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The Visitor
The snow falls, thick and wet. Oppressing gusts of wind whip the roadside drifts into a fury, momentarily quelling their biblical attempt to reach the heavens. The sun, hidden bleakly behind thick clouds the color of old laundry, bows offstage to the sound of high-pitched screams that might be the wind, although… although…
A shadow slides through this winter sorrow. The snow falls thicker now. The wind screams sobbingly through the trees and the approaching darkness leaks in behind the shadow, dogging at its heels like pack of black dogs born at midnight. The shadow drifts through the storm, passing trees with branches that clack like old bones, lampposts wearing fuzzy yellow top hats, and brave houses that shiver with every wailing gust, shiver and tremble, but stand.
The shadow stops. To the left, a thicket of trees, their shoulders hunched grumpily against winter’s berating. To the right, a pair of velutinous picture frames hover, disappearing intermittently behind bustling wind gusts. The picture frames depict the slow, taffy-like quality of family, warm and sweet. They depict life, that which dangles from the tree of élan vital by a fraying thread, a precious bauble made of paper thin glass and layered quietly with newborn dust bunnies. They depict something the shadow has been looking for. They depict something he won’t leave without.
It was snowing when he came…
A shadow slides through this winter sorrow. The snow falls thicker now. The wind screams sobbingly through the trees and the approaching darkness leaks in behind the shadow, dogging at its heels like pack of black dogs born at midnight. The shadow drifts through the storm, passing trees with branches that clack like old bones, lampposts wearing fuzzy yellow top hats, and brave houses that shiver with every wailing gust, shiver and tremble, but stand.
The shadow stops. To the left, a thicket of trees, their shoulders hunched grumpily against winter’s berating. To the right, a pair of velutinous picture frames hover, disappearing intermittently behind bustling wind gusts. The picture frames depict the slow, taffy-like quality of family, warm and sweet. They depict life, that which dangles from the tree of élan vital by a fraying thread, a precious bauble made of paper thin glass and layered quietly with newborn dust bunnies. They depict something the shadow has been looking for. They depict something he won’t leave without.
It was snowing when he came…
- GenresHorror
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2016
13 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 26, 2019
This story open up in quite an exciting way: Justin Engler escapes from a state hospital. He alledgedly murdered his wife and his little daughter. But what really happenend while the terrible snowstorm went full force outside? In flashbacks, Justin tells his version of the story. Things turn bad when a mysterious visitor appears at the door claiming to have problems with his car. Justin lets him in. This was a wrong decision as we come to understand. So far, a gripping tale. What I didn't like were the inner feelings and the incoherent structure of the text. That made reading a bit confusing. Who was the stranger at the door and why did Justin invite him in? That part was masterly done, extremely creepy and ran shivers down my spine. Also the ending wasn't my cup of tea. Overall an interesting and extremely scary story. Readable!
September 23, 2019
After reading reviews, I was expecting scary. Talk about disappointing. Maybe I was missing something however, I didn't think there was much of a plot and it was far from frightening or scary or even a horror story. It just didn't make sense to me.
June 24, 2018
I love to read but I'm not a critic, only know what I like and tend to be picky. I rarely leave reviews. This short story was amazing; very visually descriptive and grabbed at me emotionally. I'm definitely not a fan of "horror" but read this out of curiousity and I'm glad I did as it was a lot more than that word would lead you to expect. Looking forward to more from this writer, whatever genre he chooses. I like his descriptive style and how it carries you away with the character.
October 1, 2019
Creepy!
I know JT's work from Ditch Kitty so I thought I would come and check out his literary efforts. This is a creepy, creepy story. I think we've all been in the situation where someone knocks on our door, asking for our help, and we wonder if we should really let them in.
I know JT's work from Ditch Kitty so I thought I would come and check out his literary efforts. This is a creepy, creepy story. I think we've all been in the situation where someone knocks on our door, asking for our help, and we wonder if we should really let them in.
October 3, 2019
Beautifully Written Horror
This author has a way with words. I cant wait to read more!!
I dont oft review but the tears in my eyes upon completion of this wonderful novella have motivated me to do so.
This author has a way with words. I cant wait to read more!!
I dont oft review but the tears in my eyes upon completion of this wonderful novella have motivated me to do so.
November 7, 2016
Fantastic short story
Great short horror story that should definitely have a sequel or addition, just something more about this interesting villain, this Visitor.
Great short horror story that should definitely have a sequel or addition, just something more about this interesting villain, this Visitor.
May 25, 2018
Amazing.. very dark
This author was very detailed. It made you feel like you were in the same room with all the characters. I am looking forward to seeing more books by this author.
This author was very detailed. It made you feel like you were in the same room with all the characters. I am looking forward to seeing more books by this author.
September 23, 2019
Horrifyingly Breathtaking
From the very beginning to the end, this novella captures your interest and it holds you there speechless. Even after you've finished reading it.
From the very beginning to the end, this novella captures your interest and it holds you there speechless. Even after you've finished reading it.
September 26, 2019
I guess I didnt understand the book. What really happened?
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October 1, 2019Not my cup of tea.. Too many f-bombs.
October 2, 2019
Creepy
I won't give spoilers but this was a creepy little story; both familiar and new, old and fresh, vague and specific. I like the author's style and would read more from them.
I won't give spoilers but this was a creepy little story; both familiar and new, old and fresh, vague and specific. I like the author's style and would read more from them.
October 15, 2019
A very unusual horror story! 😍 go buy this book!
Too short, if any comment not being of praise! So go buy this book and read it! It is quite good?
Too short, if any comment not being of praise! So go buy this book and read it! It is quite good?
December 19, 2019
Good start wish there would of been more to this book..
August 23, 2018
I wanted to like this but I didn't. The 3 main characters were unlikable. The husband was lazy, the wife complained, and the daughter was annoying. I love horror and I was upset that this did not scare me or surprise me in the slightest.
September 30, 2019
Quick read
This was a quick read but so good. This definitely shows me the potential this author has in a longer book.
This was a quick read but so good. This definitely shows me the potential this author has in a longer book.
November 7, 2016
Excellent short story
My only complaint is that I read this during daylight hours while my kids were awake and not late at night with no interruptions. I love a good creepy story and this one has a great "slow burn." The pacing reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe, in that it effortlessly transitions the reader between the listlessness of heartbreaking loss with the frenetic energy of terror and madness. Looking forward to more!
My only complaint is that I read this during daylight hours while my kids were awake and not late at night with no interruptions. I love a good creepy story and this one has a great "slow burn." The pacing reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe, in that it effortlessly transitions the reader between the listlessness of heartbreaking loss with the frenetic energy of terror and madness. Looking forward to more!
April 16, 2016
This book is a little confusing. The the Kindle edition I have is The Visitor but it gives no author information. When you search for this and find the cover I have, it links to an Amazon page with the book "Vali" by W.K. Chant. So, I'm going to assume they are the same title. Anyway, this title was OK, but a little confusing and not as developed as it should have been.
June 7, 2016
This is a fast read about a man who has lost everything. The story line was really unique and had a lot of appeal. But the story was rushed, I felt like we spent more time hearing about this is the last call, the end of the credits than we actually did on the story. It's a quick thrill that could have been developed into quite the read.
October 18, 2016
The Visitor
Well that was scary as hell. Can't wait for more! This author is talented and I see great novels in his future.
Well that was scary as hell. Can't wait for more! This author is talented and I see great novels in his future.
October 24, 2016
The Visitor
This was like a car wreck, in the best way possible. A very VERY slow motion start and WHAMBOOMCRASH ending.
This was like a car wreck, in the best way possible. A very VERY slow motion start and WHAMBOOMCRASH ending.
January 2, 2024
Holy Crap
This story caught me so off guard and I loved it. I'm definitely recommending to anyone that wants a quick read.
This story caught me so off guard and I loved it. I'm definitely recommending to anyone that wants a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews