It Never Died: A Novella

by Joshua Scribner

Holden tries to get through college and into med school, while caring for his autistic brother and working nights at a nursing home. He’s doing well, but then senile residents at the home start saying strangely personal things to him. Worse, a menacing presence threatens his illicit side business. Holden just hopes things will get better. Instead, things get ever weirder and far more dangerous.

Genres: Fiction

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2019

About the author

Joshua Scribner is the author of the novels Mantis Nights, The Coma Lights and Nescata. His fiction won both second and fifth place in the 2008 Whispering Spirits Flash Fiction contest. Up to date information on his work can be found at joshuascribner.com. Joshua currently lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holden, a medical nurse in a home for the elderly is stealing some of the pills to make some side money to support his autistic brother and to study. The patients aren't aware of this until all of a sudden three of them seem to know about it. Ansel, a soon-to-die, very old ex-military man, puts him under pressure to give him pills to die. First Travis, the chap who sells the pills in town, vanishes. Then his mate Chad. Holden's brother Stuart is also taken away. By what or by whom? Will this story have a good ending for Holden. What is Ansel hinting at with some things never die? I absolutely liked the concept of 'Tet' and how the story ended. Also the forebodings within were well done. A classy novella, eerie at some parts with horror sneaking in. Really recommended!

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your spine shivers with fear!

It Never Died by Joshua Scribner is a chilling horror novella that keeps you on edge from beginning to end.

The story follows Holden, a college student balancing his studies, caring for his autistic brother, and working nights at a nursing home.

The eerie atmosphere deepens as senile residents start saying unsettlingly personal things to him, and a dark presence begins to threaten his secret side business.

The novella's unique suspense and horror create an unsettling narrative that compels readers to turn the pages.

Joshua Scribner's storytelling skills make "It Never Died" a must-read for horror enthusiasts looking for a shivering time.

[Craig Stucko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than Falling from the Sky!
I read Falling from the Sky a few months back and when I saw It Never Died, I bought it right away. Great read. It moves fast and the characters fit in this story really well. The main character takes things in stride in a very savvy criminal kind of way; sort of like he is going to be one kind of person but is actually another. Made the story really interesting. The way Holden handles dealing with his autistic brother and also the elderly that he works with, while trying to get himself into medical school, and all the while his criminal friends are disappearing, and people are acting strange and knowing things they shouldn’t know. Great story!

[Christian Buckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Gem

Scribner's longer form shorts are tremendous and never fail to entertain. This tale is no different and produces chills just in its setup alone. Whatever is eating Holder's friends and who is Tet? Great read.

[Mike Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scribner's world is surreal. Drugs, dementia, ominous and threatening presence. It's not that polished but I got a sense of the inner paranoia of a person. It reminded me of a series of nightmares all on the same day, each one progressively worse. A pretty good ride.

[Kam Karem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very original and twisty

Great book. I was hooked beginning to end. Twisty and satisfying ending. A quick read with an wnding that leaves you wanting more.?