A White-Knuckled Collection

By Lottie Kracovia

A WHITE-KNUCKLED COLLECTION contains six stories of horror, fantasy, and mystery, as well as a sneak peak of the work-in-progress novel, TAINTED LINEAGE.

"Deep Yawn" follows Corv, a shipwrecked sailor in need of help. He finds himself alone on an island rampant with signs of decay and plagued with foul fog. Everything seems like it might be okay once he finds a time-lost colonial village, but what he discovers inside is does not bode well for him or his lost crew members.

"Tire Tracks in the Snow" follows Addie in her painful realizations about her close friend Marly and her recent life choices. Daily life had been tense between the two amidst the wintry world ever since Marly met her new boyfriend, escalating now into the culmination of consequences. The two both now must make a choice, one that they may or may not regret.

"The Repo Man Commeth" looks in on the dark misfortune of the small family of Voss, Ethia, and Avi. Thinking he could hide from the deeds of his past, Voss had begun life anew in the western country of young America. He is sorely mistaken when the Repo Man comes to retrieve what he is owed, refusing to forgive his old friend's dues.

"Brother Death" dives directly into the bleak world of a man just trying to get some sleep in his shabby one-roomed home. Visited by something sinister, he doesn't want to answer the door. But if he didn't, it wouldn't be much of a story, now would it?

"Nimble" follows two mysterious figures in an art heist that would go down in history. They slink with ease in darkness but, what is their purpose? Are the two thieves even human? What will they do with the priceless art?

"Turnips" beings the journey of a young boy traveling to forge his own destiny. The proceedings of one's life starts with a choice, backed with dreams and inspiration. Even if silly little vegetables must be company along the way, the actions of strangers can prove kinder than expected.

"Excerpt from Chapter 7: The Mad Ward" is the sneak preview of the work-in-progress novel, TAINTED LINEAGE. Follow Koro as he wakes up inside a quarantined zone of an ancient city. Abandoned here, he must learn to survive not just disease and hunger, but twisted denizens that roam the infected area as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lottie Kracovia
• Release date: Apr 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463523995

Lottie Kracovia

Lottie Kracovia is an emerging novelist eager to join the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror scenes. She has earned an Associates of Applied Science in Business Management with a focus on technical writing from Chemeketa Community College and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Full Sail University. Lottie has 10+ years of active roleplay and improv experience in both live and text formats, keeping her in-the-know on character development and world building. On the side, she enjoys video editing, character concept art, and gaming research to broaden her creative experience.

Book preview

A White-Knuckled Collection

by Lottie Kracovia

Copyright © Lottie Kracovia 2020

Book Cover by Lottie Kracovia

First Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your sue only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Info

Table of Contents

Introduction

Deep Yawn

Tire Tracks in the Snow

The Repo Man Commeth

Brother Death

Nimble

Turnips

Excerpt from Chapter 7: The Mad Ward

About the Author

Connect with the Author

Introduction

Thank you for downloading this e-book. This is a collection of my first stories that were written as coursework for a creative writing degree. Some of these stories are based on specific guidelines and prompts. I hope you enjoy them all!

Deep Yawn

A sudden change in temperature woke me with a start, forcing the need to shield my eyes and roll over with haste to avoid the pounding rain. Chills overtook my body as icy water gushed in waves into the soggy earth around me, my hands sinking into doughy muck as I pushed upright. The tepid sensation brought me into a disturbed scowl. Squinting, I glared into the dim area around me, the heavy overcast and thickening fog reducing visibility and making my efforts futile.

Rain gushed in waves onto the pulpy mire, dragging with it the dying leaves of autumn. The air of the forest cooled in slow increments from this onslaught of water, a stark contrast to the warm ground, and drew thick mists to surround the trees.

With shaking hands, I stood to my feet, wobbling to the nearest tree for support as dizziness hounded me. Yet, the bark under my hand caused me to flinch and stare, the old growth having a strange sponginess to the touch rather than the rigidness I expected. Often, this meant that the tree was dead. Regardless, I stood by it and regained my senses, seeing that I was now nowhere near the beach I had first set foot on. Fear churned in my gut as I realized I was alone within a torrential, unfamiliar environment.

Reece? Sylvan?

My voice was hoarse and weak as I called out, scratchy as though I’d been screaming too long. I didn’t remember screaming. Again, I called out the names of crew mates, moving to the next tree and swiveling my head to listen after each shout as my heart thundered in anxiety.

Don? Jesse! It’s me, Corv!

I cried louder, my lungs rattling and pressuring a raspy cough that shook my shoulders. Still, only the sound of the dense rain around me responded, my voice seeming to be swallowed by the encroaching fog.

Waiting several moments longer, I began to move in the direction I faced, trudging