Best of 2013 - Windows
When we held a special horror-themed fiction contest for the month of October, we really didn't expect to get a story like Windows, by Ben Pienaar. Instead of being haunted by traditional things, like ghosts, vampires, ghouls, and J.J. Abrams' remakes of the Star Trek franchise, the protagonist is haunted by paradise. Imagine finding the most blissful place, your own personal wonderland full of peace and happiness, but knowing that it actually contains your doom.
Well, you don't have to, because Ben already did that with Windows. Even though the tone isn't classic horror story, the concept is haunting, and the story is fantastic. In fact, our guest judge for the horror-themed fiction contest, Stoker Award-nominated horror author Michael R. Collings, declared it his favorite.
Stay tuned as we revisit our favorite stories from 2013, and get ready to cast your vote in the biggest Reader’s Choice poll this side of whatever convenient landmark you are near.