Entries by Black Hare Press

The Cured by Kris Ashton

Secrets can kill…
In a near-future society where those cured of a pernicious virus are shunned as an inferior underclass, a troubled, young man is forced to confront his bigotry, leading to a situation both tragic and unimaginably horrifying.

Bartender Lobotomist

by Jodie Angell   A sharp wind whistled through the forest. The abandoned bar’s shutters rattled. Leaves fluttered through the open door to join the broken glass. Fluorescent light flickered. A blown transformer snuffed the last of the light. The bartender downed a shot of Tequila, then descended into the cellar; her makeshift practise. She […]

The Diner

by Tracy Davidson   Manager and monster struck a truce. It was easy enough, in an out-of-town diner, to drug an on-foot drifter or a hitcher in between rides. Easier still to escort them out back, leave them unconscious in a dark corner, hidden from the highway. Like this vagrant, tonight. The manager retreats. He […]

Underworld Games by Jonathan D. Stiffy – Launches 14th May 2021

To start a piece of work, it takes what I call a glimpse. A glimpse of something that is interesting, unique, and worth building a story around. Being a horror writer, for me that glimpse is usually something terrible. But that terrible glimpse leads to the idea for a suitable protagonist, antagonist, and goal. Then details of the story follow. For Underworld Games, that glimpse was of a kid in a flood tunnel vault in pitch darkness tracing the word “Loser” that was carved on his forehead, and then the terror when he saw light down the tunnel, and footsteps coming towards him. So, that is how this story starts—with the glimpse of terror.

Last Words

by John Lane   With zombie apocalypse nonstop on mainstream news, Don, terminal manager for Moe’s Truck Stop, unplugged the television. Greg Watson staggered inside, repeatedly mumbling, “I can’t do this anymore.” Outside stood Greg’s reefer trailer—the constant shaking was a red flag. Inhuman moans reverberated throughout the parking lot. When Don walked over, he noticed […]

The Helpful Attendant

by Stephen Johnson   The neon bulbs flickered, casting a foreboding crimson shadow outside the isolated truck stop. I pulled to a stop on fumes, staring inside at the solitary light portraying only the back of a head visible in the store. Cautiously, I walked in and entered a surreal silence that engulfed me. I […]

Full Service

by Andrew McDonald   It was 3 a.m. when the 18-wheeler pulled into Phil’s twenty-four seven rest stop. Phil’s was a massive and all-encompassing set up—restaurant and store, gas pumps, car wash, efficiency units and showers—basically everything a trucker needs.  Pulling up to the car wash area, an attendant ran to the truck and hopped up onto […]

Overgrown

by Jodi Jensen   “Would you look at this…” Ignoring the weeds growing in an abandoned truck at the derelict rest stop, Randall slid into the driver’s seat and gripped the gear shifter. “It’s so cool.” A movement by his elbow caught his attention, and he turned to see a broad green leaf wrap around […]

Safe Haven

by Michelle Brett   “Call an ambulance. Someone’s been hurt.” Marcus burst through the doors of the gas station; the bright lights irritating his eyes. He laid Mary down on the tiles and pressed his jacket against her leg. “It’s okay, Mary. I’ve found help.” But she only mumbled in reply, her eyes closed and […]