Welcome to my new blog!  

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of the horror genre.  I love to read, watch, study, analyze, assess and discuss anything horror.  Jaws is my favorite movie, followed closely by The Exorcist - which, btw, is my favorite book (I have read it so many times, that I cannot keep track).  I love reading horror because as a reader, it is thrilling and invigorating.  But also, as a writer, I love studying the way the authors bring terror to life....how it builds slowly, how they use language to convey such deep and powerful emotions.  And I admit, I read to learn how I might be able to do it someday myself.  So folks. today is someday.

Here is my first fiction blog - and the reason it is a blog, is because I honestly have no idea how to publish a book of short stories.   

Plus, one of the best reading experience I ever had was when I read Stephen King's "The Green Mile".  The reason it was the best reading experience for me was not as much about the story -which was indeed amazing - but because, if you do not recall, when it was initially released, it was released as a serial novel.  He released it in 6 short pieces, one month apart.  So I would get the first book, which was delightfully super light and thin, and tear through it in day - and then I had to wait a whole month to learn what happens next!  It was terrible and wonderful!  I loved that antici...pation.

So beyond the fact that I have no clue as to how to publish my works, I am very excited to utilize this method.  I will post parts of my stories once a week, and then you, dear reader, will have to wait to learn what happens.  Ready?  I have no idea what will happen, so thank you for taking this crazy, terrifying (to me!!) plunge with me.  I am really opening up to you, and you will see things that you might think - "how the hell did she come up with that!?!?".... I hope you will still be my friend after peering into the twisted darkness, hahahaha... But I figure, Stephen King still has friends, right?

The first story is called "Tag", and here is the first part of it.  Please enjoy and let me know if you want to read what happens next! 

TAG

It was a normal morning, or so I thought… But don’t all horror stories start out that way?  I was still in bed, groggily waking up slowly.  Trying to rip my body from the soft and comfortable bedding was always a challenge in the morning.  I am not sure what the opposite phrase for a “Morning Person” is, but whatever that phrase is, it’s me.

When the doorbell first rang at this hour, just past 6am, I was so shocked that I thought it was either my imagination or a remnant of a distant floating dream.  But then the dogs started barking, and I knew it was real. 

“Who on earth…?”, I said to no one, as I was all alone in my room. 

I rose, and threw my robe over my PJs, and as I walked out of my bedroom, tossed my hair up into a messy bun.  Coffee would be great right now. 

I tripped over my running shoes at the foot of my bed as I crossed my bedroom to head towards the front door. 

“This better be good,” I mumbled to myself.

I made it to the front door, and looked out at the peep hole.  No one was there. 

“Oh, maybe a package delivery”, I thought, realizing that they often ring the bell and then rush off to deliver their next. 

So, I unlocked the front door, opened it.  I could not believe what I saw.  Standing there, all alone, was a small young boy, looking very somber and serious.  He looked about 6 years old, and despite the fact that it was July, he looked like he was freezing.  I knelt down in front of him, to see if I recognized him at all.  I didn’t know what would be weirder, if I knew him or if I didn’t.   Turns out, I didn’t.  He was not familiar at all.  He had very dark eyes, almost black, and wore no trace of a smile.

“Hello?”, I said, almost as a question.  “Can I help you?  Are you ok?”

He looked at me for a moment, and then in a cold, dead voice said, “Tag”.  He reached out with one hand, and with his pointer finger, gently touched me on the arm for just a second.   Then, he turned and slowly walked away.  I called after him to wait, I was so puzzled and at the same time, concerned for his safety.  Who was he?  What had he meant?  Where was he going?