1
The Ghost in the Woods
Andrey saw a white figure between the trees. He followed it until it stopped beneath the moon — and asked if he knew the way back to the bus stop.
СНАЧАЛА СТРАШНО… А ПОТОМ СМЕШНО
Anti-Strashilki
Stories that begin like proper nightmares and deliberately destroy the terror with a ridiculous ending.
THE FIRST 8
АНТИ-СТРАШИЛКИ2
The Mirror
Nina saw someone standing behind her in the mirror. She spun around. Nobody. She looked again. The reflection sighed: “Could you hold still? I’m trying to fix my hair.”
3
Something Under the Bed
Every night Kolya heard scratching under his bed. Finally he looked. Two green eyes stared back. “Shh,” whispered the monster. “I’m hiding from the thing in the wardrobe.”
4
The Thirteenth Floor
Sasha pressed 13 although the building had only twelve floors. The doors opened into darkness. A janitor looked up and said, “Finally. Someone who can help me change this lightbulb.”
5
The Black Umbrella
Vanya found a black umbrella that followed him everywhere. At midnight it opened by itself. “About time,” it muttered. “It’s raining in London.”
6
The Black Cat
Olya was followed by a black cat every night. On the seventh night it finally spoke: “You dropped your sausage three blocks ago. Are you going to eat it or can I?”
7
The Snowman
Timur’s snowman changed places every night. On the fourth morning it stood at the front door holding a suitcase. “Spring,” it said. “I’m moving north.”
8
The Bicycle
Pasha’s bicycle began riding by itself through the courtyard. He chased it for three streets before it stopped. The bicycle rang its bell: “You walk. I need the exercise.”