Hi everyone, Mod R here, welcome to Freebie Friday, as promised by Ilona!
14 years ago, a magazine editor commissioned a classic slasher short story from House Andrews. Publication didn’t pan out, as these things sometimes don’t, and the story took its place in the Trunk, never to be seen again.
Until recently, when Ilona found it and played with it a bit so we can have a Trick AND Treat (why choose?) and set the spooky mood in the days leading to Horde Halloween. Which is like regular Halloween, but with more gory page devouring.
Of course, House Andrews are not known for writing horror or slashers, so that particular genre exploration didn’t stick, but they are known for playing with tropes and writing stories based on naughty bets. This time around, they put their signature twists on a very classic Americana story. We come out of it a little more badass, a little more determined, with a happy dog in tow- and, above all, alive. The world is set to right, and if the evil ever dares to show its face again, it will have to go through us!
Be warned, this is a horror story. Trigger warnings for violence, depictions of murder and some animal mistreatment.
I give you: Only Forever. Spooky reading!
Ok, not a fan of horror because I’m a wimp and I still loved. I would read a sequel. Congratulations IA, I will now read horror from TWO authors. You (and Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant). Well done, well done indeed. I think those who rejected it missed out.
Ok, is it me or does that asshole need some justice?
Loved it! I am a fan of horror fiction and loved, loved, loved it. But that’s the way I feel about everything I’ve read of yours. Thank you!!
Well it didn’t give me nightmares 😮💨, I put off reading until daylight, just in case it was truely horror-filled – I’m susceptible that way – the TV advert for The Exorcist, many, man moons ago, gave me mightmares for weeks!
Good the dog survived – killing dogs is so not on, even if I am a cat person; good read, good open ending for us to fill in… thank you!
That was a humdinger of a story @ it had my pulse racing @ great job!
Yikes! Great story for October, but thank you for letting us know beforehand that the dog would be okay.
Wow! What a story.
I could literally see all those images like a movie as I read.
HA are amazing writers.
That was awesome! Happy Halloween! 🎃
Yikes!! But a satisfying ending. (The dog liked the sandwiches!)
Took me until today (Monday) to work up the courage to read this.
Oh wow, just had a bored moment – nothing to read. And remembered that a few days ago there was this link to the short story. You are so amazing. Just awesome good story. Need to immediately re read one of your books. Thank you!!!!
Amazing! I read it late, and loved it. Thank you so much for sharing.