Nightfall: A What Lurks in the Shadows Short Story

by S.C. Shannon

Something is out there...

It has been eight months since Henry and Jane were uprooted from their upscale, luxurious life in Central Park South in New York City. The apocalypse came and now every day is a struggle to survive. Then one night as they are looking for somewhere to call home, something terrifying emerges.

In this short story from the What Lurks in the Shadows universe, Henry and Jane finally come face to face to a threat that will forever change the world as they know it.

Will they be able to survive what comes at Nightfall?

44 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

S.C. Shannon is an award-winning thriller author and law enforcement professional whose work blends psychological suspense with real-world crime experience. Her debut novel, THE THIRD GIRL (Joffe Books), earned two BookFest Awards, an International Impact Book Award, and a Reader’s Favorite Honorable Mention. She holds degrees in criminal justice and forensic psychology and is currently pursuing an MA in Writing at Johns Hopkins University. Her next psychological thriller, THE MISSING HOURS (Joffe Books), arrives in September 2026.

You can follow her on Instagram @s.c.shannon.author

Reviews

[Sheridan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This short story was absolutely amazing. I was COMPLETELY enthralled in this book from the beginning. I really loved the writing style that the author has because the author hit the sweet spot of providing just enough information for readers to be captivated, but also not being too wordy and readers getting lost. In my opinion, very few authors can accomplish that so I was grateful that this author was able to do that because it made the short story all the more interesting. This story was so creepy and eerie that I could feel it in my gut and I found myself wanting to read more so that I could see where the story was going.

Also, the preview chapters for What Lurks in the Shadows 👀👀 I am OBSESSED. Run, don’t walk, to read this short story and preview chapters!

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is so well-written! It's a very, very quick read and I'm glad I got it for free though the authors website (sign up for her newsletter to receive it!!). It was captivating, mysterious and left me wanting so much more! Overall, well written and I'm excited for the full book What Lurks in the Shadows!

[Kass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story gets you ready for What Lurks in the Shadows.
This short story grabs you from the start leaving you with wanting more!
If you love a good mystery read about the apocalypse then this is a book you definitely want to read.
I'm so excited to share my thoughts with everyone about What Lurks in the Shadows next!

[Amber C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click-click-click-click...whom or what is making that noise! Jane and Henry where surely terrified of that noise, and based on their fate, they had more than enough reason to be. Nightfall is one of the best short stories I have read in a while. It is very intriguing and the authors style of writing is very descriptive. I truly found myself immersed in Henry and Janes world. Not to mention, the 4 sneak peak chapters the author included from her upcoming novel, "What Luks in the Shadows". Which happens to be set in the same world and time Nightfall is in. Nightfall is only a taste of whats set to come in her upcoming novel, and I am eager to be able to find out what is happening in this apocalyptic world.

***You can download this short story for FREE on Kindle or by subscribing to author S.C Shannon's website. She includes the FOUR preview chapters of her upcoming novel too!***

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was really enjoyable and a great opening piece to start the What lurks in the shadows books! Love S.C.Shannon's work and cannot wait to read more!

The story was gripping and loved the "Click click click" parts and I'm looking forward to finding out more and see what happens with the characters as the books progress!

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a horror/thriller short story, easy to read that captivates you... I really want to know more about that mysterious creature.. Click-click-click..

Can't wait for the book "What lurks in the shadows" to learn more about this terrifying Dystopian world..
S. C. Shannon really knows how to write thrillers!!

[C.J. Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful and masterfully written!

Shannon seems to have this way of getting you, the reader, to believe that whatever’s going on in the story is actually happening to you! Vivid descriptions and imagery, and unexpectedly full of surprises for a short story.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! A must read!

[Kelly Kilpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t turn the page fast enough on this one. Adrenaline and heart pumping, while being so spooky and mysterious. It ended on a cliffhanger-I need more. I can’t wait to get my hands on What Lurks in the Shadows because I know the writing is going to be incredible.