Synopsis

In her debut collection, Theresa Braun explores the inner workings of the human heart and what it is we most desire—forgiveness, acceptance, love, fame, or merely to escape who we really are. Whether we are battling ghosts, demons, mythical monsters, the past, or other dimensions, we are really facing the deepest parts of ourselves. These thirteen tales of horror and dark fantasy may appear to be a matter of good versus evil, but they are all a reflection of the hidden corners of the soul that are often shades of broken darkness. The characters in these stories must face their inner and outer terrors, or else suffer the consequences.

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The eBook is currently $0.99 on Amazon until 2/19/23

Excerpt

DEAD OVER HEELS

None of this is his fault, but here we sit at the police station. The cold, white walls are scuffed and dirty. Scrolling mug shots of wanted criminals flash by on a mounted monitor. My hand is clutching Sebastian’s, although I’m not sure he’s even aware of it after all we’ve been through.

His eyes are glazed over, his sandy-colored hair both matted and cowlick-y. He wears the circumstantial evidence: a scratched face and a split lower lip. Not to mention, his gray shirt is caked with blood and soaked in sweat.

It’s all rather fuzzy, but there’s dried blood under my fingernails. I’m pretty sure I’m to blame for everything.

My eyes are already swollen, but all I want to do is cry even more. I rest my head on Sebastian’s shoulder and pray he can forgive me. I’m here now. That should count for something.

I guess you could say he’s my boyfriend. Early on he told me he didn’t want to see anyone else. I didn’t either. Even though it’s been only about a month, I have to admit I’ve never felt this way. We’re in love. I’d like to think it’s even stronger now.

The problem is, I never knew finding the one would be such a double-edged sword.

* * *

“Make another candle,” my friend Liz, who worked at the Wiccan shop, advised.

“I’ve already made a shitload of them,” I complained.

“One more. Put your all into it.”

Maybe it was worth another shot. Magic isn’t really an exact science. So, that’s what I did. I had nothing to lose, except a few dollars.

I purchased yet another glass tower of wax, this time red, and sprinkled a smattering of herbs and oils onto that bad boy. This time I didn’t use Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, but went on good old-fashioned instinct. The scents of dragon’s blood and sweet amber mixed with what smelled like dried grass. My hands encircled the concoction, and I offered up a pure intention for true love to finally find me. I’d tried dozens of strategies over the years, everything short of frolicking naked in the forest, raising supplication to the ancient gods.

After I ignited the wick, the thing flared up like a Roman candle. I’m no witch, but considered I might have gotten this one right as the flames jumped to heaven with my desires. It flickered and flamed in my bathtub until it wore itself out.

Sometimes things are out of our control or beyond our understanding. I just needed it to work once. How could that have been too much to ask?

About the Author

Theresa Braun has a Master’s degree in English literature and lives in South Florida where she has taught literature and writing for over 20 years. Traveling, ghost hunting, and all things dark are her passions. In 2018 Unnerving released her horror novel Fountain Dead, a coming of age ghost story. Her short works have appeared in The Horror Zine, Sirens Call, Hardened Hearts, and Best Indie Speculative Fiction: November 2018, Double Barrel Horror (Volume 3) and Emporium of Superstition.

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