Thrills: A Collection of Short Story Thrillers

Jason A. Joseph

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Smashwords Edition

Thrills vol.1 A collection of short story thrillers 1st Edition

Published by Jason A. Joseph Copyright © 2014

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity (including, but not restricted to, Google, Amazon or similar organizations), in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, scanning or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the Publisher.

Cover illustration done by Lorenzo R. Carty

Smashwords Edition

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To my dearest friend in all dimensions who has given me unmeasured love and support

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Author’s Note

Subject Matter Warning

Other Works by Jason A. Joseph

Contact Information

IRISH ROSE

Irish Rose 1

Irish Rose 2

Irish Rose 3

Irish Rose 4

Irish Rose 5

Irish Rose 6

THE TEACHER

The Teacher 1

The Teacher 2

The Teacher 3

The Teacher 4

The Teacher 5

The Teacher 6

The Teacher 7

KARMA’S A BITCH….SOMETIMES

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 1

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 2

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 3

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 4

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 5

Karma’s A Bitch...Sometimes 6

DAUGHTER OF A DEMON

Daughter Of A Demon 1

Daughter Of A Demon 2

Daughter Of A Demon 3

Daughter Of A Demon 4

Daughter Of A Demon 5

Daughter Of A Demon 6

Daughter Of A Demon 7

THE BRAND OF CAIN

The Brand Of Cain 1

The Brand Of Cain 2

The Brand Of Cain 3

The Brand Of Cain 4

The Brand Of Cain 5

The Brand Of Cain 6

PAUL

Paul 1

Paul 2

Paul 3

Paul 4

Paul 5

Author’s note: These stories are merely a work of fiction created by the author. No one actually existed and participated in any of the events. Any similarities are purely coincidental.

Subject Matter warning

Please note that these stories contain heavy subject material

And detailed portrayals of violence

Chapter 1

He watched her. She was beautiful. Irish skin that shone palely in the moonlight.

Lighting up the dark like the moon. Truly beautiful. Her hair was dark red, like the blood that ran through her veins. The night air was crisp and cool. The moon wasn’t quite full but still hung heavy in the sky. Just beautiful. A bird cawed in the distance, but he didn’t turn his head.

He never did, not unless someone was coming. A bright light makes for such an easy way to see you when it’s nighttime. Such a beautiful place to view you. Often he’d have to flee before people could get to close, but it was rare that she could feel his eyes on her, watching her, waiting.

A car sped down the block, leaving skid marks on the road. His eyes barely glanced away from her. She was brushing her hair on the bed again. Nearly out of view. I’m lucky you’re so rich. He thought to himself. If it wasn’t for her being rich, she wouldn’t have such a large window and such bright lights around her room. Most girls only had a lamp near their bedside and a window to fight away claustrophobia. I wonder if you’re claustrophobic. His mind would wonder. He could already see the look in her eyes. Turning from those green dark pools of peace to one filled with terror as the walls seemed to close in around her. The car got closer and that’s when he noticed the color. A black Prius. Fuck. Her parents are home. Just fuck. He slunk back into the darkness again, hoping no one could see him in the still of the darkened branches. It wasn’t windy tonight, but he wished it was. Wind is great for cover, explaining away the rustling of the leaves.

The dark skinned man got out of the car first, presenting a clearly Irish woman with his hand. His skin was more of an olive. The woman was a little thicker, almost plump but still beautiful. A heart shaped face greeted him as he walked the woman with the off-red hair into the house. He couldn’t help but to thank whatever god was out there that she got the coloring from her mother and features from her father. The thin mouth and nose, aristocratic and cold on the man, but birdlike on the girl he’s watching now. A pretty little caged song bird.

His foot almost slipped, dropping him down a little. Her father looked up scanning the trees. Luckily he wasn’t seen, but nonetheless the man must have felt something off by the way he held his wife protectively and hurried inside. Climbing down gracefully as the girl put her hairbrush down, he sunk away into the night. Anna. Anna. Anna. How beautiful a little bird you are, my Anna.

***

Anna could almost feel the eyes on her again, but she told herself she wasn’t afraid.

Don’t be silly. No one is watching you. Not here. The feeling had started weeks ago, but it had remained just a feeling. At first she would close her blinds. This made her feel like a coward and after a day or two of nothing happening she decided to open them again, craving the ability to look up into the moon.

In the night no one is watching. It as the sunlight that Annabelle O’Dray feared. Where all the kids from school watched her. She was a senior in high school now, so able to leave this small town. What many people didn’t know was that she had saved up a little cash to travel first. Her parents would never approve of the way that she was making the money. Unlike most girls she started doing a small bit of photography for the girls at school. It wasn’t for a porn website or anything, no no no, she’d never do that.

Anna caught herself shaking her head. It was just them in their lingerie, photos to give their boyfriends. Anna would never do something illegal. These girls were underage. She wouldn’t blackmail them or anything, and after a little while the cash started to pile up. Soon, she’d have enough to go traveling before committing her life to journalism.

Honey we’re home! Sounded from somewhere downstairs, not too long after Anna put down her hairbrush. The voice had an Irish lilt to it, and she knew it had to be her mother.

Rushing downstairs, not carrying that she was in the kimono she always wore right before bed, she rushed in to hug her mother. Anna knew she was being silly, thinking someone was watching her, so she never told her parents. They’d only worry. They worry too much.

Mother! Anna wrapped her hands around her mother’s large form, hugging her tightly.

She was always away doing photography sessions for models or weddings. That’s how

Anna learned to be so handy with a camera. It was a hobby both her mother and father approved of. As long as they don’t find out about my work.

Her mother stroked her hair.

Oh, Annabelle, you strange little creature. I was only gone a few days. The teasing tone her mother used assured Anna that she was also missed. With the sound of someone clearing their throat, her silent father made his presence known. After she turned to look at him, he opened his arms.

Anna. My dear Anna, you always greet us like we’ve been gone for ages. His deep Italian accent really set him apart. It’s because this house is so damn lonely, she couldn’t help but think.

Oh, papa I just miss you. Was all that she said. Remembering the appointment she had scheduled, she shifted in his arms as he held her and let her go.

What is it? Her mother was the first to pick up on Anna’s unease. Of course, she’d never guess why.

It’s another sleepover! The girls are all getting together tomorrow night, and I really really wanted to go. Please mama? Papa? Her voice turned pleading. She may be seventeen, but she certainly knew how to wrap her parents around her finger.

Anna tried to ignore the guilty feeling that started in her stomach as soon as her mother’s face dropped.

I leave the day after tomorrow at 3, Anna…

No matter how much Anna wanted to spend time with her mom, the girls had promised the best money yet and the school year was coming to an end very soon. She couldn’t afford to miss this slumber party. It paid too well.

I know mama, but you’ll be home this weekend. Please, may I go? Please? Papa? She turned her pleading eyes to her father, and they both exchanged a look. With a heavy sigh, her father nodded.

But you will be expected home for dinner the next day. Yes! The mental triumphant was the only one she could have until she got to her room. Quickly telling her parents that she was feeling bad and going to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, and she needed to make sure that she didn’t come up short on the cash again. For some reason, the paranoia wouldn’t leave her as she went up the stairs to her room again.

Counting the money she found over eight thousand that she’s made in the last four years.

The business may not have really taken off until her sophomore year, but it took off when it did. She was the only option these girls had. Tomorrow would be interesting.

***

Looking around his room he saw the pictures, pieces of his history that really made it all worthwhile. They had to be kept in the closet, luckily his family wasn’t rich enough for a maid and his parents just didn’t seem to care to snoop around his room.

A Barbie doll was in the corner with her face cut up. It was a beautiful sight to him. So comforting. He’d never killed anyone of course. No, no, no killing is a waste. Beauty should last forever. Beauty should be memorialized.

That’s exactly what he did. Immortalize beauty. Truly worthwhile. The photos of girls hanging on his wall, black, blue, purple and green dotting their skin in bruises. The red of cuts and blood. The clear shine of tears on their faces. Beautiful. Truly beautiful.

The Barbie doll sitting in that corner represented the first of those fantasies. A perfect, beautiful woman bleeding. But when he cut it, no blood came out. He knew it wouldn’t be enough. He hid it. No one can see. No one that isn’t a part of it.

The true trophies were hidden under the floorboards of his bed. The true gifts given to him. The beautiful way to remember. He slunk into bed, falling asleep to her image.

Chapter 2

Sunlight shone through each and every window. It made her feel nervous. The day seemed to creep along, the hours passing slowly. Every few minutes she had to keep herself from sighing. Anna knew that the clothes she wore were fashionable, but she didn’t like the way they clung to her hips. A while ago, she might have. But lately, she found herself a little too popular.

A laugh escaped her lips and the class turned to look at her. It was all that Anna could do not to let the bush rise to her pale cheeks. The dotting of freckles over her nose would just stand out more. She was one of the only redheads in the school.

Care to tell us what’s so funny, Miss O’Dary? The sharp tone her teacher used when annoyed met her ears. She snapped to attention, narrowing her eyes at the teacher she once found hot with his broad shoulders and brisk air.

No, not at all. Mr. Everly. Nothing to tell. I was daydreaming, now please, get back to the lecture. The snarky remark jumped from her lips before she could stop it, swallow it down. Snickers could be heard around the classroom, so Anna held her head a little higher.

Well, then I suggest you listen to it, Miss O’Dary. Or we will have a conversation with your parents. As Anna shrunk back a little, a self-satisfied smirk crossed his lips and he promptly turned around to teach.

The blush of anger and embarrassment ended up coating her cheeks anyways. Now the snickers were directed at her. A note was thrown her way.

With the sudden noise, Mr. Everly turned around again, but the note was already hidden in her lap. She smiled at him and tapped her pen on the paper, acting as if she was ready to continue to take notes when he was ready to get on with it.

As soon as the lecture continued she pulled it out:

Darcy’s house. 7. $1.5K. Don’t question.

The note startled her, but the money would be enough to cover the rest of her expenses. She couldn’t afford to question it even if she wanted to. Anna just hoped that this would be like all the other photo shoots, but she somehow doubted it.

Anna gave a brief nod, not able to be noticed by anyone who wasn’t looking for it.

Claudia smiled brightly at that and went back to doodling. She’d never be caught dead taking notes, that’s what she paid for.

***

All these girls were so plain, so boring. But they’d do if he had to. I’ve done it before. They were nice to make cry, nice to see in pain. But they weren’t what he was looking for. His mind started wandering back to lunch. It was such a delectable time. The gym room was never occupied during that time.

She was pushed up against the wall under him. He could breathe in her fear, see it in her eyes. His body pressed up against her as he took out the knife. Her bra was no more, but the pathetic thing she called a chest wasn’t what he was after. She was blindfolded. No