The Dig

by Hunter Shea

While digging in the Mongoloian heat, Felicia Tang enters an archaeological mystery. What looks like a normal burial mound is actually the entrance to a centuries old chamber housing countless urns within rough hewn niches. Who built the vast chamber and why? What remains lie within the urns? Most of all, what is still very much alive in the dark? .

Genres: Horror

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2011

About the author

Hunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.

A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felica is doing research in an ancient burial mound in Mongolia. Lei Kung, a thunder god, is guarding its entry. Why did the artists put it there? What is the secret behind the site? See the female character tripping into an uncanny dark in a terrible stormy night. I really like sinister dig site horror with urns some terrifying god. This was extremely creepy and to the point. Highly recommended!

[Elise Ravenclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging

I was swept into this archaeological site and experienced the story in full. I recommend it to anyone who likes short stories, horror, thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, or just good archaeology stories.

[Artist_carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I sorta enjoyed this not my usual read but still good, reminds me of The Mummy kinda lol. I always said that archeologists are asking for trouble if the dig to deep!

[Terry and dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story and I would loved to have read more. Hunter Shea does spirits well.

[Roxie Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good short story about the spirits that haunt an archaeological dig site. I liked this and found myself chilled by the idea of a whole city forced to live (and die) underground. I would actually have liked for this to have been expanded beyond a short story, perhaps to a novella, and maybe that's why it was only 3 stars for me; I really did enjoy this. I just wanted more!

[Wayne Salat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Short Story. Kept me wanted to read more and had a totally unpredictable ending. I loved it!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great piece of archealogical horror. Hunter does a great job of putting the reader in the story with a descriptive setting.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superior ghost story set on an archaeological dig. Good back story, characters, etc. Vintage stuff!!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have yet to find a Hunter Shea story or book that I haven't enjoyed. Keep up the good work sir.