Comment from forestport12

Excellent

Love the way you ended this in such talented way where you employed those stand alone sentences jabbing at the heart, crystalizing the fear inside of us. Instinct is just something you can't teach in writing class.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Thanks, Stan. As a frequent reader of your work, I know all too well how you utilize the same tactics very well yourself, my friend, lol.
Thanks so much again for your kind and thoughtful review.
~Dean :}

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

Hmmm, could that be bloody Mary, that urban legend where girls stand in front of the mirror repeating " I believe in Mary (can't remember the last name) and a bloodied, scratched face appears? A chilling story but there is one spo that left me confused. If it is an attic door, how does it slam into the wall? Since the mirror was lowered, I assumed the attic door was in the ceiling.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

It's one of those older Cape Cod type, Ed. They have doors which open from the two bedrooms upstairs leading to an attic adjacent to the rooms themselves. In other words, the rooms are separated by the attic, and on the same level. Even so, spirits of capable of doing things we mere mortals simply can't explain...or so I've been told.
Thanks very much for taking time out to read and review this. I greatly appreciate it. :}
~Dean

Comment from evilynne

Exceptional

A horrifying reflection of evil! Glad I don't have an attic (or a basement for that matter). As always, your work is scarily well written. Evi

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Thanks so much again, Evi. You're far too kind to me, my dear friend, but I ain't complainin'--not by a long shot! LOL. I don't have either in my current home, but I have had in others. I can't say as I miss either one of 'em too awful much myself.
Thanks for the complimentary comments and the exceptional six star rating. I'm very grateful to you for having taken an interest in this series. All of us 'horrible, wannabe writers' who have contributed to the book appreciate it as well, I'm sure. Heh-heh...
~Dean :}

Comment from rod007

Excellent

This was a nice one. But Dad is silly. Why didn't he ask his son first whether his son hauled the mirror down from the attic? If the son denied that he did that, and Dad still continues in his reckless way ignoring Jerry's explanation, then he bloody deserves what he gets from the creepy murderous girl. Well done, Dean.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

If you have kids of your own, you know how we parents hate getting awakened in the middle of the night by a kid having nightmares, Rod. You're also aware of how quick we are to assume our kids did something we know good and well we didn't do--like hauling junk down from an old attic in a new home.
Thanks very much for your review. :}
~Dean

reply by rod007 on 07-Jul-2015

I'd like to contribute some my short horror stories to your book. Is that possible and how do I do it?

reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Sure, any FS member is free to contribute to the book, Rod.

Simply go to any story in the series (you can find several in my portfolio). Beneath the title, near the bottom, you'll see several tabs. Click on the "ADD CHAPTER" tab. Then you simply add your picture and story to the book just as you would any other post. All I ask is that the stories stay between 100-500 words in length, and are in the horror genre, of course.

Let me know if you need further instructions. I'll be more than happy to help you all I can.

~Dean

Comment from Mystic Angel 7777

Excellent

TTOH is getting to be quite the showcase for darkness. This is beautifully executed and I truly think the hanging ending (hope there is no pun intended there) is the best one. Nicely done and I thank you for sharing it.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Thanks for reviewing the story, Monica. I always appreciate your positive feedback.
~Dean

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

This is one of those stories that brings back memories from childhood, and it also reminds me of a book I read many years ago about a little boy who was a Hollywood movie star, who was in the mirror bouncing a ball, until he finally enticed others into the mirror world. Thanks for another great story. :-)

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on it, Ric. It's appreciated. ~Dean

Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Exceptional

Well done Dean for showing that even tiny tales can have great impact.
How horribly horrifying for the little child -no wonder dad gets no response to his platitudes.
Then to top it all off dad lost his head, his voice... and the rest is ...hopefully fiction.
:-) Shirley

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Heh-heh, yeah, most of this story is fictional, Shirley. I did take a few liberties while embellishing a bit on GE Parson's story. He seemed to like it, though, so that's a good thing.
I'm really happy to know that you enjoyed the story as well. Thanks for the six stars, and your thoughtful comments. As always, I do appreciate it. :)
~Dean

Comment from Bill Schott

Exceptional

This story is nice and creepy. The explanations from dear old Dad seem consistent with the ones we all got. Your descriptions of the room and events are super. What is creepier than a girl with a crazy grin.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Not much that I can think of, Bill. Kids in horror really give me the heebie-jeebies personally. I'm sure that's why directors and film screen writres utilize them so often in movies. The Omen, The Exorcist, The Good Son, Stephen King's Children of the Corn..." The list goes on, and on.
Thanks for the complimentary review and exceptional six star rating. All are very much appreciated.

~Dean

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Good one Dean, I really like this and your author notes make it even more so. The mirror sliding out of the dark into the room and the little 'ghoulfriend' is a great addition. Great chapter.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Thanks so much for taking the time to read & review the story, Pearl. The idea and inspiration for this story was conveyed to me in a real life experience that fellow FanStory member GE Parsons had as a child. So, I can't take all of the credit.
Much obliged for the thoughtful comments. ~Dean :}

Comment from royowen

Excellent

A most unusual ending Dean, the ending was brilliantly unexpected, the hero's name was even Jerry, hey Jerry where's your faith buddy! Well done, a "nice", well written tale to end all tales for Jerry's father! Good story telling, my talented, or this that taloned friend? Enjoyable! Blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2015

Well, I did embellish and expound upon the story he conveyed to me just a tad, Roy. Talented--taloned...either one is just fine by me, lol.
Thanks for the great review. ~Dean :}

reply by royowen on 07-Jul-2015

Most welcome