Messes are funny things. The longer they’re around, the harder they are to clean up. That was the way it was with the Falling River Schoolhouse. It was May, the day after Memorial Day. We’d been off school for all of three days, and already I...
“He is dead, Senhor,” Paulo told him. Mr. Jameson, a portly man, sat back in his chair, making a long, low squeaking sound as he did. He was a businessman. His head was large and bald from too much thought, and his body was a soft,...
It awoke to the sounds of bootfalls on rocks. Voices followed. Someone had come into its cave again. It listened. “Matt! Look out for the camera!” “I’m looking! I’m looking!” “I could put that in my bag, you know.” “And let it get crushed by your two tons of gear? ...
In some ways, it is terrifying to imagine just how close the town of Marchington came to obliteration by the tentacles of a demonic cephalopod. THE END It was finished. Months of toil had finally given way to Marty’s latest masterpiece. Of his eighteen novels to...
Vestwell Subway was a pedestrian tunnel which ran beneath the busy A37, linking East Lydford with West. A notorious accident blackspot, few ever chose to use it, preferring to risk life and limb crossing the road above. Indeed, many fatalities had been recorded at the...
Her first coherent thought for today; how surprisingly pleasant. She was entombed between impossibly white walls in a haven of filth, cold to the touch of her cheek should she choose to rest against them, sending a chill rushing through her flesh and deep into the...
There are dozens of unexplained scientific mysteries. We still ponder thoughts about what might really exist in the next galaxy, or perhaps, lurking in the deepest depths of the ocean floor. Unknown diseases encircle us daily, waiting for the day when there’s an opening of...
It began with a smell of thunder. The night had settled into the empty spaces of the house as Malcolm made his way through to the living room, turning on lights as he went. He dropped into his armchair and opened his laptop to read the...
Entry One To encourage the patients to keep up on their journals, Dr. Bryant has encouraged the rest of the staff assigned to this ward to keep a journal as well openly. It’s not too much of a trial, and if it’ll encourage these patients to...
Evidence #005678 and #073812 in cases #MPD-5609 and #MPD-6491 respectively for the Medford Police Department. The following interviews were transcribed shortly after the death of Detective Octavia Allen. Detective Allen was investigating the disappearance of Amy Wolgast when she was found dead in her home. The...
Promise Valley was nestled in the valley below, tucked in quietly at the edge of the Rocky Mountains. As I eased my horse down the rough trail leading to the settlement, the place looked as serene as could be. It made the missive from my...
Chapter 1 I pulled the door open and stepped inside Dutch’s Tavern, it seemed familiar, but I paused at the entry until carefully glancing over the bar’s interior. My eyes scoured the inside from the left side of the door completely around to the right of...
I was running as fast as I could, but I knew it was gaining on me. I swear it was trying to step in every puddle so I knew it was running faster. I turned my head where I could see it. Its arms were...
The town my wife Violet was raised in is almost unremarkable. You won’t find it on any ‘Best of’ lists or see it signified on any map or atlas. She said she was happy as heaven to get out of there when we met. I...
Chapter 1 I grew up being a bit of an explorer at heart. It hadn’t exactly come naturally, but instead through my family’s forced moves from army base to army base. I turned ten this year and I was on at least my eighth adventure to...
The Act The large metal plate was secured with long threaded bolts into the enclosure. These were applied and tightened down by two skimpily clad, dark-haired assistants, or vassals as they were called, and appeared to also be identical twins. The cage looked to be impenetrable...
Chapter One Tanner Lee Palper, or Tilper as people had called him even before he could remember, sat on the old rustic bench he’d put by the pond years ago. His pole sat leaning against the limb that jutted towards him from the water. It was...
Chapter One Dried, dead leaves crunched underneath the rhythmic footfalls of the trio. Mrs. Kendal took in a haggard breath, clearly struggling to keep a steady pace. Mandy watched the elderly mark, noting she had a death grip on her son, Trevor, as they wound their...
The lantern on my desk flickered and then went out, drenching the cabin in a tar-like darkness. I cursed quietly to myself. It seemed only the day before that I had filled the lamp, and I’d been ashore since. Carefully I placed my quill into...
Chicago, Il. Shorty Small, a man neither short nor small, took a final drag on his cigarette. Without diverting his gaze, he flicked the butt to his right. Glowing flakes of tobacco scattered as the dying cigarette struck the neighboring building’s brick wall. The sparks triggered...
