shannon’s anxiety.

She locked the front door behind her and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. Opening the door, she flung open her laptop, and sat down in front of her computer. The dating website popped up again. “I REALLY don’t feel like dealing with this right now”, she thought. She sat down on the bed and nudged the bag from the Saint & Sinner shop, knocking it down to the floor.

The bag was slightly open and gleaming back at her was Angie’s beautiful necklace. Shannon picked up the bag, slowly pulling the necklace out, she held it up to her neck. Shannon clasped the necklace around her neck. “Wow, this is way too nice for me”, she discouragingly reminded herself. Shannon walked over to her bed and laid down. Looking down at the bag from the gift shop, “I’ll get it in a second” Shannon thought.

A warm feeling flooded Shannon’s mind & body. “I feel great and drained, simultaneously” – she thought out loud. Standing up, she walked passed her mirror to go downstairs and stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh my God…”. Shannon’s cheek bones were lifted, her hair was straightened and without the split ends that were hanging from it yesterday, and her skin was perfectly clear.

It was as if someone took all of her features and upgraded them. Perfect skin, I mean, who even has that? Shannon looked down and noticed that she was still wearing Angie’s necklace. She went to go take it off and paused, while looking at herself in the mirror. With an evil grin, Shannon dropped her hands, and opened her laptop.

TO BE CONTINUED.

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