The Candy Cane Man
Paul and Lee dismissed the legend of Geneva Grove's Candy Cane Man as a local ghost story. But when a raging blizzard strands them in the abandoned town, they discover the legend is terrifyingly real. They are not alone, and their night of terror has only just begun.
- Paul - Lee’s partner
- Lee - Paul’s partner
- Paul tells Lee the legend of the Sugar Baby Factory: Kids snuck into the factory over spring break and lit firecrackers. A worker was so startled he got caught in a machine and was completely mangled.
- The rest of the workers set the place on fire to cover it up and protect the kids.
- Afterwards the kids responsible went missing one by one - then everyone in town started disappearing.
- The only clue was a candy cane hanging on their front door.
- Paul and Lee arrive at the house and decide to stay the night because of the heavy snow.
- While trying to sleep on the couch, the front door bangs open. Lee sees a candy cane hanging there - and a creature with impossibly long arms that hook at the ends like candy canes.
- The Candy Cane Man attacks Lee and drags him away into the woods.
- Paul reappears, removes the candy cane and sits on the couch with his grandmother.
- It’s revealed the Candy Cane Man is Paul’s grandfather - the candy cane on the door is the signal that summons him.
- Paul's mother killed herself out of guilt after summoning the Candy Cane Man to kill her abusive husband, Paul's father.
- Paul and his grandmother start thinking about who to sacrifice next Christmas.
Great short Christmas story with a surprising twist. A lot of entertainment and horror packed into very few pages!
- Paul - Alive - Relieved to be rid of Lee, though a twinge of guilt lingers
- Lee - Dead - Attacked and dragged away by the Candy Cane Man
- Murder
Twist
Publisher: Independently Published
ASIN: B0FZ62KMJC
Publication Date: November 9, 2025
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
