The Interrogation

By Dino Dhamphyr

In "The Interrogation," embark on a spine-tingling journey where reality unravels, and the line between nightmare and truth blurs. James finds himself handcuffed to a table, haunted by indescribable horrors. As he relives a never-ending cycle of terror, he must convince Detectives Grimes and Morales that the darkness lurking in the shadows is all too real. With each page, you'll be drawn deeper into a world where malevolent forces toy with the boundaries of sanity. Discover the gripping mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking finale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dino Dhamphyr
• Release date: Jan 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9781738024766

Dino Dhamphyr

Born on August 6, 1988, in Houston, Texas, Dino Dhamphyr is an emerging African American author and poet. Debuting in 2023, he draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and Langston Hughes to craft works that span horror and comedy, among other genres. With a unique voice and innovative approach, Dhamphyr is a fresh, exciting talent in the literary scene.

Book preview

The Interrogation

Dino Dhamphyr

Copyright © 2023 Dino Dhamphyr

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 978-1-7380247-6-6

Cover design by: Dino Dhamphyr

Dedication

To Mom, Your love and support illuminate even the darkest paths. As always, this is for you. With all my gratitude and love.

Introduction

I'm not big on painting a picture of myself; never seemed all that necessary to delve into the details, but for the sake of this journey, you should know: I'm a tall African American man, built like someone who’s been around, lived a little too much. Strong features, chiseled by time and trouble, the kind of face that says, I've seen things you wouldn't believe.

It all started in a twisted alley, right where the lights from a distant bar barely pierced the darkness. That night was a heavy one, almost suffocating with secrets buried in the shadows. The air felt charged, like something was about to happen. That’s when it appeared - a figure from the depths, emerged from the nothingness.

A darkness that wasn’t just absence of light. It was a void with a presence. An enigmatic entity, as if someone took a piece of the night itself and gave it shape, but not one you'd recognize. It wasn’t just a chance meeting. No, it was the beginning of something disturbing, something that would lead to things I'd rather forget.

The encounter in that alley set me on a path I never wanted to take. It was a deal, a pact with the shadows, struck in whispers and dark promises. It spiraled into deeds that only exist in the vilest nightmares. I was trapped in a cycle, each turn more grotesque than the last, all starting from that first whispered agreement.

This story isn’t just mine; it’s a journey that drags you, the reader, into a world where reality blurs and sanity teeters on the edge. It's the kind of descent where shadows come alive, screaming the echoes of a malevolent force that’s unleashed. It’s a dark narrative where human frailty and otherworldly horrors collide in a macabre dance, blurring the lines between what's real and what lies in the shadows of the mind.

So, welcome to the haunted echoes of my tale. It's a terrifying plunge into a dark pact, where shadows whisper secrets that the light dare not reveal. This is the start of the story of James Aldridge, one that will take you beyond the edge of your fears and into the detestable unknown.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

There's an old saying about the mind being a prison. As I sat in that stark, overly clinical interrogation room, the adage felt all too real. The weak glow from the overhead lights barely held back the encroaching darkness, letting the corners of the room stew in menacing shadows. They seemed to dance and writhe on the edges of my vision, as tangible as the unease that permeated the air. Every second stretched on, pressing down on me.

The remnants of a fight were evident on my face—a pulsating black eye, a split lip that stung when I absentmindedly tried to moisten it. Memories of the arrest, of being accused, overwhelmed, and manhandled, kept resurfacing. They said it's innocent until proven guilty, but in that room, the shadows seemed like jurors who'd already made up their minds.

The door's groan signaled the entrance of two people—a man and a woman. He stood tall and imposing, with hair losing its battle against gray and a face chiseled by time and perhaps, tough decisions. His icy blue eyes scrutinized me, seemingly detached from the situation.

The woman, however, was a stark contrast. While her soft, gentle features were framed by rich chestnut locks, her eyes held stories of melancholy and world-weariness. The dark blue blazer she wore was almost soothing, like the protective blanket of the night sky. The glint of her badge momentarily drew my attention.

With a hint of regret in her eyes, she slid a cigarette across the table, breaking the silence. Been a rough one, hasn't it? she asked.

Lost in my thoughts and guarded, I said nothing. Her gentle demeanor did little to lessen the tension I felt.

Spotting my unease, she continued, Detective Morales, she gestured to herself, then nodding to her partner, and the big grump over there is Detective Grimes. This might look like some 'good cop, bad cop' spiel, but trust me, we just want clarity. To understand your side. Everything counts, you know. She indicated my injuries, empathy shining in her gaze. Sorry for all of... this. Let's just talk.

I touched the sore spots on my face, memories of the night flashing vividly. Her eyes held a silent promise, but I remained mute.

She leaned back, exuding a calm, reassuring aura. I know trust is hard to come by, especially now. But the more you share, the better we can assist you.

Her words echoed, filling the room with a semblance of hope. Still, my silence was its own testament, heavier than any words I might have spoken.

My heart pounded, a wild drum against the walls of my chest. I longed to shout the truth, to have it reverberate through every cold, dim corner of this suffocating space. Yet fear clamped down on my voice, threatening to drown it in silence. The truth I carried was so wildly outlandish that