Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

      Rex Clark
     Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Be careful what you tell your kids to get them to go to sleep; it might just turn out to be true.A father tells his two young daughters that a horrible monster will come out of the closet and eat them if they don't go to sleep. He thinks he made it up; but did he?

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    Worms of the Earth Reburied

      Roberta E. Howard
     Worms of the Earth Reburied

A Bryn Mak Morn story.Bryn Mak Morn, under an alias, is forced to watch one of her countrywomen crucified. The Roman consul taunts her during the execution, and barbarian Pict queen Bryn swears dark revenge, enough to horrify her fellows. She seeks a Door into the underworld, so she can make Titia Sulla suffer, by the arts of R’lyeh and the Ring of Dagon.A Gender Switch Adventure.It is January, 1943, in Tunisia during World War 2. Captain Drew Matthews is sent on a mission behind enemy lines to secure vital information. He is ambushed but is able to escape. Joining a group of American soldiers, led by Corporal Dane Shaw, refugees from the recent battle, they make their way across the desert to the city of Sfax, where Drew is to meet with the mysterious ‘Monsieur Gascoigne’. They stumble across a small group of Arabs and Germans guarding a halftrack filled with treasure looted from murdered Jews and rescue their prisoner, the beautiful Frenchwoman Angelique DuBois. While driving to Sfax, Dane shares his Christian faith with his companions while trying to avoid a group of Arab raiders. Dane relies on God to direct his life while proving himself a wise and outstanding commander with ferocious fighting skills. While Dane and his men fight off the Arab bandits, Drew and Angelique enter Sfax for their meeting only to be met with a number of very unwelcome surprises. Escaping by a series of fortunate circumstances, which leads them to believe that there may be something to Dane’s God, they return to camp only to run into more trouble. Zabronski, one of the American soldiers, filled with lust for the treasure and for Angelique, subverts the other soldiers, kidnaps Drew and Angelique and wounds Dane. Forcing Drew to reveal where the treasure is hidden, they are met by the Germans and Arab bandits who have joined forces and tracked them down. Drew and Angelique are rescued by Dane, and in a wild night ride across the desert, pursued by vengeful Germans and Arabs, they attempt to reach the American lines before dawn. Will they make it, and will Angelique solve the dilemma of which man she loves and which god she will serve?

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    A Plague Upon Your Family

      Mark Tufo
     A Plague Upon Your Family

This story picks up exactly where book one left off. The Talbot family is evacuating their home amidst a zombie apocalypse. Mankind is on the edge of extinction as a new dominant, mindless opponent scours in search of food, which happens to be non-infected humans. In these pages are the journal entries of Michael Talbot, his wife Tracy, their kids Nicole, Justin and Travis. With them are Brendon, Nicole's Fiancee and Tommy previously a Wal-Mart door greeter who may be more than he seems. Together they struggle against a ruthless, relentless enemy that has singled them out above all others. The Talbots have escaped Little Turtle but to what end, on the run they find themselves encountering a far vaster evil than the one that has already beset them. As they travel across the war torn countryside they soon learn that there are more than just zombies to be fearful of, with law and order a distant memory some humans have decided to take any and all matters into their own hands. Can the Talbots come through unscathed or will they suffer the fate of so many countless millions before them. It's not just the brains versus the brain-eaters anymore. The stakes may be higher than merely life and death with eternal souls on the line.

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    Ladies' Night

      Jack Ketchum
     Ladies' Night

Tom Braun is sitting in his neighborhood bar. His wife and his boy are at home in their apartment just a few blocks away. He's had yet another fight with her and is looking to steady his nerves and drown his sorrows and maybe--if he's lucky--snag a little something on the side. But the women in the bar are very strange tonight.

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    The Fate of the Black March

      David Willoughby
     The Fate of the Black March

A short tale about pirates and werewolves as chronicled by the Black March's doctor. This story falls in with a series of short stories detailing the journeys of a pirate named Mackett and his cursed vessel the Crimson Wraith.This anthology comprises NMIT’s second Time to Write short story contest. The 600 to 1000 word entries came from 12 to 17 year olds, adults, and NMIT students. Each was judged by a panel of Bachelor of Writing and Publishing lecturers and the winners announced at the Time to Write festival launch on Monday 27 May 2013. Inside are stories about wounded soldiers, giant dragons and cake baking. There are others about adultery, ghosts and love. They were imagined by both young and more experienced minds, but all have been written with imagination and care. Enjoy.

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    In the Shadows

      Rebecca A. Rogers
     In the Shadows

A collection of horror short fiction and poetry, featuring zombies, vampires, psychological tales, and dark verse.Is the Porcelain Princess simply someone from a fairy story, or does she really exist?Carey has spent all her young life searching for the Princess, touring the kingdoms with the puppet theatre inherited from her parents. A few puppets have a semblance of life thanks to ingenious mechanisms, but they’re rapidly disintegrating and Carey hopes the Princess will reveal the secret of her life. But why are real people illustrated in stories about the Princess? And why do they succumb to the disease-like Fading, turning transparent and gradually completely vanishing?Carey finds the Princess – but she also finds that her own life is far more complicated than she had ever imagined.

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    Dark Temple

      F. E. Hubert
     Dark Temple

Strange things grow in dark and abandoned places. And the temple has been dark and abandoned for longer than anyone can guess. The locals make sure to stay clear, but a famous archaeologist discovered the temple’s existence. He takes his team into the jungle to uncover its secrets. The expedition is a few days in, when strange things start happening… Ssshhtt… You hear that?Strange things grow in dark and abandoned places. And the temple has been dark and abandoned for longer than anyone can guess. The locals make sure to stay clear, but a famous archaeologist discovered the temple’s existence. He takes his team into the jungle to uncover its secrets. The expedition is a few days in, when strange things start happening… Dark Temple is the opening of a new series of thrilling short genre stories. They can be anything from science fiction, to horror, high fantasy and detective noir. Most will be stand-alone stories, so you don’t have to worry about reading them in order. The description will tell you what to expect in each case, so just pick one that tickles your fancy.This is a short story. A neat, complete package of excitement and thrill that you can read in the time it takes to travel the average commute. Perfect when you’re looking for a dash of entertainment or distraction in a busy schedule. Or when you love stories and monsters in dark corners.Ssshhtt… You hear that?

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    Elixir of Life

      Wilde Blue Sky
     Elixir of Life

Short horror story (suitable for adults only) about a man's search for the secret of eternal youth and the moral journey he goes through. If you appreciated this work please, if you are able, make a small donation to a charity of your choice.Short horror story (suitable for adults only) about a man's search for the secret of eternal youth and the moral journey he goes through. If you appreciated this work please, if you are able, make a small donation to a charity of your choice.The short story, Elixir of Life, was inspired by a discussion on beauty and the lengths people will go to stay young. The outline was completed on 1st Feb 2011 and it was published on 28th Apr 2011.If you enjoyed this story please look out for Wilde’s other free short stories, such as Drawing God?, War Merchant and Vengeance. Wilde also has two novels available for purchase, Dreams in Kratocracy (2012 Edition) and Legacy.

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    Resident Evil Legends Part Three - The Mansion Incident

      Andreas Leachim
     Resident Evil Legends Part Three - The Mansion Incident

Based on the Resident Evil series by Capcom. Bravo team is missing, so Alpha goes to rescue them. But no one expects the horrors they are about to witness. Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Barry Burton find a mansion in the woods crawling with zombies. Meanwhile, Albert Wesker controls them from behind the scenes. And who is the mysterious woman named Lisa? Can Jill, Chris, and Barry survive?Based on the Resident Evil video game series by Capcom. The S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team has been gone for 24 hours, so now Alpha team must go in to rescue them. But no one has any idea what they are about to experience deep in the Arklay Mountains. Alpha team members Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Barry Burton find themselves trapped in a mysterious mansion deep in the forest that leads to a haunted laboratory complex crawling with zombies and even more-terrifying creatures. Meanwhile, their traitorous commander Albert Wesker manipulates them from behind the scenes, in the hopes they can fight off the numerous monsters and delay the spread of the destructive T-virus. If Jill, Chris, and Barry want to learn the truth and survive the mansion, they'll have to face unimaginable horrors and sacrifice everything they have. But they are not alone, because a mysterious woman named Lisa follows their every move ...

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    Through Brian's Eyes

      Pernell Rogers
     Through Brian's Eyes

Where does true evil reside? No one would suspect its presence in the town of Southern Pines, Kansas. However, even small, quiet towns have their bad elements, and Southern Pines is no exception. Unsuspecting townsfolk end up murdered and three school chums; Kyle, Vance, and Adam, will soon discover just how close they were to the murderer.What would you do if someone you've known most of your life starting acting odd, and not in a good way? This is exactly what takes place in the small town of Southern Pines, Kansas. Kyle, Vance, and Adam are three high school friends living ordinary lives when one of them gets hurts by an SUV. After his recovery, the remaining two friends notice something very different about his behavior. Gruesome murders grip the townsfolk. Rumors of a ghost's return are passed about. The friends are skeptical, but cannot deny the fact the something evil is in their midst. By the time they put all the pieces together, it may be too late.

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    Wolves of the Calla

      Stephen King
     Wolves of the Calla

Roland Deschain and his *ka-tet* are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World on their quest for the Dark Tower. Their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis. But beyond the tranquil farm town, the ground rises to the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is stealing the town's soul. The wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to. Their guns, however, will not be enough.... Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, the Dark Tower series is unlike anything you have ever read. Here is the fifth installment.

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    The Final Descent

      Rick Yancey
     The Final Descent

Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop have encountered many horrors together—but can Will endure a monstrumological terror without his mentor? Will Henry has been through more that seems possible for a boy of fourteen. He’s been on the brink of death on more than one occasion, he has gazed into hell—and hell has stared back at him, and known his face. But through it all, Dr. Warthrop has been at his side. When Dr. Warthrop fears that Will’s loyalties may be shifting, he turns on Will with a fury, determined to reclaim his young apprentice’s devotion. And so Will must face one of the most horrific creatures of his monstrumology career—and he must face it alone. Over the course of one day, Will’s life—and Pellinor Warthrop’s destiny—will lie in balance. In the terrifying depths of the Monstrumarium, they will face a monster more terrible than any they could have imagined—and their fates will be decided.

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    Mr. Poole Dons the Hood: A Shady Hollow Short Story

      Chauncey Rogers
     Mr. Poole Dons the Hood: A Shady Hollow Short Story

The first day at a new job can be hard. It’s much harder when that job is in Shady Hollow.(Story continued from Part 2 of the series)You had just completed finding the first two objects that were needed to open the rock door that has you trapped in the room. You couldn't help but wonder what the other objects were that you needed to find.You headed back to the ancient book to find out the next step. You sort of lost track of time. You had been so focused on getting out of this place that you couldn't remember how long you had been underground.Sitting down, you opened the book again and flipped to the last page. "Let's get this over with so I can get out of this place," you said out loud. As you were sitting there looking at the book, you realized that the room was lit but you had no idea where the light was coming from. You just assumed that there was a source of light and that's all you cared about. But now you began to wonder where the light was coming from. It seemed to come from all over. There wasn't a single source of light. It was almost like the ceiling was glowing.You got up from where you were sitting and started to walk around the room trying to figure out where the light was coming from. But there was no source of light to be found anywhere in the room. "Oh well," you said to yourself. “It's not important to find the source of the light. It's more important to get out of here.” You wandered back to the place where the book was, sat down, and picked up the book again. Flipping pages again to get to where you had left off, you noticed there was a page missing. You hadn't noticed it before. Where could it have gone? You had to have that page or you would never be able to get out of here. You began to freak out. Beads of sweat formed on your forehead. "I don't want to be stuck in here forever," you thought to yourself. "That's it. I'm toast. I'm history. I might as well lay down right here in the middle of this room and wait to die.""But that page has to be here somewhere," you said as you began to search for it. You crawled along the floor on your hands and neez looking everywhere for that sneaky little page. After crawling around for a while, you stopped and sat back down. "Okay," you said to yourself, "think.. . if I were a ripped and torn page, where would I be?"

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    Fracture - A Window Overlooking the Universe

      Aidan Grave
     Fracture - A Window Overlooking the Universe

Why has Mark Fenton been abducted by Special Security in the depths of the night? It is the start of a dangerous journey across space to a secret destination where he will face a personal history he thought was buried and endure a terrifying ordeal. Fenton will have to fight for his life but how can he escape a fate that has already happened?Why is the Special Security Division suddenly so interested in Mark Fenton?For Fenton is a man of supreme irrelevance. A man who has turned his back on his friends and career, a man skulking on the edge of events, the edge of the universe, lamenting his lost love, a disillusioned malcontent uselessly railing against a system that has never even noticed he exists.So why have they come for him now in the depths of the night? It is the start of a dangerous journey across space to a secret destination, a perilous place where he will confront a personal history he thought was buried and endure a terrifying ordeal. He is going to have to fight for his life but how can he escape a fate that has already happened? Fenton will have to face the daemons from his past if there is to be a future, for anyone.

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    The House

      Christina Lauren
     The House

Gavin tells Delilah he’s hers—completely—but whatever lives inside that house with him disagrees. After seven years tucked away at an East coast boarding school, Delilah Blue returns to her small Kansas hometown to find that not much has changed. Her parents are still uptight and disinterested, her bedroom is exactly the way she left it, and the outcast Gavin Timothy still looks like he’s crawled out of one of her dark, twisted drawings. Delilah is instantly smitten. Gavin has always lived in the strange house: an odd building isolated in a stand of trees where the town gives in to mild wilderness. The house is an irresistible lure for Delilah, but the tall fence surrounding it exists for good reason, and Gavin urges Delilah to be careful. Whatever lives with him there isn’t human, and isn’t afraid of hurting her to keep her away.

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