The Macabre Mind Of Lori R. Lopez: Thirteen Tormentous Tales

By Lori R. Lopez

A zombie defender must question his principles when a hunter becomes infected by the zombie plague and threatens the boy’s mother in HEARTBEAT. A teen learns the terrible truth about the house NEXT DOOR. A young woman’s dream of independence is challenged when her parents depart and she must face her Night Frights in MACABRE. A very troubled man seeks professional help for his hang-ups, compulsions and phobias in BACKLASH. A Thin Man wanders into a world of trouble after the carnival that was his home goes bust in UNNATURAL. These are among the tormented souls who inhabit the author’s morbidly manic thoughts!

THE MACABRE MIND OF LORI R. LOPEZ was her first full-length compendium devoted to the creepier side of life. The dark places and spaces not under the Sun or Moon. In Lori’s mind, horrors, humor and weirdities abound. From zombies and strange creatures to psychos, werewolves and Bigfoot, this is a book you should not read when alone. Or lost in the woods. Or strolling past a fence. Or walking down a crowded street. Read it in a library or bookstore, someplace safe! (And good luck.)

Look for an Illustrated Print Edition containing original artwork by the author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lori R. Lopez
• Release date: Aug 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476104911

Lori R. Lopez

Lori R. Lopez wears many hats as an Author and Speculative Poet of Horror, Fantasy, Suspense, Humor and more. She illustrates her books and has written songs, while being an Activist for animals and children. Growing up, Lori roamed graveyards and conducted funerals for dead birds, squirrels, insects and spiders. Her offbeat books include The Dark Mister Snark, Leery Lane, An Ill Wind Blows, Darkverse: The Shadow Hours, Odds & Ends, and The Fairy Fly. In 2023 Lori won Third Place in the Long Category for the SFPA Poetry Contest for "Wake Unto Death". Her Poetry Collection Darkverse was nominated for an Elgin Award and a Finalist in the Kindle Book Awards. Her poems "Crop Circles" and "Nocturnal Embers" were nominated for the Rhysling Award in 2020, "Social Graces" and "The Whistle Stop" in 2021, "Biting Sarcasm" in 2022, "The Whippoorwill" and "If Houses Could Talk" in 2023. Poems "The Maw" and "creatures of the macabre" received Editor's Choice Awards among other honors. Stories and verse have appeared in The Sirens Call, The Horror Zine, Space & Time, Spectral Realms, JOURN-E, Weirdbook, Bewildering Stories, Dreams & Nightmares, Impspired, Altered Reality, Aphelion, and anthologies such as California Screamin' (the Foreword Poem), HWA Poetry Showcases II, III, V, VI, and IX, Journals Of Horror, Grey Matter Monsters, Dead Harvest, Fearful Fathoms I, Terror Train I and II, Trickster's Treats #3, Speculations III (Weird Poets Society), and In Darkness We Play. A member of the Horror Writers Association, Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association, and Lewis Carroll Society Of North America. Visit the Fairy Fly Entertainment Website Lori shares with her two talented sons, and their YouTube Channel @FairyFly. They have a Folk Band called The Fairyflies.

Book preview

The Macabre Mind Of Lori R. Lopez

Thirteen Tormentous Tales

by Lori R. Lopez

Fairy Fly Entertainment

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any

media without written permission from the author, except

brief excerpts in critical reviews and articles.

This is a work of fiction. Any and all references to real persons, events, and places are used fictitiously. Other characters, names, places, events and details are fabrications of the author’s imagination; any such resemblance to actual places, events or persons, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Lori R. Lopez

Artwork by Lori R. Lopez

Cover Design by Fairy Fly Entertainment

Author Photo by Fairy Fly Entertainment

E-Book Edition (EPUB)

Table Of Contents

The Macabre Mind Of Lori R. Lopez

Table Of Contents

Aforethoughts: The Fear Of Fear

The Macabre

Heartbeat

The Wraith

Next Door

Creep

Some Thing

Macabre

Horrendus

Backlash

Fossil

Chameleon

The Lycaning: Part One

The Lycaning: Part Two

Unnatural

Bloodpath

Afterwords: Have You Ever Wondered About Us?

Sample Illustration

About the author and artist

More works by Lori R. Lopez

A dark and light collection of horror tales from the morbid murky madness of author Lori R. Lopez, along with a poem, an introduction on fear, and a conclusion on why writers write . . . all previously published in anthologies, on websites, or individually as E-books . . . gathered in one spectacularly eerie volume!

The Macabre Mind Of Lori R. Lopez was the author’s first full-length compendium devoted to the creepier side of life. The dark places and spaces not under the Sun or Moon. In Lori’s mind, horrors, humor and weirdities abound. From zombies and strange creatures to psychos, werewolves and Bigfoot, this is a book you should not read when alone. Or lost in the woods. Or strolling past a fence. Or walking down a crowded street. Read it in a library or bookstore, someplace safe! (And good luck.)

Praise for The Macabre Mind Of Lori R. Lopez:

She has an arresting and often humorous style and The Macabre Mind is a whistle-stop tour of her off-beat quirky world! . . . Full of brooding suspense as well as laugh out loud moments your mind gets carried along twisting and turning through each story. This is a collection for those who enjoy reading for fun . . . unravel your imagination and immerse yourself in Lori’s utterly unique style of horror writing. ~ Helen Hayes for E-Thrillers.com

Jennifer Thomas described THE MACABRE MIND OF LORI R. LOPEZ: If you have read anything by Lori you know that she has a wonderful and unique style to her writing that is able to pull you right into the world that her words paint through your imagination . . . this is a collection of her darkest and most suspenseful work, never too dark but the suspense will have you hanging on the edge of your chair . . .

On THE MACABRE MIND OF LORI R. LOPEZ, Malina Roos wrote: Lori is a unique writer and quite complex. She can be witty and charming, outlandishly funny, and quite obsessive with alliteration at times, but the raw intelligence and extraordinary talent shines through.

Leigh M. Lane, author of FINDING POE: The Macabre Mind of Lori R. Lopez is a fun, witty, and satisfyingly dark collection of stories and poetry. Lopez has a gift of inducing a chuckle on one page and a gasp of horror on the next, her whimsical style offering an unpredictable roller coaster ride that is as variable as it is unique. For HORRENDUS: Structurally similar to a mock epic, this story reminded me in many ways of the first part of the classic BEOWULF. I liked how Lopez chose to make her hero female, and also how she created a legend of her own in the often over-exaggerated tales behind Halloween’s shaky history.

Eric S. Brown, author of the BIGFOOT WAR series, wrote about BLOODPATH: Who freaking doesn’t love a good Bigfoot horror tale? This is awesome. Don’t pass it up.

Billie Sue Mosiman, author of BANISHED: I give this story five stars for language use alone. The author is sure in her words as she tells the story of a lab experiment gone wrong and a world overrun by lycan beasts. This is essentially a love story, but manages to add a touch of horror. . . . Lopez has a gift and a quirky mind that shows clearly in this short tale. THE LYCANING is definitely worth your time. Regarding UNNATURAL: This is a fun read, well-written, and a joy of an entertainment. I liked it very much.

Lori has such a blunt way of stating the horrors that you need to read the sentence twice to make sure you read it correctly, then the real horror hits you... not in the gore-fest but the possible truth. (HEARTBEAT) Not sure what depths Lori’s brain has, but it goes pretty deep . . . another brilliant story, with a really good start, gooey middle and amazing ending! . . . some times she is all twisty turney, other times poetic, occasionally she throws this sort of story out that is gigglesome funny yet shuddering grotesque but every time she is beautifully erudite. (FOSSIL) ~ Vix Kirkpatrick

Geri Small Graham, author of STONEWALLS: Although horror is not my favorite genre, I did enjoy this scary story. Ms. Lopez’s humorous touch always lightens the load at just the right moment. I find myself drawn into her stories, often wondering where her characters came from and more importantly, where they’re going. (FOSSIL)

About HEARTBEAT, Tiffiny Burge Sarradet expressed: Kudos to this lady for her intellect and instincts . . . Ms. Lopez displays a very broad vocabulary, necessary to prevent any story from becoming dull and/or monotonous. The pace of this story was perfect.

For THE LYCANING: A little bit of horror + a little bit of paranormal + a little bit of romance = another excellent short story from the mind of Lori Lopez! I have to be honest, short stories are not usually my thing. I like developed characters and well-explained plots, and most shorts just can’t carry that off. Then, I discovered Ms. Lopez’s stories. She has full-length novels that are amazing, but her shorter tales are equally well-done. With her gift for words, she deftly makes you [acquainted] with her characters by telling you what you want and need to know in order to make you care about them. She makes you think of questions as you’re reading, and then succinctly gives you the answers to those questions. The Lycaning holds true to this style. You’ll find yourself rooting for the main characters. You’ll fear the worst, and then comes the twist ... ~ Sara Smolarek

Kevin Hopson, author of THREE MILES BELOW, reviewed THE WRAITH: A combination of poetry and prose, this short story is not only filled with fantastic imagery, but it boggles the mind as well . . . Lori has a beautiful way with words, and this story definitely captivated me. (DARKNESS ABOUND BLOG)

Linda Ackerson said of THE LYCANING: Oh Wow!! What a concept. This short is filled with bravery, cowardice, love, depravity, and generosity. . . . I love the way Lori Lopez has blended an old concept with a new way of looking at were-people.

Jaime Johnesee, author of SHIFTERS: . . . the style Lori R Lopez uses makes even the most horrifying tales fun to read. With the grace of a lyrical ballerina she doesn’t tell you a story, she pulls you in and keeps you there until the end. (FOSSIL)

Lori Wolfe Safranek for UNNATURAL: Lori Lopez has created a unique personality with Darius Exavier, an outcast who really wants to fit in, but doesn’t expect much from life. So it’s not greed that gets this young man in trouble, it’s not lust and it’s not foolishness. It’s something . . . unnatural. . . . She has created a very real world here, and I highly recommend a visit. Unnatural is a winner!

Anthony Servante said of THE WRAITH: Lori R. Lopez writes at a level that touches the readers’ fears and hopes, then blurs the line . . . And THE LYCANING: In Lori’s werewolf tale, we see a world of Lycanthropes through the singular love story of the main characters. Because Lori packs so much information in so few images and character actions, one might mistake her frugal use of language for a lack of prose style, whereas the opposite is true: she is succinct in her prose and lets the mind of her reader burst with the full picture. She does not drag out the horror, making the tale more horrific, for we imagine the particulars that she frames for us. Anyone should enjoy this fine twist on the werewolf mythos, but those with an appreciation of metonymy should capture all The Lycaning’s nuances and subtleties. (SERVANTE OF DARKNESS BLOG)

For CREEP: Lori Lopez has set upon the earth a true menace . . . She uses her wide vocabulary to write this horrific and witty tale. I truly enjoyed the journey Ms. Lopez took me on to find out what was the true Creep. ~ Jerry W. McKinney, author of NIGHTSOUND

On BLOODPATH, Diana Rozevskis, author of CRYSTAL WATERS: IT BEGAN IN EUROPE wrote: This fast-paced, imaginative piece of work was a thrill to read from the first page to the very last . . . Lori keeps the reader enthralled and even shocked at times with her tight, descriptive writing style.

For all who ever believed in me . . .

thanks.

Aforethoughts: The Fear Of Fear

(First published online at R.L. Treadway’s Ink.)

I think Fear itself is not necessarily a bad thing. In the realm of Horror it is a positive vibe, an objective both author and reader crave. We love those delicious tingles, the chills up and down our spines, the adrenaline thrill as pulses quicken and blood courses like a rushing river through our veins. Fans of Horror consider the taut nerves and scalpel edge of dangling jangling suspense a high. It beats drugs and alcohol, for it isn’t a mere chemical addiction . . . it affects both our bodies and our emotions. Certain horror stories and characters remain with us, becoming part of who we are. Though we might turn into fear junkies, it is oh so much more than that.

What do we actually gain from Fear? In real life it can be stressful. Downright anxiety-inducing. Nobody needs more stress, right? Why then do we watch and read Horror? Why do we covet and behold in slack-jawed rapture the murky lurkings of demented monstrous souls? Surely there must be something wrong with us!

Indeed there is. We have been touched by the make-believe fingers of Horror, clutched within the icy grasp of fictional Fear, and we will never ever be the same.

Quality comes and goes. Popular tastes fluctuate. Yet the Horror genre thrives to this day because so many of us care. And so many wish to be scared, again and again. Some of us tailor our demeanors and surroundings to reflect a morbid or macabre state of mind. Some are devoted toward creating the next great monster. It is as much a culture as a category. A beautiful and haunting obsession with all things terrifying.

Terror is a consequence of Fear. The apprehension and revulsion of being afraid. A drop-dead queasy abhorrence of something, whether known or unknown, rational or irrational. It makes the heart quiver and pound in an offbeat cadence of dread. It makes our skin crawl and our palms go damp. It is not a pleasant sensation, to be sure, especially when confronted by true terror. So why would anyone in their right mind willingly step aboard that rollercoaster ride, aware that it will make them scream and their hair stand on end?

Because Fear itself can be delightful, when you know it isn’t real and it can’t harm you. When you know that regardless of a happy or unhappy ending, you will emerge from the horror intact and return to a hopefully far less frightful world where ordinary problems seem trivial by comparison.

Ah, but the fear of Fear . . . that can keep you awake at night, trembling, worried that you might have a bad dream. Or that the things from the closet, from under the bed are coming to get you. Or that being afraid could drive you insane, cause your heart to stop, maybe paralyze you. It is the worst fear of all, because it is the one you cannot outrun. There is no escape. A phobia that will grow and thrive like a potted plant gone wild, spreading its tendrils and leaves through your home, cornering and encasing you with its vines until your last breath is choked out of your lungs. That is the fear to avoid, to flee should it creep in your direction. Do not hesitate or you will be lost.

Take it from me.

~ The Author

The Macabre

(First published for my volume of verse

POETIC REFLECTIONS:

KEEP THE HEART OF A CHILD, 2010.)

Are your senses tuned to the moods of the Moon?

Might your eyeballs pop at the sound of a drop?

Does your flesh grow cold at the sight of mold?

Do you shriek at the cry of the loon?

May a banshee breeze cause your blood to freeze?

Does a floorboard’s creak make your knees go weak?

Do you hesitate to lean near a grate?

Will a ghostly touch prompt a wheeze?

Can a creeping vine crawl up your spine?

Could a chilly draft turn your thinking daft?

Are you prone to shivers, uncontrollable quivers,

At the thought of looking behind?

Should a pitchfork mob cause your head to throb?

Is your least favorite snack a gourd named Jack?

Are organ pipes your loudest gripes

As your feet tap the beat of The Danse Macabre?

Will a shadow’s loom make you flee the room?

Might your pulse go weak at the sign of a freak?

Does your bravado fail at the slightest wail?

Are you allergic to dust and gloom?

Can an icy shudder make your heartbeat stutter?

Is the sting of a bee like surgery?

Do your toes cramp and crimp like a feeble wimp

When you behold a ghastly flutter?

If the answer is no by the candle’s glow;

If you swear up and down and all around,

I must inquire once more to the bitter core —

Speak the truth as best you know.

Do you take delight in a dark stormy night

And your heartstrings sing when bats take wing?

Then take a peek if you’re not too meek . . .

There is nothing to fear but fright!

Heartbeat

(First published in my horror sampler

CHOCOLATE-COVERED EYES, October 2011.)

YOU MIGHT NOT THINK a twelve-year-old ballcapped kid with a buzzcut and a smart mouth could be classified an expert at anything. But it’s a new world, one where comic-book readers and role-playing geeks are in their element. You see, it’s the age of the zombie. And nerds rule.

It’s perfectly reasonable. We understand them. We appreciate them. We know what they want and as long as we give it to them, they leave us alone.

It’s like a symbiotic relationship. They give us something too: satisfaction. They’re monsters, so you gotta love em! If you’re like me, that is.

Okay, they are kind of dumb. Lame even. But seriously, they’re dead and yet they’re still walking. So to speak. Lurching might be more accurate. And they are the most disgusting people on the planet. They never bathe, never comb their hair or brush their teeth, or wash their hands and faces before and after a meal. How cool is that? What kid wouldn’t wanna be like them?

They are indeed a mom’s worst nightmare for a role model. And I’ve got to confess, I have no desire to be one. Yet the things hold an avid fascination for me, and I’ve developed a fondness towards them.

Many are shriveled and gross, yet they keep on ticking. Not actually, because their hearts have stopped. It’s just an expression my mother said was from ads for a wristwatch. Pop Culture Trivia is her hobby. History buffs like her feel it’s vital not to lose our human heritage. In the past are buried the seeds for the future, to quote my mom.

A heartbeat is what truly separates us from the dead — whether restless or asleep in the ground; floating as ashes and dust or flickering as ghosts.

You must wonder about giving the zombs what they seek, which is undeniably brains. The klutzy oafs do eat guts, and munch bones for the marrow, but such tripes and tidbits are mere appetizers. It’s a well-known fact the brain is their soup du jour, main course, and dessert. They can’t get enough. So me and my nerd pack decided to assist, and save some of the living in the process.

We started hanging around the morgue and funeral parlors. Why let perfectly good brains go to waste when there are hungry mouths to feed? A democratic government can’t make this decision. Always too much red tape and protests and rights to consider. They still think they’re in charge, and they don’t want to risk provoking riots on top of everything else, as the so-called civilized world clings by a thread to an illusion of Normal.

Us dorks believe this is the answer. We took it upon ourselves to confiscate and distribute the freshest bodies to those in need. Those who would elsewise be inclined to chow down on a living breathing individual. Who would then be compelled to do the same to other such individuals. And on and on.

It won’t end until we’re all zombies, or we’ve managed to exterminate the zombie hordes. My friends and I prefer to avoid either alternative. We believe the best way is to co-exist. We aim to educate the zombies to scavenge, live on the dead, shaping them into useful members of society. We’ve gone so far as to guard them from the bullies and the bounty hunters.

Unfortunately, my mother made it impossible for me to maintain this pledge. I had to end a zombie’s life. Before he could die and become undead.

Maybe I should introduce myself. My name is Jessie Jones. My nickname is Jester.

All of us in the Corps Of Mutants (COM) have special designations. Codenames like secret agents. There’s Blowfish: Garth Baxter, a chubby kid who balloons his cheeks when nervous. Stickman: Simon Twiggs, you do the math. Medusa: Maddy Chase, a girl whose hair tends to stand out in clumps like snakes. And Bat Boy: Harlan Thompson, who likes to dangle upside-down. As for me, I’m the runt of the litter. I’m also the brainiest. We looked like an ordinary group of kids — the shy kind who don’t fit in; the awkward unaccepted type the cool kids label freaks.

We even have a moral code: No spitting. No swearing. No swiping (unless it’s for a positive purpose, like the body parts). No swilling, sniffing, swallowing, or smoking (as in narcotics and other vices). We call it minding our S’s, instead of P’s and Q’s. Of course, this emphasizes the nerd factor and makes us even less popular.

The zombies have been here for as long as anyone can remember. So why, with those lumbering idiots to insult, would bigotry toward the uncouth and uncoordinated still flourish amongst the living? Perhaps there will always be prejudice. Maybe it’s locked into our D.N.A.

Ordinary kids don’t go around stealing dead people. At least they didn’t before. We’re doing it, we think, for the common good. Doing what has to be done. From our viewpoint, it seems sort