The Unknown

By Martha Henley

Deep in the South, in a plantation home, something evil lurks within the walls. The Unknown is a darkness that calls to those afflicted. Once heard, the Unknown implores it’s victims to do unthinkable acts of evil.
Stephanie is a an average college freshman casually invited to the Halloween party of upper class man, named Nick. She’s excited and nervous. Her costume will reveal what she’s been hiding all semester. Stephanie has a prosthetic leg from a car accident.
Nick doesn’t know she’s amputee, but the Unknown does. As soon as she crosses the threshold into the house the darkness feels her presence. At her most vulnerable time it calls her name, Stephanie, follow me.
She listens, thinking it’s a friend, Bruce, playing a prank, but she soon regrets her mistake. The Unknown possesses her. What it makes her do is something you’ll have to read in the book. It’s horrifyingly sad.
If you want to keep your friends this Halloween, don’t trespass where you’re not wanted and don’t listen to the Unknown.

The Unknown is a short horror story that takes 4900 words to tell. Included, as a bonus is preview of Martha Henley’s debut psychological thriller, Don't Kill For Me. It’s a twisting tale of a woman with a past, a secret admirer’s odd love notes, confessions of murder, and a serial killer that wishes Eileen Rests in Peace.

Don’t miss reading the Rest in Peace Killer’s terrifying mission to please one woman by committing murder on her behalf.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pace Bend Press
• Release date: Oct 26, 2018

Martha Henley

I believe serial killers exist. Do you?Join Martha Henley’s newsletter to read stories by an author who enjoys writing about not-so-happily ever afters.www.marthahenley.comWhen not writing, I stand around having unfinished conversations with random strangers. (I work retail.) These exchanges are the best for protagonists and antagonists inspiration. Keep walking by everyone!

Book preview

LIVE YOUR LIFE, DIE YOUR DEATH

A series of suspicious tales and psychological shorts

THE UNKNOWN

BY

MARTHA HENLEY

Second Edition, Ebook Edition.

© 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE UNKNOWN

LIVE YOUR LIFE, DIE YOUR DEATH

A series of Suspicious Tales and Psychological Shorts

By Martha Henley

I don’t care what everyone else says. Halloween’s not for children. It’s for college freshman, I say, stepping into my room mate, Dani’s room to show off my costume. What do you think?

I walk to her mirror and adjust my breasts, tucking them into the tight corset of my steampunk style outfit. I can’t believe I spent my entire paycheck on this costume.

Nick Lawson invited you to a party. How did that even happen? Dani asks.

I don’t know. I was behind him in the cafe, he turned to me and said, Hey, you’re in the psych 101 class. Did you get the invite? All psych majors are invited over for a Halloween party."

Lucky you. Dani jumps on her bed and cracks open her laptop. I’m jealous. Have fun.

I’m not going alone. Get dressed. I tug on her hand to get her up. She protests, but not much. Twenty minutes later I’ve talked her into going with me. It’s a quick and easy costume. Dani has her face painted as a mime clown. She’s wearing striped shorts, a tank top, and suspenders.

It’s the perfect compliment to my steampunk ring master outfit. The hi-lo dress, corset, petticoat, and top hat might be over the top for a party that I’m not even for sure is a costume party, but it is what it is. Halloween’s the best time to reveal my secret. I want you there for support.

Smart thinking painting gears on your knees, Dani says.

She’s referring to that thing I’m worried about the most. Are you sure it’s enough? I ask as we lock the dorm room door behind us on our way out to wait on a lift driver. I can feel my heart thumping in my throat. The possibility of turning back and giving up on coming out as an amputee enters my mind. What if they ask too many questions? I don’t want to spend the evening rehashing gory details of the car accident. How else can I explain my prosthetic leg?

Just tell them a lion escaped while you were on the circus stage and he bit it off. Play it off part of your costume. The driver drives up and parks at the curb. This is him.

You’re right. I’m over thinking the night. I get up, hearing a thunk behind me. It’s my phone falling out of my pocket and landing on the sidewalk. Damn, I can’t lose another phone. I tuck it back in the lose pocket of the costumed skirt and hope it stays put for the rest of the evening.

Wow what a place. Nick’s got some cash, Dani says as we pull up to the plantation style manor.

I didn’t know there were homes this big in this neighborhood. I’m also in awe standing on the porch. There’s a mini chandelier above our heads and the front picture window is lit up with a dozen jack-o-lanterns. The candles in the decorations are the only light on in the front of the house.

We got the theme right, I say, pushing the bell. The pumpkins are carved as faces of clowns. One even has a red nose attached to the front. Those are pretty creepy.

No one’s answering. Ring the bell again. You sure you got the address correct? Dani asks.

This is the place. I hear music. I press my face against the etched glass front door. "The party must be in the back. Do you think we just go right