This story, titled "The Midnight Thirst," follows Raj, a young boy living in a hostel, as he experiences a series of eerie and supernatural events after a simple quest for water in the middle of the night. What begins as a seemingly ordinary experience turns sinister when Raj becomes haunted by strange whispers, freezing temperatures, and the chilling feeling of being watched. With each passing night, the paranormal occurrences intensify, as Raj confronts shadowy figures, whispering voices, and ominous knocks at his door. The once-familiar hostel becomes a place of lurking shadows and unseen forces, leading Raj to a haunting truth-that the hostel is not just haunted by ghosts but by the memories of those who have disappeared before him. And now, he may be next.The story blends suspense and psychological horror, building tension through Raj's growing paranoia, eerie encounters, and an ever-deepening sense of dread. As he tries to uncover the truth, Raj realizes the terror isn't just in his imagination-it's real, and it's coming for him.
Antique store owner Liz brings home a Victorian taxidermy hound from auction, unwittingly unleashing dark forces on her wife and son.
*****
Nat Loman has finally married the love of her life, Liz, and is getting used to her role as stepmother to Liz's 5-year-old son, Liam. The Loman family runs a bustling antique business so they attend a sale where a striking, black taxidermied hound is up for auction. Liz picks it up for the business, but it ends up being stored in their home, where Nat notices strange things occurring. She quickly discovers the past residents had died violently. Then she hears from a friend about the myth of "the devil's dog", a hound that perches in the shadows, tearing families apart from the inside. Soon, people around the Lomans are dying, and Liz is changing, darkening. It's up to Nat to save the woman she loves from the darkness closing in, and to save Liam from danger no matter what she has to sacrifice.
[[Winner of the 2018 Wattys "Hidden Gems" category]]
[[word count: 60,000-70,000 words]]