Pelts

by Xander King, Kiley Lee (illustrator)

Nothing compares to Papa’s pelts, which are popular throughout the region. Although he and his son Jedidiah hunt and trap regularly, it is when they return from monthly trips to “the slaughterhouse” that they have their best coats. The family business is going well until Jedidiah falls ill, and his sister Emalia Mae must take his place. The young woman soon finds herself in a nightmare where survival depends on figuring out which is the bigger Papa, or the source of his pelts.

Pelts is horror at its most primal. Part innocence lost, part coming of age, readers will be left in a delighted state of shock.

24 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2024

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on to your (fur) hat!

As a fan of short stories, I am acutely aware of the how challenging it can be to grab a reader’s attention, hold on to it, and deliver a stunning finale in just a few pages. Xander King has a knack for rising to that challenge and crushing it into a thousand pieces. Pelts is a fine work of horror. Weaving family dynamics with the will to survive, Pelts is a journey of self discovery that will work its way under your skin and linger long after the last page is read.

[Hannah West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories can be hit or miss for me and always depends on the authors ability to reel you in quickly and grab your attention. This short did that with ease and thrill. Xander King had a knack for being able to say a lot in such a short and captivating story. I held my breath a few times in suspense for what was to come!!! I would love to see how this short would transform if ever developed into a full read.