Halloween Stories

For the past three years we've had a tradition here at the Hyperion Institute of Halloween tales, stories spooky, creepy, just plain weird, or somehow different from the rest. These are the tales, year by year:

2003

THE DOOR

THE STAIRCASE

MUDDY WATER

2004

Guest Stories

REAL MONSTERS - Abigail Cora
[Abigail died earlier this year, but I know she wouldn't mind if I reprinted her story]

THE MONSTER OF CADDO CREEK - Name withheld
[There has been some dispute with this story, as the author indicated to me she felt that in my editing I changed it so much that the tale was no longer hers. I stand by my edits, but I feel badly that I disappionted her. I asked her permission to run the story the way she originally had it, and if she gives permission I'll change it to the new version]

THIS JUST IN!!!!!!!!!!!

TERROR AT THE GATE - Dawn Short
[Dawn has given me permission to run her original version, and I'm happy to do so. Since you didn't get to see it last year, please take a look at it now]

FLIGHT - Saralyn Marshall
[I asked if she wanted a Bio, but Saralyn said the only thing I need put was that she was awesome and the envy of all her coworkers]

A TEACHER'S LOVE - Ethan Treviño
[Ethan loves long walks on the beach, the color green, and monkeys. His turn-offs include the University of Florida, arugula, and placentas. You can learn more about Ethan by clicking here]

My stories

TOM DULA
[The origins of the lyrics to the famous folk song "Tom Dooley"]

LOOK WHO YOU SEE
[The story of a girl I met at Denny's (and yes, she's very real)]

14 Words
[The tale that launched this year's saga "The Great and Terrible Adventures of Fagin Dupree

2005

This year I decided to combine the guest reader's story and my own.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH - Ethan Treviño
[You'll notice Ethan did a story last year and was asked to do so again, a measure of how much we think of him around here. You can see how cute he is here.]

AND SILENCE MAKES IT SO
[This is a funeral dirge, and features--for the very first time--me making a fool of myself and reading said poem]

REUNION
[I think any high school renunion is basically a horror story, don't you?]

Cross your fingers that I will get enough Internet Access to get this year's to you, but if not, enjoy these!