Work In Progress: An In The Cards Short Story

by Erica Damon

Welcome to In The Cards, a multi author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you’ll find stories inspired by the meaning of a specific Tarot Card, thoughtfully written with that thread woven through. Whether you’re a Tarot Card lover or not, you’ll find thrillers and horrors that will creep under your skin and into your thoughts. *Knowledge of Tarot Cards is not necessary to read or enjoy these stories.*

Rashida is sick of being the has-been. Art was her life, and since her fall from popularity, everything has been beige.

One afternoon walk through her neighborhood brings inspiration in the form of a dying garden. Maybe bringing it to life in a painting will bring her back to life too.

How far will she go to get back in the spotlight? Where does the line between creativity and madness blur?

Make sure you come back and check out the other stories, because you never know what’s In The Cards.

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 8, 2026

About the author

Erica Damon is a writer, equestrian, and artist living in Western Massachusetts. Her compulsively creative nature has led to a collection of ‘what ifs?’ and that sense of wonder weaves its way into her fiction. She writes thriller and horror under her name, and equestrian romance under the pen name, Isla Ryder.

In any genre, her goal is to sweep the reader into her world, keeping it grounded enough in reality that the reader doesn’t question a moment of the action.

This is what she loves helping other authors with, as she has discovered that she enjoys reading books in the early stages even more than published ones and helping writers to spin their stories into something riveting as a developmental editor. If she’s not writing, she’s likely out riding horses while ideas swirl in the background.

Reviews

[Read With Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Work In Progress by Erica Damon was an absolutely captivating short story that pulled me in from the very first page.

Erica Damon does a brilliant job of blurring the line between artistic genius and obsession. As Rashida struggles to reclaim her former success, readers are drawn deep into her creative process and increasingly uncertain sense of reality. Watching her work on what she believes will be her masterpiece is both fascinating and unsettling.

The suspense builds steadily, and I found myself turning the pages, completely invested and needing to know how it would end. I had a feeling about where the story was headed, but that didn’t lessen the tension at all. If anything, it made me even more eager to reach the ending.

By the end, Erica had me questioning whether Rashida was losing touch with reality or whether I was! That psychological uncertainty made the story especially memorable.

This is a fantastic short read for anyone who enjoys psychological fiction with a touch of darkness. I loved it and can’t wait to read the rest of the In The Cards stories.

[Naito Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Work in Progress by Erica Damon. It’s a gripping thriller that captures creative obsession and psychological unraveling incredibly well.

What stood out most to me was the portrayal of artistic frenzy and delusion. The book does an excellent job showing how genius and obsession can blur together, creating a mindset where reality slowly starts slipping away beneath the pressure of the work itself.

I was actually able to predict the ending fairly early on, but interestingly, that made me even more invested in the story. It created this growing anticipation as I waited for the twist to fully unfold and for the character’s downward spiral to reach its conclusion.

Overall, it’s an engaging and well-executed thriller with a compelling psychological core. Definitely recommend for readers who enjoy stories about ambition, creativity, and the darker side of genius.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

A huge shoutout to the amazing Erica Damon for letting me get my hands on this eerie short story! 🥀🖤

I thought I knew where Work in Progress was going... I figured there would be some "weird" things happening, but the ending took me 1000000% by surprise! 🤯

Is the protagonist a creative genius or a terrifying psychopath? You’ll have to decide for yourself. If you love a short, eerie read that plays out like a movie in your head, add this to your TBR immediately!

The Vibe: Think Graves or Butcher & Blackbird vibes—all the gore, but without the spice. 🩸🎨

Out soon! Stay tuned for the release!

[Danielle Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story by Erica as part of the in the card series.

Imagine having a passion for something and losing the ability to do that anymore. One day you decide you’re going to try to be successful in that hobby again.

This one happens to be about a painting and you’re in for a super surprise at the end!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all her books, Erica Damon does not disappoint! This is a short novella book and can be read in a day (maybe 2). This is a perfect read for in between longer books. This book may be short but it grabs you right at the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end. I was totally NOT expecting that very twisty ending!!

[Danielle Fear · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Have you guys ever read anything by Erica Damon Author before?

She was one of the very first Indie authors I discovered and I haven't looked back since.

This woman knows how to reel you in, make you think you know what's going to happen and then absolutely slam dunk you into a state of pure shock.

There is so much I can say about this story, but I don't want to spoil it for you!

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story really grabs your attention and then runs off the rails. Loved it.

[Crystal Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super quick read and as others have said I thought I knew where it was going, the end was not what I was thinking! Thank you for letting me be a part of the group!!!

[Country · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick read that grabs your attention from the very start! What starts as an artist rediscovering her passion takes a surprising turn in the end that you won't expect!

[Esmée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankyou for the opportunity to be an ARC reader again!

This was dark, tense and surprisingly gripping for such a short story. She knows how to create atmosphere in only a few pages!