Sting of the Master: Ghoulgirls Files, #1

By David Johanek

A short story taken from the case files of the Ghoulgirls.

            When the preacher came to town, he brought hope to the suffering. Well, at least he put them out of their misery. But Deandra and Lizzie will soon discover the preacher is just a puppet, his strings pulled by the Hive Master—an insect-like demon infecting the dead with demonic hivelings to do his diabolical bidding.

            Can the Ghoulgirls save the unsuspecting, delusional true believers from the preacher and his possessed flock as well as the Hive Master and his horde of hivelings?

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Johanek
• Release date: Jul 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393036081

Book preview

Sting of The Master

By David Johanek

AN ALBINO GIRL PULLED a folding lawn chair from the back of a black Cadillac hearse and carried it to the sidewalk in front of a small white house. She opened the chair across from four men pounding on the front door of the house. Before sitting, she brushed the wrinkles from her lacy black dress and opened her parasol.

The lead man noticed the girl and approached her while the others continued pounding on the door. He glared through the strands of his greasy hair. What the hell do you want?

The girl’s snow-white hair caught the breeze when she lowered her sweatshirt’s hood and met his stare. I’ve just come for the show.

Preacher Malachai’s revival is on the far end of town, look for the big tent. This is a personal dispute. Unless you wanna stick your pasty nose where it doesn’t belong, I suggest you move along. You see, I don’t think the good preacher can cure what ails you anyway.

The albino opened a plastic bag of popcorn. Oh no. I’m in the right place, and I’m not looking to be cured. You see, I’ve brought the cure. And it’s gonna be one hell of a show watching my friend kick your demonic ass.

The hearse’s passenger side door opened, and another girl climbed out. She wore black leather boots and jacket, and a green and black plaid skirt. Her dark brown hair spilled around her shoulders with two braids framing her face. The demon backed away and swallowed hard as her dark eyes pierced his. Seeing her prey sulking away satisfied her, and the left side of her lips curled into a mischievous grin.

Aww, don’t back down now, demon boy, the albino said. Meet Deandra. And I’m Lizzie. In case you didn’t know, we’re also known as the Ghoulgirls. We specialize in demonology, paranormal investigation, and occult activity. I’d give you our card, but I don’t think you’ll live long enough to read it.

Deandra studied the four men while they encircled her, sunken eyes and cheeks, skin stretched as tight as a drum over their faces. Her superhuman hearing detected no heartbeats. The men were dead, but something within kept their bodies moving. She could have used her guns, but the demons made no move for weapons. Better to save ammunition for more dangerous threats, Deandra would finish them with her bare hands.

The demon behind her made the first move. But before