Rosemary Cain was known for being the best baker in the county. She would always win the first prize ribbon in every contest. One evening, while Rosemary was getting ingredients for baking, she saw her husband Bennie flirting with Charlotte Berry. How could Bennie cheat on her? Gripping the paper bag tightly against her chest, she went home. After entering the kitchen and dropping off the groceries, Rosemary returned to her garden. She hummed to herself, plucking a skeletal poinsettia. ‘Just a few petals will do,’ Rosemary thought as she returned inside—the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and oatmeal. The door opened, letting the evening cool air into the unbearably hot kitchen as Bennie walked in. Rosemary pulled…

Paul was a security guard at the Silent Centre Museum in Oak Heart. Though he had been working there for a while now, he had never worked the night shift. Anthony was usually the guy who did, but he was currently on vacation. That would mean it would be up to Paul to take over that shift. “Paul, we need to talk,” Anthony said to him, coming in for his shift that day. They had never spoken to one another before, so it was strange for Anthony to start a conversation now. “Sure, man, what’s up?” Paul answered, figuring it was due to their work protocol differences, as he put his gear away. Anthony looked around, making sure they were…

Monica knew that whatever this was, impersonating him was not her best friend. His skin hung loosely upon his frame. His eye sockets were sunken and dark, and only two tiny dots shone within the swirling darkness. When he walked, he dragged his feet. He no longer spoke, and yet everyone else thought it was normal. ‘How could this be normal?’ she thought to herself. Was everyone seeing the same person as her? Monica knew what to do, but first, she needed proof. So she set up a camera one evening, inviting him over to her home. When Monica excused herself and left him alone, she hoped it would let its guard down and reveal what it was. Upon reviewing…

Nyoka lived in Giverny, where she owned a bakery shop called Reverie. She was beautiful with her long golden curly hair that went to her waist and bright blue eyes. The townsfolk swore that she looked straight out of a fairytale. Nyoka always ensured that everything she baked, from the sweet to the savory, was made ‘just right.’ She aspired always to make people smile and feel welcome in her bakery. Berard, however, disliked Nyoka. He said she was too nice and fooled all the townspeople. He needed to get rid of her, but the only way to do that was to ensure they were alone. It had been raining that day, and he saw her walking in the rain…

A creak outside his office caused Micah to stop typing on the report before him. He stood up from his desk and went to investigate. Micah opened his office door and peeked out into the hallway. He looked left and then right, but it was empty. The only thing abnormal was the blinking overhead lights. “Did everyone go home already?” Micah asked aloud. He took out his phone to check the time, only to find the service signal marked with a red ‘X.’ “I must have worked later than I had initially thought,” he mumbled, putting his phone back into his pocket. Closing his office door, he walked down one of the hallways, peeking into the other office windows to…

Alice arrived at Clare View Point. She had saved just enough money to get there but needed to save the rest for lodging and food. It meant taking other forms of transportation was out. Alice had decided to see if someone would be willing to give her a ride. After all, the last stop she was heading to was pretty close; it would still be a long walk on foot. Alice scanned the faces of the people standing outside the bus station. There stood a handsome man walking to the parking lot. “Excuse me!” she cheerily spoke, walking up to him, who stopped to listen.”By chance, could you give me a ride?” Alice asked. The man looked at her. “Where…

There was no denying that Jun was handsome. You could ask anyone regardless of gender, and they would talk to you forever, fawning over his looks. Rin, however, found it irritating, accusing Jun of using his features for his selfish advantage. One afternoon, Rin was alone with Jun, cleaning up their homeroom class, when Rin used this opportunity to address Jun about his abuse of vanity. “People only like you for your looks,” he scowled. Jun shrugged and continued to sweep the floor. How stuck up can this guy be? Rin thought to himself, scoffing at the reaction he had received. If only Jun were no longer handsome, everyone would see him for who he was. Rin spotted a pair…

Mel would go to his family’s vacation house by the lake during the fall. It was a peaceful community with retired inhabitants. He arrived just as the sun rose over the tree line, having made the late-night drive to avoid traffic. Turning the car into the driveway, he parked it and turned it off. Mel opened the car door, taking a moment to stretch out. Going to the back of the car, he opened the boot, gathered his bags, and took them inside. His parents had left a note on the counter. Walking over, he glanced at the note briefly. The note stated that the pantry and fridge were restocked. If the power were to go out, use the generator…

In a little village, tucked away from the rest of the world, lived Nils, a doll maker. His home is up on a hill, completely isolated from everyone else. He creates dolls for those who have lost their friends and loved ones—an empty husk without a soul. There is a rumor that Nils once brought his wife to be back to life. Since he had dabbled in black magic, he broke the rules that were once taught to him by his master. When Nils brought her back to life, she was no longer herself. She had harmed many people, and thus, he had to end her life a second time. Not wanting his apprentice to make the same mistake, he…