In between the first two volumes of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, writer and illustrator Patrick Horvath released a brief prologue revealing Sam’s first murder.
Now, in between volume two and the upcoming final volume, he has released the Halloween Special, where a group of Woodbrook teenagers gather around a campfire to tell scary stories about Samantha Strong.
Each of these stories are written and illustrated by other notable horror comic creators, creating a creepy anthology that shows how Sam has become mythologized since her explosive escape from Woodbrook.
Our four teenagers are Fiona, Riley, Sean and his older brother Nate, who take turns scaring each other throughout the story.
Although, this mostly light-hearted mockery means they quickly dismiss it when Riley hears a twig snap, something which will have grim consequences by the end.
The first to tell their story is Riley, and he spins a tale about his cousin’s friend Teeny, who learned that Sam was still in Woodbrook, skinning animals alive and wearing those skins to commit more grisly murders.
Yeah, this story is clearly fake since it is so far removed from Sam’s usual modus operandi.
The next to tell their story is Sean, and I especially liked how his tale connected with the wild animal motif seen in the first two volumes.
Here, Sam is portrayed as a literal wild bear, rather than an anthropomorphic one, growling and roaring as she cuts through her victims with a chainsaw.
Once again, we know this story is not true because it violates one of Sam’s key rules; that being not to kill anyone in Woodbrook.
She only broke this rule when she was discovered.
Of the four stories, I would say this is my second favorite because of the way it ties into the themes of the original story.
That and the artwork is especially great, although that does make certain horrifying panels difficult to look at.
Of the four scary stories, Nate’s is the most outlandish.
In his version of events, Sam did not kill for her own twisted reasons but because she was serving an evil cult.
Being overly complicated while reducing Sam’s role in the story, Nate’s tale is definitely my least favorite.
That being said, there are a few interesting cameos, like Chip appearing as an undead fox being controlled by the cult, so there is that.
Following his story, Nate storms off after being scared by Fiona, giving her the time to tell my favorite story of the Halloween Special… and the only true one.
Fiona’s father is revealed to be a mortician, who prepared the bodies of Nigel’s victims for their funerals.
In a stunning case of parental negligence, he left the door to his mortuary open, allowing Fiona to sneak in and see the horrific remains of Cherry Gherkins.
Sean declares Fiona the winner of the group and tells her she is lucky to not be a “freako killer” after seeing such a gruesome sight as a kid.
This leads to a flashback, where we see that Fiona actually talked once with Sam, probably shortly before she firebombed the town and escaped.
Fiona had been attempting to draw Cherry’s body in her journal but could not find the right kind of red until Sam helped her.
There are eerie similarities between the two, with Fiona seeing her disturbing drawings as a form of therapy, which is exactly how Sam views her own murders.
We can see Sam feels some kind of rare connection with Fiona, based on how she tells her, “I’m glad to help a fellow artist.”
All of this makes me wonder if Sam might have tried to groom Fiona into a protege?
If she had not fled Woodbrook that is.
Sure, she reacted badly to Nigel, but moulding someone into a killer is the kind of despicable act I would expect from Sam.
None of this means Fiona is doomed to become a murderer, though.
The drawings could legitimately just be a way for her to deal with the trauma.
Speaking of killers inspired by Sam, we potentially see one at the end of the Special.
Nate turns back up, but he is wearing his Halloween mask and is eerily silent.
As Sean and his “brother” walk home, it is revealed Nate has been murdered and had his costume stolen by whoever stepped on the twig earlier.
With this ominous twist spelling death for Sean and his family, we then get a teaser for the third and final volume before the Special concludes.
In this teaser, we see another decade has passed, with America now focused on the War on Terror.
Sam is still a fugitive and in her sixties.
She certainly looks her age, as her narration states that the past always sticks its head out of the dirt, ending both the teaser and the Halloween Special.
Sam may not be in hiding for long, however, because I think her narration hints at a future confrontation between her and another character.
Sam states the past always sticks its head out of the dirt.
What animal also does this?
Moles.
Lewis is a mole.
Considering his unfinished business with Sam, concerning the gruesome fate of his father, I would not be surprised if he pursued a career in law enforcement and dedicated himself to hunting Sam down.
He could serve as the Monica of Volume Three, going head-to-head against Sam.
If that is the direction Patrick Horvath decides to take, though, I hope things end better for Lewis than they did Monica.
Someone needs to take Sam down for all she has done.
Either way, the Halloween Special and brief teaser for volume three are welcome additions to the Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees story.
They provide interesting tales, along with potentially hinting at Sam’s ending.
I am now even more excited for The Summer and the Fall.
Fingers crossed that Patrick Horvath can end his grim story on a satisfying note.
