The Alpha Voids

By The Akkar

Welcome to the Void.

 

The Alpha Voids is a wild collection of three separate, interconnected stories.

 

Enter the Void first with Ghost of Nova. A family inherits a house haunted by something...something more sinister than they could possibly imagine.

 

In Three Unwise Monkeys, a paranoid woman evades an insane stalker connected to a dark event in her past.

 

Finish things off with Sick F*ck Rick. A detective investigates a dying serial killer. He's not just a suicidal maniac...he wants to take the world to hell with him.

 

Join the harmony of crickets...

 

...in the Void.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Akkar
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224907410

Book preview

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Copyright © 2024 The Akkar

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Cover Illustration by Jorge Iracheta

Formatting and Design by God Plutonium god94.com

Joe and Ann Serrano, an imposing couple in their late sixties, traveled down a one-lane country road in their new silver sports car. The drizzly night made their return home from a remote tribal casino somewhat slower than expected.

Tim McGraw’s Please Remember Me flowed from the car’s speakers as Ann sat in the passenger seat texting her sister. Her fingers paused over her phone’s keypad when she thought she heard Joe mutter.

Did you say something, darling? she asked.

I can’t hurt you anymore, he said.

You’ve never hurt me.

I know. Joe smiled. Song lyric.

An oncoming vehicle began to swerve.

Ann looked up. Joe, she gasped.

I see it.

Joe tried to dodge the hydroplaning car, but it was too late. The vehicles collided at an angle with a jarring bang, screeching metal, and shattering glass.

Moments later, Joe opened his eyes and peered from the wreckage as Ann moaned in her seat. He grimaced in pain. In the darkness, a pale light formed. The light became a glowing image, taking human shape, and the figure moved forward.

Joe’s grimace subsided as he stared at the thing.

The figure raised its arm, and its hand moved toward Joe. It looked like a neon mist.

Let us go, my friend. We’ve lived a beautiful life, Joe uttered weakly.

The figure faded away as the Serranos died.

Eight years after the night of the accident…

Alan and Laura Serrano sat on one side of their dining room table while their friends, Ivan and Elaine Myers, occupied the other. Alan appeared rugged, Laura prestigious, and Ivan and Elaine proletarian.

Alan and the Myers ate takeout pizza and chicken wings and drank diet soda and beer. Laura ate vegan bolognese and drank blackberry-flavored water. They joked and laughed as Morgan Wallen played in the background. Throughout the meal, Alan and Elaine discreetly exchanged glances.

So, the reason we’re here— Alan began.

You mean it’s not for the camaraderie? Laura joked, interrupting him.

Two birds, one feather, Ivan added.

Stone, you goof, Laura mumbled.

As you know, my brother Eliot recently passed away. Alan continued.

Rest in peace, Ivan said.

Ornery mother fucker.

Your brother was a true patriot, Laura said.

If you say so. Anyhow, I’m now the proud owner of my father’s old estate. Of course, I have a potential buyer, but—

You want to dig it up for his alleged buried treasure?

Damn, who spilled the beans? Alan pointed an accusatory finger. You, Ivan?

The men and Elaine laughed. You’ve been planning this for years, Laura grumbled.

Trying to get paid.

Us, too, Ivan said.

Laura glared at Ivan, and Alan noticed.

Nate, Ivan, and me— Alan said.

I, Laura muttered, intolerant of grammatical slip-ups.

Alan appeared unfazed by her correction. We’ll search the yard this weekend. Elaine will stay home with the new baby. You can come if you want.

Laura shot him a glare. That’s in two days.

The clock is ticking.

And this is based on what? Rumors from your family? How much are they getting?

Fuck them, Alan replied, and he and Ivan chuckled. Look, if there’s nothing there, then…hell, at least we get exercise. Ivan can probably use some, anyway.

No shit, Ivan said, snickering.

Isn’t it haunted? Elaine asked.

According to the crackheads in his family, Laura replied.

Alan