Nightmare“Break the Skin If You Have To” by Emma Osborne, Jess Essey, and Cadwell Turnbull
“Wallers” by Mari Ness
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
There are two original stories in the 123rd issue of Nightmare. Overall, it was an entertaining collection.
“Break the Skin If You Have To” by Emma Osborne, Jess Essey, and Cadwell Turnbull
In this horror short, Constance is a one hundred year-old zombie. In death, she was bound to the house she grew up in, forced to clean and cook for the owner, who died long ago. So strong is the house’s pull, that Constance no longer fights against it.
But then she meets a girl at the food store, so now she wants more from her existence. Still, the house pulls at her, even as her new lover tries to entice her with a new life. Soon, Constance will learn which force is more potent, love or death.
The three authors collaborated to create a touching story.
“Wallers” by Mari Ness
Martha doesn’t like the men her mother brings home in this short fantasy. So, when her mother brings Mr. Nelson home, Martha hides in the wall. Not a hole in the wall, but she becomes part of it with its flowery wallpaper. And when she’s hungry, she takes to eating those flowers.
Mr. Nelson is the skeptical sort. Did that wallpaper flower’s leaf disappear? He takes pictures, becoming more suspicious. It’s soon getting difficult for Martha as Mr. Nelson begins prodding the wall.
This was a charming and easy-to-read story. The author found the perfect structure to keep it mysterious without becoming confusing.
You can follow Kevin P Hallett’s writing on www.kevinphallett.com. There are links there to join his mailing list for a weekly newsletter on the recent release of his second novel, The Fifth Kingdom.