AUSTRALIAN HORROR AUTHOR

Author: Marty Towns

Day 362 – It Waits In The Basement – YouChallenge Short Story

“I’m telling you Kyle, no bullshit, I saw them going at it with my own eyes, Kendra and Mr Wells, not more than five minutes ago!” He yells at his younger brother, who rolls over and pretends to be asleep.

“Kyle, for god sake, you’ve got to come and have a look, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t, always wondering what they looked like out in the open,” he says, Kyle turns over and stares at Lincoln, who’s smile stretches from one ear to the other.

“What make you think I wanna see them?”

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May 10, 2017
See Me Be – Wrapped In Words

Scatching to get free,

the darkness radiates from me,

body broken,

torn apart,

and then I see,

who I’ll never be,

that I’ll never be free,

of who is truly me.

May 10, 2017
Daily Grind – The Truth According To Clouds

I had a moment, not too long ago, it could’ve been hours, or minutes, days even for all I know, but it was a realization, as the truth dawned on me, and then, moments later, disappeared into the void as though it was a clouds passing by, and the image I saw in it, the shape, gone as quickly as it formed.

But I tasted the blood, I felt the pain, I, I think it was them, my family, their blood spilling, a blade in my hand, then, at my own face,, ripping, tearing, could it be true?

The doctors say its normal, the trauma I experienced was deep, not just of the flesh, but my mind, it fractured into pieces, and I started developing, I keep losing my train of thought, things happen, mysterious things, confusing me, trying to send me off the deep end, trying to bust open the gate that is locked inside, that it hides behind, something dark, memories, or maybe worse.

Then there’s Gareth and his drawings, he doesn’t realize he’s just as infected as I am, if he were to look in the mirror he would soon see his own reshaping’s, his decay, and rebirth as a darkling.

Doctors? Words, words that have no place here, words I did not write, there are no doctor’s, there is no normality, there is only now, there is only this, the shifting sands of what is, what was, what never could have been, and, what will be, although I can’t even trust this blog anymore, I write words and others appear, someone, is playing with my mind, it’s him, the deceiver, I know you’re listening, I know you’re awake, somewhere in there.

Time is ticking out, and its ticking out for you, Matthew.

May 10, 2017
Daily Grind – Yet Again, He Mocks Us!

Yet again he mocks from where he hides, come out, see me, I’ll show you my scars and, I’ll show you the beast, in all its glory, and then it will feast upon your sin!

What Gareth?

Are you afraid of this withered beast?

May 9, 2017
I Blame – Wrapped In Words

There is no need to bless me,

for I do not sin,

I’m just drowning in the mess,

that I was born in,

I wear no mask,

I hide no shame,

when in the end,

it is you I blame.

May 9, 2017
Day 361 – Bang Goes The Drum – 50 Word Story Expanded

If you want to know how this story started, you can read about it HERE.

“Ya come here lokin for magic girl, I ain’t got no magic here, I ain’t got much’o anything, what makes ya believe me have that kinda thing here?” The old woman’s says, looking through her one good eye, while the other sits unmoving, white.

“I’ve come a long way to see you, I know what you really Vamera, the time for lies is over, your past is coming to bite you on the proverbial behind, so, you can continue down this road, or you can realize an ally when you see one,” the girl says sternly, launching herself to her feet.

The old woman laughs, “Ya take me for a fool girl? I’m old, been living a long time, but me don’t have no reason ta lie, not ta ya anyway, I know of Vamera, I know what she did, but, I hate ta spoil ya grand performance, she long gone, years now, ya ask anyone girly, they all tell ya all the same, she dead,” the old woman says.

“You lie, I don’t care what you say, I know who you are, and if you keep playing this game, I’ll make you wish to be dead!”

“What ya gonna do girly? I’m old, death be a blessing ta someone like me, ya gonna’ave to do better than that if ya wanna be scaring me,” she says with a crooked, toothless smile.

“You don’t realize who I am do you?” The girl says promptly, folding her arms across her chest.

“Does it matter? Ya just be some girl who thinks she’s a woman, an better than little old me,” the old woman says, squinting her good eye.

“I’m madam Contessa, of the DeMicShires, generation upon generation has my family been holders of the key of Danquiench, and as of last week, I inherited that honor. As I told you, your past, is about to catch up with you, the spell you placed upon my family, and now upon me, will be no more,” she says raising an old, eighteenth century pistol, cocking the firing mechanism as she does, she smiles. “Recognize this witch?” She says as she pulls the trigger, blowing a hole in the old woman, sending her crashing across the room, and into a bloody heap into the floor.

“My family is now avenged,” she says, as the old woman suddenly leaps into the air, and crashes into her.

“Ya gonna die now child, ya gone and wrecked this here body, an now me be needing a new one!” She screams as she pulls a bone handled blade from her dress, driving it into Contessa’s stomach.

“W-W-What are you, you doing?” She stammers.

“What I did ta ya great-great grand nanny and hers before that girly, how’d ya think an old woman like me be surviving so long in dying skins? I knew who ya were as soon as ya walked through me door, fate me call it,” she says with a chuckle. “Been waiting for one of ya ta come, and now ain’t no letting go of ya girl, ya here ta stay now, been hunting ya for ta long, ta just let ya go,” the old woman says as she digs the knife into the girls forehead, and slowly begins slicing it across her face, the girl screams out in agony.

May 9, 2017
Day 361 – Bang Goes The Drum – 50 Word Story

“Ain’t no letting go of ya girl, ya here ta stay now, been hunting ya for ta long, ta just let ya go,” the old woman says as she digs the knife into the girls forehead, and slowly begins slicing it across her face, the girl screams out in agony.

This 50 word story was originally published in issue 287 of Fear In Fear Magazine under the name Bang Goes The Drum, and posted here on the 26th of September under the name Paid, the short was expanded upon the same day, to read the expanded version, you can go HERE.

You’re more than welcome, as always if inspiration hits, to expand the story yourself, all I ask is that you post a link in the comments below so I can showcase it on the blog.

May 9, 2017
Daily Grind – Sleep

I finally, after days, almost a week in fact, found the salvation of sleep. But, it did not come to me gently, honestly I regret it ever happening now.

When I closed my eyes, and drifted off into that unknown bliss, I was taken on a journey, one that had no purpose, only to pry more of my fractured mind away.

I was somewhere, in the mist of a story, strange children ran riot, they were like beasts, small, growing, alike each one. I slayed them, as many as I could, and other weird and unusual creatures, they attacked me, ripped, pulled, and then he came, their leader.

He was, almost like me, not that much different, maybe, like I used to be, when I was whole. He told me to leave his children, to go, before he struck me down, I held onto my weapon, a rake, but I used it to bash their heads in, so it was a weapon of sorts.

More of them appeared, soon he was surrounded by his clones, ranging in sizes and ages, but they all looked like him, their face, that of an adult, while their bodies were of child.

I made the decision to leave, to escape while I could, I realized for the first time since this started that it was not I who had been fighting them, but another, I was on the outside, just hovering by his side, watching.

When I woke my heart was beating, my skin wet, as the sweat dripped off it, only 5 minutes had passed, 5 minutes that seemed like an eternity, but rest was not given, it was an uneasy 5 minutes, being awake would’ve caused less stress.

I did not sleep again, pacing the house, checking each room, for unwanted visitors, but nothing else happened, it was as it always has been.

But, I feel a change coming, I feel something birthing.

But what?

What is coming?

May 9, 2017
My Darkness – Wrapped In Words

My darkness cries for forgiveness,

as it swallows all I am,

making me something new and wrong,

or was this me all along?

May 8, 2017
Day 360 – The Answer To Your Call – 50 Word Story Expanded

If you want to know how this story started, you can read about it HERE.

“I don’t know how I can thank you, everything you’ve done today will not be forgotten,” he says, looking up at him, tears running down his cheeks.

“I’m not being generous here sport, this is what you’d call, a building experience for everyone,” he says with an uncomfortable, wry smile.

“A building experience? Wh-What do you mean by that?”

“I mean a lot of thing Merv, a lot of things,” he says as he crouches down by his side. “You see, where I come from, it’s not that far, but, it takes a few days traveling to get there, we do things a bit differently than you do up here. Firstly, and probably the most important note to make,” he says grinning broadly, “is that we never do anything for nothing, so, I expect to get something out of all this.”

“Y-You want to be PAID?”

He laughs, “Mate, and don’t take me as being judgmental or anything here, but saving someone’s life requires a hell of a lot more than you could ever afford to pay.”

“W-What do you want?”

He places a large, rough hand on his knees and squeezes, nodding towards the two girls huddled in the corner, “We can start with them, and work out way up,” the girls instantly begin to scream loudly, he stares at the man mortified.

“N-N-No, you, you can’t, I-I-I, I…”

The man grabs him by the throat and lifts him high into the air, “This ain’t a fucking democracy friend, this is a fucking totalitarian dictatorships, and I’m the man in charge, so you can either abide by my rules or suffer punishment. Your call Kojak, bow down or go down, either way,” he says slamming the man to his knees, “someone’s sucking my cock.”

“Y-Y-You, you can’t be serious?”

“I am deadly fucking serious my little dakka, so what’s it going to be? You gonna man up for the women, take it for the team?” he says undoing his belt, and slowly unzipping his fly. “Or, are they going to pay the government tax?”

He quickly looks back over to the girls, they both look terrified, then nervously back at the man, swallows a mouthful of dry air, and closes his eyes tightly, “Okay, okay, I’ll do it, just promise me you won’t hurt them?” He says as he opens his mouth wide, waiting for the man to do his deed, but, instead he begins laughing.

“Man, you sure do look silly, sitting there thinking I’d really expect YOU to suck my cock, boy you are one looney bastard,” he says through fits of laugh.

He let’s out a sigh of relief, allowing himself to smile nervously, “Y-Y-You really had me going there, I actually thought you were serious,” he says wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Oh mate I am, but I ain’t no homosexual, so there ain’t no way you’re touching my cock, but them girls, well, they’re a different kettle of fish,” he says as he knocks him to the ground. The last sounds he hears before the darkness takes him are the girls cries of terror, and the man’s wicked laugh.

May 8, 2017
Day 360 – The Answer To Your Call – 50 Word Story

The next story that was converted into a 50 word story originally appeared in issue 421 of Fear In Fear Magazine under the name The Answer To Your Call, you can read the short that was posted below.

“I don’t know how I can thank you, everything you’ve done today will not be forgotten,” he says, looking up at him, tears running down his cheeks.

“I’m not being generous here sport, this is what you’d call, a building experience for everyone,” he says with a uncomfortable, wry smile.

You can go HERE to read the expanded version of this story.

You’re more than welcome, as always if inspiration hits, to expand the story yourself, all I ask is that you post a link in the comments below so I can showcase it on the blog.
Marty

May 8, 2017
Daily Grind – Firelight, Dull My Pain

I had another visitor last night, someone new, it was 3am when I heard the banging on the door, I could see the flashing lights through the gap beneath the door frame. I was instantly charged, my whole body a mess of misfiring electrical impulses. As I gripped the door handle, a shot of pain ripped from my hand, ran up my arm and stabbed me somewhere deep in the back of my skull, I nervously looked at my hand to see two fingernails had lifted up from the skin, now only connected by white, stringy pus, as a black ooze slowly seeped from where they once sat.

Whoever was on the other side of the door banged loudly once again, he called my name, my name, ‘Mister Towns’ he called, he wanted me to open the door, said his name was Detective Toddard, and he needed to talk to me about a phone called he’d received involving a case he’d worked a few years ago.

I heard his words, all of them, but I just stared at my fingers, as the black ooze continued to seep out of the tips.

He banged again, said if I didn’t open the door he’d break it down, I forced my hand to move, begged this to be a dream, even though I knew I was not asleep. Slowly I turned the handle, opening the door, it was dark, the porch was empty, there were no flashing lights, no frustrated Detective, nothing, empty. I closed the door and stared at my hand, the nails were reattached, as if they’d never been removed.

He said my name, I spun around to face him, his head spilt open, the blood around his face dry and dark. Hell is coming for me he said, I won’t escape, retribution will be paid, no forgiveness, no hope, no happy endings, then, he grabbed me, thrust me against the wall and told me to never trust the beast, then I was alone again, or so I thought.

She lay asleep in the bed, snoring, I could hear her from the doorway, I was confused at first, so many things had just taken place, things that made no sense, I need time to comprehend what was happening. So, slowly I peered into the room, it was adorned with posters and toys, it was a child’s room, but this couldn’t be, this room was empty, full of boxes and junk only hours ago.

I creep into the room, to the head of the bed, she rolled over, talking in her sleep, who was this child, and what was she doing in my house?

I slowly reached out towards her, gripping the blanket that covered her, and pulled it back, the room spun around like a merry-go-round as I collapsed to the floor, vomiting dry air and whatever had managed to stay in my stomach from earlier that night.

When I looked up again the room was as it had always been, filed with boxes and dust.

My god, what’s happening to me?

When will this nightmare end?

May 8, 2017
Victimized – Wrapped In Words

You spill your words,

like blood flows from a cut,

thick, warm and sticky,

hoping I’ll come unstuck,

you strike,

you victimize me,

you try to drown me in my spew,

but I’ll rise higher than you ever could,

I’ll rise high above you,

and when I there,

looking down on your withered form,

I’ll not relent,

I’ll not back down,

I’ll burn your bones to dust,

but don’t you fear,

and don’t you cry,

it is its master plan,

for can’t you see,

I tried to fight,

but there can only be one of us.

May 7, 2017
Day 359 – How Not To Answer A Question – 50 Word Story Expanded

If you want to know how this story started, you can read about it HERE.

“It starts like all things, with a spark, one that grows, and grows, until finally it consumes everything, becoming more than just a part of you, it is you, and, you can’t hold back, you don’t want to, you thrive, you survive, and that, my dear friend, is my answer.”

He stares blankly at him, his eyes glazed, empty, as fresh, warm drool runs from his mouth, he smiles and places a warm cloth on his chin, gently wiping the drool away.

“I enjoy these conversation Lenny, before the accident, you were the biggest dick I knew, really, the absolute dick king. But, you’ve really changed, you’ve become more than a friend, you’ve,” he stops, as his bottom lip trembles, and his eyes well up with tears. “You’ve become my best friend, it’s fate that brought us here, and to think, I thought that night, when I hit you with my car, it was going to be the worst thing ever. I mean, I thought I killed you, so it was a surprise when I realized you were breathing, lucky,” he says with a laugh as he wipes more drool from his face. “I was halfway though digging a hole to throw you in as well, that would’ve been a terrible injustice, just think of what all we would’ve missed out on?”

Lenny let’s out a gurgling noise, followed shortly by bubbles gently popping from his between his lips.

“Is it that time already? I’d swear I just fed you,” he says with a smile, as he gives Lenny a wink and gets to his feet. “What do you feel like tonight? Something spicy again? You seemed to really like the red chill beef I cooked last night, you can thank my ex for that one, even though it’s my dish, her parents immigrated from Thailand, so they used a whole tone of old school spices in their dishes, I picked up some of it, played a little with the recipes, made them my own. Of course, they taste better when they’re not puréed, but, beggars can’t be choosers,” he says with a broad smile, “I’ll be back soon, so, don’t go anywhere,” he says giggling as he closes the door behind him, leaving Lenny alone once more, the bubbles continue to ooze from his mouth, as his glazed over eyes stare forward, and somewhere, deep in the innermost bowels of his mind, he screams, constantly.

May 7, 2017
Daily Grind – It’s Getting Personal

He mocks me the bastard, trying to twist my pain, making light of my darkness, my falling. It arrived in my inbox this morning, the email address, fake, non-existent.

Gareth, why?

Why do you do this?

What did I ever do to you?

May 7, 2017
Day 359 – How Not To Answer A Question – 50 Word Story

The next story that was converted into a 50 word story originally appeared in issue 489 of Fear In Fear Magazine under the name How Not To Answer A Question, you can read the short that was posted below.

“It starts like all things, with a spark, one that grows, and grows, until finally it consumes everything, becoming more than just a part of you, it is you, and, you can’t hold back, you don’t want to, you thrive, you survive, and that, my dear friend, is my answer.”

You can go HERE to read the expanded version of this story.

You’re more than welcome, as always if inspiration hits, to expand the story yourself, all I ask is that you post a link in the comments below so I can showcase it on the blog.
Marty

May 7, 2017
Daily Grind – Subliminal Messages

In my delusional state early this morning I heard it, at first, I thought it was in my head, just another voice added to the whispers that already inhabit my sleep deprived brain. But then I saw her, silhouetted against the couch, she wasn’t really there, I knew that straight away, but, it still didn’t seem any less real.

She was crying, I stood in the doorway for ages, half aware, half wishing for sleep, I knew who she was, but, I didn’t know how she could be here.

Finally, I called her name, softly at first, then loudly, the crying stopped and she looked at me, white, piercing eyes, digging into my very being. Then she scream why, over and over again, I was pulled back into reality, well, whatever you call this anyway, as she leapt off the couch and came at me, I ran, screaming, the front door wouldn’t open, and she came at me, digging her cold, frozen fingers into my skin.

I screamed, as she continued to demand an answer, I don’t know how long we were locked there, but suddenly she was gone, and I was left whimpering on the floor. I convinced myself it was just my over active imagination, although the burn marks on my back, in the shape of hands say differently.

God, how long can I go without sleep, how long until I finally lose what’s left of my mind? Not to mention my body itself, everything hurts, teeth are falling out, my skin is drying out, breaking off, revealing something dark underneath, whatever’s going on inside, it’s effecting me in ways I never thought possible, I just need sleep, somehow, I just, needs sleep.

May 7, 2017
A Glimpse, Into Tomorrow

The room was dim, only lit by the light of the computer screen and the burning embers of his cigarette. His fingers move quickly over the keyboard, as the words drift from the depths of his imagination, or, from another’s.

“You know what happens next,” a voice says from the darkness.

“I know, you told me this part, I know it better than you,” he replies quickly, nervously taking a drag on the cigarette.

“It’s important, the words must be correct, no holes, no mistakes, it must be as I said,” the voice hisses.

“I know alright, a billion times, every time, I know what happens, okay!” He barks back, looking over his shoulder into the shadows that shroud the room.

“Remember your place child, for you live because I have need of it.”

“Without me you’re nothing, so don’t try threats. I’ve agreed with your game, I know what I have to do, you get everything you want and I get my life back, better than it was, no bullshit plot twist, no screwing me over. I get it all back, how it was before you ever entered my life!” He says.

“When I have him, when I have fathers sin, you will have what was promised, now type, write my words, and together, let us burn this world!”

May 6, 2017
Beyond – Wrapped In Words

Madness my friend,

my only,

my love,

broken,

bruised,

but,

not beaten,

we’re one,

working towards infinity,

meeting in the beyond,

the place outside,

where it’s locked away,

hidden,

but,

not gone.

May 6, 2017
Day 358 – Sleight Of Hand – 50 Word Story Expanded

If you want to know how this story started, you can read about it HERE.

“Are you sure you’re doing it right?” She says looking up towards him, his face screws up and he storms toward her.

“I know WHAT I’m doing, do you?”

“I’m only following your instructions,” she says as he grabs her by the throat and slams her against the wall.

“Don’t even, you wanted in, you wanted to make those bastards pay, well this is it honey, we make them all pay this way!” He says with a wicked smile, tightening his grip on her throat.

“Da-Dal-DALE YOUR CHOKING ME!” She finally manages to scream, he gives her one last twisted look and let’s her go, storming off theatrically, to the other side of the room.

“Now, pick up the cup, and when I say the words dip it into the blood and drink the bloody thing so we can get on with everything!” He growls, she nervously walks over to a table, picking up a golden goblet, and nods her head slowly, he smirks as he raises his hands into the air and recites ancient text that, when said are more sounds than words.

The room shakes as he screams out the last passage of the awakening spell, she stands nervously, as the blood before her begins to bubble. “Now, do it now!” He yells, she jumps in fright and quickly plunges the goblet into the blood, the thick, warm, stickiness of it makes her dry reach.

“Drink it, DRINK IT NOW!” He yells, she, looks up at him terrified and then, back at the goblet.

“I-I-I, I can’t,” she says desperately.

“What the FUCK do you mean you can’t? You have to, if you don’t drink the blood who knows what hell will be brought down against us,” he replies quickly, rushing to her side.

“We don’t know for sure what’s going to happen, you can’t be sure what this spells really going to do!”

“I’m not stupid, fucktard! I know how it works, just give it to me!” he says, grabbing the golden goblet from her and greedily swallowing its contents.

“Okay, but I needed to make sure you understood that asking the devil for a favour is not as simple as it sounded,” she says with a wicked smile, his face drains of blood as he feels something tug at his innards.

“W-W-What, have yo-yo-you done to m-m-me?” He stammers weakly.

“Me? I’ve done nothing, you’re the one who cast the spell, you should know what level of damnation you’re about to face, after all, you’re not stupid, are you?”

May 6, 2017