When Darkness Beckons

By Sophie Duncan and Natasha Duncan-Drake

This is a two story horror anthology created for All Hallows Read 2012.

Catcher of Souls by Natasha Duncan-Drake

When Miles sets foot inside The King James pub he knows instantly there is a disembodied soul in residence. The question is, is the soul responsible for the deaths that have happened on the site or were they just accidents. It's Miles' job to catch troublesome lost souls, but when danger strikes he might just be too late.

Some Things Are Stranger... by Sophie Duncan

Life is weird enough for Jake being a werewolf on the run from The Pagan Dawn, ruthless hunters determined to wipe out all 'paranormal scum'. His luck runs out when he is ambushed after a Halloween party and, badly injured, he dives into the shadows of an abandoned warehouse with his pursuers on his heels. Yet, Jake discovers that he is not alone and his encounter with a goofy hobo, who talks about the place being haunted, teaches him that all strangeness is relative.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wittegen Press
• Release date: Jan 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781908333568

Sophie Duncan

Half my time I am a project manager developing IT solutions. The other half, you'll find me scribbling away at many a story that just won't leave me alone. I've been writing since I was a wee thing, and publishing since I discovered the internet in 1994 or so.So what do I write? Contemporary and urban fantasy have mainly been my playground, but I have done some real world settings as well. I do like mystery and have been reading (and watching) Agatha Christie since I was a child. I've also been known to do a bit of poetry.Style: I have been told I do angst well, so if you want your heartstrings twanged, or your tummy to tie in knots until the end, then I'm your gal. I am, however, a happy ending junkie, although I do throw a hint of realism in there sometimes as well. I like a few twists and turns on the way in some of my plots, although I have written my share of PWPs as well. I have to admit a small obsession with eyes: I believe they are the seat of beauty in a person, so I play with them in creature fic and use them for expression in others - personal hang up, sorry. Also, I have never met a cliché I didn't like and I am a firm believer that cliché is fine if you do it right.Writing is a passion and there's nothing better than writing for an audience. Any writer who says they don't care about feedback must have had an ego amputation :) If you life my scribbles, I'd be very glad to hear from you.

Book preview

When Darkness Beckons

by

Natasha Duncan-Drake & Sophie Duncan

Smashwords Edition

This publication is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organisations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

Wittegen Press

https://www.wittegenpress.com/

Copyright © 2012 by Natasha Duncan-Drake, Sophie Duncan

https://www.wittegenpress.com/natashaduncandrake

https://www.wittegenpress.com/sophieduncan

Cover art by Natasha Duncan-Drake

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Reference No: 978-1-908333-56-8

Table of Contents

Catcher of Souls

Some Things are Stranger

About the Authors

Dedication

This anthology was created for Neil Gaiman's All Hallows Read 2012.

Best wishes to all horror lovers everywhere.

~*~

Catcher of Souls

When I was eight my Nana told me I was a Soul Catcher.

When I was eighteen my family locked me in a dark room until I was almost dead; the first soul I caught was my own.

My name is Miles Baker and I clear up strays.

~*~

THE BUILDING HAD A LOWISH CEILING WITH BEAMS hung with hops, so basically a typical English village pub. The fact that it was tacked on to the end of a completely new build conference centre was neither here nor there. The centre was supposed to be opened in a couple of weeks according to the signs hanging here and there, but Miles had heard they were having a few problems; specifically, people dying in peculiar circumstances.

He'd heard through the supernatural grapevine that the proprietors of The King James pub and conference facilities might have themselves a dangerous ghost.

As soon as he walked in Miles knew there was at least one stray soul hanging around; he could feel it, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. Most old buildings had something lingering, but usually that didn't call for his services.

Good morning, the woman behind the bar greeted with a smile, what can I get you?

A pint of bitter and the bar menu, please, he replied and sat down on one of the stools.

Coming right up, the barmaid said and handed him a small leather folder.

The woman was putting on a good front, but Miles could see the bags under her eyes; she was clearly stressed. He perused the menu while she pulled his pint.

Here you go, she said as she placed the drink in front of him. Made a decision yet on the food?

Fish and chips, he replied and gave her one of his best smiles.

Good choice, the woman told him. Want me to start you a tab?

Please, he said with a nod.

So, what brings you to our neck of the woods? the barmaid asked him as she rung his order into the till.

Sightseeing; I'm just wandering around looking for out of the way tourist attractions. Do you have any rooms, I need a place to stay for the night?

The woman barely hid a grimace, but she managed to turn it into a very bizarre smile. Miles was amazed she managed it and had to give her credit for trying.

Sorry, all our rooms are closed until the refurbishment is complete, she said. There are a couple of B&Bs down in the village though.

Thank you, he replied and gave her another smile as if he hadn't noticed anything odd, I'll take a look after lunch.

He placed the local newspaper he had picked up on the bar with the main headline upwards. It read: Another Death At New Conference Centre. Then he waited.

Jan, as it turned out the barmaid was called, chatted with him about local attractions, but it was only when she finally brought him his meal that she saw the strategically placed paper. She almost dropped the plate.

Are you okay? he asked, standing, taking the plate and helping her to one of the other bar stools as she began to shake.

I'm sorry, she apologised, I'm just a little on edge.

He looked at the paper where her eyes were lingering, pretending to