SOURCE: "Lost Hearts" by M. R. James  (1904)

DESCRIPTION: "Whilst the girl stood still, half smiling, with her hands clasped over her heart, the boy, a thin shape, with black hair and ragged clothing, raised his arms[32] in the air with an appearance of menace and of unappeasable hunger and longing. The moon shone upon his almost transparent hands, and Stephen saw that the nails were fearfully long and that the light shone through them. As he stood with his arms thus raised, he disclosed a terrifying spectacle. On the left side of his chest there opened a black and gaping rent; and there fell upon Stephen's brain, rather than upon his ear, the impression of one of those hungry and desolate cries that he had heard resounding over the woods of Aswarby all that evening. In another moment this dreadful pair had moved swiftly and noiselessly over the dry gravel, and he saw them no more." ("Lost Hearts" by M. R. James)

NOTES: Mr. Abney the sorcerer has murdered three young children for their hearts for a spell of immortality. The souls of these children hover about his home before coming for revenge. He knows they are about because they scratch at the spot over the heart on his shirts.

HISTORY: One of James' creepiest stories because the brazon disregard Mr. Abney has for his victims. Less brave writers would have made Abney a sociopath/lunatic and not had any ghosts.