John's husband, Gary, wanted to get out of the city. He wanted to be a homeowner, to live the good life in the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle, and somehow, he talked John into it. For Gary, everything is perfect. For John, not so much. And things go from bad to worse when, one morning, John is awoken by sounds in the driveway. Why did the neighbours warn him about strange things happening in the mountains? Who left him a note telling him not to make noise at night? And who, or what, is moving around in the garden when the sun goes down? This short story was inspired by the horror stories the author has read about the Appalachian mountains, and by the existential dread of modern life. Hope you enjoy!

[ boy x boy ] Ethan Ryder wasn't planning on moving to a new town just before starting his final year at high school. He wasn't planning on leaving his friends behind, only to have to make new ones. He wasn't planning on leaving his dad behind, either. But after Ethan's mom caught her husband cheating, she ran off, taking nothing but her two children and a lorry full of furniture. And leaving nothing but the divorce papers. Ethan's family was struggling with money; leaving on such short notice it was hard for his mom to secure a job. And with Ethan starting brand new at a new school, he had his own problems. Babysitting his little sister, dealing with a new, demanding friend, the threats of beginning at a new school, and a cute guy in his photography class that won't leave him alone. - - - - - Cover credit: @LuCaBeLLe - - - - - - Nominated for the Watty's 2018 Longlist #1 - #breakstereotypes / 10.8.18 #13 - #stereotypes / 22.8.18 #3 - #fandom / 29.12.18 #16 - #romance / 5.12.18 #1 - #homosexual /15.12.18 #1 - #highschool / 21.3.19 #1 - #cliche / 23.2.19 #3 - #completed / 13.3.19 #6 - #gay / 28.3.19 #8 - #lgbt / 15.7.19