The Apple-Howler

By William Grabowski

During a blizzard in rural Pennsylvania, a dying widower's obsessive ritual is interrupted by two men—one haunted by his father's abuse; the other secretly craving proof of a paranormal entity. Is the vicious horror that follows born from guilt, or the very earth itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Grabowski
• Release date: Dec 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9780974962856

William Grabowski

Independent writer/editor William J. Grabowski is the author of 7 books (ghostwriter of others) and over 300 short stories, articles, interviews and reviews. Recent work (with John Kluge) is on Forbes.com, 2 Paragraphs.com, Magonia Blog, Hellnotes, Horror World, and in magazines CEMETERY DANCE, BEWARE THE DARK, National Public Radio-associated WIRELESS, and Daniel Howard's anthology of science fiction, fantasy, and horror: VOICES OF IMAGINATION. Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist George Knapp of KLAS/CBS-TV lauded Grabowski's work on syndicated radio show COAST TO COAST AM. A 5-year stint as contributing editor with World Fantasy Award-winning THE HORROR SHOW earned him a nomination from SPWAO as best nonfiction writer. He reviews books for Hellnotes.com. His nonfiction book, BLACK LIGHT: PERSPECTIVES ON MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENA, was published on 15 October 2014, and his newest is TRACES OF OBLIVION, a collection of short fiction and a complete novel, THE UNTOLD. A new novella, INFINITY POINT, is due in late 2015. He enjoys Punk, dark music, and hot chilies.

Book preview

THE APPLE-HOWLER

WILLIAM J. GRABOWSKI

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Oblivion Press

2014

THE APPLE-HOWLER

Copyright © 2014 by William J. Grabowski

This digital edition © 2014 Oblivion Press

All rights reserved.

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

Oblivion Press

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Jimmy Voss sucked down the last of a Beck’s, lit a smoke. Question is, he said, whether or not you’re with me. Think about it, Lee. Turn it over a few more times.

Lee Hicks nodded, face as blank and pale as new drywall. No, man. No. Question is—

"I said think about it, pal. The money."

Lee huffed, sipped beer. Question is—

The money.

Yeah...fuck. Always is.

Jimmy sat straight, waved at old Polack for two more brewskis. After all, Lee was buying tonight and rocking back and forth with anxiety.

Jimmy smacked the other’s knee. Cut that shit out, man. God.

Can’t help it. Talkin’ about a man’s life here.

Hah! Like that ever stopped you before.

Lee fired up a Merit. Got me there, dude. Question is—

"Shhh."

Old Polack pretended he wasn’t eavesdropping.

Lee hissed his uniquely disturbing laugh. "Like to cap his fat ass."

Jimmy elbowed Lee’s ribs. Watch your mouth.

"Dude, that really hurt."

Good. Now listen.

Old Polack had a cell phone clamped to his hairy ear, moaning to his wife. Jimmy