35

by Tim Eagle

Thirty-Five year old Alyssa is tormented by her past, an abusive marriage that she can't flee, and is forced to go on a trip to find film for an obscured camera. Can she talk reason into her husband? Does the old adage "what don't kill you makes you more strong" apply? As the trip progresses, Alyssa is haunted by her past. This is Alyssa's tale, take her hand and join her in a nightmare world as the terror follows her.

38 pages, ebook

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

Tim Eagle is an author who lives full time, on the road, with his wife, Maria and their dog, Cocoa. He grew up in Michigan and is inspired by the dysfunction, insanity, and nepotism of rural America.
"The questions asked of life are within the soul, the answers are found in the dark of our minds."

Reviews

[Susan Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Alyssa has suffered abuse from her alcoholic father. Her mother is dead and she is a very lonely girl who becomes obsessed by the ramblings of two elderly men who fill her head with small-town tales that may or may not have really happened. Fast forward in her pitiful life when she is married to a piece of crap husband, Derrick. He turns out to be even more abusive than her father was. Alyssa is nothing but a sex toy in his perverted and disgusting role play scenarios. I knew that she wouldn't put up with being his personal punching bag forever. The old 35 mm camera Derrick has turns out to be his greatest nemesis, as it spawns the seed of what will eventually end his horrific treatment of Alyssa. The black blob, otherwise known as The Bruised Man manifests as more than just a shadow in the developed pictures. He not only gives Derrick a bruisin'-he devours him little by little. So long, a-hole. Lesson here? Be careful how you treat people because the person you're treating like crap might have a really good entity in their corner. Great read!

[Todd Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of the Bruised Man. Great short story. Well developed. Tim is a fantastic writer.

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but tense

The author was able to convey feelings of dread, hopelessness, fear and depression in the first few pages which hooked me instantly. This was a powerful story that will stick with you.

[Ashley Chmielewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A subtle short read that kept me invested in the main character and her struggles to the end.

[Crystal Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by Eagle, will not be my last. Loved how this little tale came together.

[Nat Whiston · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I have had the pleasure of being in a fair few anthologies with Tim. This is my first experience with his solo work, so I was excited to see his name on Godless. For a 38-page story, this certainly packs a punch, as you stare into the past of Alyssa. As she fears a monster from her past, that still holds sway over her nightmares. It also gives an inside look into grief and how dependency can spring from tragedy. Especially in regards to Edmond who Alyssa has to care for, meaning she had to grow up pretty quickly. But as stories shape her imagination she has something else to fear.
Yet, ironically is dating her very own monster. Having what little fight she does have beaten out of her. She really is a captive in her hell, praying for some rescue whether that be in the form of death or a saviour. Having written a story on abuse myself from experience, I love seeing others raise awareness of domestic violence. Tim did a really good job of combining an urban legend vibe with real-life terror. Leaving the reader constantly on edge and worrying about Alyssa. As the story progresses we hear about various stories of the monster in her dreams. That is when things get very interesting and Tim builds on the aspect of dread. An enticing and eerie read for such a short story that packs a hell of a punch.