Mythical Drabbles: ‘The Dead of Winter’ by John H. Dromey

Please enjoy today’s drabble from superstar Insignia Stories contributor, John H. Dromey!

The Dead of Winter

John H. Dromey

“The three murder scenes are eerily similar,” Inspector Watanabe told Superintendent Tanaka. “An asphyxiated victim in a locked-room. It’s weird, though. Although the rooms were properly heated, the bodies were frostbitten.”

“Any clues outside the houses?”

“None. A snowman in each yard, but the recent blizzard filled in the tracks of whoever built them.”

Consulted by the superintendent, a paranormal investigator reported, “The snowmen are mere distractions. The perpetrator was a Yuki-onna—a snowwoman. Having no rigid skeleton, she sifted into the houses through gaps around doors or windows, reassembled inside, smothered her victims, and then sifted back out again.”

John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of genres. His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly Magazine, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere.

John’s Published Work with INSIGNIA STORIES:

ANTHOLOGIES

Japanese Fantasy Drabbles (Insignia Drabbles Vol.1.)

Southeast Asian Fantasy Drabbles (Insignia Drabbles Vol.2.)

Mythical Creatures of Asia (Insignia Drabbles Vol.3.)

Mythical Beings of Asia (Insignia Drabbles Vol.4.)

‘Dream Sequence’, Castles & Kimono (Insignia Series Vol.8)

POETRY

Horror Matsuri #3 / Instincts (poetry) #11: ‘Spooky Yuki-onna’ by John H. Dromey

Horror Matsuri #9 / Instincts (poetry) #14: ‘A Yōkai’s Haiku Halloween abroad’ by John H. Dromey

#16 ‘Casting Call for a Method Actor’ by John H. Dromey (December 17th, 2020)

#17 ‘Hot Pursuit Goes Underground, Hostage Unharmed’ by John H. Dromey (January 14th, 2021)