Hello, Weirdlings,
Camping provides a unique blend of relaxation and irritation. The night glitters with stars, but brings the chill dark. The campfire grants a glowing promise of warmth and food, along with gusts of smoke every time the wind shifts.
The tent provides comfort, protecting you from what lies outside — the cold night air, mosquitos, and other creatures that lurk. Though this sense of protection is as flimsy as the fabric that surrounds you. Akin to pulling a blanket over your head against the monster in the closet, zipping the tent door closed offers the illusion of being safely tucked in within your thin canvas shell.
And yet, when I crawled into my tent over the weekend to sleep, it was the tent itself that began to feel a threat. Tucked too tightly into a corner, I could feel the canvas pressing down upon my forehead. I felt like I couldn’t move, couldn’t breath.
I had to escape. Scrambling for the tent flap — the zipper never so hard to find — I finally burst into the night air, suddenly comforted by the openness of the dark.
Anxiety, my dear weirdlings, is a strange beast.
Movies
Shudder’s Spiral Explores Social Horrors With All the Effectiveness of Get Out (Bloody Disgusting)
Spiral presents the story of a gay couple in who move into a new neighborhood in search of a better life — only to find the suburban community hides a dark secret.
Anya Taylor-Joy Will Play Furiosa in Max Max: Fury Road Prequel (Tor.com)
Furiosa, George Miller’s prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road is currently in development — bringing more depth an back story to an iconic character.
Games
Dark Souls Player Drenched In Blood Every Time He Gets Hit (Kotaku)
An inventive gamer developed a contraption that douses him in fake blood every time he gets hit in Dark Souls, a game known for being notoriously difficult. The result is gory and amusing.
Lore
The Most Haunted States in the U.S. (Matador Network)
Based on monitored paranormal activity, Slot Source identifies and ranks the states with the most haunted destinations across the United States. We’re based in the second most haunted state. How about you?
Literature
Survival Horror Novels: 5 Books Full of Existential Dread (Book Riot)
Any wander out into the wood may leave you wondering what lies in the dark just outside the glow of the flickering campfire. These five books are sure to feed that sense of dread.
Short of the Week
The Halloween seasons dredges up a desire for classic horror. “Knock Knock,” written and directed by Jeff Betancourt fits the bill. Three young women at a sleepover decide to play a game with deadly consequences.
