Last Free Day

Happy Labor Day everyone!

If you live in the United States, many businesses are closed today in observance of this holiday. I hope you get to enjoy it. Maybe by reading a few good books?

I wanted to remind you about the free ebook deals I’m running which expire today.

You can get all 3 of my books for nothing but you gotta hurry because the free deal ends today.

Grab the books at the links below and feel free to share with others who might enjoy my dark short stories or my young adult scifi novel.

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  (Almost) Average Anthology

 

  Moments of Darkness

 

  The Selection

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Even if you don’t read them right away, get the books while they’re free so when you have some time, they’ll be there ready to go.

Thanks so much for all your support. It’s because of readers like you I get to do what I do.

Flash Fiction: “Zombie Says”

This short story first appeared in my collection Moments of Darkness. It was inspired by a mis-interpreted phrase from the song Twin Dummy from the band Voivod.

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Zombie says: “Get me more.”

Damn Zombie. I hate that thing. It never shuts up. It’s always asking for more. It’s loud. It’s demanding.

 

Zombie says: “Hurry, get it now.”

Stupid Zombie. It doesn’t know me. It thinks it does, but it can’t possibly understand who I am or what I want. It’s too consumed with a gnawing desire for more. Always more.

 

Zombie says: “If you don’t get more I’ll take it from you.”

Zombie is always threatening me. It’s always promising some kind of action. It tries to bully me to act on its behalf. I’m not afraid.

 

Zombie says: “Be a good little girl and do as I say. Behave and nothing will happen to you.”

Zombie caught me-once. I tried to trick it. I thought I’d had it fooled but it was smarter than I gave it credit for. Zombie bit me. It took my little finger. I don’t care. I’m still alive. Zombie isn’t.

 

Zombie says: “I’m tired of games. I want more than this.”

Zombie can’t leave the house. Zombie gets wild when someone knocks on the door. Zombie thrashes and shambles around the house when someone unexpectedly shows up. I try to calm it, but it senses the blood.

 

Zombie says: “Well done my child. One day you’ll have what I have.”

Zombie thinks I’m its daughter. Its daughter left a long time ago. Or was eaten. Either way, its daughter isn’t around anymore. It was just my dumb luck to stumble on this place. Ever since, Zombie has kept me. Like a prisoner.

 

Zombie says: “My dear, please keep me company. Don’t leave. Stay and read to me.”

As if I could leave. Zombie has me trapped. There aren’t any exits but the front door. All the rest were blocked off. Zombie was afraid of an attack. I don’t know why. The large herds were far off to the north near Chicago. There’s more meat there. But somehow, Zombie ran across a small group. They turned a once strong man into a new Zombie. Every day I have to read to it. Reading soothes its urge to attack me. It helps me survive long enough. And keeps my mind sane.

 

Zombie says: “I need more now, please get me more.”

Zombie disgusts me. It eats flesh and muscle and brains with a ghastly bite. It rummages inside the body for tender organs, devouring them like a dog. Moans of pleasure mixed with slurping and sucking sounds as it eats. It’s enough to make me vomit, which I did once. Zombie threatened me then. I haven’t vomited since. At least not where Zombie could hear me.

 

Zombie says: “You will never leave. I need you. I can protect you.”

I’m going to kill Zombie. I can’t stay any longer. The news reports keep telling us to flee, a large herd is heading towards us and the authorities are helpless to stop it. I need to leave. Staying means death…or worse. I don’t want either. Zombie won’t let me go.

 

Zombie says: “The reports are false. There are no others. There’s only me. Don’t worry.”

Zombie doesn’t know what I’ve planned. Zombie got rid of all the knives long ago. Zombie doesn’t know I’ve created a knife from part of the bed. I’m ready now. I have to flee. I won’t get caught in the horde. I slash at Zombie. It screams. I stab it in the head, its bones weakened from decay. It gurgles and tries to speak. I raise my shiv and stab again and again. Zombie slumps to the floor.

 

Zombie says nothing anymore.

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If you enjoyed this story, please like, comment, and share. You can get this and 13 other dark stores in my collection Moments of Darkness for only .99 on Amazon!

 

 

 

Anniversary Giveaway

Can you believe it’s been one year since I released my first collection of dark fiction (Almost) Average Anthology?

January 15th is the anniversary of it’s release and to celebrate I’m holding a one day free sale on BOTH my books.

This coming January 15th 2017, be sure to grab copies of both my books for FREE! Please share with your followers, family, and friends.

This is a limited one day free sale so don’t delay in grabbing your copies!

(Almost) Average Anthology

Moments of Darkness

Thanks!

 

End of Year/Happy New Year Promo!

Happy end of year/New Year everyone!

To celebrate the occasion, I’m offering my latest collection of dark fiction short stories for FREE on Amazon from Dec. 31st through Jan. 2nd. Take a moment, click the link below (or the cover on the side of the page), and get your copy of “Moments of Darkness.” When you do, please share the good news with your friends, family, and followers so they can get their copy too.

If you’ve got a Kindle or the Kindle App, you can claim your free copy through Jan. 2nd. Hurry before the promo is over!

“Moments of Darkness” can be found here.

Three Day Birthday Celebration!

Today (Dec. 15th!) is my birthday and what better way to celebrate than with gifts! But, I’m not asking for them, I’m giving them!

Today through the 17th, you can get my first collection of dark fiction short stories (Almost) Average Anthology for FREE on Amazon. It’ll cost you a click or two to grab my collection that’s been called “unique, innovative, and teaches you to truly expect the unexpected.” Get it here: (Almost) Average Anthology

 

 

 

 

And while I’m at it, I’ve discounted my second collection of dark fiction short stories Moments of Darkness to only .99 on Amazon! As one reviewer said, “Each of the 14 stories draws you deeper in to the twilight world of a dark mind and always with a twist.” Get it here: Moments of Darkness

 

 

 

Get all thirty stories for a total of .99! Please accept my gift and share with others, it would mean so much to me.

Thanks!

Release Day: Moments of Darkness

Today’s the day! My new book of dark fiction short stories titled “Moments of Darkness” is available on Amazon, Nook, and iBooks! I’m excited to share this new collection of tales with you and hope you find them entertaining.

Please consider picking up a copy today and share with others that might enjoy short, slightly twisted tales perfect for cool autumn nights.

Thanks for your support and I can’t wait to hear what you think of “Moments of Darkness!”

Pre-Orders Available Now!

I’m excited to share my new collection of dark fiction! It’s now available for pre-order for only .99! Grab your ebook copy and save as the price will go up to $2.99 after launch. It will be available on October 7th from Amazon, Nook, iBooks, and more.

I’m way beyond thrilled with this new book. This collection of fourteen flash fiction and short stories offer unique and curious tales with dark themes. Exposing the darker side of life whether in familiar settings or in strange worlds, expect interesting twists and unexpected turns.

SciFi, fantasy, and a touch of horror weave throughout these original stories. Murderous beings, deranged customers, dragons bent on self preservation, questing knights, alien contact and more mysterious creatures feature in my second collection of original fiction.

Get yours now! When you finish reading it, please consider leaving an honest review. You can leave reviews on Amazon or GoodReads. They are so helpful to me as a writer and to other readers looking for quality entertainment. Actually if you could leave reviews for all the books you read, especially indie authors, I know they’d appreciate it.

To pre-order my book, go to books2read.com/momentsofdarkness and select your ebook retailer of choice.

If you’ve enjoyed my writing (or just want to help me out!) I’d be in your debt if you’d share my post or my book with your followers, friends, family, frenemies, and anyone else that you can think of.

Thanks!

Cover Reveal: Moments of Darkness

I’m so excited to reveal the cover of my new collection of short stories Moments of Darkness! This is a collection of 14 flash fiction and short stories that could be considered (Almost) Average Anthology vol. 2.

It will be available for pre-order as an ebook for only .99! Soon after launch on October 7th it will go to it’s regular price of $2.99. I encourage you to grab it at the reduced price. You can’t beat 14 original dark fiction stories for less than a $1.00!

Pre-orders should be up within 24 hours of this post on Amazon, iBooks, Nook, and other retailers. I hope you enjoy my new collection and take advantage of the .99 pre-order savings!

The cover was created by artist Dan Brown. He did a fantastic job of capturing the feel of the collection. Included on the cover are images pulled from several of the stories. Dan’s concept perfectly depicts my stories and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

The Chosen One

It’s that time again! Here’s my latest story for your reading pleasure. However, unlike all my other stories this one is a bit different. You know the writing advice of “write what you know?” This semi-autobiographical story is exactly that. I’d estimate about 95% of this story is true. I’ll let you decide what part isn’t. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Happy reading! Thanks!

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The Chosen One

Several years ago when working at a screen-printing company I left my my annual review and had a message on my voicemail.

“Hey Luke, this is Nestor. I wanted to take you out to lunch. Just a thank you, nothing more. You were super cool and I’d like to pay you back. Be there around noon.”

Sweet! I thought. I’d been in sales close to two years and no customer offered to do something nice for me. I called my wife to let her know I wouldn’t be home for lunch. “Do you know anything about this guy?” she asked. Grace was by far the more cautious of us and her question didn’t surprise me. “Don’t worry I’ll be fine,” I replied. “Well don’t get killed!” she said with a laugh. I said good bye and called a few customers until Nestor showed at noon.

I greeted him in the lobby and we left the building. “I’ll drive,” he said. He had a red Camaro that needed body work but I wasn’t complaining. A free lunch and I didn’t have to drive? Not a bad deal.

Or so I thought.

The moment I closed the door and clicked my seatbelt on, my world changed.

“I knew you were the one,” Nestor said.

“Excuse me?” I replied.

Nestor smirked. I felt a nervous energy flow through me.

“I had Feelers out looking for you. And then when you gave me those towels, I knew it. My Feelers found you and told me about you. You proved them right. I knew it!” he said slamming a fist on the steering wheel. I didn’t know what to say.

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A few days earlier Nestor came in to buy more t-shirts. He noticed my bright red complexion and I moved slow. “You alright?” he asked me. “Yeah just a little sunburnt. I was at a boating rally this past weekend and didn’t use enough sunscreen. Lesson learned I guess.” His face lit up. “A boat rally? What kind?” In sales I learned to engage any customer no matter what. “It was for Star Cruiser Boats. There’s a huge rally every year and we get to vend it. We sell shirts, key chains, can huggers, stuff like that to the owners. This last rally we got to go out on the boats. It was fun but now you see what came of it,” I said.

Nestor smiled wide. “I own a Star Cruiser Boat! Twenty-five footer,” he said. Being the eager sales rep I was, I offered him two Star Cruiser towels out of stock. They were meant to create goodwill. They were a gift to keep a customer happy.

Those towels placed me in the car with Nestor.

***

My arm hairs stood on end. What was he talking about? Feelers?

“Look Nestor, we can go back to the office. You don’t have to take me out lunch. We’re cool.”

“Oh no, I owe you. My people were so right about you. I can’t believe I didn’t see it earlier. Now I do and your life is about to change.”

I could hear my wife’s voice telling me over and over again, “I hope you don’t get killed!” and her giggle as though it were the funniest thing ever.

Nestor drove to the restaurant with eyes so wide I wondered how the daylight didn’t blind him.

“We found you at last!” he said again when we exited his car. I considered running away. If I did, would he chase after me? The way he spoke, the conviction in his voice warned me running wouldn’t help. I had to see this through to the end.

We got a table at the back of the room. I saw my insurance agent and his business partner sitting at the bar eating their lunch. He waved a polite “hi” and I reciprocated. In my head I yelled “help me!”

The waitress took our order. Nestor ordered water – that’s it. I figured if I was gonna die at least I’d have a last meal I loved. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger and fries. After our drinks arrived Nestor started again.

“You will be rich! I’m going to give you everything. You will have so much money! You’ll own where you work in a couple years and your boss now,” he said and took a sip of water, “will lick your feet. He’ll grovel for a job because of what I’m going to give you. You’ll have your own fleet of boats. You’re the Chosen One! I’ll give you everything! Except,” he said leaning in closer, “except you can’t give any of it to a church. Screw them! Religion is false. None of it’s real. My father knows better. There is no God. There is no paradise. Hear me? What I give you cannot be given to a church or a charity. It’s for you alone.”

He confused me. How did he plan on giving me this? He owned a small roofing company. How would he have enough money for me to have a fleet of boats. And why couldn’t I give it to a church?

“Hey Luke,” my insurance agent said. My freedom from Nestor’s rants lay at the mercy of my insurance agent! “How’s the gym been treating you?” he asked. Donnie my insurance agent had been to the gym I go to the past few weeks. The early morning crowd was sparse but dedicated. “Not too bad. Still at it!” I said. I opened my eyes wide and nodded slightly towards Nestor. Donnie smiled and turned back to his burger.

“That lazy bastard will beg you for money! He’s gonna grovel at your feet for a single crumb! Look at him. He thinks he’s so good. He doesn’t understand what I’m about to do for you,” Nestor said. He caught me off guard. The entire conversation tilted towards the bizarre but my insurance agent? He did nothing! My arms twitched. I drank my soda plotting my escape, dribbling on the table.

“I’m telling you Luke, my father has given me the power to endow you with these gifts. You’re the Chosen One! My Feelers told me about you. How can they be wrong?” He sat back in his chair sipping his water with a grin. His eyes sparkled. For a moment I thought they flashed red. It must have been my overworked psyche alerting me this guy was crazy. I had to get out. I slammed down the rest of my lunch hoping he’d get the hint we needed to go.

The waitress dropped off our check. With only my food on the bill, it was close to fifteen dollars. Nestor pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and paid the waitress. I figured he’d leave a huge tip proving he had the money to give away. He left a five on the table and turned to me.

“Here, this is for you,” he said shoving eighty dollars in my hand.

“I can’t take this,” I replied. I could use the money but any ties to this guy felt like hooks digging deeper into me.

“Did I say no when you handed me the towels?” he said. I shook me head unable to speak. “Then take the money. It’s a gift. You’ll get so much more from me, I promise. You’re the Chosen One!”

We left the restaurant and got in his car. It was too far from work to walk back and I had no way of getting home. I had to get in the car. I held the money in my hand at my side, running through the possibilities for it.

I could leave the money in the floorboard and be rid of it. But if I did, would he take it as an insult stoking his anger to a degree I didn’t want to know? If I kept it what did that mean? How could I accept an eighty dollar gift from a customer? It felt unethical. I couldn’t hand it back he was clear about that.

“Luke you’re lucky I found you. You’re lucky my father gave me this power and money to give you. He’s been around for thousands of years. He was kicked from the earth for hoarding power but now I can give it to you. That’s what it means to be the Chosen One.” I said a prayer I’d make it back alive. Did I sell my soul for a cheeseburger and eighty dollars?

We pulled in to the parking lot at work. I’d never been so excited to make it to work. He pulled to a stop, put the shifter in park, and turned to me. Nestor’s eyes blazed red with deep yellow irises. His voice grew deep. “I told you Luke, there are perks to being the Chosen One. You’ll soon be rich beyond your imagination. My father promised it. He never lies.” His eyes flashed back to normal and his voice lost its deep tone. “I’ll be talking to you soon Luke,” he said. The doors unlocked and I left barely able to walk on my shaky legs. I clutched the money in my hand as if holding a snake.

Stumbling in the front door I sat at the chair usually reserved for customers waiting to pick up their order. Lynn, the customer service rep who got the orders for our customers looked at me like I had something growing out of my ears. I clutched the money and slammed my hand on the desk. “You alright Luke? Looks like you saw a ghost,” she said. “How was lunch?” I told her my experience to her growing amusement. Her face lit up as I explained my unusual lunch.

My friend Marco overheard my story and laughed hysterically. He called me “Neo” since I was “The Chosen One.”

I didn’t forget that day.

Ever.

Nor would I.

I’ve met with Nestor almost every other day since then. He kept his promise. I quit my job about a month after our lunch. His father gave him the means to make me rich. His father turned out to be the keeper of all pleasures and desires. I’ve been given such an opportunity. My former boss now delivers pizza every Wednesday to my mansion. My former insurance agent grovels at my feet begging for a moment of my attention.

And Nestor? He’s shown me things I never dreamed of. My eyes are open for the first time. I see what his father wants from me. My soul is a small price to pay for the power he’s offered. One day soon my reign will begin – and I have two towels to thank.

A Dragon’s Bargain

It’s the 15th and time for another tale. This month I’ve got a fantasy story for you with a knight and dragon. I’ve been fascinated by medieval lore for most of my life. Stories of Arthur and dragons have held a special place for me. This is not an Arthurian tale but I hope you find it entertaining. Let me know what you think in the comments below and feel free to share it with others that might like it. Thanks!

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A Dragon’s Bargain

“Keep moving!” the knight shouted. Dragus listened and watched carefully. The knight in rough silver armor led a man in chains through the forest. Dragus was almost caught bathing but at the last minute he heard the chained man scream and that gave him the heads up he needed to hide. Now watching the pair trudge through the forest, he thought he recognized the chained man. His eyes narrowed as he stared, his nostrils grew large as he searched his scent.

Then the sensation overwhelmed him. Anger, fear, disgust all washed over him like a bath of evil. His eyes shot open. He knew the man. All dragons did. He was the Dragon-Slayer,  friend of man and bane of dragons. He was feared and hunted by dragons and now Dragus had him in his sights. Smoke swirled out of his nostrils, his anger stoking the flames within. Flexing his wings, he shot high in the air and with a great roar, Dragus swooped down ready to exact the furious vengeance of his race.

The dragon’s roar made both men look to the sky. Dragus bellowed loud. Fire belched forth from his mouth, trailing behind him. His giant leathery wings beat a rhythm of death in the air.

“By the gods! A dragon!” the knight holding the chains cried. The Dragon-Slayer tried to run but the chains held him back.

“Come on man, let me out of these bindings! He’ll kill us both!” the Dragon-Slayer said.

Dragus made a pass at them, breathing a line of fire in the forest alongside the men. The bright orange and red flames ignited the dried timber and soon a wall of flame trapped the men.

“Can you kill it Dragon-Slayer?” the knight said. He roar of the flames grew louder around them.

“Release me from these chains and I have a chance. Quickly! He’ll be coming back!”

Dragus circled above them, roaring and shooting long bursts of flame from his mouth. His chance at vengeance sent him in a frenzy.

“By the gods, kill it Dragon-Slayer. I release you!” the knight said. He unlocked the chains and thrust a sword in the hands of the Dragon-Slayer. Before he could turn away, the blade sliced through the air separating his head from his body.

“No man takes Aydan and lives,” the Dragon-Slayer said. The knight’s head rolled away from the force of the blow.

Dragus observed the men fighting and watched as the Dragon-Slayer betrayed the other man. The time was right. Alone with the Dragon-Slayer, he dropped from the sky intent on killing the bane of his kind.

A roar above made Aydan look up. Dragus breathed mighty flames towards the man. With his claws outstretched he exhaled a deep red flame but not far enough to injure the Dragon-Slayer. It was meant as cover so he could catch him in his long yellow talons.

His plan worked.

The Dragon-Slayer cowered from the flames and Dragus plucked him off the ground. The man screamed obscenities at the dragon. Dragus roared and spit flames in front of him. Aydan struggled but the talons kept him from moving.

Silver arrows pierced the dragon’s wings. Dragus cried out in pain. His wings smoked where the arrows struck. Volley after volley of the deadly silver arrows fly towards him from the forest below.

“Ha, that’s it dragon! That knight’s guard knows your weakness! Die dragon! Your head will look spectacular mounted on my wall.”

Dragus spun in the air. Arrows stung his large wings. When Aydan taunted him, Dragus clung tighter to his prey.

“That’s it dragon! Try and kill me! Use your energy on me while the arrows pierce your flesh!”

The arrows forced Dragus to the ground in a great crash. His claws were like a harness protecting Aydan who was freed from the talons when he struck the ground. Dragus roared as he tumbled across the forest floor striking trees with his tattered wings. He collapsed against a tall oak. Smoke rose from his nostrils. After a few moments, Aydan approached the wounded dragon with his sword at the ready. Dragus opened his eyes and pushed himself off the ground.

“I need you Dragon-Slayer,” Dragus said in a weak voice.

“Why would I help you?” Aydan said, “you do nothing but destroy our lands. You’re a menace that must be eliminated.”

Dragus collapsed on the ground unable to fly. Dark thick blood oozed from his pierced skin, smoking as it struck the ground around him. He tried raising his head to look at the Dragon-Slayer but was too weak to move.

“I need your help Slayer. I will die if you do nothing.”

“Precisely! That’s the point dragon. You will die. I am the last true Dragon-Slayer. My name is Aydan. You’ll go to the hell that spawned you knowing the great Aydan slew you.”

Dragus turned his head. “Aydan, you must save me. You cannot kill me.” The dragon coughed, small balls of flame shooting forth from his mouth and dissipating just as quickly.

“You’re mad dragon! I kill beasts like you, not save them. I have an entire hall of trophy heads of your kind. There’s a spot left for you.”

The dragon struggled pushing himself up and fell back to the ground. Smoke puffed from his nostrils

“Aydan!” he said, his voice booming despite his weakened condition. “You must save me! It is in your best interest to do so. When I die,” Dragus said. He coughed and wheezed, life clinging like a stubborn tick.

“My best interest?” Aydan laughed. “Dragon, that’s not the craftiest line I’ve ever heard from your kind. Go and die. Our lands need a reprieve from your destruction.”

“My life spares you from damnation Aydan. As long as I live, you will not taste the sting of a sinners death.” His eyes closed and his chest heaved. The energy of speaking exhausting him.

“Die already dragon! I tire of your chatter,” Aydan said.

Dragus opened his eyes and turned his head, the effort straining him. “Insolent fool. You know it’s true. Your dreams of death. The wailing and torture. That’s no dream, it’s your future if I die.” The dragon closed his eyes inhaling deeply. “The black pit, the never ending suffering awaits. Your actions against my kind have condemned you.” He inhaled again and lay motionless. For a moment Aydan thought he was dead. The dragon let out a long breath, groaning in pain. “Search yourself Aydan. The truth is as I speak. And if I die, nothing prevents you from it.”

Aydan wrinkled his brow. The dreams the dragon spoke of haunted him for months. Most nights he wished for rest but was cursed by the horrific images.

“How do you know this dragon?”

Dragus inhaled before speaking. “I am the gate. Through me you enter obliteration or paradise. If I die your choice it made and can never be undone.” The dragon wheezed. Aydan could see how much pain the dragon was in. “But if I live, if you share just a drop of your blood with me, I can escort you to paradise. But hurry Slayer, my life flickers.” The dragon lay motionless on the ground, his blood boiling under him, smoke rising up all around.

Ayden hesitated. “What if your words are false? How do I know you’re true?” Dragus coughed, his body losing strength with every passing moment.

“The dreams Slayer. Search yourself,” Dragus said, his voice now a low rumble.

With his dagger, Aydan sliced his arm drawing blood. The bloody dagger was thrust towards the dragon’s mouth and he dropped some of his blood on his tongue. When he did a bright flash consumed the dragon, blinding Aydan. When the light winked out, the dragon sat before Aydan full of life.

“Thank you Slayer,” Dragus said. His voice was deeper than before without a hint of weakness. Aydan held his sword in front of him.

“I saved you. I expect you’ll keep your word dragon! We have a bargain.”

Dragus sniffed the air. The scent of the archers nowhere to be found. He and Aydan were alone. He exhaled dark gray smoke from his nostrils. “Aydan, a dragon keeps its word. Always.”

Large heavy wings unfolded behind Dragus. He rose in the air, snorting smoke and fire.

Aydan howled when the flames engulfed him. Scorched flesh sizzled in the intense heat. Dragus roared his victory, the sound echoing throughout the forest. Aydan fell to the ground in a blackened heap of ash. Dead.

Dragus shot upwards, circling around the charred body. “The only trophy we need! The arrogant Slayer no longer a threat. And his paradise of wailing awaits. With the Slayers blood running through my veins, never can man slay dragon again. Never!” Dragus snatched the smoking body and flew fast across the forest, free and alive. The rest of the horde would soon share in the victory and dragon-kind would once again rule the land.

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If you like this story, you might find my book (Almost) Average Anthology perfect for you. It’s a collection of 16 flash fiction stories that span horror, scifi, and fantasy. You can get it now for just .99 or the paperback for $5.99. Click here to find out more: (Almost) Average Anthology: tales of adventure, loss, and oddity