The Tidings of Fear 3 (Maplewood)

The third and final collection of Christmas horror stories for 2024 dives deep into Appalachian Christmas lore.

“IT WHISPERS AT MIDNIGHT”
Pam Scoller is holding a somber vigil at the bedside of her dying grandmother on Christmas Eve, while the rest of the world seems to move on without them. She reflects on life and sacrifice, until a mysterious voice starts speakng to her as the clock strikes midnight.

“LAKE SHAWNEE”
A campfire folk tale of the curse on the land of Lake Shawnee that was cast in December of 1783, when the nation was still wet from its womb and the aspirations of two great people came to a bloody crossroads on the shores of Lake Shawnee.

“BRIDGE TO SOMEWHERE”
Macy survived the Silver Bridge collapse on December 15, 1967, but the experience seemed to mark her. She repeatedly is reminded of the haunting figure she saw as the bridge buckles. Is it a guardian angel, or the grim reaper, intent on finishing what it started?