When an author writes

They unknowingly let the reader

Into their private lives.

They write about what they know

What they live

And how they live.

This is why an author's life

Is never a mystery

And never private.

Written by: Tressa Graves

Copyright 2008 Tressa Graves

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this poem or portions in any form whatsoever

Hello my name is Tressa Graves and I have been asked numerous questions ranging from what foods do I like to what are my hobbies. I hope the biography I have written answers some of your questions.

    I was born in Tampa Florida and am very proud of my home state. I support the buccaneers and try to never miss a game. Some people say that I always like the under dogs and the reason I mention that is because my all time favorite Buccaneer is Trent Dilfer. My dream in life is to one day move to China. I hope to visit China early next year. I am already taking Chinese lessons and want to speak it fluently. When I am not writing I read books on Chinese history as well as WW11. There are many places in China I would love to visit Yellow River being one of them as well as the Great Wall of China. I want to visit the grave of China--s first Emperor Ying Zheng who before becoming Emperor was King of Qin. I think that some Chinese people think I am crazy because every time I see one I run up to them and say, --Ni hau ma? Ni hwei show ying wen ma?-- I also like to bow a lot and hold my hands together.
   I have recently turned the major motion picture 13 Seconds written and directed by Jeff Thomas into a full length novel which will soon be released. My upcoming books are13 Seconds and Angus Valley. I am finishing up three more novels that have been started and I am working on a new ghost novel which takes place in China.
   My hobbies range from watching movies, reading, and playing video games. I have taken some questions and answered them below.
                                       Hen Syesye ni,

                                      Thank you very much,


1. Favorite movies- Black Hawk Down, The Pianist, We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan, Hotel Rwanda, The Patriot, Enemy at the gate, Blair Witch Project, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Empire and the Assassin, Flying Daggers, Storm Riders, Crouching Tiger, The Last Samurai, Halloween H2O, All of Jackie Chan, The Promise.
2. Favorite games -- Dynasty Warriors, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Metal Of Honor, All of the Mario games.
3. Favorite Books- Desperation, Cell
4. Favorite Singers- Dolly Parton, Faye Wong, Falco, Ozzy Osborne, Rob Zombie, Boy George.
5. Favorite Songs- The Legendary Swordsman, Eyes on me, Facing Hell, Tian Kong
6. Favorite Television Shows - Crocodile Hunter, ER, Deal or no Deal, Gomer Pyle
7. Favorite Groups - Aerosmith, ACDC, Journey, Monkees
8. Favorite Actor --Tom Hanks, Josh Hartnett, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xue Jian, Sun Zhou, Lu Xiaohe, Wang Zhiwen, Ziyi Zhang, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jackie Chan
9. Favorite Actress -- Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Kathy Bates
10. Favorite Music -- Mozart, Beethoven, Yo Yo Ma, Opera, Zhao Jiping
11. Favorite Foods- Sushi, Crabby Rangoon, Chicken wings, Cuban Sandwiches
12. Favorite Producers- Stephen Spielberg , Chen Kaige

Rusty Humphries ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

The Rusty Humphries Show

I can't wait for the new and exciting things to come for Tressa. You're a beautiful and brilliant woman. I am honored to have met you online.

Jason Thompson

A remarkable debut. It is understood that an artist only progresses and grows more refined with time and experience. Honestly, the only way to write a great book is to have already written at least one before. Tressa Graves is the best example of displaying a poignant maturity and command of her art at an amazingly early stage. One can only anticipate how her work will evolve further. Without a doubt she is the Tennessee Williams of the horror genre: animated characters come to life etched across the darker shadows of a world that is all too real, for these horrors may be occurring in our own backyards. Horror, always rooted in the fantastical, needs to be anchored in a believable reality. This way, we can recognize it, we can feel it, we can fear it; Tressa's writing brings us to this, then pulls the rug out from under us. It is here that the understood trust between writer and reader becomes shattered, and unpredictability materializes. The unexpected becomes worse. The unknown becomes more horrifying. And the tension mounts to new limits. Tressa Graves is not for the squeamish. Vivid, relentless, brutal, and terrifying is what you'll find here. Read on...if you dare.

Hatch & Ripper

Ripper and myself own a Horror magazine based out of Sarasota, Fl. entitled LOP magazine. We came to this website because Tressa told us there were nude photos of her... we are waiting! Or did you mean new? Ha!..:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /> Tressa is a wonderful person to work with and very talented... and she can write too. I have the pictures to prove it! We Love you Tressa, and keep up the good work... now that you are writing for us too.

Critically Ripping you,

Hatch & Ripper

Dave Baker

WOOD KILLERS is one of the scariest books I have read in years! If you like to use your imagination, then READ THIS BOOK!! The number of chills it gave ME, I cannot count!
Tressa & I met at the SCREAMFEST 2003 Con in Plantation, Fl.
We hit it off BIG & have been good friends ever since. I promote the genre (See Monster News 9 for a story on what I do, go to www.themonsterclub.com or email us for a FREE hard-copy) and as a new writer , I feel she is headed down a road of all-new adventures & success!! Please join me in congratulating her & welcome her as a FRESH NEW face in the world of HORROR!!  luv Ya' , Dave







Tony Busciglio

I met the Authoress Tressa and immediately became a fan

Tressa wow! you are so talented. I am so glad you were able to see my show, while you were in town. As an Actor/Singer/Writer myself, I love discussing and sharing my art with others especially when they are also artists. I am so impressed with everything you have done and plan to do. Please more books, articles, and pictures. You are a delight to know and so very talented. I look forward to an exciting future through sharing our talents and knowing you.

Friends always

Love Tony

MISTER CREATURE

The Delightful Tressa who stole my heart and stole everything else she could get her hands on. But she is one sexy thief.

Yes, of course, Tressa's books and thoughts and speaking with her makes my flesh crawl, a feeling that I love. And her sexiness and beauty, and smile makes me want to be almost human. Of course a very bad boy human. I will love working in L.O.P magazine with her and will enjoy our great and horror-filled friendship. Not knowing what will happen next. Suspense and flesh-tingling excitement always. All my cold-blooded love Tressa. Mister Creature

WOOD KILLERS by Tressa Graves , an up - and - coming NEW Horror writer , is the BEST HORROR NOVEL I have read in DECADES !! One thing that is disturbing to me is the fact that REAL LOCALS are used in her book , places that I know exist , so in fact this adds to the SHEER TERROR in my mind's eye !! If you love creepy and atmospheric books , I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this OUTSTANDING novel ! But don't read it alone , on a stormy night ! I did and had nightmares for days to come ! The NEW Edition will be available soon.

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Rachel Clark (Gibsonton Florida) -

Hello everyone you have got to read this owsome book,This book is better then the chainsaw massacre.It is very well written, so you will be able to see,hear,feal,and smell everything that is going on. (so intense) It is not your typical horror story no high heeled women and no slow killers, to witch I thought was great.The ending will blow you right out of the water. When you get the book get comfy, becouse you wont be able to put this book down, till it is done , enjoy. I did.
( YOU HAVE TO READ!!!!!)

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Jeff Thomas  (Detroit, MI)

The debut novel from Graves is a rare encounter in the world of horror/suspense fiction. All the characters are three dimensional, the locales are brought vividly to life, and the narrative's structure is placed within in a reality in which we believe, understand, and most importantly care about. Graves weaves an entertaining tale where the violence becomes more harrowing, the suspense more threatening, and the climax more riveting because of a direct and gifted prose that is perfect for the silver screen. Good fiction cleverly entertains us for an interval of time, but great fiction leaves us thinking about the narrative for days, and desperately craving more. I will be looking forward to the next Graves novel.

There is a new wave of horror happening out there in the dark, and with "Wood Killers," author Tressa Graves is body surfing it. She reminds me of H.P. Love craft and Edgar Allen Poe--but far more attractive, charming, and only slightly shorter. Personally, Mr. Lobo is not really into old dead guys--BUT if thats your thing... what you do in your own graveyard in your private life is your own business! Anyway, as for Miss Graves work, the characters in her first novel, the surroundings, and the events are described in short scratchy sentences and made me feel as if I were reading someone--s secret journal entries. The effect for me was an atmosphere of unease. I would like to say I enjoyed reading "Wood Killers"...BUT it made me so darned paranoid that I was terrified of going to sleep for nights on end and when I did sleep I had lip biting and bed wetting nightmares! Finally, for my own peace of mind, I had to place my blood and Urine speckled copy of Miss Graves book in a padlocked Toolbox in my backyard and placed a cinder block on top of it. Folks, this is a stark straightforward horror tale and it really got to me...And I host horror movies for a living! Even though Tressa Graves seems like such a sweet young lady when you meet her--watch out! She'll sling gooey guts and gore at you with the best of the boys! Since Hollywood has obviously run out of ideas, perhaps they should take this novel and make a really sick horror movie and actually scare the pants off Theatre goers again. Mr. Lobo would host the Wood Killers movie with pride--However, I may cover my eyes, ears, and all 7 other doors to my body to protect myself from its brutal violence. Until then, if you need a good quick scare that will leave you without pants in the less embarrassing setting of your own home, may I humbly suggest reading my good friend Tressa Graves Wood Killers. Okay, Im getting creeped out again...I think its time to put another Cinderblock on the toolbox in my back yard.... this time I'll bury it first! ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Nationally Syndicated TV Horror Host,

--                                 Mr. Lobo

Copyrighted 2001 by Tressa Graves

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this story or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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The Lady In The Back Yard
Written By Tressa Graves
This is dedicated to all of our men and women who serve in the military!

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, was the scream that echoed from the back bedroom in the middle of the night. Sam almost fell out of bed it was a horrific sound. Roberta did not even have time to wake up before she was fighting her way out of the dark room. When Sam and Roberta reached the room they saw Glenda with the covers pulled half way over her face. Only her small eyes were visible and they looked petrified. She held the sheet close to her as she shook uncontrollably. Her eyes looked from Sam's to the window that was to the right of her. Sam saw that the bedroom window was open and walked over to it.
" How many times have me and your mother told you to keep this shut?" Roberta cut him off telling him to lower his voice. "Can't you see she is already terrified?" She said as she walked over to Glenda. "What is it hunny?" She asks then pauses when Glenda does not answer her. "You can tell mommy."
Sam cut in and said it was just her imagination but then looked at Glenda saw her little eyes looking at him and felt bad.
"There are lots of creepy sounds at night and daunting shadows, hell sometimes my mind goes off on me and I'm a 46 year old man." He tells her as he sits down on the side of her bed.
"No daddy, it was real, she is going to get me and eat me with her sharp teeth." Glenda told him in a cry that made his skin crawl. "What do you mean who is going to eat you?" Roberta asked while holding her tight in her lap.
"I told daddy but he never checks; when you two come in she goes away she's mean mommy very mean!"
Roberta picked her up and took her into their room. Sam looked at her and started complaining, "oh how great. Once you start this it never ends"
"Well if you don't like it sleep in Glenda's room tonight and see if anything pop's up." Sam looks at Roberta as if he can't believe what she has just said. He rubs his head turns around looks at the bed and flops down on it. Roberta with a terrified Glenda in her arms walks out of the room. Sam looks up at the ceiling and tells himself it's going to a long night.



The alarm clock went off at 5:30 just as it does every morning. Roberta decided to let Glenda sleep in this morning. Her sister Mary would be there soon so there was really no need for Glenda to get up. Roberta walked down stairs to start breakfast for Glenda before she went to work. Sam came down walked by Roberta and said he sat up half the night and nothing happened. "Now I have to go to work and try to be at my best with no sleep. Listen we have to talk to Glenda and somehow assure her that it is just her imagination. Maybe your sister is letting her watch certain shows that are scaring the hell out of her."
Roberta turned away telling him he had an excuse for everything. Saying that he blames her sister for everything that happens.
" Okay, look, just ask her okay. I'm sorry; I just like to be by my wife at night is that too much to ask for?" Roberta turns around and puts her arms around him and begins to caress his lips with hers.
"It's all in her head hunny, kid's are bound to have nightmares, look at least tell your sister what is going on maybe she can find something out for us Okay."
"You're probably right." Roberta said, "Are you going to eat breakfast before you go in today?"
"No I'll pick something up on the way. Bye, love you and don't worry." Sam say's as kisses his wife goodbye and leaves for work. After Sam leaves Roberta stares at the front door for a moment. She then walks over to it and makes sure it is locked. Sam may think it's only in Glenda's head but she knows her daughter and this is not like her. She turns around and heads back into the kitchen until she hears a thump at the back door. She stops in her tracks listening for the sound to happen again. When it doesn't she heads for the door but not without first grabbing a kitchen knife. She walks over to the door and jumps as it sways open. She drops the knife onto the floor and stares at the door in shock.
Mary comes walking through the door with two bags in her hands. She looks up at Roberta who looks as if she has just seen a ghost and asks if she is going to help her. Roberta comes from her terrified trance and walks over to her sister. She grabs one of the bags and shuts and locks the back door with her free hand. Mary walks in and just looks at Roberta wondering what is wrong with her. "Did I scare you? For Pete's sake alive you know I always come in through the back door when I baby sit Glenda. It's my door; I'm the only one in this house that ever uses it."
Roberta look's at her and laughs. "I know you just scared this morning."
"I didn't mean to scare you are you okay." Mary asked her.
"Yeah", Roberta said,
"I just didn't get much sleep last night that's all. Look Glenda is still in bed so let her sleep for another hour then wake her up for me okay. I need to hurry up and get going. I didn't fix breakfast so when she wakes up will take care of it for me?"
"You know I will. Is there something you want to talk about? Is it Sam?" No Roberta told her as she turned to walk but before she could get out of the kitchen she stopped, turned around and looked at Mary with tears forming in her eyes.
"What's wrong? It looks serious."
Roberta wipes her eyes and asks Mary if Glenda ever said anything to her about someone being in her room. Mary looks at her oddly then tells her no.
"Do you two ever go in the backyard and play?"
"Sure she loves it back there her imagination is wild. You know like we acted when we were kids. Crazy shit, make believe, ghost in the graveyard, you name it". Roberta looked at Mary with wide eyes and told her to watch Glenda well. Mary getting worked up told Roberta to cut the shit and tell her what was really going on.
"Has there ever been anything strange that you have seen?" Roberta asked.
"You mean with Glenda, why?"
"What I mean is have you ever seen anybody in the backyard. Or does Glenda ever act strange when she is back there?"
"Well a week ago there was a new trail made, I figured it was just from some of the neighborhood kids. I never paid that much attention to it, that is until now. You're really freaking me out here."
"Wait a minute a trail, what kind of trail? Why didn't you mention this to me before? Have you ever seen kids back there?" Roberta asks very impatiently scolding Mary in the process.
"Hey, wait a minute your getting carried away here calm down." Mary grabs her sister's hand and walks her over to the kitchen chair. She notices her hands are very clammy and trembling.
"No I have never personally seen anybody back there but it did look as if someone had a little camp fire going at some point, there was a big black empty pot that I meant to mention to you but completely forgot about. If there are kids back there playing cowboys and Indians they could catch your house on fire." Mary pauses and looks at her sister who is staring at her like she is a fricken harebrained.
"Roberta you're acting out of the ordinary what's wrong, I ask again?"
"Oh nothing." She says as she stands up and looks towards the window that faces the backyard. "Just do me a favor and keep Glenda in today she looks as if she is coming down with a cold or something okay, will you do that for me?" Mary shook her head, "Do not worry there will be no outside games today" As she saluted Roberta, which made her laugh. When Roberta walked out the door she stood there to make sure the door locked behind her. She trusted her sister as a matter of fact she was the only one she would let watch Glenda. Why worry she told herself her daughter was with the safest person in the world. Before walking away she mumbled, "I just hope to God Mary listens to what I told her."
Roberta got in her 2005 red mustang and pulled out from the drive way.


Mary checked all the windows and doors which was something she did anyway when she watched Glenda, it was just that this particular morning it seemed more important than ever. She had goose bumps appearing down her arms and back. Mary was curious as to why there were so many questions being asked this morning. Something was unquestionably wrong, what she was not sure of but there was something going on. When she sat down on the sofa she remembered that yesterday Glenda was talking to the big oak tree in the back yard and when she walked up on Glenda she shut up extremely quickly. She remembered seeing a tear in Glenda's eye. To Mary it looked as if it were from her being scared, she could tell by the look in Glenda's eyes, it was pure fright.
Mary walked up stairs to check on her little sweet pee and found that she was still asleep. She bent over to kiss her on the cheek and when she did Glenda jumped up.
"Aunt Mary, Aunt Mary", she screamed as she jumped into her arms.
"Hey kiddo what's up how come you're in your parent's room?"
"Aunt Mary I had a very bad night, that old woman I told you about tried to come in my bedroom. Her face was at my window and she said she was going to eat me. She smiled at me with sharp teeth. She had a black tongue!"
"It's okay sweetheart everything is going to be okay."
"No mommy and daddy will make me sleep in there by myself and if I do she will eat me." "No one is going to eat you unless it's me." Mary began to tickle her on her stomach, which always made Glenda laugh. She threw her on the bed and began to blow her belly. Glenda laughed and told her aunt she gave.
" How about some breakfast kiddo, I know you have to be hungry?"
"Yeah!" Glenda said with a smile on her face. Mary picked her up and carried her down stairs .Roberta had sausage already cooked but Glenda loved waffles with nesquick, there was nothing any better in life than waffles and let us not forget Blues Clues which was on Nick Jr. When the mail man came Glenda would take off for the door singing, "We just got a letter, we just got a letter, we just got a letter wonder who is it from".
After breakfast Mary wanted to take her niece out back for a walk and find out what she was talking about. Mary thought there may even be some lunatic out there who gets their thrills from scaring the hell out of little kids. Maybe a bum but on the other hand, Mary thought that it could possibly be someone that Sam arrested and pissed off so they decided to come back for vengeance. Being an undercover officer was not a safe job especially when the people you were after were murders and drug dealers.
When breakfast was through Mary suggested that they go for a stroll. Glenda looked at her aunt as if she were terrified to go out. Mary held out her hand and told it would all right.
"I won't let anything happen to you I promise." She assured her. No sooner than they were outside Glenda wanted to come back in, she told her aunt she wanted to watch T V. Mary knew why, she knew that was just an excuse and told her just five more minutes. Glenda however wasn't about to pay any attention to her aunt, being only four she had a mind of her own and knew what she wanted. Glenda then froze. Mary saw her eyes bulged. Glenda didn't say anything she just stood there frozen. She looked around very slowly then took off running. She was yelling for someone to get away from her as her arms waved madly around her head. She looked like she was swatting at a bee or maybe even a fly. Mary began to panic and took off after her. When she caught Glenda she grabbed her arms and asked what was wrong. When Mary touched her she felt a cool breeze blow through her body, it was then followed by a wind that was very strong. She felt like she had an out of body experience.
"See, Aunt Mary it wants me, it wants to eat me, and it's trying to stop you from saving me!"
"Okay sweetheart were going inside and nothing is going to harm you." If Mary had not been holding Glenda when the wind started she would have been blown away. Once they were back in the house Mary sat Glenda down and tried to close the door but the wind speed had picked up, now it was even stronger. The screen blew off the hinge and flew over the trees in the back yard. Mary managed to get the door shut and when she turned around she saw Glenda looking out the front window. She ran over to Glenda and saw a mystified look in her eyes. She pulled the curtain back and almost fell down by what she was seeing. There was no wind blowing in the front yard not even a light breeze. Mary's eyes were filled with skepticism. She ran back over to kitchen window and looked outside into the backyard. She saw a funnel cloud that was at a standstill just a few feet from the house. Mary squinted her eyes as she could not believe what she was seeing. There was a face in the twister. It was a woman and she had her mouth gaping wide open showing vampire type teeth. A loud roar came from the twister as the eyes on the woman's face turned pitch black. Mary began to cry as she watched for it to move. She did not want to scare Glenda anymore than she already was. She ran back into the living room and opened the front door but there was still no wind. She tried to clear her mind and just brush it off telling herself this was not happening. She picked Glenda up, sat her in her lap, and held her close.
" Here hunny lets watch the weather channel for a few minutes it looks like we're in for some rain is that okay with you, can I borrow the T.V for a few seconds." Glenda shook her head and gave Mary the remote. When the local forecast came on it was reported that there was no chance of rain in the forecast at least for the next few days, it never mentioned any high winds, and there sure as hell were no reports of any funnel clouds anywhere. Neither of them spoke about what happened for the rest of the day. When Roberta got home that afternoon nothing was said. Mary did tell her to sleep with Glenda tonight.
"She's been a little edgy today." Mary told her. Roberta said she would and asked if Mary if she wanted to stay the night because Sam was on an all-nighter. "The thought of being here home alone tonight makes my skin crawl."
Mary agreed and said she would sleep in Glenda's room. She told her sister that she was going to mention it to her anyway.
"I appreciate it Mary, things just haven't been the same this past week."
" Look go put Glenda to bed and then you and I will talk." Mary told her. Roberta didn't like the look in her eyes it scared her even more.
Roberta carried Glenda up stairs and tucked her in the bed. While Roberta was putting Glenda to bed Mary looked out the kitchen window and shuddered at how dark it was. All she saw was a glow of old trees with their leaves blowing in the now gentle breeze. The only light that shined on the big trees was from the crescent lit moon. There were no neighbors real close to them so it would just be the girls tonight. Mary wasn't too happy with that but there was nothing she could do about it. There was no way she was going to leave her sister and niece here alone. She stood in silence as she prayed the night would pass quickly.
Roberta made her way back down stairs and saw Mary standing in the corner. Mary saw her and immediately walked over beside her.
"Roberta I have something to tell you."
"Well what is it you're worrying me with that look in your eyes".
" I did not tell you this before because I thought it was just her imagination but today I saw something that even scared me. Last week Glenda was arguing with that big old oak tree in the backyard telling it to leave her alone. When I asked what was wrong, she tried to cover up what she really doing by telling me she was just playing a game with the tree. Then today she told me that an old woman came to her window last night and the woman told her she was going to eat her. She said she had razor sharp teeth. My god Roberta that even scared me, think about it. Then today when we went outside" Glenda paused and held her hands up as she continued, "I know you told me not to take her out but I needed to know if something was going on or not. Well no sooner than we stepped outside she took off and started running in the house like something was after her. When I caught up to her the strangest thing happened. A cool breeze went right through my body and she felt as if she were lifeless. Her skin was like wax. It was as if I were paralyzed for a moment. I couldn't move and my thoughts went blank. I don't know if it is from shock or what but I swear to you everything I have said thus far is the honest to god's truth. The breeze that blew through me stunk which was also odd. It was a putrid stench. I hate to say this but it was the smell of decaying death. Then, I picked her up and when I did the winds grew stronger, if I had not of had a hold of her she would have been blown away. You can go look for yourself the screen door is gone. I have no idea where or how far it went. I went to look outside in the front yard and it was quiet not even a gentle wind. Then when I looked out the kitchen window again there was a funnel cloud just sitting in one spot. The strangest thing though was when I seen the old woman she was just like Glenda said. I did not dare tell her what I saw. Later we drove to the library and I looked up the history on this property. In 1911 there was a woman and her three children who lived here in a log cabin. I saw the photo." Mary pulls out a copy she printed from the library and hands it to Roberta. "She was 36 at the time. Her husband committed suicide after being injured fighting in a battle. Apparently the town though she killed him. I kept reading and it said that she lived here up until they were going to evict her and her children. She had no job no money and no relatives. The neighborhood people accused her of being a witch because she would catch stray animals and feed then to the children. Things like snakes, stray dogs, etc. Urban legend has it that she even cut up her dead husband and cooked him. Check this out she would cook outside in a big black pot like the one I found out back. The district got together and was going to cast her out .A wealthy family moved in the area and bought all the surrounding land. When they heard the story them and the town rallied together and put her to death. Roberta they burned her alive. Like in the Salem witch hunt stories. (Mary paused, and stared at Roberta to see her reaction) ". The day before her death she took her small children, cut them up, and stuffed their body parts into the wooden floor of their shack. She buried her children so they would not have to leave their home, sick huh? The community came in took her outside and tied her to a tree and left her there for hours and ants started to eat her. Finally they lit her on fire and watched her slowly burn to death" Mary grabbed a hold of Roberta's hand and pointed to the old oak tree out back. "If you look closely you can see where the tree has been burned."
After her burnt body was left tied to the tree for two days they buried her by that exact same tree." The article said that they could still smell her charcoaled body for months. Mary showed Roberta a picture of the tree back in the 1900's and it was identical to the one that was in her backyard. Roberta just sat there unable to say anything she was only able to listen.
"Now back to the family who bought out the land their names were Buchanan, Ring a bell now. This was Sam's great, great, grandparents. You said his family use to be rich right; well they were the ones who burned her."
"But what has that got to do with us." Roberta asked Mary.
"Hunny wake up, the name, she is back for revenge. She wants Glenda for the loss of her life and her children's life."
"Why didn't Sam ever tell me about this?" Roberta asked sadly.
"Maybe it was because he didn't even know, hell the only reason I found it out was because I went snooping."
"So what do we do now?" Roberta asked.
"I suggest let's get as far away from here as we can and make damn sure we never have to come back. You need to call Sam and tell him to come home early and while you do that I'm going upstairs to check on Glenda."
Roberta tried calling Sam but she got no answer so she left a message on his voice mail. Before she hung the telephone up she started to cry without even knowing she was doing it.
Roberta walked upstairs and told Mary that Sam would be calling home in about an hour. Mary told her fine and went down stairs to fix a pot of coffee. She said they needed something to keep them awake and alert. Glenda was snug in Roberta's bed, she was safe there the bedroom faced the front of the house and the tree was in the backyard. Roberta sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up Glenda's hand and held it tightly.
When Mary got back down stairs she heard a thump at the back door. She looked out the window, saw nothing, and walked away but then heard it once again. She walked over to the door and put her ear up to it hoping she could hear something. There was nothing but a dead silence. When she thought that everything was okay and brushed it off as being paranoid the front door opened up. Another gust of wind blew through her but this time the odor was stronger than before it almost made here gag. The odor smelt like a decomposing carcass that was in the house. Another thing was it was coming from the front this time. She walked to the door to shut and locked it. When she did something appeared out of thin air. It was the witch old lady Martin; she was staring down at Mary with black sockets where her eyes once were. Mary was in shock she could not move or even scream, nothing came from her mouth. Her feet were stuck as if they were nailed to the ground. Old lady Martin floated closer and put her lips to Mary's lips. Blood started to drip out of Mary's mouth. Her arms began to tremble which was followed by the rest of her body shaking uncontrollably. The old woman was sucking Mary's blood right from her mouth. Mary fell to the ground she was as white as snow. The woman then leaned over her and cut the side of Mary's face with her an extremely sharp fingernail. Mary was now gurgling something but before she got any louder the woman sliced her throat wide open. The front door then slammed shut. The old woman was now a human form .The woman started walking up the stairs and behind each step she left a bloody footprint. Roberta who was still upstairs heard the door slam shut. She jumped and turned around. She wanted to go check on Mary but did not want to leave Glenda by herself. She was afraid to thinking that something would come in the room and get her. Then she heard a creek in the stairway. Roberta called out "Mary is that you?" but there was no answer. She jumped up and ran over to the door to shut and lock it. The figure continued walking until she reached Glenda's room. When there was no one there she became furious. She began throwing everything that was in her way. Roberta heard this and peeked out of the door. She saw the woman standing in Glenda's room making an in human sound.
"Mary is that you are you okay, Mary please answer me."
Again no one answered and the woman was nowhere to be found. Glenda then woke up and asked what was wrong. Roberta told her it was nothing for her to worry about. She quietly shut the door and walked over to Glenda and told her not say a word. When Roberta heard another noise she nervously picked Glenda up, sat her in the laundry chute basket, and told her not to make a sound no matter what happened. Glenda held her arms out crying for her mother not too leave her alone. Roberta grabbed her, hugged her, and told her she believed her about everything that she said. "Glenda you know that mommy loves you more than anything in this whole wide world don't you?" Glenda wiping the tears from her eyes said yes.
"Then do as mommy say's, do not come out sweetheart stay here where you are safe can you promise me that?" Glenda shook her head yes. Glenda's tears were now getting heavier.
"Okay baby I love you and remember don't come out until you hear daddy okay".
Roberta shut the door and fell to her knees crying. She rubbed the closed door with her hand as if she was caressing her daughter as she whispered,
"I Love You Baby, mommy will always love you." Roberta wiped her eyes and got up on her feet, opened the bedroom door and yelled out,
"Okay bitch, if you want my daughter you will have to get through me first!"
The woman heard Roberta and turned her head quickly showing her blackened eyes. Roberta saw the woman standing in Glenda's room. She had blood dripping from her fingertips and feet. Lady Martin then turned to Roberta, smiled to show her razor sharp teeth, and began to walk her way.
"Why are you coming after my daughter? She has nothing to do with what happened to you. Please just leave us alone. For god's sake let us be."
The woman ignoring her plea kept coming towards her. Roberta started walking down the stairs backwards. She wanted to lure the woman as far away as she could from Glenda. The first step she put her foot on was slippery from blood which almost caused her to fall. She grabbed a hold of the railing and looked down at her feet. Blood began coming between her toes. Roberta put her hand over her mouth and began to cry. She looked down at the bottom of the stairs and saw Mary lying in the front doorway. She was pale and not moving. Roberta let out a scream and when she did the woman pushed her down the stairs. She tumbled down hitting head numerous times on the sides of the balustrade. She finally came to a stop on top of her sister. Mary's eyes were wide open staring at Roberta. Mary jumped up very quickly pulling out some of Mary's hair in the process. She tried to pick the strands of hair from her hands but the blood made it hard. Her hands were very sticky they felt clammy. When she looked down at her fingers she bent over and threw up on the carpet a few feet away from Mary's body.
"Oh god, please no." Mary's throat split open from her falling on it. Roberta tried getting up but could not; she was covered with blood and was unable to get her balance. Roberta crawled on the floor and asked the old woman in an enraged tone of voice if she wanted Glenda. The old woman began to smile and let out a hissing tone that sounded like Kaa from Jungle Book.
"Yessssss give her to me ".
"She's not here now get the fuck out of my house." The woman was still coming towards Roberta but she was now hovering instead of on foot. She pulled her razor sharp nail out and pointed towards her own temple. Roberta screamed out, oh God no. The woman then cut the side of her head and blood came dripping out and ran down the side of face. She whispered in another hissing drone,
"This is the blood of your loved one on the floor and now it's your turn. Three of my offspring are dead and you will make up for the second child I lost then all I will need is one more life".
"Why? We had nothing to do with what happened to your family, it wasn't us who caused your family pain. Please let us go."
The woman charged at Roberta picking her up with one hand having no difficulty at all.
"Do you know the feeling of death? We'll me and my children do."
"No one told you to kill them that was all you and you alone" Roberta yelled out to her. The old woman then carried her out into the backyard where the oak tree was. She forced her body onto a sharp piece of tree branch. Roberta let out an excruciating and horrid screech as the branch slowly pierced her insides. The woman then pushed her through until the branch came out through her abdomen. Roberta lay with her arms hanging behind her as long drops of blood dripped down from the tree. The tree severed her back and spinal column and finally came to a stop when it pierced through her skin. She was impaled while trying to fight for her life.
Roberta managed to get out a few words before she died.
"I love you Glenda mommy loves you."
Just as Roberta took in her last breath Sam came in the front door and saw the blood bath that had taken place. Mary was on the floor with her head nearly severed completely off. Sam yelled out for Roberta but there was no answer. He then saw another blood trail that led into the kitchen. He followed the trail as he pulled out his gun.
"Roberta if you're in there, say something." There was still no answer only silence filled the room. The trail of blood led outside to the backyard. Sam walked through the back door but saw nothing, the trail had disappeared. By now his heart was pumping rapid he felt the beats of his heart in his throat. Sam saw blood all over his house, his dead sister-in-law and could not find his wife and daughter. He was fearful of what else he may discover. Sam with his gun still pulled took in a deep breath and continued to walk outside. He saw even more blood. He followed the blood drops and saw that they were coming from the tree. He noticed something hanging from it and walked closer calling out Roberta's name. Tears filled his eyes as he said "Please God, please don't let it be her." He paused wiped his eyes with the back of his hand then continued towards the tree. As he got closer he saw that it was a person hanging from a tree branch. Sam dropped his gun and climbed up the tree up only to find his wife hanging from a sharp branch, he saw his wife's impaled body. Her eyes were open they looked demented. Fear was still in them. Her organs had been ripped from her body. There was a huge hole around her abdomen. Sam dropped his gun and climbed the tree. He tugged at her body but could not get her down. He fell on the ground and began to yell and cry. He picked up his revolver and held it to his temple and closed his eyes. Before he pulled the trigger he heard Glenda scream. His eyes widened as he jumped up and ran back towards the house. Once inside her yelled for Glenda,
"Glenda baby you okay it's me daddy. Call out to me so I can come and get you. Oh baby please."
Sam kept chanting to himself please let her be okay, please let her be okay. Just then he heard a whimper that sounded like it came from his bedroom. Before he got the chance to walk in the old woman appeared. This time she was virtually a complete woman. She was almost human and had features of Roberta in which made Sam shudder.


She held her hands out to Sam.
"Come to me Sam I'm part of Roberta, Look at me I have her womb in me. Let us make babies and I will let you live. Come feel my stomach it feels just like Roberta's."
Sam yelled and told her no way, he told her that he was going to kill her. The old woman was furious at his response to her and she yelled at him,
"I want my children back you motherfucker! " She said as her old haggard form reappeared. She hissed at Sam and blew a wind from her mouth was so fierce it knocked him down. She walked towards him with her arms thrust outward, "Where is our child, where is Glenda my precious little angel, call her out Sam."
Sam looked at her disgusted and asked her,
"What are you?"
"I'm your wife, don't you love me?"
"Get away from me your not my wife you killed my wife. What do you want, why us, why?" "It was grand daddy's fault," The old witch said. "He was the one who killed me and took my children, granddad Buchanan. Now in order for me to have my children back I need a Buchanan. Just come and be with me, give me back what I lost, that is all I ask. I need a Buchanan and you're the only one left." She held out her hands once again, "Come to me come on. I will fuck you then kill you"
"I want my wife back you bitch" The witch now turned into Roberta's full form,
"Sam hold me, please hold me it hurts. I need you Sam! "
Rubbing the tears from his eye's he started walking towards her.
"Roberta is that you?"
"Yes it's me who else would it be?" The woman said in a giggle using Roberta's voice. He walked to her and put his arms around her but she did not feel like Roberta, this woman was cold and clammy. He pulled back and fell to his knees saying, "No, no, no, go away!" Glenda was now calling out to her father,
"Daddy, Daddy come and get me!" The woman turned around once again with no eyes and started towards the bedroom. Sam grew helpless but knew he needed to do something before she reached his daughter. Sam then called out to her and said in a compassionate tone,
"Roberta!" The woman turned around and started walking towards him.
" I love you Roberta. Come here and hold me, I am cold and scared. Let's go and be together." The haggard woman glided over to him this time not changing her appearance back to his wife. She was the old woman with sharp teeth and black holes for her eye sockets. Sam took a hold of her hand and walked her into the bedroom. He laid her down on her back and rubbed her gray hair. He told her how much he loved her. He saw what looked like a little light that tinkled in her black sockets.
"Are you human now? I mean are you okay? "
"Yes!" she hissed and the stink that came from her mouth made Sam almost throw up. He laid down next to her kissing her on her skeletal neck; every time he kissed her pieces of bone fragments from her neck ended up in his mouth. He reached into his pocket pulled out his revolver and shot her in the abdomen. That was what made her real the part of Roberta she took and now that she was human she could be killed. Her body turned to ashes and the old oak tree suddenly vanished. Sam ran and opened up the door where Glenda was and grabbed her, he held her tightly.
"Daddy where is mommy? She told me to be a good girl and wait for you to come home before I came out."
"Mommy is watching over you in heaven so that no one will ever hurt you again. She is now your guarding angel who will always be by your side. You will never be alone again." Sam kissed her ever so lightly on the cheek and walked her down the stairs telling her to shut her eyes on the way down, He put her in his car and took off into the night.

THE END

Edited by: J.B.



Copyrighted 2001 by Tressa Graves

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this story or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

Hello Everybody,

Losing my mind here trying to write and learn my Chinese. Haven't gotten any sleep. If anyone can makes this learning experience any better please let me know. HEHE!! Miss talking to all my new friends. I may have to get busy with writing full time again my kids all over me. I hate party poopers. They act like the adult and treat me as if I'm the child. To much video game playing, to much talking, to many movies, to much Chinese!!! Geez when will it end!! I just wanna be like all the other adults, well maybe not.