Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits: A Short Horror Story

Some sounds are better left unheard. Daniel Mercer is a young, newly licensed mortician, and he's spending his first Friday night alone at the Collins & Sons Funeral Home-a sprawling Victorian mansion with a long history and more than its share of unsettling noises. Outside, an October storm is raging. Inside, Daniel is preparing to lock up when someone knocks on the front door. Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock. Knock-knock. The rhythm is familiar. Almost cheerful. But Daniel has been told never to answer the door after hours. He tries to ignore it. The knocking doesn't stop. When Daniel finally gives in, he finds an elderly stranger standing on the porch with an unusual request. His friend is scheduled to have his funeral the next morning, and he wants a few private minutes to say goodbye-and to leave something behind. Daniel knows he should refuse. Instead, he opens the door. A few minutes later, the stranger is gone. Or so Daniel thinks. Then the knocking starts again. Only this time, Daniel knows exactly where it's coming from.