Christine shook her head.
“But I saw her, Mommy.” Christine whispered. “She was standing right next to my bed.”
The conviction in Christine’s eyes sent a chill down Susan’s spine. She had the unmistakable sensation that someone, or something, was watching her from the shadows. She looked around the small room. From the pile of boxes stacked in one corner to the stuffed animals occupying the child sized tables and chairs in the opposite corner.
In the light from the ceiling fixture they were harmless inanimate objects. But in the dark with only the light from a night-light they could take on a more sinister appearance to a child trying to sleep in an unfamiliar room. Susan pointed at the pile of boxes.
“I bet you thought that was the Witch.” Susan said.
Christine seemed to be considering this and shook her head.
“She was on the other side of the bed, Mommy. Can I please spend the night with you?”
Susan stroked Christine’s hair.
“We’ve talked about this before. If I let you spend one night, you’ll want to spend another, then another. And before you know it I will have to find a different bedroom.”
“I promise, it will just be one night.”
Susan shook her head.
“Remember what we talked about before we moved here?”
Christine scrunched up her face and shook her head.
“Yes you do. We talked about how a new house will feel strange at first. There will be scary sounds and we might see things that aren’t really there.”
“But she was real, Mommy.”
“Are you sure?”
Christine looked from the hallway to her closet door which stood ajar.
“Please, Mommy, just one night, I promise.”
It nearly broke Susan’s heart to see Christine so frightened, but at the same time she realized this was one of those moments when she had to be the parent instead of her child’s best friend. Letting Christine sleep with her would not solve the problem of her getting acclimated to the new house.
“I’m sorry.” Susan, said, “I’ll leave the hall light on for you, but you can’t sleep with me.”
“But the witch will get me.”
“We’ve talked about this before. Witches are made up by people just to scare other people.”
“But Marjorie said.”
Susan held up her hand and stopped Christine.
“I don’t care what Marjorie said.”
Susan was becoming exasperated and she could hear the edge slipping into her voice. She didn’t want this to become an argument. But Christine’s refusal to listen was pushing her to the point where she would simply put her foot down. Of course, once she did that Christine would sulk for a few days, and Susan would become the bad guy. She wanted them to have a strong relationship, but at the same time she knew for Christine’s sake she had to be the parent.
Slipping off the side of the bed Susan got down on her knees. She was now level with Christine and she looked her in the eye.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“You promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” Susan said as she drew an X across her own heart.
“Stick a needle in your eye.” Christine said with a faint smile playing about the corners of her lips.
“Eeewww no.” Susan slapped her hand over one eye.
Christine giggled.
“I’m right down the hall. If anything comes to get you just yell and I’ll be here so fast it’ll make your head swim”
“Promise?”
“Of course, anything for you.”
“Can I sleep with you?”
“Now you’re pushing it.” Susan tickled Christine who giggled.
Christine slipped under the blankets and gazed up at Susan with a smile.
“I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you too, Baby Doll.”
Susan turned off the light next to the bed and backed across the room to the door.
“Will you leave the hall light on?” Christine asked.
“Of course.”
“Good night, Mommy.”
“Goodnight, sweetie,” Susan said as she stepped into the hall. Leaving the door ajar, she rubbed her arms with her hands as she walked back to her room.
As she crossed the staircase leading to the first floor she stopped when a sound like that of a child crying came from the shadows below. She stood at the top of the steps, her head tilted to the side as she listened to the night. From the shadows below came a thump followed by the faint whine of the furnace kicking on.
The past few months had seen a lot of changes. They had moved all the way across the country to be closer to John’s parents, Susan’s parents had faded into the past, memories she kept locked up in a place she’d rather not revisit.
They had a new life laid out before them, another chance at a happiness that had been cut short by religious intolerance that prompted a war. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure Christine had every chance to become a well-adjusted adult.
With a shrug she turned down the short hallway to her bedroom.
DEDICATION
To mom and dad.
Richard R Schiver Sr
June 4, 1935 – March 17, 1977
Mary Juanita (Crowe) Schiver
June 18, 1938 – May 30, 2013
Reunited forever.
“Every hour wounds. The last one kills.”
― Neil Gaiman, American Gods
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 2
Chapter 2 7
Chapter 3 10
Chapter 4 12
Chapter 5 15
Chapter 6 18
Chapter 7 20
Chapter 8 23
Chapter 9 26
Chapter 10 28
Chapter 11 31
Chapter 12 35
Chapter 13 39
Chapter 14 43
Chapter 15 48
Chapter 16 51
Chapter 17 58
Chapter 18 61
Chapter 19 64
Chapter 20 68
Chapter 21 72
Chapter 22 75
Chapter 23 77
Chapter 24 82
Chapter 25 84
Chapter 26 86
Chapter 27 87
Chapter 28 89
Chapter 29 93
Chapter 30 95
Chapter 31 99
Chapter 32 104
A Father’s Love 106
Table of Contents 115
About the Author 117
117
Other Fiction from Richard Schiver 118
Professional reviews of Richard’s work. 121
About the Author
Richard was born in Frostburg, Maryland, in the winter of '58' and currently lives eight miles away. A five-year stint with the military allowed him to see what he wanted of the world. Married with four grown children and eleven grandchildren, he and his wife provide a home to four pets that are spoiled beyond rotten.
While the majority of his fiction is dark, his focus is on the character's struggle to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. A fight that mirrors his ongoing battle with depression. An avid reader he has written and published three novels, two novellas, and a collection of short stories since his return to writing in 2008 after a computer crash wiped out nearly ten years of work in 2001.
In addition to writing daily he works a full time job in retail, and piddles around in his wood-shop making one mess after another when time permits.
Richard can be found online at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook/RichardSchiver
Follow Richard on Twitter: @RichardSchiver
Written in Blood is Richard’s personal blog where he shares his thoughts on writing, and whatever else might strike his fancy. www.richardschiver.com
He can be contacted directly at [email protected] and would be delighted to hear from you.
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Other Fiction from Richard Schiver
Shadows of the Past:
When Washington D.C Homicide Detective Sam Hardin is called upon to investigate a gruesome killing he stumbles upon the theft of an ancient alien dagger that had been discovered in the barren wastes of Antarctica. But this is no ordinary dagger. It has an odd effect on anyone who comes into contact with it, for it contains the essence of an alien race that once ruled a young Earth.
Partially disabled Vietnam vet Jack Griffith has been counting down his final days as the cancer, compliments of his service in South East Asia, slowly consumes his body. Called upon to clear a clogged storm drain he is accidentally stabbed by the dagger that had been stolen to repay a gambling debt. Surrounded by rats as death approaches he is given another chance at life when that alien presence invades his body.
Jack, acting as an unwitting host to this alien life form, embarks on a search for the only one who can stand in the way of their return. An ancient legend appearing in the guise of Sam’s brain damaged four-year-old son. A mere child, whose fathomless black eyes hold the secrets of life and death.
Sam and Jack go head to head in a fight to the death as the echoes of a distant past whisper from the antediluvian void. In the balance hangs the future of all mankind, and his place at the top of the food chain.
Will mankind awaken to new masters?
Or will good prevail?
Links to Shadows of the Past:
Amazon U.S Amazon U.K
Parasite: Shadows of the Past Book II
They've awakened from an ageless sleep.
Quietly taking over the world one household at a time. Moving in the dead of night, replacing those smiling neighbors across the street with an unholy union of man and beast. They've waited eons to reclaim this world as their own and when the balance of power tilts in their favor, the feeding will begin.
Humankind faces an extinction event like no other, for there is only room for one at the top of the food chain.
What should have died in the fire at his cabin didn't and Sam Hardin is faced with the responsibility of putting an end to it once and for all. As he battles to eradicate the menace in his neck of the woods, discoveries in Washington state and Russia add to the growing threat.
Will we retain our dominance over the world?
Links to Parasite:
Amazon U.S Amazon U.K
Enter Night: A night of celebration turns to terror as six friends seek refuge in an abandoned farmhouse and come face to face with their worst nightmares. For there are places even the ghosts of the dead fear. Where nightmares wander the hallways of our dreams, and not every story ends with a happily ever after.
Links to Enter Night:
Amazon U.S Amazon U.K
Reprisal: Vengeance knows no boundary. On the surface her plan was brilliant in its simplicity. Return home, take the place of her twin sister, and live out the rest of her life in relative peace. Unfortunately even the best laid plans had their flaws and this one involved Margaret's alter ego Candice, who was hell bent on leaving a bloody trail in her wake. But Candice failed to acknowledge one simple fact.
The dead always got their revenge.
Links to Reprisal:
Amazon U.S Amazon U.K
Nine Dark Tales:
From the Zombie apocalypse, to things that go bump in the night, here are nine short tales that are sure to send a shiver whispering down your spine.
In The Shadows
Waking up from a coma Chuck discovers he has the ability to see into the secret life of the shadows around him and he quickly learns one's shadow reveals their true nature, for shadows cannot lie.
Bobo
Sarah has been kidnapped, but her kidnappers don't know about her coming divorce, and the possibility her husband might just use the kidnapping as a means to get rid of her. Stressed by her situation she is forced to face her past as old family secrets are hauled into the light. Help arrives from the other side, proving death is not the barrier many believe it to be.
Origin
A seismic event in Antarctica uncovers an ancient secret about mans distant past. A group of scientists are dispatched and soon learn some things are better left undiscovered.
A Family Tradition
Would you give up your firstborn child to save yourself? In the Valley of the Dead Oaks the barrier between life and death, between the past and present, has the essence of a dream. It is a place where the dead do not die, promises are obligations that must be satisfied, and the way out may not be what it seems.
Till Death Do We Part
For Eddie the Zombie Apocalypse is just another blow in the long line of disappointments his life has become. Losing everything that ever mattered to him he is left with but one choice.
Perchance to Dream
Do the dead dream? Beverly was content with her life at the end of the lane, until she started seeing things and discovered that when you spend your days dying you have a lot of time to dream.
Don't Mess With The Pizza Guy
After the Zombie Apocalypse, as man works to regain his place in society, zombies are the least of his worries.
Where The Dead Things Go
Sometimes we're given a second chance to apologize to a loved one after their untimely death.
Music of the Gods
So often we don't realize what we have until we've lost it.
Links to 9 Dark Tales:
Amazon U.S Amazon U.K
Professional reviews of Richard’s work.
The story is an engaging one that for the most part is well written and suitably frightening.
Colleen Wanglund: Horror Fiction Review
A horror-filled ride that left me white-knuckling all the way to the end!
Charlene Gamble: Literary R&R.
A nail-biting, spine-chilling read that will take readers to the edge of their seats! Richard knows how to crank up the tension and bring out the scary monsters:
Fiona Ingram: Readers Favorite Book Reviews
I would place Mister Schiver's talents in league with Neil Gaiman's. He shines in his ability to let dialogue propel a story. That is trickier than it may seem, but the talented writers do it with an effortless grace.
T.W Brown: Brutally Honest Reviews
This, the debut novel from Richard Schiver, will pique constant reader's curiosity just enough: here we are presented with uncomplicated plot strands and Lovecraftian overtones evocative (perhaps) of something fashioned from the early pen - or pseudonyms - of Dean Koontz.
Matthew Tait: Hellnotes
White Walker is a Jack Frost story for grown ups, one not of wonder and imagination but instead a tale of horror and fear. A tale about an ancient deity who carries winter with him and devours the souls of all who get caught in his storm.
Scarlet Aingeal: Scarlets Web
White Walker Page 15