Rooted And Four Other Disturbing Stories

By Shane Hall

Want quick, terrifying stories that will keep you up all night? Read this, if you have the courage...

Inside are five brief and unsettling stories based on the dark, unknown corners of humanity and beyond. Five paranormal terrors await, from an impossible video rental store run by a smiling teenage girl, to the corners of reality where humans are locked away, and even to a sunny parking lot where a person who looks just like you is walking closer and closer. 

Suspenseful plots like those of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits... 

These five psychologically unsettling tales abandon common horror conventions like gore, little girls, and violent beasts. Each one is simple, based around a single unique idea that digs deep into the inherent fears we share. 

Quick and disarming, these scary stories switch back and forth from short story to flash fiction, and are easily read, but not easily forgotten. 

Read this book and discover a new, powerful way to experience horror.

Warning: These stories are ideal for adults, but may not be suited for children. The language and themes are mature. The violence is subdued, but present.

See more by this author at shanehallauthor.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shane Hall
• Release date: Nov 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386272304

Book preview

Vivian’s Videos

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I always loved road trips. And I especially loved driving at dusk, when the violet and plum shades coaxed the burning orb of the sun out of the sky and turned distant clusters of scraggly freeway pines into silhouettes.

I was driving during the fifth sunset of one trip when I noticed an unmarked exit ahead. The unknown has always grabbed me, and I find the mundane or forgotten irresistible. I used to delight in finding charming old theaters with candy‐red marquees advertising films like The Holy Mountain. Although, they never lasted long after I came across them.

I found myself slowing down as I approached the exit. There were no signs at the bottom of the off‐ramp. The road I left behind went off to the right, and I was soon driving along an old scenic highway.

Had I been here any other time of day, the nature surely would’ve been magnificent. But the overhanging oaks that lined the crumbling asphalt embraced each other and blocked what little light remained. That was the first thing that should’ve warned me to turn around, but I told myself not to be afraid of a little dying fire in the sky. For goodness’ sake, had I become nervous of shadows?

I drove for miles before I cleared the charcoal‐black oaks. I welcomed the comforting and cloudless mauve horizon showing off a few stars. I was surrounded by what looked like an infinite field of dry, brown grass…just waiting for a lit cigarette.

The only place to turn around was the parking lot of Vivian’s Videos. The sign looked like an alluring cinema marquee. This concealed store—down a tunnel of black trees and far from any main road—would be the most perfect hit of all time. The lights were still on. This was going to be fun.

As I pulled in, I saw the high ceiling and a library of DVDs and VHS tapes through the plate glass windows. I parked my car and went inside.

The popcorn machine was almost empty, but I relished the buttery air. A girl about fourteen years old was behind the counter, holding the fort. Well, she was really small and thin, and based on her apparent boredom, I assumed she was a teenager.

Hi, I said.

She lifted a single hand from the counter and waved in my general direction. Hey, she said in a deep and unaffected voice.

I had no idea places like this could still make it.

There are ways, she replied.

"Is this a family business? You’re not Vivian, are