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Back Roads
Something has come out in the night, and it's waiting down the road.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
10 pages, Nook
First published January 21, 2011
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Scribner
476 books35 followersJoshua Scribner is the author of the novels Mantis Nights, The Coma Lights and Nescata. His fiction won both second and fifth place in the 2008 Whispering Spirits Flash Fiction contest. Up to date information on his work can be found at joshuascribner.com. Joshua currently lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 16, 2019
I really like this atmospheric little story about a student driving home some eerie back roads. When he sees crosses next to the road the horror is starting. What are those faces from the backseat talking about? And what about that horrible monster trying to take him? Uncanny read for situations almost everybody knows in winter time (snowing hard and being on deserted roads). Very unsettling story I really recommend. Had something of an urban legend to me.
November 4, 2023
One of Scribner’s earlier works, this master of writing about the dark things shows his potential here.
Driving down familiar country lanes Carter seems to have some internal self-destruct mechanism. This night is no different from previous times it seems, but the weather is closing in, reduced visibility and less grip on the snowy roads.
Then a roadside memorial grabs his attention and rather than slowing down he seems to floor his foot and quicken his pace.
Then he wonders what he is doing and question why he always rushes through life.
The the author takes us further into Carter’s mind, and within the car a debate seems to be raging. You just know it can’t end well for Carter!
Driving down familiar country lanes Carter seems to have some internal self-destruct mechanism. This night is no different from previous times it seems, but the weather is closing in, reduced visibility and less grip on the snowy roads.
Then a roadside memorial grabs his attention and rather than slowing down he seems to floor his foot and quicken his pace.
Then he wonders what he is doing and question why he always rushes through life.
The the author takes us further into Carter’s mind, and within the car a debate seems to be raging. You just know it can’t end well for Carter!
October 17, 2023
“He tried to convince himself to slow down. But the urgency wouldn’t let him. It never did.”
Carter is driving back home from college, on the same route that he has traveled for years. It’s a dark, snowy, and desolate night.
Carter is always in a hurry. And he’s profoundly unhappy.
After passing a mysterious cross on the roadside, Carter begins to feel like he’s. Not. Alone in the car.
Going by a second cross off the side of the road, Carter inadvertently picks up a second…traveler.
Bizarre—but cool—story. Scary. Original.
“Storms like this are the best. So few people on the road. So easy to let the weather take the blame.”
Carter is driving back home from college, on the same route that he has traveled for years. It’s a dark, snowy, and desolate night.
Carter is always in a hurry. And he’s profoundly unhappy.
After passing a mysterious cross on the roadside, Carter begins to feel like he’s. Not. Alone in the car.
Going by a second cross off the side of the road, Carter inadvertently picks up a second…traveler.
Bizarre—but cool—story. Scary. Original.
“Storms like this are the best. So few people on the road. So easy to let the weather take the blame.”
February 3, 2023
Mundane Horror Short
Not a bad little story. Its quickly told, surprising and builds a quick tension. However, it is very short and not anything special - just average. It would be a great part to an anthology and it is good to get for free, but don’t buy this as a stand-alone.
Not a bad little story. Its quickly told, surprising and builds a quick tension. However, it is very short and not anything special - just average. It would be a great part to an anthology and it is good to get for free, but don’t buy this as a stand-alone.
December 17, 2011
Eh . . . it was okay. It seemed like it could have been great but it needed a little bit more detail. I think it was cut about ten pages short. I know it was supposed to be a short story, but this may have been too short.
March 18, 2012
It was an OK short story of the paranormal/supernatural sort, nothing exceptional. The little twist was a nice touch.
The eBook edition was formatted well with no errors.
The eBook edition was formatted well with no errors.
October 17, 2013
Could've been so much more..
January 30, 2014
nice little scary short story
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews