The Siege of Peter Marak

By Stoney M. Setzer

What is your greatest fear? What if someone else's life depended upon you facing that fear?

After losing his wife to pneumonia, Peter Marak becomes extremely mysophobic (fear of germs and contamination) and sequesters himself in his home to avoid germs as much as possible. One night, a coughing woman knocks on his door, begging him to open it because a dangerous man is on the loose. Peter is forced to make a terrible choice: Does he face his fear of germs by opening the door, or does he stay safe and leave the woman to fend for herself?

Originally published in "Fear and Trembling" (issue 43, Nov. 2011), this story is reminiscent of a classic "Twilight Zone" episode. It focuses on a man who finds himself in a situation any of us would dread: forced to choose between his conviction and his phobia, with the stakes higher than he could ever imagine.

"The Siege of Peter Marak" also appears in "Zero Hour 2: More Stories of Spiritual Suspense." However, this ebook edition also includes a bonus "Backstory" section that reveals "behind-the-scenes" information into the creation of this story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stoney M. Setzer
• Release date: Mar 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465767004

Stoney M. Setzer

Stoney M. Setzer lives south of Atlanta, GA, with his beautiful wife, three wonderful children, and one crazy dog. He is the author of the Wesley Winter trilogy, and he has also written a number of Twilight Zone-like stories with Christian themes. His works have been published in such online magazines as Fear and Trembling and Residential Aliens, as well as a number of anthologies.