Everyday Terror

A collection of two chilling tales of the macabre from Blair Daniels, including The Homeowner's Association, and Attention, Shoppers!

ATTENTION, SHOPPERS

“ATTENTION, SHOPPERS: Please hide at the back of the store immediately."

I'm at a Bluemart, on a diaper run with my kids, when I hear the message over the loudspeakers. The other shoppers descend into a panic. And so do I. There was a tornado warning earlier--is it about it hit us?

But as more messages come over the speakers, it seems to be something else entirely. Attention, shoppers: please stay out of sight of security cameras. Attention, shoppers: please hide all food and open wounds.

My husband, kids, and I scramble for a hiding place. But I hear something coming down the aisle, and I can't help thinking--

This is how we die.

THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

It's a nice place to live...
But a better place to die.

It seemed like a great deal to Piper. A new house in a cute little suburb. A chance to escape the townhome on the outskirts of the city. A chance for a fresh start. So it had a homeowners association? So what? There were worse things.

But the streets are always desolate. The neighborhood kids never play outside. The houses look identical to each other, down to the oak tree in each backyard. The oak tree that's far too large to be a newly-planted sapling.

And then there are the rules. The strange rules that are religiously enforced by the HOA president:

1. Keep all lights off during curfew hours.

2. Never leave children that weigh under 50 pounds playing unattended outside.

3. Wear neutral-colored clothing when outside your home.

4. Visiting 44 Hydrangea Ave. is prohibited. You may not enter the building, step on the lawn, take photos of, or otherwise interact with the property.

Piper and her family are in grave danger--they just don't know it yet.