Terror in Shadows

By Lecy McKenzie

Terror in the Shadows: Sometimes the one thing that frightens you the most is the one thing you have been looking for all your life.

The Terror Is Here! Terror in the Shadows, a new suspense thriller by Horror Novelist Lecy McKenzie Pritchett, will keep you riveted and promises to be filled with bone chilling terror and heart stopping surprises until the very end. Four couples begin a dream vacation that very quickly spins into a nightmare. One of them is in for some life altering changes, and the realization that horror can be watching for you from the shadows, or maybe not?

Alicia Martin was forewarned. A premonition, a sixth sense, a warning from some inner most human desire for survival, an uneasy feeling that this trip could very well be their last, a revelation of doom coming from deep within her soul, but unable to share these feelings for fear of her inability to tell anyone where they were coming from. Choosing to ignore these warnings, instead following her husband and friends to a mountain paradise, she will soon find the beauty that surrounds them is the mask for evil that is more terrifying than anyone could have imagined or foreseen.

Finding themselves the prey of four demented brothers, who seemed to have crept up from the depths of hell, inhuman, and twisted beyond compare, languishing in the humiliation, deprivation, and horror they inflict on others, with a thirst for blood that is unimaginable, and a lust that will stop at nothing to quench that desire. The group soon finds themselves stalked and tormented, the pawns of a deadly twist of fate, being led into a wilderness that none may have the ability to survive. Unable to defend themselves against a formidable foe, with their only hope a mysterious shadow watching from a distance. Alicia is about to realize that the one that could be their salvation is the one thing that nothing could have prepared her for.

A must read, hang in for the spine chilling ending that will prove a nightmare is only a dream of things that are meant to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477207864

Lecy McKenzie

Author Lecy McKenzie was born and raised in Bastrop, Lousisana Lecy's great passion in life was always writing. As a young girl, she gave away hundreds of short stories. She remembers always having a notebook in her hand, with one great novel or the other in various stages of completion. She would write her inner most thoughts, and she was thrilled when people told her they were really good. Lecy's favorite stories were those about super natural and ghostly encounters. Lecy credits her mother of instilling that passion in her by telling her of hauntingly scary tales regarding her travels across the country when she was a young girl. My mother would have been a great author, Lecy writes, but a young marriage, and raising her children dominated her life, and never gave her the chance to prove that talent. She could tell amazing stories better than any book I ever read, , and she was truly my mentor. She always had faith in me, and now, I hope I honor that faith and her memory.

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© 2012 by Lecy McKenzie. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Places, events, and situations in this story are purely fictional. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead are coincidental.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/22/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0787-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0786-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One That Feeling Of Dread

Chapter Two The Danger Is Real

Chapter Three Like Lost Sheep

Chapter Four One By One Until There Was None

Chapter Five More Than A Man

Chapter Six Out Of The Shadows; A Fight For His Live

Chapter Seven From A Monster To A Hero

Chapter Eight Epilogue: Out Of The Terror

About The Author

This book is dedicated to my love of horse racing. One of the most beautiful of God’s Creations, a race horse has more heart, courage, and loyalty than anyone could ever imagine. They are a wonderful gift that we should cherish and always treasure.

To the jockeys who ride these amazing animals, men and women who are only small in stature, because on the inside they are giants. I gave my heart to them long ago, and the joy they have returned to me has been threefold.

To the jockey who in 1972 and 1973, gave me the thrills of a lifetime, and who won my heart with his grit and determination, and his ability to bond with his horses, and make them great. He made me realize that a true hero is one that is as graceful and humble in the good times as in the bad. I salute you as the best there ever was or ever will be. No one will ever compare to him.

For the inspiration, awe, and happiness they have given back to me over the years, this book I dedicate to them.

Chapter One

THAT FEELING OF DREAD

Chapter 1

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That Feeling of Dread

Have you ever had that feeling that something bad was about to happen? A feeling of doom deep within your soul, one that has no starting place and boldly refuses to find a place to stop. An internal alarm warning you that there is danger coming your way, sending tingling sensations throughout your body, and causing a tremor of fear to run down your spine. You feel weak, and vulnerable, and there is a voice screaming out that evil is all around you, and then you realize it’s your voice you are hearing. You begin to shake uncontrollably, making it hard for you to move, your body stiff and unyielding, and you don’t want to open your eyes. You want to run, but something tells you that it is futile, for it is coming after you, and no matter how hard you run, you will never get away. It is hiding in every corner of your room, ready to reach out and steal away any feelings of safety you ever had, invading the spaces that you once called your own. It is there reminding you that in the blink of an eye all that once seemed so perfect to you is gone forever, raping you of that feeling that you are invincible and secure in your own little world. You begin to feel your breath coming out faster and faster, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot seem to get air in as fast as it goes out. You feel tightness in your chest, and your head begins to spin, causing you to lose the control in which your sanity lies making you feel useless and doomed. You can feel it watching you, and when you are finally able to open your eyes, you can see it hovering over you, staring at you with eyes of fire, and then you see it reaching out at you, so close you can almost feel it touching you. You reach down and pull the covers up to your chin, all the while you try to ignore it hoping that it will just go away. You listen, and each sound in the darkness sends shivers of fear reeking throughout your body, and you are desperately trying to find a plausible reason for that sound, because if you just accept it you must admit it is there. You feel cold inside, your blood has turned to ice, and it is freezing you, and nothing you can do will make you feel the warmth that you so desire. You can hear it calling out to you, but the voices are foreign to you, and you just can’t tell where they are coming from, or what they want with you.

You can feel it as it seems to engulf you, and you know in your heart you are having a premonition, you are seeing into that other dimension, the one that precludes the one you are in now. A part of you, some unseen force that is a gift of self-preservation, is reaching out to you to provide you with the ability to survive and is now issuing a warning to you, imploring you to stay where you are, and not to go out into the unknown horror that is out there waiting for you. You want so badly to tell someone so you will not feel so all alone, so someone can share in your concern, but you don’t dare tell anyone, because you just know they will convince you that you are just letting your imagination get away from you, that there is nothing to fear. You know they cannot feel what you are feeling, so they are beckoning you to ignore with your head, what your heart is telling you to do. Fate and destiny are willing you into a nightmare, and you are helpless to prevent it from happening, because a part of you must refuse to accept that anything could be waiting out there for you.

Well, that was the feeling I had from the moment I opened my eyes this morning. First it was just a whimper, but now it was roaring at me, pounding in my ears. I lay staring at the clock as it slowly edged toward the hour of five, and when it became to ring out; I could feel my heart beginning to beat in a rapid moment, which took my breath away, and made my head begin the throb.

Maybe I’m getting sick. I could hear my brain calling out to me.

Leccie. I heard my husband, Brad whispering softly out to me. Are you awake, Leccie Girl?

Yes. I whispered back.

We’ve got to get moving Sweetie. Chad is going to meet us in one hour. Brad said urgently, as I could hear the excitement in his voice.

My husband, Brad, and I had been together since we were five years old. I can still remember the day his family moved in across the street from mine. He was always my golden boy, handsome and sweet, and even as a little girl of five, I knew he was my kindred soul mate, and that I would be with him forever. Years later, he told me he felt the same way that day.

Adventurous, with more energy than should be allowed, he never once complained that I followed him everywhere he went. He was always so handsome, with his curly black hair and beautiful brown eyes; he had a mystic about him that could melt any girl’s heart. By the time he was twelve, he was muscular and tan and every girl at school wanted to be the one going with Bradley Martin. They would wait for him every morning, and squeal with delight if he spoke to them, or even just looked their way.

A natural sportsman, by the time he reach high school he was the captain of the football and baseball team, and took his teams to state finals each and every year. He almost single handedly took our school to state in the track finals, and everyone in our town said he was going to be a big league star, and bring fame to our little town.

He was always the leader of our group. No one dared to tell him something couldn’t be done. Brad would never allow anyone to say I can’t do that. He was the epitome of strength and dignity, and he treated everyone equally, never feeling he was better than anyone, and never letting anyone treat him like he was. He was humble, and would blush crimson red when someone would bragged on him. He never let any of his fame and popularity go to his head, and he would do all he could to not let us feel below him. He was my hero, and he was the man I thought I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

He would take care of me, and if anyone dared to hurt me, he would be the first one to come to my defense. He would work with me for hours teaching me how to pitch a ball, make a basket, or run a mile in almost record time. We would work out in his back yard every day of the week, and before long, he transformed me into the best girl athlete in our town. He took as much pride in my trophies and medals as he did his own. At each one of my games, I would look up in the stands, and see him sitting there, beaming with pride, and my heart with swell with love for him. I would lie at night dreaming that that someday he might love me back. A dream I never could have imagined would one day come true. That was until that day.

I will never forget the day he invited me to go to the prom with him. He had been dating Carrie Whit, and although it broke my heart, from the first time I saw them together, I just knew they would always be together. She was the most beautiful girl at school, tiny and delicate, with dark black hair and eyes, and olive skin that was perfect and flawless, and reminded me of spun silk. She looked like one of those Spanish dancers in those velvet pictures. Exotic and poised, with classic looks, she was the example of femininity, not a tomboy like me.

I was so sad when I saw Carrie looking for a prom dress; so much so, I just turned and walked out without finding one for me. I was walking with my head down, and it took me a moment to realize that someone was watching me. I looked up, and then I saw Brad looking down at me.

Oh Hi. I said.

Why are you looking so sad? Brad asked.

Oh, just been one of those days. I said weakly.

Hey, you got a date for prom? He asked sweetly.

NO. I answered quickly before I could think, almost immediately embarrassed that Brad would know I didn’t have a date.

You want to be my date? He asked.

Me? I almost screamed.

Yeah you. He said with a smile.

What about Carrie? I asked in total shock, my heart pounding in disbelief.

Carrie. Brad told me, that day when I asked him about Carrie. She is the girl every boy always dreamed of having, but not the one for me.

But you want me to go to the prom with you. I said is total confusion.

Sure. You know I love little blondes who drive me crazy. Brad said with a smile. So what do you say, Lecci?

Of course I will! I cried out, as I wrapped my arms around him, and felt his lips touching mine for the very first time in more than a platonic example of our relationship which had been established in time. This kiss was more than the friendship ones we had shared before, more than the brother sister kisses we had given each other through the years, this one spoke of the promise of things to come. It took me a moment to realize this was not a dream, this was real. My heart was so full of love and hope, and I could feel myself melting in his arms.

That was the first time we went out together as a real couple, and I still felt that I was just dreaming. I was floating the entire night, and as the last slow dance of the evening began to play softly, I looked up into his entrancing eyes as his reached his hand down to me.

Dance with me beautiful Lecci. He said to me his voice deep with emotions

My legs felt weak, and I still am not sure how I made it on the dance floor. He held me close, and it was as if we were lost in the moment. I forgot that there was anyone else around us, and it took me a few moments to realize he was talking to me. He reached down and whispered into my ear the three most beautiful words. The words that I had been longing to hear, since the day I was five years old and our eyes first met. The words that had only been in a young girls dreams until that moment as we stood holding each other on the dance floor.

I love you, Leccie. I always have. The words were like music to my ears. I moaned as my heart was beating so fast, I felt my head spinning. I have to pinch myself to make sure this was not just another one of my wonderful dreams. I buried my head in his chest, and I could hear his heart beating as fast as mine, and the rhythmic beat told me he was as excited as me. I moved my mouth up to his ear, and whispered almost breathlessly back to him, I have always loved you too. That was the magical night I had been dreaming of, but dared not wish for, the night we went from friends to lovers, and we have not been apart since.

The day we married, was the next most wonderful day of my life. I felt that I was in a beautiful fairy tale, and as I walked down the aisle into the arms of my prince charming I just knew we would live happily ever after. I remember hearing the priest call out, Ladies and Gentlemen; I now pronounce Alicia Jane and Bradley Ray Martin, husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man try to part. And that is when this story really begins.

I guess I knew when I married Bradley that my life would be filled with adventure. Each year, we went with our friends to one wondrous place, and then the next year to another. We had a little group that consisted of four couples, and we went everywhere together. Each year one couple got to choose where we went on vacation, and this year was Chad and Carrie’s turn.

Chad Winsome was Brad’s best friend, as the two of them had been together since they were in second grade. Chad admired Brad, as you could see it in his eyes each time he looked at Brad. He would be the first one to sing Brad’s praises, and he followed Brad like an obedient puppy, so much so, everyone nicknamed him "Brad’s Chad. I think the biggest surprise in our town was not my marriage to Brad, but Chad marrying Carrie. Carrie Whit, the most beautiful girl in town, the girl everyone thought was the perfect match for Brad, the girl who would have done anything to get Brad back, even marry his best friend. Everyone knew it, including Chad.

Chad, with his red hair and green eyes covered with his big black rimmed glasses, could never equal Brad at anything. He was tall and skinny and nothing he ever did seemed to go the way he planned. People would make fun of him, and call him a disaster just waiting to happen. If it could go wrong, with Chad, it always did. Life just seems to always be knocking him down, but one thing I can say for him, he never let it keep him down.

Even when he replaced Brad as Carrie’s boyfriend, he knew that she was only with him to be near Brad. I would see it in his eyes when they came around, the way Carrie clung to Brad, and I know in my heart it had to hurt him, but he just adored her, so he would look the other way while she made a fool out of him. All he lived for was to have her standing at his side, and he would just beam when they were out together, always looking at her, and saying over and over again how beautiful she was. I would think how lucky she was to have a man love her so much, but she just seems to tolerate his adoration, and treated him as if he were a cross she had to bear in order to stay close to Brad.

I would hear people question as to why Chad would marry Carrie, and still stay so close to Brad. They just could not understand how he could not see the way his wife would cling to Brad when we all went out together,