The Stars Below

By Jacob Peyton

When their last summer vacation together turns into a night of terror one group of friends will discover that the ocean hides ancient horrors...

Scott thought he'd lucked out when his father agreed to pay for him and his friend's trip to the Bahamas until he realized that it came with a heavy price. At the end of it, he'll have to work for his father's firm. Whether he wants to or not.

So this is his last chance to party it up and confess his feelings to the woman of his dreams.

But, when a simple boat ride turns into the worst night of their lives they all soon find themselves stranded on an island that doesn't officially exist. One that harbors ancient secrets brought up from the bottom of the ocean.

Secrets that should have never been uncovered.

 

An island who's population worships something that should never exist.

 

Something hungry.

 

Something that wants to drag them all down to the ocean floor...forever.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Screaming Tiger Press
• Release date: Nov 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393798316

Jacob Peyton

Jacob Peyton, is a horror and science fiction writer from rural Virginia. When not writing he enjoys cheesy B movies and spaghetti westerns, traveling, and playing video games. For more information on upcoming books or to contact Jacob go to his website: www.jacobpeyton.com

Book preview

1 

Scott was already starting to feel sick when their plane landed in the Bahamas. He hoped it was just from the flight, the last thing that he needed was to be sick on his last Spring Break trip of college. The rattling of the plane as they began to descend was almost enough to make him puke up the in flight peanuts. Making him thankful that he hadn't tried to gulp down a meal like some of the other passengers. If he had he would have been wearing it by now. He sipped down the last of his ginger ale as he prepared to debark. He could see his friends getting off the plane in front of him.  For all the planning they’d put into this trip somehow none of them had been able to get seats next to each other. Maybe, that’s why his stomach was doing flips. He told himself, flying had never been something he'd been particularly good at, it was right up there with long car rides, and roller coasters as far as his stomach was concerned. But, it was the only way for them to get down here and have the vacation of a life time. A vacation that he couldn't afford not to take, after all it was going to be his last one for awhile.

His seat mate hadn’t been awful, but Scott didn’t like flying as it was,  though hearing about the lady next to him’s daughter in Wisconsin the whole trip certainly hadn’t changed his mind on that. But, he still wished her well as they got off. Maybe, she’d have a better trip then he would. For some reason though even as he stepped off the plane, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Even though outside the day was bright and sunny he felt that a dark black cloud was looming in the distance. The Caribbeans were known for their weird weather, he told himself, hoping thats what he was picking up on.

He shook his head as he stepped off the plane and started to sweat as soon as the humidity hit him. It must be the thought of having to join his dad’s firm after school, he decided, yes that’s got to be what’s got him feeling like this. The agreement that had seemed like a great idea when he’d agreed to it to have his tuition paid, but now seemed like a death sentence. The thought of wearing a suit and tie and working his way up at Hartman & Hartfield was the closest thing to hell he could think of. But, until then it would be him, Andrew, Ashley,  Britney and their buddy Billy. Together, they would spend the next week partying on an all expense paid adventure. Boating and drinking all around the Bahamas. It would be like freshman year all over again, except hopefully he’d remember most of it and it wouldn’t be in Myrtle Beach. The best part was it would all be on his dad’s credit card, which as his father had loved reminding him when pitching a career as lawyer, didn’t have a limit.

Scott's dad had spared no expense, for what he’d called a job well done. There was already a weeks worth of suits in his size waiting for him for when he gets home. Each of them dull and gray with high square shoulders. He wished he could be like his buddy Andrew who didn’t have any plans. The only thing Andrew had going on was spending a couple of months backpacking around Europe, after that he said he might look for a real job. If Scott had told his dad that he wanted to that, he’d have probably stroked out. In fact Andrew wasn’t even coming back with them, when they flew to the states he was flying out to Amsterdam. Lucky bastard. Scott thought with a sigh, as he stepped into the slightly air conditioned air port.

The others were waiting for him as he came through customs. Billy, with his curly red hair was laughing about something with the others, along with his luggage he had a bag from the duty free. One that clinked together every step he took with the unmistakable sound of several very large bottles. The humidity was brutal and everyones clothes were starting to get clingy. For the first time in his life Scott was envious of the girls ability to wear short shorts. They seemed a lot less bothered by the heat than the guys did, even in their Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts, Scott felt like he might as well be wearing a sweater.

The sooner we get a drink the better. Andrew told them as they all climbed aboard a taxi.

Billy nodded. Damn right. I think I’m even going to get in the pool.

Already? Britney flipping back an absent strand of blond hair.

You might not have realized it, but we are sweating like stuck pigs. Scott told her, wiping sweat off his brow for effect.

I’d rather sweat in the Bahamas than spend another week in Minnesota. Ashley chided, readjusting the straps of her top.

You’ll miss it when you’re gone. Billy reminded her. Suddenly sounding serious, a rarity when it came to Billy.

Doubt it. Ashley replied, she was about to say something else when their taxi began to whip around in and out through the traffic. The rules of the road were a lot different than back home, here it seemed the bigger vehicle always had the right of way.

They were all grateful when he pulled to a stop out side of their hotel. After checking in the guys were even more grateful of the small bar right next to the building. A smallish tacky looking tiki joint that overlooked the white sandy beach. The clear, blue water left them all speechless. He’d heard of white sandy beaches before but this was his first time really seeing one, and from everyone else's reaction Scott was willing to bet it was their first time too.

It was a big difference from the cold lakes they had back home.

Scott sighed as him and Andrew entered their room. They were greeted with two double beds and a window facing the parking lot, with a TV that looked it had been new in the 80’s. But, it was plenty for the two of them, as long as they had beds and a bathroom they were fine. Besides this trip wasn’t for chilling in the room and watching TV anyway, they could do that anytime. The next week was supposed to be about making memories they could never have again.

The others rooms were nearby, Ashley and Britney were right across the hall and Billy was down at the end. Andrew had offered to let Billy stay with them, but he had insisted on getting his own room. Some nonsense about all the tail he was going to pull while he was down here. Scott and Andrew already had bets on the number of nights he went home alone. Scott had ten bucks that said, it would be every night. Andrew had ten that said someone at the bar would throw him a pity fuck. Though those still seemed like long odds to Scott.

Ashley was waiting for them when they came out of their room. Seeing her made Scott’s stomach do flutters. She’d changed from what she was wearing on the plane. Standing in the hall in a red bikini and daisy dukes she looked like a pinup model.

Scott you good? She asked him smiling.

Andrew elbowed him.

Huh, what? He asked her looking around nervously.

She laughed. You just kind of froze up there for a minute.

I don’t know about frozen. Looks like he’s running a little too hot to me. Andrew said laughing.

Scott elbowed him back and prayed that he wasn’t blushing. Nope I’m fine you guys get settle in alright?

Yeah, the rooms better than I thought it would be. She said taking a peak back inside. Britney should be out in a minute.

Does she need any help? Andrew offered wiggling his eyebrows.

Ha, ha. Very funny. Ashley said with her arms crossed.

Yo, lets get fucked up! Billy shouted from the other end of the hall, waving two bottles in the air.

They all froze for a minute when they saw him. He had changed too. Now he was wearing a drinking hat. A tee-shirt that said Female body inspector and lime green swim trunks. And beads lots of beads.

Scott couldn’t quite find his words as Billy ran up to them, his flip flops clapping off the tiled floor like a child's. You guys ready to go down to the bar? He asked.

Ashley’s mouth was wide open