by Jon Athan
Todd nodded and explained, “That's understandable. Some people remember, some people don't. You don't have to. I saw it all, I know it all. Your story will be told to the next soul in line. Your tale will comfort the next wandering spirit when he or she arrives.”
Sadie softly whimpered, hopelessly trying to distort her woeful weeping with her shaking hands. Her fate was too difficult to accept. Her death was too enigmatic to understand. Her mind wandered between terrifying thoughts of the certain and uncertain – life and death.
Todd placed his hand on Sadie's shoulder and reassured, “Don't worry, little lady, I'm here to guide you through this. I'll lead you to your new life. Remember, I am not the harbinger of death and pain, I am your escort to the afterlife.”
Sadie scrunched her face as she gazed into Todd's eyes. His eyes glistered with sincerity and compassion. The dazzling radiance of his eyes was enough to illuminate the dreariest abyss – beacons of hope in the most achromatic purgatory. Todd's benevolent smile was equally heartwarming. His body was suddenly surrounded by a celestial glow, piercing through the grave ambiance like an angel walking through Hell.
Sadie asked, “What happens now, Todd? Am I in Hell? Am I in Heaven? Where are you really going to take me?” She anxiously smiled and continued, “Please, please, give me a straight answer. I don't think I can handle another puzzle now.”
Todd chortled as he gazed into Sadie's lustrous eyes. He said, “That answer is not as simple. I can say this: I'm taking you to your new home, away from this forest. It won't be the same as before, but it's something you must accept. Death is the final chapter in our lives, there's no changing that. The second book, however, holds a world you haven't seen. A story you craft on your own from beginning to end.” Todd extended his arm towards Sadie and said, “Take my hand, little lady. I'm taking you home.”
Sadie bit her bottom lip as she deeply contemplated. She gazed at her dead body – the idea was still too much to fathom. Yet, she couldn't help but feel a sense of normality and security when she stared into Todd's eyes. She slowly nodded, then gripped his hand. Hand-in-hand, the pair traversed the dreary woodland, peacefully perambulating into the hazy fog and departing from the Black Lake...
Dear Reader,
First and foremost, thank you for reading! I hope your time and your money were well spent. The Black Lake was a work of genuine passion. It's a product of my love for horror and storytelling. I hope you felt my dedication through my writing. Writing a book is never easy, at least in my case, so I'm glad you made it to the finish line. Even if you hated the book, I can't thank you enough for sticking with it until the end.
It's hard to admit, but The Black Lake was written during a depressing period of my life in 2015. You can see themes of loneliness, frustration, and regret. Furthermore, you probably noticed each story had a dark and sorrowful ending, except for The Lost One – which offered a more bittersweet finale. I must admit: writing this book was a great method for releasing my negative feelings. So, my tip for the month: if you're ever feeling down and out, write a story about it and forget about the 'rules' – release the venom before it consumes you.
Anyway, if you enjoyed the book, please leave an honest review on Amazon.com! Your review is incredibly important. Your review will help me improve on future books and help other readers find this book. As of now, this is my final anthology. (I plan on writing novellas and novels.) However, if you like short stories, please leave a review and let me know. I'm more than willing to write more anthologies every now and then if there's interest. Your words have the power to influence my writing and my schedule – please use them wisely.
Furthermore, please feel free to share this book with friends and family. Share it with family on Facebook, tweet it to your followers on Twitter, or even read it to them over the phone or video chat. Birthday or special event coming up? Purchase a copy for a friend or loved one! Word-of-mouth is a superb method in supporting independent authors – a recommendation won't cost you a dime, either! I live a pitiful life of Netflix, noodles, and tap water. I need your help to support it. (It might not be pitiful, but I'm on the border.)
Finally, if you enjoyed this book, please visit my Amazon's Author page. I've published over 12 horror anthologies and a novella, and I plan on publishing several novels on a monthly basis through 2016. I believe I offer a variety of horror books, too. Like aliens? Check out Shattering Skies: The 10-Day Invasion. Love zombies? Check out 10 Days: Undead Uprising. Want a suspenseful and disturbing thriller? Check out The Harbinger of Vengeance: A Revenge Thriller. Also, most of my books are available on Kindle Unlimited, so feel free to browse. Once again, thank you for reading. Your support keeps me going through my most pessimistic times.
Until our next venture into horror,
Jon Athan
P.S. If you'd like to contact me, you'll receive the fastest response via Twitter @Jonny_Athan. If you're an aspiring author, feel free to send me any questions. I'll try my best to offer a helping hand. I know the difficulties of getting started first-hand. Thanks again!
