There was once an old man who was born with a serious deformity, it made him look like he was always twisted ‘round. The man was viewed as a bad omen by the town and lived just outside of it; far enough for privacy, and too close for the townspeople’s comfort. Fortunately, he had three strong daughters who thought the world of him. These sisters each ad something the village needed. The eldest knew more medicines and poultices than anyone in the known land. With the right ingredients, she could cure practically any malady. The middle sister could find anything she set her mind to, whether it was water during the driest drought or the rarest herbs that grew in the forest. The youngest sister could make anything grow, even in the worst soil. The town knew that if they ever mistreated the twisted man, they would lose favor with the sisters.

Then a terrible series of years struck. First, there was an early frost that killed most of the crops before they could grow. The youngest sister kindly divided her own crops among the townspeople, though no one was full, no one went hungry either. It wasn’t long after that when the town well water was tainted. The middle sister found a new well, it was far from town and hard to reach, but the water was clean and the town could survive. Then the weakened town was struck with plague. The eldest sister worked tirelessly, but because of the sheer number of the stricken she had to dilute the cure. There were very few deaths, but most of the town was left weak as they did not receive enough of the cure.

The town survived because of the sisters, but there were those who believed that the hardships were because of the father in the first place. Three of these men decided that it was best to do away with him before he brought something to the town his daughters could not combat.

The men were making their was to the tree that the twisted man tended to sit beside. On the road they met the eldest daughter. She called out to them. “Gentlemen, I’m on my way to the well to get water for some of my patients. It would be a great help if you could come and carry some.” The men agreed because she’d tended to them while they were ill during the recent plague. Along the way the asked her where she had learned about medicines. “My father.” The woman answered. “He taught me.” The men finished helping her deliver the water and she sent them on their way with a handful of tealeaves that eased pain as thanks. They continued their trek to the tree but the youngest man was having second thoughts. His daughter had very nearly died in the plague. The eldest sister’s medical knowledge was what saved his daughter in the end.

As they walked down the road they saw the second sister stumble out of the brush. She looked up. “Hello there! Do you tree have a moment to help me with something?” They agreed to help because she found the herbs that her sister used to make medicines. She led them to a grove and set them to work harvesting on of the trees, explaining that her sisters needed the components. While they worked she left and returned with an assortment of wild roots and rare herbs that could be used as seasonings for each of them.

“How did you learn how to find these?” They asked her.

“My father showed me.” She answered. “He has sharp eyes, he taught me what to look for.” When they reached the road and parted ways the bundles of food felt heavy in their arms. The man in the middle actually began to lag behind. His daughter had become sick from the town well water and he could not help thinking of what might have happened if the new well had not been found.

As they passed the home that belonged to the twisted man and his daughters they saw the youngest working in the field. They stopped and offered to help. She happily accepted. “Did you learn this from your father?” the oldest man asked.

“I did!” She cheerfully answered. “He could only keep a small garden, but he taught me everything about growing plants.” She sent them away sometime later, each with a small basket of vegetables. Now the oldest was having doubts also. His family had lost their entire stock of food to the frost. Without the youngest sister’s skill with farming his children would have starved.

Finally the men reached the tree. The twisted man was sitting on a stone in the fading twilight while the branches swayed above him. He watched them approach. The three men looked at each other.

“You raised your daughters well.” The oldest man said.

“You taught your daughters everything.” The middle said.

“I taught them what they needed to know.” The twisted man answered softly. “They continued learning from there.”

“Thank you.” The youngest said.

“You’re welcome.” The twisted man replied.

The men took their baskets and went back the way the came. Leaving the twisted man to watch as the first stars appeared and wait for his daughters to come and walk him home.

My first ever attempt at a scary story! Not exactly my line, though I used to dabble in psychological twists. I thought that I really should have posted a scary story during my week of a story a day (with it being October), so this is me rectifying that. Comments are always welcome! May you have chills and thrills.



Dean crashed through the brush that grew thick under the black trees. How was he supposed to know Valerie had a boyfriend?! She certainly never said anything! A string of curse words ran through his mind as he heard Valerie’s boyfriend, Hank, shouting after him. Hank was far too close for Dean’s comfort. Dean plunged deep into the woods.

It wasn’t long before Dean was hopelessly lost in the dark forest. Every time Dean thought he’d lost Hank he heard something, a crash in the distance, the ear-splitting snap of a twig that sent him scrambling in the other direction. Finally, Dean’s legs gave way. He was on his knees, breathing heavily. The trees were so thick that he had no way of knowing the clouds had moved to cover the moon. A shadow shifted behind the exhausted man. It moved noiselessly towards Dean, until it was directly above him.

Dean’s scream echoed for miles before it faded away to nothing.
 
 
 
Hank’s anger had long since been replaced by fear. All he’d been able to think about was getting his hands on the rat who had been making out with his girlfriend. That had been hours ago. Now he wandered the woods, his cell phone out of range and low on battery. He really should know this area better! Hank berated himself. He was out there often enough partying. It was the only place he saw Valerie, since she lived out here. But Hank had never really gone into the woods alone… and never at night.

Hank jolted as something skittered away in the brush. Probably just a rabbit, Hank shook himself. It was eerie how clearly he remembered his grandmother’s stories about these woods. They always ended with a whispered warning to stay out of the forest. Hank swallowed. It was just a bunch of superstitious nonsense he thought he grew out of when he was nine. But here… It didn’t feel like nonsense anymore. Hank shook himself. Get a gri-

A scream pierced the night. Hank froze. That wasn’t an animal. Hank began to run. Blind panic dictated the direction. He had to get out of these woods! It was inevitable that he would fall. Still, he tried to move forward, using the trunk of a tree to pull himself up. Hank’s hands and knees were bleeding, but worse than that, his ankle twisted awkwardly when he fell. Hank could barely put his weight on it. He limped onwards. The moon appeared between the trees. Hank was grateful for the light, though it wouldn’t be long before it was covered by another cloud.

Suddenly Hank realized that if he could see the moon the tree must be thinning. He limped faster, hope surging through him. Hope that turned to ash when he realized that it was just a clearing in this endless forest. At least it would be out of these ominous trees. He’d stay there till morning. His path darkened as he made his way to the clearing. Hank glanced up. The cloud had drifted in front of the moon again.

Something hit hank from behind. He stumbled forward, he was struck again. Hank fell. The second he hit the ground he turned over to look at his attacker. He gaped. Valerie stood over him.

“Oh, thank god!” Hank almost sobbed in relief. Valerie began to laugh. Hank stilled. There was something wrong. Valerie looked different in the shadows. When Hank’s eyes dropped to her hands he saw they were coated in blood. Hank touched the back of his head. His hand came away wet and red. It was his blood on Valerie’s hands. His sense of dread increased as Valerie’s laughter grew.

The woods were full of her empty laughter.

Today was a big day. Today I learned that I won the Star Trek Excelsior Contest. (I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about that.) And today I have officially upgraded my site. One of my main reasons for the upgrade was the ability to host audio. I have big plans for audio shows. But for now, enjoy my first foray into the medium with... A Stranger in the House.

I added two stories that I wrote some time ago. 

Hellrose & Nightstalker is the sequel to Symptoms. In the months since Anna learned the Memory Meddler's identity, Dr. Price has worked out a treatment for Anna's condition by studying the Memory Meddler; the Memory Meddler has told her friends at the police station about her new friend "Emo" (her nickname for Anna); and Megan, having revealed that she knows who Anna and the Memory Meddler are, is putting her own considerable talents to assisting them whenever needed. Hellrose & Nightstalker is the first time the new team is put to the test, after Memory Meddler is abducted by persons unknown. 

Silence is Deadly is a one page short story about the execution of an innocent woman. It received an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Fresh Ink Short Story Competition (Suspense Category). 

My name is Lyndsey Werner, and as part of my attempt to consistently release stories to the public, I have decided to release a monthly zine, both in print and online. There are a number of short stories I'd like to keep up with, however the primary zine should be the Crestwood Chronicles. 
Also on this site is my first published short story, The Angel's Heart. As well as Anomalies which won third place in the Fresh Ink Group science fiction contest 2012. 
So relax, enjoy, and let me know what you think of my work.