Tag Archive for: dark moments

Covert Operation Helsing: Malawi Mission

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by Jacob Bowers

 

“You may have done your research, but you don’t know a thing about this place,” said my driver as we bumped along the muddy road.

I clutched my crucifix and my badge; United Nations Peacekeeping, Vatican Dispatch. On paper, they knew the vampire killings were third world hysteria. But in reality…they sent me.

I was scared shitless.

We stopped at the little hovel with no windows.

I entered, brandishing my crucifix in the dark before me.

I couldn’t see it—only those green eyes, waiting, beckoning for me to come closer. I reached for my vial of holy water.

Jacob Bowers

Jacob Bowers is a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville, majoring in English. He enjoys reading, writing fiction, watching any kind of movie, and debating obscure theological topics. 

 

A Shot of Carmilla

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by Joachim Heijndermans

 

Funny, a thing like her being so beautiful.  Asleep, she could pass for human, were it not for the teeth at the corners from her mouth.  Sleeping beauty in a drop pod.

The colony is right below us.  Blissfully unaware of what is about to come down on them.  Bloodsucker outbreak, brought to them by a shot of Carmilla.

Horrible way to die.  And any infected survivors would get the thirst and the sun’s burn, I tell you what.  I’d feel bad, but one look at the poster of the King massacre kills any of that.

Green light.  Bombs away.

 

Joachim Heijndermans

Joachim Heijndermans writes, draws, and paints nearly every waking hour. Originally from the Netherlands, he’s been all over the world, boring people by spouting random trivia. His work has been featured in a number of anthologies and publications, such as Mad Scientist Journal, Asymmetry Fiction, Hinnom Magazine, Ahoy Comics’s Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror, Metaphorosis and The Gallery of Curiosities, and he’s currently in the midst of completing his first children’s book. You can check out his other work at www.joachimheijndermans.com, or follow him on Twitter: @jheijndermans.

 

Weak Timid Afraid

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by Kathy Slater Neilsen

 

Her skin translucent, veins within, a road map to her heart. The heart I’ve been cast from. I loom over her, wood stake poised.

Eyes open, burning, upon me.

“Get off.”  She flicks me aside, a broken, pathetic mortal.

“Turn me” I plead. “If you love me, turn me.”

“Love? You’re weak, timid, afraid. Turning won’t change that.” She stares. Laughing. “You’re good for one thing only.”

She’s upon me, wild, fierce, hungry. Cold fangs pierce warm flesh. An oaken stake intervenes. Startled, eyes wide, her heart stutters, stops. Eyes dim. Blood gushes. I drink.

I am…

Immortal.

Vampire.

 

Kathy Slater Neilsen

Kathy Slater Neilsen has always possessed a passion for writing as well as reading. Her early writing career included freelance non-fiction. Then, as is often the case, life lead her on a different journey that included motherhood and a small business. But she never stopped writing. Now retired and living on the east coast she is currently writing fiction and is focused on short stories and flash fiction.

 

Gift Wrapping

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by Glenn R. Wilson

 

“We’ve gathered here to celebrate the ascension of our newest member,” says the headmaster while pointing at me. “Bring in the reward.”

Within moments a cart appears in front of me. Upon it, something squirms within a canvas bag sealed with rope tied in a bow. I reach out and open the card attached to it.

“Congratulations!” it says.

A smile graces my lips as I hurriedly expose its contents.

The sound of applause drowns out the screams of the young girl as my teeth press deeply into her throat. I watch her eyes close as I get my fill.

Glenn R. Wilson

Glenn thrives on unusual tales in unusual settings. Through these stories he follows his muse as he builds a base on which to grow and expand. He’s had a few successes so far and strives for more. He welcomes the challenge.

 

Embrace

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by Maura Yzmore

 

How long has it been? A century or two? Thanks to me, you’re not the worse for wear, yet my gift has always offended you.

I wonder why you asked to meet here, the place where you briefly loved me, where you said you wanted to be with me forever, then abandoned me with hatred and disgust after I’d made your wish possible.

My heart leaps as you embrace me.

Your arms fold behind my back. I feel you swiftly pull something out of your sleeve.

My head spins with the joy of your touch, the stake piercing me through.

 

Maura Yzmore

Maura Yzmore is a writer and science professor based in the American Midwest. Some of her darker fare can be found in The Molotov Cocktail, Aphotic Realm, Coffin Bell, and elsewhere. Website: https://maurayzmore.com/stories/ Twitter: @MauraYzmore

 

The Party

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by Pavi Raman

 

The Dardanellis threw the best Halloween parties in the neighbourhood. They were a charming couple, old school. So of course there were rumours. Everything from unholy rituals to BDSM.

The theme: vampires. Perfect with Paulo’s overbite and Sophia’s pale skin.

Paulo opened the door. Eerie silence filled the house.

“Party downstairs. The basement is soundproofed,” he explained, grinning.

“Kinky.”

“You have no idea.”

“Oh, but I do.”

We both laughed.

I seized him, tore his neck with my fangs.

The body tumbled down the stairs, and Sophia screamed.

I locked the basement door behind me.

This party was just beginning.

 

Pavi Raman

Pavi Raman celebrates her life as a proud wife and a warrior mom. A physician in another life, her hobbies include reading and writing, then nitpicking what she writes. She has written over a 100 short stories, some of which have been published in the USA and India. www.wittybean.com

Only When I Sleep

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by J.W. Garrett

 

Shana glanced upward. Bits of darkened sky lightened; daybreak wouldn’t be far behind. Her coffin’s comfort wasn’t far. She’d easily make it.

But more than anything, Shana wanted to be a creature of the light. Instead, she lurked in gloom, syphoning from her prey, never to experience the radiance she yearned for deep inside. When she slept, colours of the sun warmed her, seeping through her blackness even though she was shut in tight.

Reaching toward the brightness she craved, Shana waited…

Her blood pulsed as the brilliance took her, and in a burst of flame, she met the dawn.

 

J.W. Garrett

J.W. Garrett writes YA fantasy from the sunny beaches of Florida. Currently, she is hard at work on the next book in her Realms of Chaos series, releasing summer 2020. When she’s not hanging out with her characters, her favorite activities are reading, running and spending time with family. www.bhcpress.com/Author_JW_Garrett.html

Winter Kiss

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by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

 

Nothing is more beautiful than blood on new-fallen snow.

Lilith scents the air. Her prey’s blood calls to her. Even without the footprints, she could find him anywhere in the forest. Anywhere in the world.

He fires his weapon when he sees her. The exquisite pain is a mere inconvenience. She swoops in and breaks the gun. Then she takes the back of his neck.

His urine-soaked pants steam in the cold.

“All I want is one kiss…”

He lets her—they always do.

After the kiss, she drops his body and smiles. Face pale. Lips red.

Blood on snow.

 

Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

Donald Jacob Uitvlugt lives on neither coast of the United States, but mostly in a memory palace of his own design. In addition to his appearances in several of Black Hare Press’s Dark Drabbles anthologies, his short fiction has appeared in several print and online venues including Cirsova Magazine and Flame Tree Presses Murder Mayhem anthology. If you enjoyed “Winter Kiss,” the easiest way to let him know is via Twitter: www.twitter.com/haikufictiondju

Courage

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by Catherine Kenwell

 

It had been too long. The infernal thirst after the apocalypse had depleted her. There was nothing left.

First, she feasted on the recently deceased; she was fortunate to find bodies, still warm after the blast. But their blood was sick, tainted with poison. It made her feel ill, a malaise she hadn’t felt in hundreds of years.

Could she find the courage and strength?

Was she pure enough of spirit?

She caressed the white oak stake, tracing its length with her long fingers. No more daylight. No lethal sun. No easy way out.

She positioned its tip, and plunged.

 

Catherine Kenwell

Catherine Kenwell lives in Barrie, Ontario, with her husband and assorted creatures. She is an author, mediator and jewelry designer. After 30 years in corporate communications, Catherine began writing horror and inspirational non-fiction. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and several horror anthologies.

www.catherinekenwell.com

Regrets

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by Steven Lord

 

The yearning starts off in the morning as a low buzz, just beyond the limits of hearing. The shadow of an itch, not yet demanding your full attention.

By midday, it’s harder to focus. Your mind starts to wander down dark, familiar paths.

By sundown, it’s a full-throated roar. Everything you do, see, hear, warped by that single desire. Your mental protestations crumble in the face of the onslaught.

That night—every night—hot blood will mingle with hot tears of shame.

This is not what you wanted. But this is what you have. For now and eternity.

 

Steven Lord

Steven Lord is a fantasy and sci-fi author from the UK. His influences include Neal Stephenson, Stephen King and Iain M Banks. He lives in the south of England with his wife, dog and two cats and is resigned to his place at the bottom of the pecking order…

https://www.facebook.com/StevenLordAuthor/