Horror Bull Stories: Stories to make you think, gulp, surprise you, or simply say, B.S.

By Howard Sandak

Ask yourself, is average really not good enough? What does forever mean to you?
Would you consider yourself a collector? Very little is what it seems in this collection, and it's an adventure.
Horror Bull Stories are odd, creepy, thought-prvoking original tales that will give you the shivers, shock you, or disturb and delight you. Come along for the ride if you dare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Mar 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891270732

Book preview

AVERAGE… OR NOT

Everything happens for a reason. Or so it is said. Mary usually did her food shopping at the grocery store near her home. For some unknown reason, today, she decided to go to the competition on the other side of town. She drove up, parked her car, got out, and grabbed an empty shopping cart. When she walked into the store, she paused for a second. The layout was strange to her. She stood for a second trying to decide which direction to go to start looking for what she needed. She decided to go left and decided she would walk with an empty cart getting a feel for everything before loading up her cart.

The store was relatively empty with a scattering of customers in most aisles. As she looked at the shelves, for some reason, someone walking by caught her eye. A man. She watched as he walked by, and he didn’t do anything special. But to Mary, his walk was one of confidence. He walked as if he just knew. She discreetly followed him to the next aisle and stood next to him looking at the shelves. There was absolutely nothing special about him. Average height and weight. Simple brown eyes. Very average-looking. But there was something about him.

Mary was a reasonably attractive woman. No one would say she was drop-dead gorgeous, but at the same time no man would be embarrassed walking into a party with Mary on his arm. She wasn’t really in the market looking for a soul mate, but something about this man made her want to meet him. She played dumb and acted as if her bumping into his cart with hers was completely accidental.

Oh, I am so sorry. Did I hurt you?

Laughing, the man answered, Oh yes, I think you broke my arm and my leg. He was joking, of course.

Mary laughed along with him.

I know this sounds like a line, he said, but do you come here often?

First time I have ever been here.

Oh wow. The food here is great.

Mary looked at his half-full cart and noticed several frozen meals.

I guess you don’t cook much. Easier to just heat up?

Well, it’s just me, so it’s quick and easy. What about your empty cart?

As I said, it’s my first time here and I have no idea where anything is.

Well, then maybe I can help guide you. My name is John. John Miller.

Mary thought, Even his name is as average as anything else about him.

Hello, John Miller. My name is Mary Jones.

What an average name.

And yours is not?

They both laughed.

Okay, Mary. Let’s see if we can fill your cart.

Mary was almost smitten by common man John Miller.

Okay, John. I tell you what. I don’t want to sound too forward, but let’s choose enough for two, and maybe you can come over and I can make you a delicious home-cooked meal. I happen to be a good cook.

John was taken aback at first by Mary’s aggressive offer. But he also felt a strange attraction to Mary.

Sounds great. Let’s get shopping.

They spent the next half hour picking things out that both would enjoy. The small talk they had, opened both their eyes to each other. John told Mary several things about himself, and each just confirmed that this man was the closest thing to the perfect average guy she had ever met. She liked that. They finished shopping and exchanged numbers. As she left the store and started packing her groceries into her car she thought, Things really do happen for a reason.

Mary was very happy now, and although it was only Tuesday, she was already in her mind, preparing what would be perfect for the dinner they agreed upon this coming Saturday night.

During the week, John and Mary spoke on the telephone several times. They were still learning more and more about each other. John obviously cared very much for Mary, and Mary, who claimed she was not looking for love, felt the seeds were planted with John, the average guy Mary had always dreamed of.

Saturday arrived and Mary started preparing early in the morning. Six o’clock was approaching soon, the time agreed upon for John to arrive.

At precisely six, the doorbell rang. Mary answered the door with great anticipation. When she opened the door, and saw John standing there, she could not control herself and hugged him tightly. He, of course, hugged her right back.

Mary sat John down at the dinner table and served him a large portion. It not only looked delicious, but it also smelled unbelievable and the taste was beyond imagination. Mary sat across from John and they both enjoyed the great dinner and the dessert. They talked in between bites, and each felt even stronger toward each other.

After dinner, they sat on the couch listening to some smooth music and talked more. It seemed that the more they communicated, the more Mary, even after only a week, was falling in love. She could not understand what it was about this perfectly average guy that was driving these feelings.

Suddenly, during a short lull in conversation and Mary took advantage and leaned over and kissed John. He kissed her back, and although she enjoyed it so much, she had kissed other men in her life, and John’s kisses were… well, very average. They made out for a long time but did not want this to go too far on the first date.

Mary. This is one of the best nights, especially dinner, I have had in a very long time. You are a very special lady.

Mary smiled sheepishly. Thank you John. I hope we can do this again soon.

John gave Mary one last kiss and left for home.

Mary just could not stop thinking about John all night. She laughed to herself as she thought of some of her girlfriends who are always looking for the perfect specimen of a man, and here, she knew she found love with Mr. Average.

John and Mary saw each other more and more over the next few weeks. It was one night he called and asked if he could stop by, just because. She was so welcoming.

"I am