Watcher: The Watcher Series, #1

By Sian B. Claven

A collection of tales from the perspective you're not familiar with.
What is a Watcher?
If you're reading this, you may know one. You shouldn't be reading this. This contains the recounts of supernatural and horrific events that cannot be explained away by simple media sensationalism.
If this book has been found, return to the Watcher nearest you.
Chances are he's watching you now.
Chances are you are the next event.
Fans of a short stories will love this collection of six horror shorts with a twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sian B. Claven
• Release date: Sep 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393116868

Sian B. Claven

Known as the International Bestselling, Award-winning Author of horrific old-school terror titles such as Buried and the Asylum Series, Sian B. Claven brings back a nostalgic telling of creepy tales. Aiming high, this misleadingly bubbly author terrifies her fans with tales of ghosts, murderers, and demonic possessions as though handing out candy to children, all while expanding her releases from her first young adult horror in 2017 to her more recent explicit demonic occult horror in 2021. With an on the edge of your seat series, Claven enthralled her readers with her Butcher series, surprising them with a fourth and now final book in the series in 2021 as part of the Notorious Mind’s Boxset, along with Shh, which were both part of the Soul’s Day Boxset which made her an International Bestselling Author. Claven also dabbles in the Science-Fiction Space Adventure genre, having republished her Spacehiker Adventure Series – Unlikely Hero with an updated cover and storyline after receiving criticism about the book’s length. Claven looks forward to expanding this universe. Further challenging herself, Claven also tackled writing a paranormal romance series, the first of which released as part of the Possessed by Passion boxset in March 2021. The series will continue, and Claven looks forward to exploring this new world. Born in Southern Africa, Claven resides in Johannesburg, where she grew up with a vivid imagination and has been writing for as long as she can remember. When she was not immersing herself in books, she created her own worlds, both by herself and with her friends. After her sister immigrated in 2017, Claven wrote and published her first book and has been on an amazing journey ever since. Claven is an avid Harry Potter and Star Wars fan, Funko Pop Collector, 3d Puzzle builder, Diamon Art painter, and studying addict. She also has a penchant for Lego. She resides with her two best friends, their six dogs, and two cats.

Book preview

Prologue

This is a Watcher Diary.

If you have come across this diary by mistake, please do not read it. Please put it in the nearest furnace, and burn its contents with the flames of hell. That is, if you wish to retain your sanity, for there is nothing that can break a humans sanity faster than knowing the truth of what is out there.

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Still Reading?

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Then best I explain.

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What is a Watcher?

I guess that would be your first question and the answer is, I am a Watcher. My job is to record the events as they happen, especially when some Supernatural force is at work. I cannot under any circumstances intervene or attempt to assist those who are experiencing the occurrence. I believe that is self-explanatory. Otherwise I would not be a Watcher, I would be an Intervener.

Why are there Watchers

Because we must be. Someone must record the occurrences to ensure those that come after learn the lesson. There is always a lesson. You are aware how people joke about movies where characters say Don’t go in that room and then go into that room? That is because they did not know better. We help people know better.

But you said you could break a human’s sanity!

Yes! I refer to a human that has not or is not currently experiencing an occurrence. If you are not open to the possibilities, your mind will shatter with the truth.

What happens after Watching?

Nothing. Our tales are recorded in the most obscure libraries. We cannot risk breaking minds all the time - as we did in Alexandra. No, if you are experiencing an occurrence, our work is out there; you will simply have to work a little harder to access it.

What do we Watch?

The Damned. The Dead. The Demonic.

I hope that has answered your questions. Please, if you are not ready, do not proceed. I cannot be held responsible for how this book came into your possession, but if you found it by chance, then it is not meant for your eyes. I have warned you.

If you are having an occurrence, I wish you the best of luck. May these tales help solve your problems. If not, know there is a Watcher writing your story down to help others.

Hopefully that provides some comfort.

Family Motel

I came upon the motel while travelling to another location to Watch. At first I thought nothing of the dusty building to the side of the road. It was old and worn as many family motels were these days, especially on roads forgotten because travellers favoured the new fancier highway.

It always made me wonder exactly how outdated motels survived out here, with so few travellers offering money to sustain their small businesses.

This one was different.

I couldn’t quite place my finger on it, but there it was, that energy. Young folk of today call it the vibe. It was strange and ominous and I knew I would be spending a night when the family of four travelling in front of me turned their dusty car into the drive way of the motel and pulled into a parking space.

The darkness that came alive and pulsated around the building like a sign that screamed Let’s Get The Fuck Out Of Here was invisible to the human family looking for a place to rest their heads.

Chapter

One

W e’ve been driving for hours, David; just admit that we are lost, Claire snapped, crossing her arms over the seatbelt that secured her to the front passenger seat.

Owen, her youngest child and only son, sat behind her with his earphones in. The game he was playing was so loud she could hear the curses and axe swings over the soft static of the radio station trying desperately to grasp a frequency to play.

Yeah, Dad, if you had just stuck to the highway we could have been at the beach already, Penny, the eldest child, chimed in before flicking her hair over her shoulder and staring out the window. Now we’re lost in the middle of the country that no one claimed because it’s so shitty.

Language! David warned, sighing. Everyone was excited to take the scenic route when I turned off the Highway. If you didn’t want to, you should have spoken up then.

He was just as grumpy as everyone else. It was hot and dusty and he could feel the sweat dripping down the back of his shirt, soaking into his fabric car seats. Worse of all, he was starving and he was very much the kind of man that needed to eat six large meals a day to be considered human.

Claire tugged at her top, feeling sticky and gross. When you said scenic, I thought there would be scenery to look at. She shook her head, staring out her window.

The only one who seemed completely comfortable with their current predicament was Owen, but Claire knew that would only last as long as his battery didn’t die.

What’s that? Penny asked, leaning as far forward as her seatbelt would allow her to. Is that a motel?

Thank God! David said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm. We can stop here for the night, rest and eat, and then carry on in the morning.

Claire eyed the motel and then glanced at her daughter, who also raised her eyebrows. Honey, are you sure we can’t stop at the next one? This one looks …

We might not find a next one, Claire, David said. And you two have been chewing my ear off for the last five hours, so we are stopping here and you can just enjoy it. It’s for one night. It won’t bloody kill us.

He pulled into the driveway of the motel and parked in one of the allocated spaces.

Owen looked up as the car stopped, surprised to see the dusty motel building in front of their car. What are we doing here? he asked as he tugged his earphones out by wrapping his fist around the two cords and tugging.

Don’t do that, Owen, you’ll damage your ears more than what they already are. Claire moaned as she opened his door. We are spending the night here.

Owen looked up at the building curiously and shrugged. Okay.

Claire smiled and stroked his hair straight or tried to. He had this messy bed hair that just stuck up everywhere.

David walked to the reception where a large burly man in a tow truck uniform stood by the desk arranging his room. He was being helped by an equally as large man, with dark red hair greying at the roots.

Sitting behind the man, at a desk, was a dumpling of an old woman. Her entire head was silky grey and she wore thick cola bottle glasses that magnified her eyes.

David cleared his throat to get her attention and she looked up, blinking at him. It unnerved him.

We’d like a room, please? David asked, a nervous shiver rippling through him. For two adults and two children, he added for clarification.

I’m Ma Sue, the old lady said as she stood up. I can help you with a room.

She moved slowly towards the front table where David waited. She raised a shaky, wrinkly hand up and carefully retrieved a key attached to a large wooden number three.

David ran a hand through his hair. How much?

Oh, it’s twenty five dollars per room per night, Ma Sue said, holding the key out to David. Her hand shook and it caused the key to bob up and down. You can pay when you leave, you look like good folks, you do. She smiled at the family waiting by the car outside.

David took the key and nodded. Thank you very much.

He walked towards the door and reached it the same time as the trucker finished with the big burly man. David held the door open for him so he could pass through and, once he was outside with David, he said, Thanks, that was really kind of you.

David shook his head. Not at all, think nothing of it.

No, I should think something of it; it isn’t every day you run into good mannered folks. The trucker held out his beefy hand. I’m Freddie, I drive the local tow truck.

Taking his hand and shaking it firmly, David responded, I’m David and this is my wife Claire and my children, Penny and Owen.

Claire gave him a polite smile. The children just stared at the larger than life man.

Let me give you all a fair warning then, he said, still maintaining a friendly smile. This motel is run by Pa Jack and Ma Sue and it’s a real special place. You can speak to Pa Jack and Ma Sue about anything in the reception, but don’t be asking them for anything that involves them leaving that area. Also don’t ask Carpenter or Jillian for anything.

Who are Carpenter and Jillian? Penny asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Carpenter’s the motel cook and Jillian’s the maid. As long as you don’t ask them for anything, you’ll have a real peaceful stay here. He lifted a hand and tipped his hat in their direction. You all have a good day now, you hear? With that, he walked away.

Penny and Owen looked at each other while Claire rolled her eyes. What a weirdo! Wow, David, you really know how to pick up friends.

David didn’t respond. He simply went to retrieve his bag out of the boot, saying, Grab what you’ll need tonight. We’ll stay one night and be off early in the morning.

This is it? Claire asked as they entered their room. The disappointment dripped off her voice like venom.

Well, what were you expecting, love? David asked as he tossed his bag onto the double bed near the window. The minute the small bag hit the duvet a cloud of dust rose into the air. We’re not staying at the Ritz, he pointed out, looking around the sparsely furnished room.

There was a double bed and two single beds. A kitchenette and a bathroom took up a small section near the front door. There was no TV in the room, and the light flickered badly.

Claire gave a deep sigh. I’m going to call room service and ask them to come clean up. They’re taking our money, the least they can do is ensure the room is clean. She walked towards the phone in the room.

Penny looked around and said, When we were walking to the room I saw a pool. Can Owen and I go swim?

David nodded and the two children quickly set about getting ready to change into their swimming costumes.

Didn’t Freddie say not to ask anyone for anything? Owen asked as he pulled his board shorts out of his rucksack.

He was just some freak, Owen. Jesus, you scare easily, his sister chirped, rolling her eyes at him before going towards the bathroom.

Claire glanced at Owen as she read what number to dial for room service. Oh, don’t worry about that guy, honey; he has clearly been on the road for too long. We’ll be fine. She picked up the phone and dialled. Hello, room service? she asked. Yes, please can you send a maid to room three? It is absolutely disgusting in here. She paused, looking around. Okay, no problem, I will wait for her.

A large growling sound came from David’s stomach and he smiled at Claire. I’m going to go get a bite to eat. Join me afterwards?

Claire nodded. As always, we’re on vacation, but I have to do all the work. Before her husband could protest, she waved him off. Just go, I know you’re starving.