Dark Dossier, Issue 24

By Phillip Frey

Jamie Evans, publisher and editor, is proud to bring you strange tales by contributors Phillip Frey, Walter G. Esselman, Dan Klefstad, Kelly Piner, Roy Dorman, Chris Aldridge, Nisar Masoom, V, Mylynne Smith, and Thomas Hoover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phillip Frey
• Release date: Jul 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463874714

Phillip Frey

Phillip Frey grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he performed as a child actor at The Cleveland Playhouse. He then later moved to New York, where he performed with The New York Shakespeare Festival, followed by The Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center. With a change of interest Phillip wrote, directed, and edited 3 short films, all of which had international showings, including The New York Film Festival. With yet another change of interest he returned to Los Angeles to become a produced screenwriter. He is now devoted only to writing prose. The books "Dangerous Times" and "Hym and Hur" were his first published works of fiction. Phillip Frey has also had the privilege of having his short stories published in various literary journals.

Book preview

DARK DOSSIER MAGAZINE

ISSUE 24 – JULY 2018

Dark Dossier Magazine is a print & digital magazine (ezine) that is published monthly (12 issues), with 70+ awesome pages devoted to fiction & nonfiction stories of Ghosts, Aliens, Monsters, & Killers.

Dark Dossier Magazine is published monthly by Dark Dossier Publishing and is printed in the U.S.A.

Dark Dossier Magazine is TM © 2018 DARK DOSSIER. All Rights Reserved. The stories sent in to Dark Dossier are © by their respective owners. No material from this magazine may be reprinted without the consent from the owner. This magazine is dedicated to you the reader and we would love to hear from you.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Please visit us on www.darkdossier.com

Cover Photo by https://www.istockphoto.com/

Dark Dossier Magazine

4325 Latin lane

Columbus Ohio 43220 

[e-mail]

PHOTOGENIC

BY NISAR MASSOM

I s that what Mom said ? Hanif asked as he took another spoonful of spaghetti into his mouth.

Yes I remember it clearly, Sonia replied. She said that for an income so mediocre I still buy the most fashionable clothes.

The engaged couple were eating dinner at Hanif’s favorite five-star restaurant. It was a freezing night outside in the middle of winter. Beautiful golden lights surrounded the dinner hall. Hanif suddenly looked up at his fiancée’s confused expression.

I’m sure she meant it as a compliment, Hanif told her. Now take a bite before your food gets cold.

Sonia nodded with a faint smile. As she picked up her fork lined up with spiced noodles something fell off from underneath the cuff of her expensive sweater.

Why do you always carry that? Hanif asked her as she picked up her pocketknife from the table and replaced it in her cuff's pocket.

After my mother’s murder, she explained. I've always kept this knife with me.

Hanif nodded. He then told her that it would have been better if she had taken karate lessons from him. Sonia laughed at that thought.

Learn karate from Hanif, the great architect, she joked. As if your parents had never hired a security guard for your protection.

Suddenly, Hanif’s smile faded. His facial expression showed an unexplainable lifelessness. Sonia was tempted to look backwards. She finally looked over her shoulder and saw an attractive blonde woman sitting with two clean-shaven men a bit older than her. One raised his mobile phone trying to capture her picture.

What’s wrong? Do you know them? Sonia asked.

I felt as if... he abruptly said now facing her. My photo was being taken.

THE NEXT MORNING SONIA awoke to the feeling of her fiancé getting up from their bed. They had made love last night so an emotion of separation had become a kind of signal. She pressed her palm against the space her fiancé always occupied. He wasn't there.

She got up wrapping the quilt around her breasts till her ankles. Then the young woman left the room and walked slowly downstairs. Hanif was standing in the front doorway. He had the daily newspaper in his hands with his eyes fixed on something.

You’re looking at the paper as if there’s the most beautiful woman pictured on it. Sonia remarked.

She got shocked when Hanif showed her what he had really been looking at. It was a photograph of a girl his parents wanted him to marry a month ago. It was a separate item from the newspaper.

This came with the paper? Sonia asked.

Yes and I was wondering who put it there. Hanif said furiously.

No need to be angry about stupid incidents, my love. She said moving closer to him and kissing his cheek. For a moment I thought you had gotten attracted to her again.

SONIA WAS LAYING ON the three-seated lounge sofa reading a women’s magazine. But her mind was somewhere else. She was wondering about that morning’s incident. Who had put that photograph there? It had to be Natasha’s own doing, she thought bitterly.

Natasha Ahmed was Hanif’s cousin from his father’s side. His parents wished for him to marry her because of the family tradition. But Hanif refused to leave the love of his life, Sonia. Hanif’s family was one of the richest British-Pakistani families in England. Sonia always had a feeling of inferiority due to the wealth of her fiancé’s family. She herself was not rich or from a wealthy household. Her father was an ex-cop and her mother had been murdered in a mugging a few years ago.

Natasha was an aspiring model. It was rumored that she had been picked up by a well-known fashion company. Sonia was a kindergarten teacher. Another inferiority complex came from Natasha’s good looks and silky hair. But Sonia was always told by Hanif that Natasha's appearance was purely photogenic.

The doorbell rang twice then the sound of the front door lock turning was heard. Hanif walked into the lounge rubbing his wet black-wavy hair.

It’s starting to pour outside, Hanif declared.

He leapt onto the sofa next to his fiancée.

Do you know what time it is? Sonia asked sternly.

Sleeping time?

You said you’ll be back by ten. It’s the middle of the night, Hanif.

Hanif got up and yawned while stretching his arms. He told her that he would take a nice warm bath before sleeping and allow her to cool off. She watched him with eagle eyes as he departed the lounge. Sonia knew something fishy was going on. She waited to hear the tap running when she reached the upstairs hallway. After a few minutes of hearing the water from the shower hit the tub she made her way to their bedroom.

She took a step towards the bedroom. A voice made her return her foot. She took a deep breath after realizing it was just Hanif humming rhythmically in the bathroom. Sonia made her way to the bed. Hanif’s shirt and trousers lay there. Her suspicions made her grab the shirt and check it. There was a lipstick mark on the collar

THE SUNDAY MORNING was clear without any grey covering of the sky. A pleasant wind was flowing throughout the public park. The temperature had gone a bit up which was unlikely for a winter day in New Town.

You know after hearing all this I’m still surprised you’re not feeling too high-tempered, Sonia’s best friend Jenna told her.

They were sitting beside each other on a bench feeding a flock of birds some bread crumbs. The dampness of the grass spread a putrid odor. It had rained heavily the last night.

Sonia tugged nervously at her purple muffler. The saddest thing is that I know who it.

A British-Pakistani lady. Slightly attractive with radiant silky-black hair. Her friend stated.

Sonia looked at her with astonishment, How did you know that-

I saw them in Blue Café last night while passing by, Jenna interrupted trying to ignore her companion’s intimidating gaze. They were having lunch together. Even laughing whole-heartedly, no offence.

It’s all so peculiar. Hanif despised her since childhood. Why the sudden feelings and who dropped that photograph on our doorstep?

Jenna moved closer to Sonia. Listen I’ve heard of a folklore relating to this topic.

This isn’t the time for one of your horror stories, Jenna. Don’t tell me you picked this one up from a straight-to-DVD feature.

Just hear me out, okay? There’s a woman downtown. She earns her living by designing stylish photos for people who wish to get married. Jenna paused taking a deep breath. It’s a rumor but I’ve heard that any photo she makes will make the intended person fall in love.

Sonia couldn’t help giggling. Jenna had been like that from high school. She was a natural storyteller.

Laugh all you want but remember what Hanif was talking about last night while you two were in bed, Jenna reminded. You always talk a little but he said nothing before dozing off. He also murmured something in between his slumber.

Yes he was whispering his mistress’s name.

He’s been affected, Sonia. Jenna said standing up from her seat and getting ready to leave. You can find the woman in her shop, The Matchmaker.

WHEN SONIA HAD REACHED home she saw her fiancé watching a soccer match on TV. He looked unhappy although his team was definitely in the lead. She walked over to him.

How are you feeling today, darling? Sonia asked trying to act calm.

Quite alright. So how is dear old Jenna? Hanif asked without looking at her.

She seemed okay. She told me about an old folk-story governing this town.

Hanif gave her a scary glance. She felt a chill run down her spine. She felt her heart thudding faster all of a sudden. But it was not because of the passion that was now mostly felt at night and lessened at dawn, it was a horror-struck emotion. He got up from the sofa. Slowly, he made his way to her. Sonia wanted to back up but she pretended not to be afraid.

The wavy-haired man stepped closer. His footsteps made no noise to Sonia’s ears. She had gone deaf and her vision had gone blurry due to her newly-found fear. Hanif took hold of her tender shoulders. She shook a