A year ago, two high school journalists, Madi and Roxy, ventured into the woods to investigate the chilling legend of the Grippler Tickler, a creature that haunts their small town. The creature is known for its grotesque appetite for human toes and the devastation it leaves in its wake. But their curiosity turned to terror when the myth became horrifyingly real. Madi disappeared, leaving behind only screams, while Roxy narrowly escaped, scarred and blamed for her friend's death. Fleeing the authorities, Roxy has hidden deep in the forest ever since, haunted by the night she lost her best friend.
Now, a year later, a group of friends-Mackenzie, Ben, Florence, Abigail, Riley, Kim, Lilly, and Ethan-have returned to the same forest, unknowingly stepping into the same nightmare. They're camp counselors for the summer, but when strange events begin to unfold, it becomes clear that something inhuman still lurks in the woods.
Author's note:
This story started as an inside joke and quickly became a story, littered with lore and characters based on real life people. All the people in this story are underaged (despite being aged up in the book) so if anyone actually reads this don't make weird comments about anyone please!! This is all for giggles and wasn't intended to be serious but I can't help myself when it comes to thriller/horror writing haha.
Enjoy! - Mads
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.