Holiday Fear

Murder, mayhem, and madness are on the menu this holiday season.

As the last notes of "Auld Lang Syne" die away, a world-weary man, suffering from more than road rage, takes to the streets. During his drive, he recognizes his newest enemy: a homeless man who slighted him earlier. As a result, the driver runs him down and commits the city's first homicide of the New Year. Elsewhere, a woman realizes that the Devil just might be in the details of a hellish contract offering a century of perpetual youth. Farther South, a man begins a birthday road trip. Unfortunately, an unscheduled stop in a not-so-friendly small town has disastrous results for this giant of the highways.

In addition, a family ventriloquist act goes awry as the maniacal puppet has plans of its own. Later, as Thanksgiving approaches, an infomercial promises a deal too good to be true, unless you're an undertaker. Finally, a man decides that he is not going to be put upon by his spouse; so, he disposes of his murdered wife's body in a way Edgar Allan Poe would be proud of.

These six holiday-centered tales are perfect for those less enamoured by the holidays