"SHADOWS IN THE GARDEN" (2002)

Stills from Wayne Spitzer's award-winning 2002 short

Above: Sylkk seems awfully fascinated with the woman who lives at 10410 E. Greenwhich Blvd.

Sylkk may not be a graduate student, but he knows a corpse when he sees one!

It's a night of firsts for our leafy protagonist, including standing up straight.

Sylkk discovers music...another milestone toward becoming self-aware.

Sylkk's friend, a dog named "Bear," has joined the ranks of the dead. Who's next?

Sylkk knows his reoccurring vision of a woman's severed head is important. He just doesn't know why...

Cthulhu Gardens...not your garden-variety small town.

"Cutthroat Cthulhu" (Eric Gollinger) has slashed for the last time.

The dead girl...the dog...the woman at Greenwhich Blvd. Sylkk puts it all together.

With "blood on his claws," Sylkk contemplates his power to take a life.

A prayer for a departed friend, perhaps.

...and a burial, of sorts.

The monster, Sylkk. More human than most humans.

The garden personified, Sylkk naturally blends in.