Hither

by Asher Allen

From the moment Holly Käro and her family move into their new house, bizarre happenings plague them. Nine-year-old Thomas claims that a cherry tree came to life and tried to eat him. Five-year-old Katie reports disturbing words from a little girl who "lives in the walls" and has been there for "almost a hundred years." Spiders and other odious creatures beset the family, even as flooding and tornado warnings keep them within the house—a house that seems alive and intent upon tormenting its occupants.
But Holly cannot convince her husband that they are in danger. He does not believe that all is as it seems. And, in a way, he is right.

Genres: Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2025

About the author

Asher Allen is a lifelong teller of tales, both the fanciful and the factual. He studied journalism at the Defense Information School, and traveled the world chronicling true stories during his time as a military journalist. Now a dedicated fictionist, he writes in a variety of genres, with a focus on the fantastical.
In addition to works written under his own name, Allen has used various pseudonyms and has also worked as a ghostwriter.

Reviews

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end. An intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I appreciated how there was more to the plot than what first meets the eye.

[Cyrus Summerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read! Never quite knew what would happen next. Has a nice weird twist to the ending!

[Philip Tallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story!
It’s really hard for me to write this review without giving away some key moments of the story. My favorite moments are spoilers. You’ll just have to read it.
By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. This chilling tale had me guessing right up your the end, and even then, I didn’t see the ending coming!
I’m excited to see what genre Ash’s next story will be!

[Ileana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story! The Käro family was truly so endearing! I couldn't help but become invested in their story as if Holly were just a close friend telling me about her family's unbelievable experiences over a cup of coffee. This suspenseful story was full of many eery scenes, but they were balanced out with just as many heartwarming moments between the members of the Käro family. Despite the looming danger throughout the story, I found myself smiling and laughing at their interactions. Asher Allen has written such compelling and relatable characters!

If suspense and looming danger aren't your usual cup of tea for stories, still give Hither a try because not all is as it seems, and the ending is quite unexpected.

[Asher Allen]

. . .
Katie looked up at Holly, confusion furrowing her little brow. “You don’t see her, Mommy?”
Holly squatted just outside the closet. “No, baby, only you can see the friends you make up.”
“But I didn’t make her up.”
“Sweetie—”
“She said she’s been here for almost a hundred years.”
That caused Holly pause. A chill crept under her skin, and the weird neighbor appeared in her memory to say, “I warned you.”
“Sweetie,” Holly said, forcing the semblance of nonchalance into her voice, “can you ask Lucy if she loves Jesus?”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“She left.”
“Where?”
“Sometimes she lives in the walls.”