A novelette set in the world of Night's Edge, originally published by Reactor Magazine in March 2024.
Single mother Izzy has spent years living in the shadow of her own trauma and shame, until a chance encounter with an alluring stranger changes the trajectory of her entire life.
Liz Kerin is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, and spec-fic/horror author. She is the author of the critically acclaimed NIGHT’S EDGE duology, dark fantasy adventure THE PHANTOM FOREST, and the forthcoming HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen. Her short fiction and personal essays have appeared on Reactor (FKA Tor.com), in the Brink Literary Journal, and in the PUNK GOES HORROR anthology from TruBorn Press. As a screenwriter, she has a number of film/tv projects in development, including adaptations of her novels. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and lives in LA with her family.
Meh. Some of the imagery doesn't really land for me. Would not be interested had I not already read Book #1. A pretty textbook example of the start of an abusive relationship - she has low self-esteem and feels responsible for his emotions and behavior; he's especially attentive and kind. He's constantly asking "Is this OK?" so she's consenting as they go - which makes her feel even more responsible (and makes him seem extra-thotful, even tho her well-being is NOT the purpose of those Qs). Then later not surprised when she says she doesn't like something anymore (forget what, exactly) and he says, "But you said yes?!" IT'S OK TO WITHDRAW CONSENT, ASSHAT. He's a rat. His behavior escalates when she tries to end things. It's awful and frightening and true :( FWIW this story was available at no charge on a website called reactormag.com
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING MY PHONE AGAINST THE WALL. Liz Kerin has no misses, this story was just as amazing as Night’s Edge. And it’s written in second person too! I feel like I just won the lottery