Matthias is a struggling writer finally able to move into his first solo apartment. He's thrilled to have a place free of roommates and siblings, even though the building is decrepit and is inhabited by an odd assortment of people including an intrusive neighbor, a little girl who wanders freely, and an overweight orange cat named Cheese. As Matthias settles in things begin getting stranger. Something vile is growing in the dark and it's coming from somewhere on the second floor... where Matthias happens to live. Author's note: this is me trying to get back to my roots: a character driven novella with horror elements. The story of people struggling against an inscrutable enemy, as well as the day to day trials of being poor in America. I have no idea how often I'll update or even exactly how this will all go down because y'girl is a panster. So strap in because this is the first draft and you all get to see it being born! Feel free to comment whatever comes to mind, and helpful critiques are always welcome.

Dear Reader, The following work was found sealed in the library of a castle, belonging to an ancient noble family, in the Champagne region to the east of Paris. The dates of the events contained within are attributed to sometime in the 18th century. It appears that any other record of the Marquis featured within, and the estate that he kept, have since been expunged from historical record. It is as if there was an omertà (conspiracy of silence) which sought to erase him entirely from collective memory - one that might have succeeded if not for the astonishing recovery of these letters. It has been my duty to act as caretaker to this work since I agreed to its restoration. I have found, regrettably, that my colleagues have failed to grasp the momentous importance of these letters and their wider significance. There is, I admit, some question of authenticity that requires consideration. For my part, I have forcible reasons to believe that these letters are genuine. I have submitted the work to a broader audience, however, for precisely this object; I have hope that, by breaking outside the narrow remit of literary academia, I may yet find a willing readership committed to studying these letters as seriously as I have. As the Judge might once have heard it, so the Reader shall hear it now. Unfortunately, I must also include a notice of warning: the letters of Charlotte B--- speak of diabolical horrors and the direst human cruelty. I believe that, were these letters recognised, they would take the place as the first of the modern écritures maudits (damned writings), above de Sade or Corbière. Hence, I recognise that such subject matter is certainly not for everyone. Should you decide to turn to more pleasant reading, I certainly could not blame you. The world can be a sombre and unforgiving place without having to reflect on its grimmest parts. The choice to continue, Reader, is entirely your own. Yours faithfully, Dr. Samuel J. Collins

* The Fiction Awards 2020 Winner * In Goodharts, the small town beyond the hills, nobody knows how Ferry Donovan looks. His mother has been keeping him out of sight for over nine years. When the boy finally begins school, the people are not only intrigued by his appearance but also by the strange things taking place around him. Yet, weird things are happening in Ferry's town, too. Every seven years, a person mysteriously disappears into the forest nearby. When one of his classmates vanishes into thin air, Ferry is determined to find him. With the help of his friends, who are just as different, he embarks on a journey into the Land of the Unseen. But is he really prepared for what lies beyond? Highest Rankings: # 1 in Fantasy, # 1 in Adventure, # 1 in Mystery, # 1 in Action, # 1 in Magic, # 1 in Middlegrade IMPORTANT: This book has been stolen from Wattpad multiple times and uploaded on Amazon and other websites for sale WITHOUT my permission. If you see this book or the content of this book on any other website other than Wattpad, please let me know ASAP. Thank you!