From "The Butcher's Boy" by Michael Robb Mathias

The ghostly boy picked up another empty and went through the wind up again, but this time the can went over Oliver’s head and clattered into the kitchen. Oliver whimpered like a terrified child and the ghost boy grabbed at its belly and laughed. The sound that came out held no mirth though. It was a hollow gravelly hiss that was full of spite and anger.

Oliver used a hand to push himself up and tried to climb over the recliner to get away. The ghost snarled at this and reached for another can. There was no dramatic pause to check the first base runner with this wind up. The ghostly arm shot forth and the can flew across the room.

Oliver put a hand up to protect himself, but he wasn’t fast enough. This can wasn’t opened yet and when it him full in the mouth it shattered his lips as if they were grapes and broke some teeth. He threw his arms up into a cartwheel trying to keep his balance, but it wasn’t to be. He and the chair went over and the back of his head hit the floor so hard that it bounced.

From "Oogie Boogie Central" by M. Stephen Lukac

A supposedly dead serial killer appears at a bookstore autographing:

The next person in line had approached the table during their conversation.  The customer, a tall man in a long denim coat, was holding a sleeping child against his shoulder, but wasn’t carrying anything for Gary to sign.

“Your little guy there must be pretty tired,” Gary said, filling time until Alex could hand him a book.

“He’s just dead,” the customer agreed, “but I’m a huge fan of yours and I wanted to get something autographed.”

“Well once these folks wrestle a book free, we’ll hook you right up.”

“Oh that’s all right.  I brought something with me.”

 Instead of reaching into his coat, the man released his hold on the boy’s shoulders, causing the child to fall back, still connected to the man by the arm he held across the back of the boy’s knees.  As the child completed his descent, the man turned slightly, changing the boy’s trajectory enough that he landed in the middle of the table, scattering books everywhere.

Gary and Alex jumped back from the table, attempting to distance themselves from the eviscerated corpse laid before them like a sacrifice.

“Just make that out to Ted,” the man in the long coat demanded.

From "Side Effect" by Laura Lond

“Hi, Arnie,” Parkins said, trying to look calm. “What’s up?”

He saw a small reflection of himself in the robot’s gray eyes. He was completely at its mercy. No chance to escape, shut the door, or even grab something and hit the machine. Arnie would outdo him no matter what he attempted. The reaction speed of this model was sixteen times greater than that of a cat.

“Mr. Kumidi has asked me to inform you that he disapproves of how you treated Dr. Stromberg today, Mr. Parkins. You were impolite.”

Parkins took a slow step back. “…Well, I did act kind of rashly. I’m sorry. Would you please relay my sincere apology to the doctor. And to Mr. Kumidi as well.”

Arnie’s thin lips moved, forming a smile—just like the lips of a human. Series-R models had a wide range of facial expressions. Parkins considered it one of his engineers’ best achievements and usually liked watching the robots’ faces change, but this time it brought him no pleasure.

“Very well, Mr. Parkins. I will do that.” Arnie stepped back from the door. “Good night.”

Parkins breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a warning, nothing more.