The Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Marge Simon @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!


The Passage
by Marge Simon

This is what is left of the orchards that bore us fruit of the gods. Once it was wine country, but now all around us is decimated. Our bones will soon be joining the soil among these sere sentries. Whichever of us is left will see to that.
Pretend that nothing’s changed as I guide you along the road past broken down cars beneath a dull orange sky. We must keep upwind from the smell of death. When we reach the foothills, we find a clearing.
You spread a tablecloth; I bring rocks to hold it down against the wind. You’ve prepared a mock picnic of conversation with fictive wine and Camembert. You laugh a little too hard and I kiss you.
We must leave before sunset brings the curs. So many dogs have turned feral. They travel in packs, some with collars. We’ve grown too weak to beat them off. Days ago I’d try, but no more. We brought the gun. One bullet left. I insert it and spin the chamber.
Your turn first, or mine?
Fiction © Copyright Marge Simon
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from Marge Simon:

 

Satan’s Sweethearts
by Marge Simon and‎ Mary Turzillo

Satan’s Sweethearts – a collection of poems by Marge Simon and Mary Turzillo featuring the most monstrous, evil women throughout history!

Available on Amazon!

 

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Posted in Authors, Dark Fiction, flash fiction, FREE, Horror, Ladies of Horror, Writing Project | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Ela Lourenco @ElaLourenco @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!


Forgotten Isle
by Ela Lourenco

Scattered purple heathers sway in the bitter ice breeze as I trudge wearily forwards. The golden violet rays of dusk would have moved me once, but I barely notice them now as I inch forwards, my bleeding feet leaving a trail of crimson in my wake.
The sense of victory has long dimmed – my battles against the beasts that now roam these lands meaningless. A few years ago, I would have rejoiced in each drop of their blood. Their dying screeches a symphony to my ears. A few years ago, I would have retired to the fortress among the hills to crow about my prowess, my berserker’s might… A few years ago, there would have been others, friends, family, to cheer as I brandished my blood-fed blades in the light of the bonfire.
A few years ago I was not alone, the last survivor of a now dead species – waging a war, longing for eternal sleep.
Fiction © Copyright Ela Lourenco
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from Ela Lourenco:

Essence

Katra is a Fae Hunter in a world once ravaged by a terrible war. Having lost all memory of her childhood and rightful identity, her duty is now to protect the tentative peace brokered by the varying races of the supernatural world. When an evil darkness begins to spread, draining young witches of their power, Katra must find a way back to her true past in order to save the future.

Enduring many trials as ever-increasing powers awaken within her, Katra must also struggle with the mixed emotions her new partner, Blade – a Black Dragon – is rousing within her. Together they must battle the shadows that plan to devour the world they know and prevent its decent into another thousand-year war.

Can Katra hold onto her strength as the truth of her very being begins to unravel? Can she bear the weight that ancient prophecy has placed on her young shoulders? Or is her destiny to regain her true self, only to lose the world she is sworn to protect?

Available on Amazon!

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Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author E.A. Black @ElizabethABlack @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Battling Against Nature
by E.A. Black

US troops rode many miles over endless Afghan dunes. Private Pearce feared for his life. Would he be blown up by terrorist gunfire and bombs? Why the hell were soldiers dragged all the way out here to the end of the earth to save a stupid statue?
“That’s no ordinary statue,” his best friend Private Jones said. “It may be the third Bamiyan Buddha. You know the Taliban blew up the other two. I heard they were amazing to see. Simply stunning. Hundreds of feet high carved into a cliff.”
“I’m not a budding archeologist like you. I don’t see why we have to risk our lives,” Pearce said.
“If it’s here, you’ll see why. Rumor has it it’s protected by Buddhist gods. We’re coming up to the spot now.” Jones said. “I hope we’re not too late. The Taliban is quick. If it sees a chance to destroy this statue it will take it.”
Sand blew hard in a red cast sky as if the heavens had been lit on fire. Dozens of tire tracks lead through the sand but ended abruptly only yards ahead of the convoy. A sandstorm loomed ahead, preventing the troops from entering the area but the sight of overturned trucks proved the Taliban had unwisely ventured forth. Pearce listened to the raging winds and swore he heard uncanny and inhuman voices shouting in Arabic.  He watched several Afghan soldiers flee their trucks leaving bombs behind to escape the torrent but the sand swept them up, forever silencing them. As the storm approached the U. S. convoy, Pearce panicked, wanting to drive out of the area but the commanders forbade it. He squinted into the storm and was shocked to see what appeared to be an angry face within the sand. Before he could get a good look at it, the storm ended as quickly as it had begun. Afghan soldiers and their trucks had been covered in mountains of sand, leaving behind no survivors. Pearce immediately became a believer and never again doubted the existence and importance of the third Bamiyan Buddha.
The statue was able to take care of itself.
Fiction © Copyright E. A. Black
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from E.A. Black:

Zippered Flesh 3

What horror anthology on body enhancements wouldn’t include gross-out fiction? This book has it in spades. But, this collection of stories goes far beyond that. Here you will also find science fiction, surreal fiction, fantasy, and even a full serving of dark humor. Disturbing, perverse, often gut-wrenching (pun intended) stories—all between the covers of this anthology!
Nineteen chilling tales by some of the best horror and suspense writers today. Definitely not for the squeamish!

“Hardcore horror that ranges from the socially relevant to the scatologically repulsive—the shock here is like ‘The Scream’ made flesh.” — Mort Castle, editor of On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association

“In Zippered Flesh 3, Editor Weldon Burge has done a masterful job of combining work from well-known masters like Jack Ketchum and Graham Masterton with newer writers. But it is the original work by newcomers like L.L. Soares and Meghan Acuri that stands out for me. … Highly recommended.” — Gene O’Neill, author of The Hitchhiking Effect: A Retrospective Collection

“‘Closer by Charles Colyott is a wonderfully poignant and romantic story. … ‘Going Green’ by Christine Morgan is so original, timely, and well-written it deserves special mention. … Kudos to Burge for putting together another fine anthology of cutting-edge fiction.” — Paul Dale Anderson, author of The Instruments of Death series

Available on Amazon!

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Posted in Authors, Dark Fiction, flash fiction, FREE, Horror, Ladies of Horror, Writing Project | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Kathleen McCluskey @KathleenMcClus4 @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!


Apocolyse
by Kathleen McCluskey

Jan and Lisa walked cautiously towards the archaic and rusty bridge guns drawn. Cars had not been across it in decade. It had stood for nearly a century before the destruction of mankind began. It started with a war of words between the United States and China. Countries across the globe soon took sides. The beginning of the end followed. Nuclear weapons on both sides were deployed, the unmitigated destruction of mankind was inevitable. Now the two sisters stood looking at the monolith  before them, illuminated only by the moonlight. Night time was the only time to travel, some survivors had turned to cannibalism to survive. Their eyesight was minimal in the darkness.
Lisa went first, her .45 held up like a police officer. Jan followed with her .9mm raised in unison. They stepped onto the old bridge. They had heard that there was a sanctuary on the other side. A small but thriving community that had enough crops so they didn’t turn on each other. The only thing between them and safety was the bridge. Lisa stepped onto the rickety structure and the bridge groaned in protest. Jan soon followed behind.
A thick fog had begun to rise from the murky waters below. They cautiously walked, “We are taking too long, the sun is going to rise soon.” The orange glow of the oncoming dawn began to illuminate the mountains. Lisa continued with her gloomy forecast, “I do not want to be caught on this bridge at dawn. We are sitting ducks.” As the dawn quickly approached they began to run. Rust dust flew in all directions as they finished their crossing. The sun had almost risen on top of the mountains. Jan heard a growl. The gunfire was extraordinary as she fell to the ground. Jan was being dragged down towards the water. Lisa was in the arms of a stranger pulling her to safety. The sisters would never see each other again.
Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

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More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgemental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!

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Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Lydia Prime @LydiaPrime @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Icarus
by Lydia Prime

I’ve never felt so alone, well, maybe never is a bit strong. While the gray creeps over the land ahead of me, I’m watching as everything tries to vainly run for cover. I’m sitting patiently against a huge oak tree, leaning against the rough bark, with my fingers twisting through the grass. The gray just keeps on moving towards me, steady in its pace. I look past its trail and see that nothing’s escaping. Everything it touches begins to shrivel, wither – die. Animals, to bones, to dust; mixed with the dirt and grass that’s dried and cracked to become a gravel-like sand. The clouds seem to be getting closer now, and even though I can just barely see the light shining in the distance, I know this is where it ends. Before long, my twisting grass becomes ashes, my huge oak tree trunk, drained to a fraction of itself. As for me, well, I too have been touched by the gray. It hurt at first, tearing flesh from muscle, from bone – from consciousness. That’s fine now though, because as they say, “ashes to ashes.”
Fiction © Copyright Lydia Prime
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More about Lydia Prime:

Lydia grew up in a small, ‘Mayberry,’ sort of town, in New Jersey. She thoroughly enjoys gummy bears and laughing through the darkest depths of life. More often than not, she writes about demons and monsters, however, being a recovering addict tends to turn inner demons into fearsome foes to be fought beyond the constraints of the mind. ‘Sometimes,’ she states, ‘what’s inside, is scarier than anything reality throws at you.’

Please visit Lydia on Facebook for more info. 

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Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Rie Sheridan Rose @RieSheridanRose @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!


Watch Tower
by Rie Sheridan Rose

“Almost night,” Ainnir whispered. “New shift coming.”
Beagán stretched. “Good. Me back is killing me.”
“Baby,” she teased. “This is better than cutting sod, ain’t it?”
“A bit.” He lay back on the stone floor. “This outpost is hardly worth defendin’, anyway. Our lands are fadin’ to naught. No one even remembers us anymore.”
“As long as the Morrigan says ‘watch this road’, we watch it.”
Beagán sat up, ears twitching, “Ye hear that?”
“Aye.” Ainnir grabbed her spear, holding it white-knuckled tight. “Let’s get to tha road.”
Together, they stole down the stairs of the watch tower, creeping through the undergrowth to crouch beside the road. One of the fire-eyed monsters was coming towards them.
“Ready?”
Beagán nodded, his face grim in the twilight.
***
“It’s just as wonderful as you promised, Jack,” Jill murmured, sitting as close as the shift would allow. “I’ve wanted to visit Ireland all my life. Thank you for giving me this honeymoon.”
He glanced over at her. “Anything for you, Pumpkin.”
The road was narrow and straight, unspooling before the convertible like a ribbon.
Jill sat upright, pointing over at the side of the road. “Look, Jack! Isn’t that little tower adorable! We should stop and take a picture.”
“It’s too dark for that, and we’ll be late getting to the inn. Maybe on the way back.”
“Okay.” She pouted.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang and the car spun out of control, hitting a tree and bursting into flame.
***
“Well done, Ainnir! Right in tha foot—just like I told ye! One less beast invadin’ our land.”
“But did ye hear it, Beagán? I heard it talkin’, I swear.”
“Don’t be daft. They’re jes’ monsters.”
They stretched their wings. “Let’s get home t’ Tír na nÓg.  Time fer dinner.”
Fiction © Copyright Rie Sheridan Rose
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from Author Rie Sheridan Rose:

Skellyman

“I have always preferred the supernatural in tales of horror, the knot between life and death. Rie Sheridan Rose’s Skellyman is cool and creepy. Her first horror novel is a chilling read.” — Charlee Jacob – Stoker winner, Best novel, “Dread in the Beast”

Brenda Barnett is trying to cope with raising her four-year-old daughter all alone after an accident tore her family in half. As she and Daisy go for a much-needed treat, the little girl spots a Skellyman on the corner.

This pivotal encounter leads to a wave of mounting terror as Brenda’s life begins to come undone around her. Who is the Skellyman? Why does he keep appearing? Can the sympathetic policeman Brenda turns to stop the madness before it is too late?

And why does Daisy insist that her dead brother is trying to tell them something important?

Available on Amazon!

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Posted in Authors, Dark Fiction, flash fiction, FREE, Horror, Ladies of Horror, Writing Project | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Julianne Snow @CdnZmbiRytr @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!


Scour
by Julianne Snow

Charred remains are all that is left once they’re gone. The fields are still verdant, the stalks rustling in the wind as smoke carries the scent of burned flesh outward. It was a horrific and swift end to a chance at something better—something good. But they would never have allowed that—only death, destruction, and absolute ruin will reign supreme when they’re done with their mission.
When the Scourers come, there’s no hiding and no escape.
Fiction © Copyright Julianne Snow
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from Julianne Snow:

JulianneSnow_TheDeadOfPenderghastManorThe Dead of Penderghast Manor

What would you do if you knew the Dead could talk?

For Chester Penderghast, it’s not the easiest of questions to answer…

Ensconced in the basement of his family’s mortuary business is the last place he wants to be, but when the conversation starts flowing, Chester’s the only living person who can hear it. What do the Dead want, and why is he the only one who can hear them?

This is not your average zombie tale—the Dead don’t want to eat your brains, but they will chew your ear off!

Available on Amazon!

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Posted in Authors, Dark Fiction, flash fiction, FREE, Horror, Ladies of Horror, Writing Project | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Selah Janel @SelahJanel @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Bridge
by Selah Janel

It was going to rain soon and the bridge kept going. Callie felt like she’d been driving forever, though surely it hadn’t been that long.
I’m just tired. I should’ve gotten more sleep last night. She cranked up the air and the radio, checked to each side of her for the hundredth time to make sure she wasn’t drifting. Bad enough that a while ago she’d nearly fallen asleep and a car horn had woken her up, made her yank herself back to her own lane.
At least there aren’t any other cars up here. The thought didn’t quite make her feel better, though. A glance out to the water proved that it was a long way down. Her stomach tightened. She quickly looked back to the road, and up to the sky. Please let the rain hold off. This is bad enough
 She hated bridges. Always had. Her head did weird things, her chest tightened, her breathing sped up, her stomach rolled, and she always started to panic until suddenly she was back on the real road and safe at last and feeling stupid.
Any second now, and I’ll be safe, she told herself and tried not to look at how old the guard rails seemed to be, or that the road itself wasn’t in the greatest of shape. She cranked the radio again, her left hand clutching the wheel as if it was the only thing keeping her in the car. I can do this I can do this just sing along and–
Wait, has it always been static?
 The radio popped and hissed a constant white noise.
She frowned and looked down to it—
She was plummeting. Callie screamed, flailed as her stomach dropped out from under her, beat on the window, braced for impact, was already sobbing-
She jerked awake, shaking. That was close. She took a shaky breath and slowed down just a hair, though she really wanted to just gun it the rest of the way across.  I’m just tired. I should’ve gotten more sleep last night.
It would be fine. It had to be fine. Even the longest bridges ended at some point, right? She tried not to look too closely at how old the thing was and hissed a breath out from between her teeth in an unrecognizable mantra. At least there aren’t any cars up here.
She frowned, a strange feeling of repetition drifting over her, but she shook it off. Bridges always did strange things to her, and it had to end soon. She clutched the wheel and turned up the radio again, frowning at the static.
It was going to rain and the bridge kept going.
Fiction © Copyright Selah Janel
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from Author Selah Janel:

Holly and Ivy

After losing her job and her boyfriend, Holly returns to her parents’ farm. Embarrassed and hopeless, she doesn’t expect to bump into a forgotten childhood friend that wasn’t supposed to exist. Ivy is not only a dryad, but she lives in the pine trees Holly’s family grows to sell at Christmas. As the old friends reconnect, Ivy not only shares her strong opinions, but gives Holly a charm that will change both their lives. As days melt into weeks and the seasons change, Holly’s life magically turns around. Christmas not only brings surprises, but a choice for the human woman. What’s more important: stability, success, and love, or keeping a promise to an old friend?

Available on Amazon!

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Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author A.F. Stewart @scribe77 @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Judgement Day
by A.F. Stewart

“Apocalypse.”
I roll the word over my tongue, then lick the blood from my lips. My voice makes the injured human on the ground shiver.
I like that.
I stare at him. “Why do you call our presence in your world this thing? Name it apocalypse?”
The creature whispers, “It’s the end of the world.”
I shrug. That means nothing to me. I watch the human scramble to its knees, holding the arm I had bitten. It stares at my feet and whimpers, “Please don’t kill me. I’ll—” The rest of its words go unspoken as I plunge my claws into its eyes and tongue. I rip the meat out of its body and pluck the tasty bits off my claws, popping them into my mouth.
The creature falls to the ground oozing blood. I smash its head with my foot. As I pry open its skull and scoop out its brains, I surveyed the landscape. My newly conquered territory. Dry, desolate and burned, perfectly destroyed. A breathtaking consequence of the humans opening the Hell Gate.
It has been a year since we came here. Only a year to make this our home.
It is all we hoped for.
I inhale, savouring the smell of sulphur, smoke, and blood, and finish my meal. I toss the remaining human scraps to my pack. The lesser demons growl and fight over the meat. I smile.
When they are done, it will be time to move forward.
Broken human settlements lie beyond the hills. Ripe for the picking.
I like this new world.
This new hunting ground.
Fiction © Copyright A.F. Stewart
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More from A.F. Stewart:


Horror Haiku Pas de Deux

In the shadows—voices.
Calling, screaming, moaning.
Countless tongues telling tales…
of Hell
of Monsters
and Unnatural Things

Come chase the dark words, fall into the spell of terror and sit with the poetic weaver as you watch the world burn. Horror Haiku Pas de Deux is a volume of poetry mixing horror with haiku and verse to chill your bones.
Poetic beauty lives forever with the undead.

Available on Amazon!

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Ladies of Horror Flash Project – #Horror #author Asena Lourenco @ElaLourenco @Sotet_Angyal #LoH #fiction

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Nina D'Arcangela

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

I’m proud to introduce our youngest Lady of Horror – Asena Lourenco! She’s 10 years old and was inspired to write for this challenge after seeing this image over her mother’s shoulder. Welcome Asena, it’s an honor to share your prose with the world!

The Rusty Old Lock
by Asena Lourenco

As I creeped towards the ancient lock
I heard the clock go ticked-tock
I knew I didn’t have much time to spare
Otherwise I would disappear into thin air.
I jammed the mouldy key into the hole
Before it was too late – from the evil soul.
I knew there wouldn’t be a long life for me
I’d better be quick for that is the key.
Fiction © Copyright Asena Lourenco
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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More about Asena Lourenco:

Asena Lourenco is 10 years old. She loves reading, playing Scottish traditional fiddle music on her violin, dancing, and martial arts as well as writing her own stories.

She would like to be a teacher and writer when she grows up. She also loves cats and babies!

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Posted in Authors, Dark Fiction, flash fiction, FREE, Horror, Ladies of Horror, Writing Project | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments