The Monsters Within Us

By Desmona Noir

THE MONSTERS WITHIN US is a collection of flash fiction with dark stories about characters dealing with inner demons. Can Robin's optimism in "Lonely Bird" keep her marriage going? Join eight-year-old Emily, as she tries to find out what is in the basement while being pursued by the orphanage caretaker in "Shadows and Memories". In "Highway of Loneliness", Jericho sets off from his family home and faces a dystopian world to seek companionship. In "Monster in the Night" and "Ailurophobia", we join the misadventures of little Marion and her mysterious feline companion, Seraph. In "Changes" and "A Hopeful Future", will Maurice ever get ahead when it seems as if the world is against him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Desmona Noir
• Release date: Aug 23, 2022

Desmona Noir

Desmona Noir is a novelist who specializes in fantasy, horror, dark fiction, and science fiction. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Full Sail University. She enjoys hiking and doing what she can to make the world a better place; whether it be by volunteering to plant trees, wildlife rehabilitation, fundraisers for various organizations, running in charity races, joining rallies, and more.

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The Monsters Within Us

Desmona Noir

Copyright © 2022 by Desmona Noir

All rights reserved

Published 2022 by Smashwords

First Smashwords Edition, 2022

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook 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 use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Table of Contents

Lonely Bird

Shadows and Memories

Highway of Loneliness

Monster in the Night

Ailurophobia

Changes

A Hopeful Future

About the Author

Lonely Bird

Robin sat still on a tattered couch as Frankie the bluebird sung in his cage. Surrounding her was the aftermath of the previous night: a broken dining chair in the corner of the living room (now only one remains), a cracked television, a new hole in the wall, and a set of curtains had fallen behind the couch. Flies buzzed around the dishes that were left in the sink overnight. Empty beer cans, trash, and cigarette butts littered the tiny home. Light beamed in from that only exposed window, making the trailer cheerier despite highlighting the mess.

The window gave view to an entirely different world from hers. Flowers bloomed, kids played outside, and there were so many birds. They dove in the air, bounced around in the puddles, worked on their nests, even played in the broke down truck that sat in their yard. They were always together and singing; never alone. A couple walked together hand in hand with a child between them. Robin’s