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Victims: A Horror Short Story Collection
Blood-churning, mind-bending, and an intense thriller at its core!
This collection of suspenseful short stories will satisfy your deepest craving for fear.
Trapped in a concrete labyrinth! Stalked by a malevolent book character! A dark, eerie basement, possessing the very essence of malice! An ambitious reporter whose questions lead to an unbelievable fate! Hunted and preyed upon by an unstoppable demonic foe! Waking in an infinite underground tunnel, a nightmare that never ends!
This is just a snapshot of the horrors that are about to unfold.
VICTIMS is a masterful blend of paranormal, supernatural, occult, and psychological horror short stories that will immerse you in an atmosphere of pure, unrelenting dread and pulse-pounding terror.
Whether you are a seasoned horror fan, a casual reader craving quick, pulse-pounding scares, or looking for horror stories to spice up a dark bonfire night with friends, these short stories will undeniably deliver.
Dare to enter? Or do you fear becoming the next VICTIM?
This collection of suspenseful short stories will satisfy your deepest craving for fear.
Trapped in a concrete labyrinth! Stalked by a malevolent book character! A dark, eerie basement, possessing the very essence of malice! An ambitious reporter whose questions lead to an unbelievable fate! Hunted and preyed upon by an unstoppable demonic foe! Waking in an infinite underground tunnel, a nightmare that never ends!
This is just a snapshot of the horrors that are about to unfold.
VICTIMS is a masterful blend of paranormal, supernatural, occult, and psychological horror short stories that will immerse you in an atmosphere of pure, unrelenting dread and pulse-pounding terror.
Whether you are a seasoned horror fan, a casual reader craving quick, pulse-pounding scares, or looking for horror stories to spice up a dark bonfire night with friends, these short stories will undeniably deliver.
Dare to enter? Or do you fear becoming the next VICTIM?
- GenresHorror
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2024
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Derek Barton
34 books43 followersI am originally from a small town in northeast Indiana. Typical introvert kid; closer to books than people — grew up with a fascination for horror novels (Stephen King, Dean Koontz) and medieval fantasy (Piers Anthony, R.A Salvatore).
In April of 1996, I moved out on my own to Phoenix, Arizona to find my own path.
On a personal level, I have been married to my wonderful wife, Erika since October 10th, 2012. I have two stepchildren, Jenna and Johnny, and a two-year-old baby girl, Jessiena.
I have completed my first novel, Consequences Within Chaos and will be extending the story in my upcoming sequel, The Bleeding Crown. Also on Amazon & Kindle, I have In Four Days: Horror Suspense Novella.
In April of 1996, I moved out on my own to Phoenix, Arizona to find my own path.
On a personal level, I have been married to my wonderful wife, Erika since October 10th, 2012. I have two stepchildren, Jenna and Johnny, and a two-year-old baby girl, Jessiena.
I have completed my first novel, Consequences Within Chaos and will be extending the story in my upcoming sequel, The Bleeding Crown. Also on Amazon & Kindle, I have In Four Days: Horror Suspense Novella.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 20, 2026
Victims: A Horror Short Story Collection
By Derek Barton, Brian Gatti, T.D. Barton
Publisher: Independently Published
Published Date: September 11, 2024
ASIN: B0DG1HMHV6
Page Count: 218
Triggers: Violence, supernatural entities, psychological horror, implied SA/DV themes, confinement, gore
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A horror sampler platter. Concrete labyrinths. Demonic justice. Infinite tunnels. Possessed basements. A book that stalks you back. Reporters making terrible life choices.
Basically, if fear had a group project and nobody trusted each other.
It gives mild Black Mirror vibes but with more blood and fewer existential tech bros.
Here’s What Slapped:
• The Book of I – 5.0. Rent-free residency in my brain. No eviction notice.
• Brothers – 5.0. Sharp. Emotional. Effective.
• Tip Line – 5.0. Dark and satisfying.
• It Growls – 5.0. The kind of justice SA and DV survivors deserve, in my opinion.
• The last stories came in strong and saved the “blood-churning, mind-bending” promise.
The format works. Quick hits. No fluff. Easy to binge or snack on one at a time.
Mr. Derek Barton and Mr. T.D. Barton feel like familiar horror friends at this point, and Mr. Brian Gatti slides in seamlessly. No awkward energy. Just three authors being delightfully unhinged.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Some early stories had potential but stopped right when they should have twisted the knife.
A bit of dialogue had me asking, “Who actually says this out loud?”
It didn’t ruin the ride, but I noticed.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Short, punchy horror
• Paranormal and occult chaos
• Psychological unease
• Creative concepts over rigid formulas
• That old black-and-white horror movie feeling where you see the seam in the monster mask and still happily stay seated
Sum It Up
Not every story drew blood, but enough of them sank their teeth in that I shut the book feeling satisfied and just a little side-eyed at my own basement. The back half came in swinging and absolutely carried the promise home.
Fast reads. Unhinged vibes. A sprinkle of cornball dialogue. Several stories that hit like a brick in the dark.
Basically, a tidy little anthology of my anxiety’s greatest hits.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By Derek Barton, Brian Gatti, T.D. Barton
Publisher: Independently Published
Published Date: September 11, 2024
ASIN: B0DG1HMHV6
Page Count: 218
Triggers: Violence, supernatural entities, psychological horror, implied SA/DV themes, confinement, gore
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
A horror sampler platter. Concrete labyrinths. Demonic justice. Infinite tunnels. Possessed basements. A book that stalks you back. Reporters making terrible life choices.
Basically, if fear had a group project and nobody trusted each other.
It gives mild Black Mirror vibes but with more blood and fewer existential tech bros.
Here’s What Slapped:
• The Book of I – 5.0. Rent-free residency in my brain. No eviction notice.
• Brothers – 5.0. Sharp. Emotional. Effective.
• Tip Line – 5.0. Dark and satisfying.
• It Growls – 5.0. The kind of justice SA and DV survivors deserve, in my opinion.
• The last stories came in strong and saved the “blood-churning, mind-bending” promise.
The format works. Quick hits. No fluff. Easy to binge or snack on one at a time.
Mr. Derek Barton and Mr. T.D. Barton feel like familiar horror friends at this point, and Mr. Brian Gatti slides in seamlessly. No awkward energy. Just three authors being delightfully unhinged.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Some early stories had potential but stopped right when they should have twisted the knife.
A bit of dialogue had me asking, “Who actually says this out loud?”
It didn’t ruin the ride, but I noticed.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Short, punchy horror
• Paranormal and occult chaos
• Psychological unease
• Creative concepts over rigid formulas
• That old black-and-white horror movie feeling where you see the seam in the monster mask and still happily stay seated
Sum It Up
Not every story drew blood, but enough of them sank their teeth in that I shut the book feeling satisfied and just a little side-eyed at my own basement. The back half came in swinging and absolutely carried the promise home.
Fast reads. Unhinged vibes. A sprinkle of cornball dialogue. Several stories that hit like a brick in the dark.
Basically, a tidy little anthology of my anxiety’s greatest hits.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
April 24, 2025
*I put in parenthesis some of the book scenes that reminded me of movies.
Wheels on the Bus: 2.0
(Nightmare on Elm Street 2)
Victim One: 2.0
DIY Brainwashing: 3.8
(Get Out)
The Pipedream: 3.0
(Black Mirror)
Portrait of a Killer: 3.5
Late Night Dinner Guests: 2.0
The Long Stretch: 3.5
(Black Mirror)
There's Something in the Basement: 3.5
This story appeared twice in a row. At first, I thought it was a flashback, but it turns out it was an error.
The Book of I: 5.0
Isolated: 4.0
The Cycle: 4.0
(Black Mirror)
Tenth: 4.0
(Prisoners)
Brothers: 5.0
(AHS: Freak Show)
Tip Line: 5.0
(Saw)
It Growls: 5.0
The type of justice SA and DV survivors need, in my opinion.
Blight Hotel: 2.0
This book as a whole reminded me of a milder version of Black Mirror on Netflix.
I was starting to lose hope that it wouldn't deliver on the "blood-churning and mind-bending" promise—but the last seven stories
(except Blight Hotel) made it worth it.
My 2-star ratings go to stories that had potential. I love a good cliffhanger, but some of these didn’t include enough detail to justify one. And some of the dialogue was so corny, I kept asking myself, "Who even talks like that?"
Overall Book Rating: 3.8 Stars
Wheels on the Bus: 2.0
(Nightmare on Elm Street 2)
Victim One: 2.0
DIY Brainwashing: 3.8
(Get Out)
The Pipedream: 3.0
(Black Mirror)
Portrait of a Killer: 3.5
Late Night Dinner Guests: 2.0
The Long Stretch: 3.5
(Black Mirror)
There's Something in the Basement: 3.5
This story appeared twice in a row. At first, I thought it was a flashback, but it turns out it was an error.
The Book of I: 5.0
Isolated: 4.0
The Cycle: 4.0
(Black Mirror)
Tenth: 4.0
(Prisoners)
Brothers: 5.0
(AHS: Freak Show)
Tip Line: 5.0
(Saw)
It Growls: 5.0
The type of justice SA and DV survivors need, in my opinion.
Blight Hotel: 2.0
This book as a whole reminded me of a milder version of Black Mirror on Netflix.
I was starting to lose hope that it wouldn't deliver on the "blood-churning and mind-bending" promise—but the last seven stories
(except Blight Hotel) made it worth it.
My 2-star ratings go to stories that had potential. I love a good cliffhanger, but some of these didn’t include enough detail to justify one. And some of the dialogue was so corny, I kept asking myself, "Who even talks like that?"
Overall Book Rating: 3.8 Stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2024
This was such a fun read. It was like visiting old friends with Derek Barton and T.D. Barton, as I've reading just about all they've written. New to me this time around was Brian Gatti, who in my opinion is a wonderful addition and a brilliant wordsmith. So, what you get within the cover are three brilliant authors and sixteen very bizarre and wonderfully weird stories. This was a page-turner from start to finish.
June 28, 2025
all my worst fears in one book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews