by 
Just because the holiday is over doesn’t mean that we can’t scare each other with Christmas horror stories, right?
While I’m compiling my “Upcoming Horror Movie” list, I decided to get in on the action at one of my favorite subs of Reddit: shortscarystories. Basically, it’s flash fiction. Each story has to be under 275 words (which can be tough). During the Christmas season, they held a contest for the best story (It ended yesterday.). The 10 highest rated submissions were then passed onto the moderators for a vote. I submitted multiple, and decided to check the results. One of my stories came in 11th.
Ain’t that a kick to the crotch?
Oh well. There’s some really talented writers that contribute to that forum. Here’s a full list of the submissions if you are interested (sorted by top votes) but I thought that I’d share a few of the stories I submitted as well. Happy holidays!
Confession
Changing identities in this world is easy. Identities are just memories and records, and I haven’t interacted with anybody for years. I am completely untraceable in any database or record. Go ahead…try to find me.
At one point, I was in charge of this whole organization. It was great. We all did our jobs. I worked a night a year. Even though I got all the glory, deep down everybody knew that I didn’t do it alone. The elves did their thing. I did mine. The Mrs…well, she existed for other carnal reasons.
A few years ago, I had just finished my night of glory and returned home to an empty house. She was gone. Her chains were broken, but I knew it was an inside job. You can’t hide from a man that KNOWS what you want and how to find you. Hell, those freakin elves were at least sneaky. They tried to hide my book from me. They tried to band together.
I found her quickly. She suffered.
I was much more efficient with her little helpers.
I used to give kids homemade toys made by the elves. Now, I just contract with Walmart. It’s so much easier. I had more trouble disposing the bodies after they began smelling than I do filling Christmas wishes anymore.
But, then again, so is hiding who you really are when you’re this isolated. Ho Ho Ho
Get Lost in the Christmas Spirit
There are things in this world that we just don’t understand. They are far from natural, and I think that I have been chosen by one of those…”things”.
About a week ago, Christmas carolers showed up outside our door. While it was a beautiful moment for our family (You just don’t see that anymore…), I was immediately infatuated with a young woman in the group. She was a beautiful 20 year old who appeared innocent on the outside but I knew did terrible things when in the mood. As I stole glimpses of her, I soon noticed that she was reciprocating these private moments. I could not wait to introduce myself.
It was during their second song (O Holy Night) that I saw her face change. Professional singers really accentuate the perfect “O” shape of their mouth in order to achieve the sound, and hers began here. But then it shifted into a terrified, angry scream. Her eyes judged me as they became black as her surroundings. Terrible thoughts, I realized, did lie in those eyes of hers. I blinked and it was gone, but so was the moment. I brushed it off. As we thanked and introduced ourselves to the group, she eluded me. As a family man, I did not seek her.
Now I dream of her constantly. Her face becomes less human each time. I see her everywhere…Christmas parties, malls, work… Her voice, which once was pretty, now scratches my brain lightly. It’s not overpowering. It’s almost unnoticeable. She wants me to sing with her…for always. In her world, it’s always the Christmas season. Families are never bothers. Pain is temporary.
First Sequence
It kinda came on by necessity really.
Prior generations wanted their stockings filled with small presents, coins, and fruits. Hell. While the Germans and Brits were obsessed with footwear and presents, I generally had a pretty easy job that was spread out over multiple days.
Then the 20th century began…
Every child thought I needed to barrage them piles of gifts. Every parent plead that I look “for just one more”. Apparently, I supplemented the attention they couldn’t give to their children. Kids began asking for more complex gifts and my “season” extended until I was working year round. Money was tight as I educated my workers to new technologies. Processors aren’t cheap and they’re a big leap from wooden trains and dolls. I had to make some cutbacks somewhere.
Call it desperation or call it ingenuity, but I have an idea I’m working on. I call it the Christmas Santapede. I saw a headless chicken in Colorado years ago and realize that I just need to leave enough of a brain on the deer to keep it “alive”. Then I can connect it to the one in front of it. Toss a little enchantment over the duo and all is protected. A little medical training is a small price to pay for the savings I’ll reap. I don’t even have to modify my sleigh. It’s like it was made for this all along!
It came out of necessity really.
