Big Chills

By John McDonnell

More scary stories from a master of psychological horror. This collection has a giant, a time traveler, a bad babysitter, a man who's looking for the fountain of youth, and a bunch of other characters who get the surprise of their lives. You'll see just about all of the Seven Deadly Sins here, and plenty of punishment for the unfortunate sinners. With a style that combines horror and humor, John McDonnell has built an audience of readers who like chills, thrills, and a laugh or two along the way. The horror builds to a climax, and there's always a surprise ending. These stories will expand your mind and squeeze your airways as you gasp in fear. Not recommended for the faint of heart!

• Language: English
• Publisher: John McDonnell
• Release date: Jul 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452419930

John McDonnell

John McDonnell is a British Labour Party politician who was appointed the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 2015. He became the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hayes and Harlington at the 1997 general election, and has retained his seat from then onwards.

Book preview

BIG CHILLS

John McDonnell

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 John McDonnell

Discover other titles by John McDonnell at Smashwords.com

John McDonnell's Website

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

SO FEW GIANTS

FIND THE HUMAN

BEAUTIFUL HANDS

THE NEW BOY

CRUSHER

KARMA LOOP

NEW YEAR

THE BAD BABYSITTER

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

He is sick again, Don Francisco, Sergeant Lopez said, pointing to the African slave known as Abrafo, who was slumped on the tile floor where the other three soldiers had thrown him. Abrafo’s thin body was shaking with fever, but he met Don Francisco’s gaze with eyes that were fathomless black pools of hate.

He is a troublemaker, that one, Don Francisco said.

What should I do with him? Sergeant Lopez said.

Don Francisco Navarro sighed deeply, and went over to his desk, where he took the lid off a small silver bowl, dipped his little finger in the white powder, and then held it up.

Do you know what people call this? he said. White gold. Of course it is not gold. It is something more valuable -- sugar. This product of our plantation is like gold for those who grow it. Don Francisco put his finger in his mouth and licked it clean, closing his eyes for an instant in private ecstasy. Such a delight, he continued. But such backbreaking work to grow and harvest. We cannot do it without this man and his people.

He has stirred up the workers, Sergeant Lopez said.

Don Francisco smiled. I know. And do you blame him? Would you want to work under these conditions? Ah, but we must be firm, Sergeant. This plantation here in Canaria is but the first of many, I predict. Already there is talk of starting plantations on Hispaniola. We are being watched by Seville, my friend, and they will have questions if we cannot control our workers.

What would you have me do with him, Don Francisco?

Don Francisco’s face grew red. Are you not listening? We cannot tolerate this old man any longer. You know what to do.

But. . .

What now?

Sir, the men are afraid of him. He is some type of wizard.

Bah!

No, it is true. They have seen him do things that are. . . difficult to understand. The Africans say he is a prophet.

A prophet, eh? Don Francisco shook his head peevishly. Do you think he predicted that he would be captured by Moorish slavers and end up on a sugar plantation in the Canary Islands? Do you?

He is no prophet, said the brown-robed priest, standing in the corner. He had come with the soldiers to make sure the African was dealt with swiftly.

I agree, Don Francisco said. He strolled over to a large ornate mirror on the wall next to his desk. He brushed minute particles of dust off his shirt, and smoothed his thick dark hair away from his forehead.