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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
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Thank you for downloading my first book of short stories! I am happy that you have made it a part of your library.
Cover illustration is by Jonah Asher Feintuck.
Special thanks goes to my editor, SJ Slagle.
Three years ago I started on this book and after numerous revisions I’m making my stories available to you!
A fan of the horror genre, I chose to write stories that I myself would enjoy reading. So sit back with a cup of cider or whatever gets you in the mood for a spooky story and enjoy!
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Summoner
Chapter 2 Light Show
Chapter 3 Western Holliday
Chapter 4 A Neighborly Welcome
Chapter 5 The White Room
About the Author
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Chapter 1: The Summoner
Long ago there lived a man, his death was sudden and tragic. He had been walking home from a long day of work and labor, and got a strange sensation that made him feel as if he were being followed. He'd turn back every now and again, but there would be no one in sight.
He could do nothing but continue on his way. However, he still became paranoid and could sense the presence of another close behind him. He decided not to turn back again, as he would just find nothing and work himself into a frenzy.
This was a mistake on the man's part.
Directly behind him, several heavy footsteps sounded. Before he could turn around to even glance at who had been stalking him, the man dropped to the ground. His limp and lifeless body was found late the next morning, by a mail carrier going about his daily routine. The details and imagery of the scene were far too disturbing to attempt explaining.
It didn't take long after the gruesome and unfortunate discovery for word to spread around town. However, no witnesses ever came forward, no evidence was found, and nobody was ever charged for the grisly crime. Many months passed and the story of the man had faded and became seemingly forgotten. Not many people had mourned his death and nobody cared enough to fight for justice, except for a poor old woman who lived deep within the woods on the outskirts of the small town. Not many people knew the woman, for she lived in isolation and only returned to town every now and again. Her clothes were worn and tattered, and her hair was long and matted.
She was a mysterious woman. The day that the news of the man's death flooded the streets of this town, she was on her monthly visit to buy some flour from one of the town's merchants. She had been angered towards the selfishness and lack of concern of the people, who only worried for their own families.
So as the excitement of a murderer roaming freely on the streets of the town died down, the woman opened an old spell book and summoned the ghost of the man. The old woman told the man of the town's lack of sympathy, and of how justice had not been fairly served. The angered spirit then headed out, seeking revenge on those who let his case slip through the cracks. Many reports of sightings of the man poured in, and chaos broke loose on the town. After frightening many civilians, the man disappeared. The old woman gave a smile of satisfaction, for she knew what the actions of the man would be. The citizens of the town ordered a meeting at the town hall the next morning to try and come up with an explanation of the previous night's events... However, many of the seats remained empty.
Worried, many of the townspeople searched for those who were missing, but came up with nothing. Some say, that the spirit of the man claimed the souls and bodies of the missing people, and others say, that they simply fled town out of fear, and never intended to return again.
The events of this town are still a mystery to this time, and nobody will ever know where the missing men later came to find themselves.