Ultimate Haunts 4 Book Horror Bundle

By Veronica Anderson-Stamps

Thrills, chills and tales of terror are wrapped into a 4 book bundle that any horror fanatic would love. Ghost stories, shadowy figures passing through walls, aberrations taking human form and things going bump in the night are all waiting here for you. This collection includes Latham's Lake, The Bluff Haunting, Ten Tantalizing Tales of Terror and Dark Forest: Beware of Night Fall. Cozy up under the covers and watch your wildest fears come to life. Tonight, its alright to sleep with the lights on! Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Veronica Anderson-Stamps
• Release date: Aug 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310598975

Veronica Anderson-Stamps

Veronica Lolonda Anderson-Stamps was born on February 11, 1979 in Lexington Mississippi. Her parents are Loretta and Frank J. Robertson Jr. She has nine siblings. She married her husband, F. Lashon Stamps in 2015. Her childhood was spent in both Mississippi and Wisconsin. She graduated from Mississippi Valley State University in 2002 with a degree in History. While there, she received countless awards including President's Scholar and Honor Scholar. In 2005, she was awarded The Editor's Choice award from the National Library of Poetry and Poetry.com. She briefly attended graduate school during which she worked on a Masters in Criminal Justice. Before long, she was offered a job that would take her away from her studies. She currently resides in Mississippi where she incorporates technology during her work hours. In her leisure, she continues to write short stories, poems and songs. She also enjoys horror films, nature programs and science fiction movies. Verónica Lolonda Anderson-Stamps nació el 11 de febrero de 1979 en Lexington Mississippi. Sus padres son Loretta y Frank J. Robertson Jr. Ella tiene nueve hermanos. Se casó con su marido, Stamps F. Lashon en 2015. Su infancia transcurrió en tanto Mississippi y Wisconsin. Se graduó de Mississippi Valley State University en 2002 con una licenciatura en Historia. Una vez allí, ella recibió innumerables premios, entre ellos el presidente y Académico de Honor Académico. En 2005, fue galardonada con el premio al mejor hotel del editor de la Biblioteca Nacional de Poesía y Poetry.com. Ella asistió brevemente a la escuela de posgrado durante el cual trabajó en una Maestría en Justicia Criminal. En poco tiempo, se le ofreció un puesto de trabajo que la llevaría lejos de sus estudios. Actualmente vive en Mississippi, donde incorpora la tecnología durante sus horas de trabajo. En su tiempo libre, ella continúa escribiendo cuentos, poemas y canciones. Ella también disfruta de las películas de terror, los programas de la naturaleza y de las películas de ciencia ficción.

Book preview

Ultimate

Haunts

4 Book Horror Bundle

By Veronica Anderson

Copyright © 2014 Veronica Lolonda Anderson

Smashwords Edition

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Latham’s Lake

Some Secrets Should Stay Buried

Chapter One

Mom, are you ready? Latham asked as she dragged her camping bag across the floor. She could barely wait to get to the lake. It always made her feel close to her father. The same wasn't true for Sylvie Gray, Latham's mother. Baby, give me a few more minutes. I want to double check and make sure we have everything that we might need. I know you don't want to leave without bug spray, or do you? Sylvie joked. She had to put on a happy front. Latham loved the lake but how could she feel any other way about it? All she could remember was having fun with her father there. She had no clue that Moss Lake was the place where her father's life had ended. Latham wasn't ready to learn the truth. Would she ever be ready? Sylvie thought as she watched her baby throw her sleeping bag in the back of their Ford Explorer.

Luke Gray had been a great husband and father until one night, he hadn’t come home. Weeks had gone but before his body had been found floating on the lake he loved so much. The police had ruled out foul play but something just wasn’t right. The official report said Luke had drowned but Sylvie just couldn’t believe that. Luke was a strong swimmer and extremely careful on the water. She’d been called to identify the body. She’d barely recognized her own husband. His body was swollen to twice its normal size. His once caramel skin was a dull shade of grey. What made things worse was the fact that Luke had been there in the first place. He was supposed to have been on a business trip in Texas. There were just so many unanswered questions.

Mom, do you like going to the lake? Latham asked. Sylvie looked at in shock. Had Latham fingered out that her father had died there? Sweetheart, why would you ask something like that? Sylvie asked. Latham was quiet for a beat, as if she was pondering something. It’s just that sometimes when we are there, you look so sad. Does the lake remind you of dad? Latham asked as she stared at her mother intently. Latham, I think about your father when we go there. I just miss him. You know he was my first and only love. Sylvie admitted. Mom, please. I just asked a question and you just had to go there. Latham gave her mom a sour look. Another disaster evaded. She couldn’t keep this up for long, at some point she was going to have to tell Latham about her father’s passing. Sure she was just an eleven-year-old but these days kids grew up pretty fast. Latham was already showing signs of maturing. This would have to be the weekend that she would tell Latham about the Moss Lake and her father.

Summer was the perfect time to camp at the lake. Sylvie had put off the trip so many times that summer was nearly over. There was a slight chill in the air but it would be okay because they’d packed their sleeping bags. Maybe the bugs wouldn’t be as bad this late in the summer. The water was calm and they could hear the sounds of nature all around them. It was wonderful. Luke had found this place several years ago and had insisted on visiting at least twice a year. Sylvie had never been a nature girl but somehow she had made the transition. Moss Lake had plenty of prime spots to camp but Luke had always loved being close to its rock flat edge. They’d setup camp there ever since.

Chapter Two

Latham, we have to set up the tent before dark. We can fish in the morning. Sylvie said as she watched Latham bait her line. Okay mom. Latham laid her bait back into its container. She could see clearly in her mind how her father had done it when she’d been younger. She missed her dad. He had been gone now for three years. It was like one day he was there and the next he was gone. She couldn’t understand what had happened. He’d said that he was going on a trip and would bring her a surprise back. She’d patiently waited for his return but that day never came. The next time she saw her father was in a casket at his funeral.

Sylvie built a fire as Latham prepared the marsh mellows for their S’mores. Tonight she was going to talk to Latham about her father’s death. It felt like the right time and place. Went Latham, come sit with me. I want to talk to you about your father. Latham looked her mother for a long moment. Her mom always got sad when they talked about Latham’s father. She took a seat at her mother’s side. Latham could visibly see her mother tense up but she wanted to know more about her father’s death. Her mother had always acted as if there had been a big secret and Latham definitely wanted to know what had happened to her father.

Sylvie cleared her throat and wrapped her daughter in a hug. Baby, it’s been three years since we lost your father. I know that we haven’t talked much about that day we found out that he was gone but I think it’s time. Sylvie explained. Latham could see that her mother’s eyes had taken on a different look, a look of determination. She remained quiet to allow her mother to speak uninterrupted. Do you remember your father leaving for a business trip that? Latham nodded her head. Well, I don’t think he actually got a chance to go on that trip baby. I think he came here to the lake and met someone. When your father went missing… they found him here at the lake. Sylvie watched as various emotions played across her daughter’s innocent face. Had she done the right thing? Would Latham understand?

Latham let her mother’s word role around her head over and over again. She clearly remembered her father leaving for a business trip and never coming home. He’d promised her that he’d have a surprise for her but he had never come home. Could he be that her father died here at the lake, at Moss Lake? Was this the reason why her mother had always seemed so sad whenever they came here to the lake? If this was true, how could her mother have endured returning to this place for the past three years? Mom, are you saying that dad died here? Latham asked in complete shock. Yes baby, he drowned in the lake. Sylvie admitted. Latham’s eyes