This story is easily recognized as a retelling of an old bit of folklore. This tends to be the traditional ending, so I decided to go the horror-candy route with this. Depending on who is telling the story, the severed head does or does not speak. Since this ending was meant to be the horror ending, he gives in to temptation, so the consequences have to be as horrific as possible.

There has always been an air of the Victorian repression to it, so I decided to go with it. It could work better in the French Revolution, but I already have my story about that. Plus, since the head confronting him would be spookier to a Victorian than to our more jaded senses, so that seemed to work too.

The thought occurs that a gush of blood, or something grosser, like insects, might have worked better. The problem is that it just seems like a gratuitous gross-out. Plus, it would obscure the point of retribution for breaking his promise. Despite promising a truly horrific end, it will stand. Just being brutal and disgusting for somebody else's kicks just isn't me.

This story was chosen for inclusion because it is a retelling of an old campfire story. Plus, the double ending helps serve a double purpose. Like in 'One moonlit night', the horror candy ending is an attempt at darkness. Maybe not as successful, but it was an attempt. The love ending is my more traditonal ending. I will plead guilty to being a hopeless romantic, and most of the time, true love will be rewarded.