The Complete Bleaker Trilogy Box-set

by Jeremy Peterson

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Talking Ill of the Dead

  THEATRE OF THE BIZARRE. The World’s most read and talked about source for disturbing and weird news. Online edition, November 28:

  I could hardly believe it either, but our favorite hole-in-the-earth did it again. You may remember my story of serial killer Peter Alan Taylor, the strange tree house that likes to collect dead bodies and the quaint little town that they both call home? Well, yup, you guessed it. Chaplin Hills, Nebraska, has gone and hit the headlines again. Although, it seems this time, they have finally taken my advice and burnt that Goddamn tree house to the ground. But of course, in true Chaplin Hills style, they screwed up and burnt down most of the forest with it. Although, I think I speak for everybody when I say that was probably for the best.

  This story, this town, is just too bizarre for words. Which is why I—your esteemed Editor-in-Chief—is going on assignment. That’s right, readers, I’m going to go against my own solid advice and head into the belly of the beast that is Chaplin Hills, Nebraska.

  So please, stay tuned right here, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at @TheeStampor for the latest. Also, I’ll be posting live videos on Snap Chat from location, so look me up if you want to see what America’s armpit looks like on video.

  Wish me luck and stay tuned!

  Until next time,

  I’m Editor-in-Chief, Harry Stampor,

  Logging Off.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THEATRE OF THE BIZARRE. The World’s most read and talked about source for disturbing and weird news. Online edition, December 2.

  THIS IS NOT A HOAX

  If you have any knowledge of the whereabouts of Harry Stampor and/or Rebecca Weinstein, please come forth. Their last known location was in Chaplin Hills, Nebraska, where they uploaded a cryptic video message via social media last Friday. Neither has been heard from since. They missed their flight home and have gone completely dark since Harry sent a string of strange and macabre texts in the early hours of Saturday morning, November 30. I repeat: this is NOT a hoax. They are both sorely missed by friends, loved ones, and coworkers.

  Please share this post and feel free to sound off in the comments section with any thoughts or news on the whereabouts of our friends and colleagues.

  Thank you,

  From the entire team at Theatre of the Bizarre and Speaking Ill of the Dead.

  Until next time,

  I’m acting Editor-in-Chief, Jerry Patterson

  Sign ing off.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Mr. Bleaker has lived with me for as long as I can remember, although, when I was young we called him simply The Hootiwatti. I don’t know what that name means, and I don’t remember how it came to be, but that’s what we called him. When my son was just a boy, (he’s now twenty!) I would tell him scary stories of the boogeyman that hid in the heater vents and it was always a good time. At least I thought it was.

  My wife, Angie, argued that I should have kept The Hootiwatti name in the book instead of re-christening it as Mr. Bleaker. Maybe she was right, but I was afraid it was too hard to pronounce and maybe a little childish. After all, it was a child’s boogeyman, and it had the name to match. But the real reason I turned The Hootiwatti into Mr. Bleaker was that I’ve been calling this monster the Hootiwatti for so long, that I seriously don’t remember where it came from. Did I see it in a movie or read it in a story? I think I made him up when I was a boy, but I honestly don’t remember. So basically, I was afraid I might be stealing someone else’s monster, and can you imagine the bad karma for stealing someone’s monster? I can, and it’s terrifying stuff. (New story idea?!?)

  Anyway, I had a lot of fun writing about Mr. Bleaker and the somewhat fictional town of Chaplin Hills, and I hope you got some enjoyment out of it as well.

  Honestly, I don’t have much else to say at this point other than to thank you all so much for reading. You folks are the best. Real quick, I have to thank my brother-in-law Jess for the beta reading and edits. All three of these books turned out better because of his help and suggestions. Speaking of edits, a big thanks to my boy Jay for all of his work, advice and his skill of listening to all of my bullshit without ever complaining. That can’t be easy. Lastly, I want to thank my wife and my son for always being there for me. You both mean the world to me, and I hope you never forget it. This has been a hell of a ride, and I’m so thankful you all decided to tag along. I’ll see you all real soon.

  Jeremy

  Lincoln, NE

  Nov/2017

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Along with the Bleaker trilogy, Jeremy is also the author of horror novel, A Devil in God’s Country, available now at Amazon or www.thebackroadbooks.com. Also stay tuned for his next release, The Dark Army, in early 2018. Please take a moment to visit www.thebackroadbooks.com for other great books and to sign up for Jeremy’s free mailing list where you’ll stay up to date on his latest projects as well as receive the occasional free book.

  Jeremy lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his wife, Angela, his son, Damian and their dog Randal. Bob the cat sometimes shows his face as well.