Residual

by Rob Ulitski

Young couple Lenny and Jacob have a popular video series exploring old websites, and have built a huge following online. But when they encounter Futurepsych, a website that tells you exactly when and where you're going to die, their entire lives start to unravel, haunted by ghostly premonitions and a sinister online presence.

For fans of creepypasta, online horror stories and noughties techno horror like The Ring and Pulse.

22 pages, ebook

Published August 16, 2024

About the author

Rob writes visceral, concept-driven horror stories, anchored by complex characters and offbeat narratives.

Born in Portsmouth, UK, Rob received his bachelor of arts in Film Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films, Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.

When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes and haunting local bookstores.

Reviews

[Lia's Haunted Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell no. This story may have been short, but it felt personal. I love watching a specific channel where people do exactly what the couple in this story does, and every time, I’m just like… nope. It’s unnerving to think that the creators often don’t know what they’re getting into, and that’s honestly terrifying. Watching it is one thing, but reading this? Even more unsettling. I’m genuinely glad this was a short read because it packed a punch.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Rob Ulitski’s book and it was great! Although short, this has everything a horror fan needs! Likeable characters, a creepy and claustrophobic storyline and increasing dread and panic, right until the end.

In just a few pages the adrenaline levels go from normal to crazy and the reader can’t do anything but just witness the mental and physical decline of the protagonists. I honestly felt like one of Lenny and Jacob fans, unable to do anything but screaming internally.

If I haven’t convinced you to read this, then maybe I could appeal to you by saying that if you used to play text based online games and are a fan of techno horror, this is definitely up your alley.

Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[your morbid obsession Minerva🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fucking loved this story!!

Rob is genuinely a master in creating short modern/dystopian horror🧐☝🏻

[Gilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good :

Great story building I felt unnerved from the first page. I felt I could connect with the characters from page one. Which is hard to do in short amount of pages. Which also brings me to the bad.

The bad :

I could have read another 200 pages of this book and it would be good. I wish it would long ended

The author is unique and creative and I’m looking forward to giving more of his stuff a go in the new year. Thank you.

[Camille Danciu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on my commute to work in an Uber. The driver could’ve been driving me to my death. I was so invested in the story and what happened when he was told he was going to die I didn’t even look up to see if the driver was driving me to work. Great novella!

[Glance Ghoulish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I BLOODY LOVED THIS!
I wish it was 100 pages longer because I just wanted more and more.
Will definitely read more books by Rob.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true internet horror gem! Short and quick, it has the right spooky mood, hits all the right notes for creepiness, and does not let go till the harrowing ending! Recommended!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. It's a short read of 28 pages. It had all you wanted from it. A cracking creepy story with blood, gore, and wtf moments.

The story is about two blokes, Lenny and Jacob their jobs are looking into old websites online they happen to encounter a really old one. One they wish they should have stayed away from. Soon after, they find out it gives you your death date 📅 💀. Then, all of a sudden, ghostly 👻 events unravel arghhh creepy 😳 😐.

This certainly won't be my last read by this author. I loved the style of writing. It packed one hell of a punch. I read this in between finishing one book and going onto the next read. Absolutely loved it!!!! ❤️❤️

[Bryan Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story that I purchased for next to nothing as an ebook from the Godless website. Great writing, fun premise, and genuine sense of mounting dread throughout. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quick creepy read. Will definitely check out more of Rob Ulitski's work.

[Chris Carelse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck me.
Creepy pasta liminal cyber horror much, Rob?
The thing that makes this little banger stand out is that the characters feel authentically "real", evoking an emotional connection between the reader and the characters, making the hits all that much harder.

Well done, sir!

[Brigit (Cosy.horror.corner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆

[Danielle Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

[DIRECT MESSAGE]
u/dashingdashcambob: He didn’t say anything specific, just that the game was taken offline and it all stopped.

Wow. This story was wild. The internet gone rogue. (What else is new, lol). Super fast paced, engulfed from the first page, and binge read it in one sitting.

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers… but remember the death date game from like… the 90’s and early 00’s?! Okay, well it came back. With a vengeance. Will they be able to disable the website in time?! Find out and run to Godless and grab this one. I think will be a love for every horror reader.