by Michael West
“The doors. Are they —”
“They’re unlocked,” Tyler assured her and his hand hovered over the steering wheel. “Ready?”
She nodded. “I am.”
The baby kicked at the inner walls of her uterus. Kim’s hands leapt up to her belly, feeling hard little lumps rise and fall beneath her maternity clothes. Behind that grainy face, she wondered, was a new awareness blossoming — a talent like her own, perhaps stronger? And if so, was this an expression of excitement ... or fear?
Everything will be all right, she told her unborn child, and she believed it with all her heart. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
And the kicking fit subsided just as suddenly as it began, as if the baby had heard her words and understood.
Kim looked over at Tyler, giggling. “I think we both are.”
He hit the horn. Once ... twice ... three times.
And then silence.
His eyes cautiously scanned the surrounding shadow before locking with Kim’s. “Now what?”
“Now we wait,” she told him.
It didn’t take long.
Behind Kim’s head, the car door slowly creaked open, and when she turned her face to the withered, shambling form that had crawled into the back seat, her hands began to glow.
“Hello again,” Kim said with a smile, each word a pale cloud of mist. “Ready to finally go home?”
Credits
Thanks to: my family, especially my wife, Stephanie, and my sons, fellow Horror movie fans Kyle and Ryan, for their never-ending love and support; Amanda DeBord, Stephen Zimmer, and the entire staff at Seventh Star Press for making this a reality; Matthew Perry for his amazing cover art and illustrations; my pre-readers: Nikki Howard, Sara Larson, David Lichty, Natalie Phillips, and Rodney Carlstrom, for putting up with all my emails and for giving me their honest opinions; all the Indiana Horror Writers; and, of course, my faithful readers everywhere.
And thanks to the following individuals for their guidance and their support, both personally and professionally: Kelly Abbass, Julie Astrike, Meg Arnold Banta, Clive Barker, Ericka Barker, Louise Bohmer, Maurice Broaddus, Gary A. Braunbeck, Darkrider Studios, Tim Deal, Kitsie Duncan, Ben Eads, Thomas A. Erb, Dannt Evarts, Fran Friel, J.F. Gonzalez, Jerry Gordon, Gregory Hall, Nathan Hanneman, Bill Hardy, Rhonda Harris, Brett Hays, Chris Jay, Kyle Johnson, Brian Keene, Michael Knost, Alethea Kontis, Debbie Kuhn, Michael Laimo, Tim Lebbon, Stephen Marshall, Tom Moran, Kelli Owen, Beverly Randolph, Rex Scott, Jewel Shepard, Katrina Shobe, Jason Sizemore, Lucy Snyder, Brenda Taggart, Ryan Tungate, Douglas F. Warrick, Wrath James White, Rhonda Wilson, Nora Withrow, Jill Whitlow, and Brian Yount.
...AND NOW, FOR THOSE WHO REMAINED IN THEIR SEATS DURING THE CREDITS, WAITING ...
EPILOGUE
Few could recall a time without the Woodfield Plaza shops. Most just assumed the entire area had been farmland and forest before they were built. Still, once in a great while, you could find a man or woman who had lived in Harmony since birth, and if you asked the right questions, they could tell you about the old cinema that once stood there. They might have even seen a movie projected on its huge, silver screen when they were younger.
“Used to be able to watch a film for two dollars,” they would tell you, and then they would shake their heads at the high cost of today’s living.
No one had ever mentioned the old Woodfield Movie Palace to Tina Campbell, however. She wasn’t even born the year it had burned to the ground. No. As far as she was concerned, the Card Gallery where she worked had always stood on that same spot.
She sat behind the register, reading the latest issue of Teen People, waiting for a customer to arrive. Lately, it seemed that they were few and far between.
“Tina?”
Mrs. Botnick. Her supervisor. The woman was bent over a new holiday display near the front door.
“Yes ma’am?” Tina asked, still looking at the pages of her magazine.
Botnick wrestled with a fluffy sheet of artificial snow. “Could you bring out that new shipment of Christmas ornaments?”
Tina sighed. “Yes ma’am.”
She flipped her magazine closed and moved slowly to the back of the store. The stockroom was dimly lit. Metal shelving units stretched from floor to ceiling, creating a maze.
Tina hated being back here alone. It gave her the creeps. She always felt someone watching her.
She quickened her pace, moving rapidly down the aisle, her shoes clapping against the concrete floor. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
Halfway down the row, Tina felt a sudden chill. She crossed her arms over her breasts; shivered. And then she heard the voice.
“... me.”
It was faint. No more than a whisper, really.
Tina spun around on an empty aisle. “Hello?”
No answer.
“Anybody there?”
She stood on her tiptoes, craned her neck. There was no one else here. She was alone.
Tina gave a nervous little snort and shook her head. She found a large box marked X-MAS, grabbed it off the shelf, and made her way back toward the door.
“Help me.”
Startled, Tina dropped her box, hearing the ornaments inside shatter against the cement floor. She whirled around and saw a strange man standing there. He was older, perhaps fifty, with short-cropped graying hair. His gold-framed eyeglasses caught the glow of the overhead light.
“Help me please,” he begged, and then he reached out to her, his face a mask of agony.
Was that an English accent?
“I’m in Hell!” the stranger cried. “Save me! Save me from the demon!”
And then Tina felt something behind her, felt its hot breath scald the back of her neck like steam. She turned her head slowly and saw long, pointed teeth. Fangs. Row upon row of glistening fangs.
The door to the storeroom slammed shut on its own.
And then the screaming started.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
]Michael West is the critically-acclaimed author of Skull Full of Kisses and The Wide Game. He lives and works in the Indianapolis area with his wife, their two children, their bird, Rodan, and turtle, Gamera.
His children are convinced that spirits move through the woods near their home.
More from Seventh Star Press
All Seventh Star Press titles available in print and an array of specially priced eBook formats.
Visit www.seventhstarpress.com for further information.
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Trade Paperback ISBN: 9780983108634
Hardcover ISBN: 9780982565650
eBook ISBN: 9780983108641
Now Available from Seventh Star Press, Steven Shrewsbury’s hard-hitting, heroic fantasy novel THRALL, featuring illustrations and cover art by fantasy artist Matthew Perry!
For Gorias La Gaul…
Deliverance Will Come
Set in the mists of ancient times, Thrall tells the story of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, demonic forces hunger to be unleashed, and dragons still soar through the skies … living and undead. On a journey to find one of his own blood, a young man who is caught in the shadow of necromancy, Gorias’ path crosses with familiar enemies, some of whom not even death can hold bound.
Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It is a maelstrom of hard-hitting action and unpredictable imagery, taking place within an incredible antediluvian world. In Gorias La Gaul, Thrall introduces an iconic new character to the realms of fantasy literature. Thrall invites the reader to go on a perilous journey where it is not a matter of whether one has the courage to die, but whether one has the courage to live.
All Seventh Star Pr
ess titles available in print and an array of specially priced eBook formats. Visit www.seventhstarpress.com for further information.
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Immerse into epic fantasy and let your imagination soar with two incredible series from the mind of Stephen Zimmer.
Epic Fantasy-Fires in Eden Series
Explore the lands, seas, and skies of Ave in this epic fantasy adventure, as eleven individuals from the modern world find themselves in lands both wondrous and dangerous. The enigmatic figure known as The Unifier has unleashed a war to end all wars, but the nature of it is far more insidious than any of the kings and rulers supporting it can possibly imagine. The fate of Ave hangs in the balance, as the eleven exiles discover the reasons for their presence, and the choices that they will have to make in response.
Book One: Crown of Vengeance
ISBN: 978-0982565612
“This is definitely a book for people who like character driven stories with gorgeous and detailed descriptions of a fantasy world and their inhabitants mixed with beings who follow devious plans who will face more resistance than expected.....”
-Only the Best SciFi/Fantasy
“For me to say so many great things about a fantasy book is an accomplishment as these types of books used to be towards the bottom on my list that I was willing to read. This book with the help of Mr. Zimmer has restored my faith that fantasy makes for some thrilling reading.”
-Cheryl’s Book Nook
Book Two: Dream of Legends
ISBN: 978-0983108627
“Dream of Legends is a solid installment to the Fires in Eden series and left me hanging on to read book three.”
-Bookworm Blues
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Epic Urban Fantasy-The Rising Dawn Saga
A shadow falls across the world, and realms beyond, as a war that has raged since the dawn of time itself draws closer to a decisive clash. As groups aligned with a movement called The Convergence speed up their efforts to bring about a global economic and legal order, resistance mounts after the host of a syndicated radio show, Benedict Darwin, discovers the true nature of a virtual reality device that has come into his possession. The Rising Dawn Saga will take you into mythical, supernatural realms as it unfolds, as the most unlikely of individuals rise to confront powers that have existed since before the world began.
Book One: The Exodus Gate
ISBN: 978-0615267470
“With The Exodus Gate author Stephen Zimmer sets the stage for an adventurous new science fiction fantasy series that is sure to entertain the reader from beginning to end. Zimmer has weaved a tale of fantastic realms populated with exotic creatures. Keep a sharp eye out for this new series.”
-Mark Randell, Yellow30 Sci-Fi
“…a book that Fantasy Book Review recommends for lovers of thoughtful-fantasy. It is also a book with an ending that is near-prophetic, written as it was before the world’s economic meltdown.”
-Fantasy Book Review
Book Two: The Storm Guardians
ISBN: 978-0982565636
“This novel transports me from my bedroom to the edge of an upcoming storm — a battle to be fought by incredible villains and noble heroes of all forms. I love Zimmer’s imagination, as each of his creatures play a pivotal role in the bigger picture. Unfortunately, for every auspicious being there is an ominous beast lurking in the shadows. Zimmer’s weave of fantasy and religious fables leaves the reader sated”
-Bitten By Books
“The scope of The Storm Guardians is massive, opening up and expanding on the conflict only hinted at in The Exodus Gate. The intrigue and action promised in the first book is fully developed and mercilessly exhibited. The Storm Guardians is a non-stop thriller that lives up to the promise of The Exodus Gate and points at an even more amazing denouement in the final book of the series. Once again, Zimmer has used his command of cinematic imagery to give us a spectacular vision of war both heavenly and hellish. Two thumbs up on this one.”
-Pure Reason Book Review
Book Three: The Seventh Throne
Coming Fall of 2011
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Now Available from Seventh Star Press, Jackie Gamber’s
fantasy novel REDHEART, featuring illustrations and cover art by fantasy artist Matthew Perry!
Trade Paperback ISBN: 9780983108672
eBook ISBN: 9780983108696
Enter the lands of Leland Province, where dragon and human societies have long dwelled side by side. Superstitions rise sharply, as a severe drought strips the land of its bounty, providing fertile ground for the darker ambitions of Fordon Blackclaw, Dragon Council Leader, who seeks to subdue humans or wipe them off the face of the land.
As the shadow of danger creeps across Leland Province, a young dragon named Kallon Redheart, who has turned his back on dragons and humans alike, comes into an unexpected friendship. Riza Diantus is a young woman whose dreams can no longer be contained by the narrow confines of her village, and when she finds herself in peril, Kallon is the only one with the power to save her. Yet to do so means he must confront his past, and embrace a future he stopped believing in.
A tale of friendship, courage, and ultimate destiny, Redheart invites readers to a wondrous journey through the Leland Dragon Series.
Table of Contents
EPILOGUE
