This is one of my favorite tales from the show. This of course is a story from one of my favorite authors Robert E Howard, way before he did the "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" tales he actually did some horror short stories which were actually really cool and this tale was one of them; it's a shame he didn't do more because he really is a capable horror writer.
This is a pretty simple tale with a all so familiar format, on young people simple deciding to spend the night at some deserted house. Yeah like with any of the horror films you've seen like "The Evil Dead" and others honestly why the hell do they always pick some remote place, have they never heard of a hotel or motel or just simply vacation someplace pleasant and popular like Miami or something.
I like the young brother protagonist whom is sympathetic as both he and his brother are simply victims of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. And the Sheriff is another solid protagonist, I like that he's not some stereotypical disbeliever but actually on the understanding side because depite some doubts he carries there are certain things that don't add up and evade logical explanation.
However to me it's the atmosphere and location that are the real stars of the story. This story just has this moodiness that really gave me chills. From the swamp location, the seediness of the house, and the use of the darkness all of that just gives everything just this spooky and dangerous enviorment as if something could just come out of the shadows or at an unseen corner at any moment.
There is even a little feeling of paranoia, from the birds and their unusual behavior, the story of the witch we hear and hearing more of what she can do. It really added to the creepiness because you have that cold feeling that the young brother and Sheriff are not alone and somehow this witch may be watching their every move right now.
Beware of the next pigeon you see, death could be flying your direction.
Rating: 4 stars