The Gag Reflex: A Short Story

By Gary Kittle

A childless couple invoke an ancient fertility rite guaranteed to give them the baby they crave. But what will they have to pay in return? And will the would-be father prove to be as desperate to start a family as the child’s mother when that price is revealed?
This short story, runner up in the STORGY Halloween Short Story competition, is taken from DARK HEARTS, a collection of fourteen heart-stopping, thought-provoking short stories destined to linger in the mind’s sleepless corners. Other stories include:
Four friends meet every Halloween in their local pub. But who is it that knocks on the front door on the stroke of midnight? And why are they all so afraid when that door opens?
A young girl finds herself in the care of her grandparents on a ramshackle farm. But what do they know about her mother’s disappearance? And what other dark secrets have they hoarded that she might be better off not discovering?
An editor reads a short story about a girl imprisoned in a cellar whose only contact with the outside world is through competitions. But is it just the writer’s talent that convinces her the story might be true? And if she does nothing about it, what happens when the author’s words run dry?
A time-traveller has the opportunity to change history forever. But are the consequences of his actions as straightforward as he supposes? And if he fails, or even partially succeeds, will that make the future better or worse?
DARK HEARTS. COLD BLOOD.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary Kittle
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020

Gary Kittle

Gary Kittle is the author of thirteen eBooks. He was twice shortlisted for the Essex Book Festival Short Story Competition and his play 'Walking Through Wire' was staged (and filmed) in London in 2014. Many of his shorter screenplays have been filmed by Film Colchester and DT Film Productions. 'Data Protection', written by Gary for Dan Allen Films, was shortlisted for the Sci-fi London 48 Hour Film Competition. He has won the 1000 Word Challenge with 'The Uncertainty Principle', and twice been shortlisted, finishing runner-up with 'Kismet'. He was also runner-up in the Storgy Halloween Short Story Competition with 'The Gag Reflex'. He is also the author of a serial horror novel, 'A Town Called Benny', with episodes published fortnightly. Outside of self-publishing, Gary is also heavily involved with DT Film Productions. Their first full feature film, Dragged Up Dirty, on which Gary is an executive producer is due for release in 2023. The full-length documentary, Hearts Without Homes, on which Gary contributed as a writer, is also out this year. 'Crowded House' follows on from the success of 'The Hanging Rail'. Gary lives and writes in Wivenhoe, Essex, and strongly suspects that given his frantic writing schedule, he has developed the ability to travel through time. Visit him now at https://gkittle.wixsite.com/gary-kittle-author Where darkness rises.

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