Creature: Brace yourself Valemount!

by Aaron Gehrig

The quiet town of Valemount had always been known for its quaint charm and picturesque views. Nestled in a valley of mountains and surrounded by lush forests, it was a place where everyone knew everyone else’s business, and where the most thrilling thing to happen was the occasional fishing derby.

That was, until the rumors began to spread. The rumors grew louder with each retelling, and the townsfolk of Valemount could no longer ignore the eerie sense of dread that had settled over the town. Whispers of a creature with unnaturally large size and glowing red eyes filled the air, and fear began to coil around every shadow. The town’s tranquility had been shattered by something sinister, something ancient, that seemed to feed off the very essence of its prey. The townsfolk, once so proud of their peaceful existence, now huddled together in the dim light of their homes, praying for the horror to pass.

The town was gripped by panic. Hunters and trappers from neighboring towns were called in, setting up traps and patrols around the clock. Yet, the creature remained elusive, seemingly growing stronger with each soul it consumed. The townsfolk were desperate for answers, for protection, for an end to the horror that had invaded their lives. Little did they know that the creature’s reign of terror was only just beginning, and it craved a new host.

368 pages, Hardcover

Published February 23, 2025

About the author

Author also writes as Aryn Bats

By day, Aaron Gehrig is a devoted husband and father, painting beloved pets and keeping a home full of warmth. By night, when the shadows curl in, the creature known as Aryn Bats takes over, an alter-ego stitched from ink and nightmare. Together they form a singular force. An indie horror author whose tales gnash with blood-wet teeth and seep under the skin. Gehrig writes with haunting beauty, while Bats writes with cruelty, no restraint, no filter, clawing straight into the darkest corners of the imagination. His stories are séances on the page, gothic and unrelenting, where walls breathe, secrets rot, and nothing stays buried. Readers call him a dream. A nightmare. A rare kind of storyteller who dares to walk into the woods, and return with something true.