Night had fallen.
“Ghost,” an ancient and mysterious word. It might not be a monster with a green face, fangs, and a lolling tongue, nor a vengeful spirit bent on claiming a life. It could be a chill wind sweeping through a hallway, a strange reflection flashing across a mirror, or a bone-chilling whisper from nowhere in the dead of night.
This collection of strange tales is woven from countless moments like these. It gathers short stories from different places and eras. Some come from word of mouth in everyday life, steeped in the sights and sounds of ordinary people. Others are pure works of imagination, placing the darkest parts of human nature beneath a supernatural magnifying glass. Every story is a half-open door, with a unique world of “ghosts” hidden behind it.
You needn't sit up straight to read these stories, nor search for answers. Just find a quiet corner in the still of the night, dim the lights, and let your thoughts drift with the words. When the back of your neck goes cold, or you happen to glimpse a shadow in the corner, don't panic. It may only be “them” from the stories, offering you their most “friendly” greeting.
Finally, remember this ancient warning: Stories always end, but fear sometimes lingers. After you close the book, if you hear something strange beneath your bed or see something in the mirror that shouldn't be there, take a deep breath and tell yourself it's only a story. Though you and I both know that some stories may be reflections of reality.
