13 Tales To Give You Night Terrors

13 TALES TO GIVE YOU NIGHT TERRORS

A Night Terrors Novel

Edited by Troy H. Gardner & Joshua Winning

Crashing Mirrors and The Housesitter Copyright © 2015 by Elliot Arthur Cross.

Black Holes Copyright © 2015 by Erin Callahan.

Back Home and Search History Copyright © 2015 by Jonathan Hatfull.

It’s Different When You Have Your Own Copyright © 2015 by Rosie Fletcher.

Ad Infinitum, One and Done and Store Macabre Copyright © 2015 by Scott Clark.

Clown Copyright © 2015 by Tom Rimer.

Blackened Fireworks and Waiting for the Wolf Copyright © 2015 by Troy H. Gardner.

Gone for Good Copyright © 2015 by Vinny Negron.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means—by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise—without prior written permission.

Book layout by Troy H. Gardner.

Cover design by Alastair Parr.

Skeleton with veil and white roses © Danilo Sanino | Dreamstime.com.

Smashwords eBook ISBN: 9781311970442

First eBook edition October 2015

Official site

nightterrorsbooks.com

Twitter

twitter.com/NightTerrorsYA

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Crashing Mirrors

2. Ad Infinitum

3. Black Holes

4. Clown

5. Back Home

6. Waiting For The Wolf

7. Store Macabre

8. Search History

9. Gone For Good

10. One And Done

11. Blackened Fireworks

12. It’s Different When You Have Your Own

13. The Housesitter

Author and Editor Bios

Camp Carnage Sample

INTRODUCTION

GOOD evening, new friend.

As a collector of the strange, the grisly and the bizarre, I’d like to welcome you to the inaugural volume of 13 Tales to Give You Night Terrors. Contained in this book are dark stories from around the globe—America, England, Scotland—that have delighted and terrified me.

Just as a child draws with a broken crayon or a werewolf howls at the moon, collecting is in my blood. I’m crippled by the need to capture and hold on to something. To seek out like items, categorize and arrange them. I do not seek out rare coins or mutated butterflies. Rather, I collect the kinds of stories that would give even the hardiest of souls night terrors.

What are night terrors? For some, they are the furry spider sneaking into your room at midnight to scurry along your forearm. For others, it’s the enveloping darkness of branches snapping in your backyard when you let your dog out for a piss. Night terrors can be old Steve Reeves movies.

The short stories in this volume contain a myriad of horrors real and imagined:

An amnesiac girl searching for the horror she’s always run from.

A store manager determined to deliver a unique parcel.

A boy with a giant clown problem.

And many more.

Dear reader, I bid you, dim the lights, pull the blanket up to your chin, keep the cat or dog close and the flashlight even closer. Turn the electronic page and delve deep into my collection of terror tales.

Sleep well,

Amicus Sundown

1. CRASHING MIRRORS

Elliot Arthur Cross, United States

CAMERON’S chocolate brown eyes crossed. It was past eleven at night and he’d been staring at his history textbook for nearly an hour while he listened to This Is My Roommate. He slammed the book shut, pulled out his earbuds, and trotted downstairs for a snack before bed.

His mom sat in the dark living room watching a late-night talk show with an awkward comedian commanding the stage.

Cam, honey?

He stopped in his tracks. Uh, what’s up?

I’m getting tired waiting for your brother to get home. Can you text him and tell him he’s way past curfew?

Cam scratched his nose. What do you mean? Mac’s studying in his room. Math test tomorrow.

I didn’t see him come in.

He came in, like, a half hour ago.

Huh. Thanks. I’ll check on him before I go to bed.

Okay. Cam hurried into the kitchen, grabbed a handful of trail mix, and headed back. Night, Mom.

Good night, honey.

Cam went upstairs, loudly slammed his door shut, and then snuck into his brother’s room. He turned the light on, shucked out of his T-shirt and into one of Mac’s shirts, tousled his hair, and found Mac’s math book on the desk. He brought it over to the bed, opened it to some random page, and started doodling in the margins.

He’ll owe me for this one. Unless he knocks up Shelley tonight.

A few minutes later someone knocked on the door.

It’s open, Cam said. His mom entered and gave him a quick once-over.

What’s up?

Nothing, dear. Just heading to bed. Don’t stay up studying too long. You should be in bed by the time your dad gets home. I hate his new shift schedule.

Big test tomorrow, Cam said.

Mac’s getting his nut off and I have to pretend to learn math. Real fair.

You’ll do fine. Good night, Mac.

Night, Mom.

Cam watched his mom leave before closing Mac’s math book and sneaking out and into the bathroom. As he brushed his teeth, the bathroom door opened and Mac entered.

How’d it go? Cam asked his brother’s mirror reflection around a foamy, minty mouthful.

Balls are navy blue. Shelley still won’t put out. Mac stood beside him and started brushing his own teeth. Their arms caught the same rhythm in seconds.

Give me a crack at her. You owe me. Mom thinks you were home on time.

Fine. Then I get to be you on a date with Brandon. Guaranteed to get my nut off with him.

"He is easy." Cam elbowed his brother. He couldn’t believe how lucky they were. Having a twin gave him twice the clothes, twice the people to screw, twice the life.

Deal.

Deal.

They spit in unison and left the bathroom.

● ● ●

HEY, Shelley said, sitting beside Cam at lunch.

Am I Mac yet? Nope, haven’t switched. Don’t come on to her.

Cam smiled at the gorgeous blonde. Good thing Brandon didn’t go to their school. It would be impossible to juggle their boyfriend and girlfriend in the same building.

How’s it going, Shell?

So good. The student council just struck a deal with the fall carnival commission. We’re going to get a percentage of ticket sales from all students we send in.

Great. Bran and I will be there will bells on. Or you and I will be there while you finally spread your legs. And Mac will get a BJ from my BF. Life is great. Too bad we’re not triplets.

Mac took a seat next to Shelley. They snuck a kiss before any of the faculty could swoop in and break them up.

How’s it going, babe? Shelley asked.

Great. Really looking forward to my math test next period.

Really? I thought you hated math.

Think I’ll do okay at it. Mac shared a look with Cam.

I should take a piss before class, Cam said. He left the table and made his way into the boys’ room. It was empty and he stepped inside the handicapped stall.

Cam stripped his shirt off and stepped out of his jeans. A few seconds later the stall door opened and Mac entered. He stripped and they swapped clothes. Cam noticed they’d both worn identical maroon briefs without coordinating. As always.

Two perfect bodies, one kickass mind.

Is Shelley dumb or are we just that good? Cam asked.

Little of both. Brandon’s a freaking genius and he still hasn’t figured it out.

Or he’s a kinky bastard.

I kind of like that idea.

Once they were dressed again, Cam hurried out of the restroom and took Mac’s seat next to Shelley.

Miss me, babe?

Every second. She leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips. He preferred Brandon but her cherry lips were a close second.

A part of him hoped Brandon would wise up to their game. It was fun tricking people, but wouldn’t it be nice to find a—he shuddered at the thought—soulmate with brain enough to see the minute differences between the two? Someone worthy who he could really get close to.

Mac came back from the bathroom and ate the rest of Cam’s lunch.

A flock of football assholes strode by. The quarterback slapped Cam on the back.

Hey, fags, do you suck each other off every night, or just weekends?

Cam and Mac immediately replied, Only when your mom’s busy.

The jock’s buddies laughed and he stormed off.

Two perfect bodies. One kickass mind.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Cam carried Mac’s bag to his math class. He sat in the front row and raised his hand when his brother’s name was called during roll. The teacher didn’t give him a second glance before passing out quizzes.

● ● ●

BRANDON brought a box of wine and Shelley wore her skimpiest dress. The twins’ parents were out of the house and Mac blasted electronica. Before long, the four teens were alternating between gulping red wine and making out. The twins made sure to dress identically so they could switch back and forth whenever they wanted.

The lights were low, the couch groaning as Cam’s tongue ran across Brandon’s. He tugged gently on his bottom lip and played with his boyfriend’s hair. A few feet away, his mirror image grinded against Shelley.

Cam pulled away and said, Should we get chips in the other room, Mac? Brandon was an easy score, Shelley would be a well-earned feather in his cap.

Not yet. No one’s hungry, Mac said, momentarily pulling away from his girlfriend.

Maybe someone is hungry, Cam insisted.

Nope.

Shelley? Brandon?

Nope, she said.

You’re all I need, Brandon said, pulling Cam back into a kiss.

Stupid freaking romantic awesome guy.

We should get to the carnival at some point, Shelley said. I have to collect the class funds.

No time like the present, Cam said.

How much does the funhouse cost? Brandon asked.

My treat, cutie, Cam told him, pulling him off the couch.

They’re so adorable, Shelley whispered to Mac. Are we that perfect together, too?

Sure. You want to join them in the funhouse?

Okay.

Cam winked at Mac as he wondered which of them would be paired up during the walk through the dark, sexy maze.

● ● ●

CAM drove the four of them out to the carnival. It looked exactly the same as it did when they were kids. Food vendors peddling sticky greasy treats. The cacophony of music, carnival games and the crowds of kids from school and parents herding children. Flashing lights and dancing shadows.

Shelley collected funds from the ticket takers for the junior class while Brandon bought chili dogs for the group. The twins wandered off and bought cups of Post Nap Funks from one of the shadier seniors, who hung out all night by a clown doing close-up magic tricks. The four of them reconvened to stuff their faces with carnie food and booze on a sticky bench.

The twins scarfed down their chili dogs and then deftly switched positions as they entered the funhouse. Cam threw his arm around Shelley’s shoulder and watched Mac grab hold of Brandon’s hand.

This is going to be great, babe, Cam told Shelley. If you’re scared, just squeeze tight.

What should I squeeze? she asked.

Cam smirked and placed her hand on his crotch. Right here.

Shelley squealed and yanked her hand away.

Yeah, Mac told Brandon. So if you’re scared, just start rubbing right here.

No problem.

Should have waited to switch.

The dark hallway narrowed and the floor dropped a few inches. Shelley squealed and squeezed Cam’s hand. He felt just as startled but he didn’t let her see. Creepy violin music shrieked out of hidden speakers.

Shapes in the shadows squiggled against the walls and a wicked laughter erupted through the hidden loudspeakers as they walked further through the funhouse. The floor suddenly rose several inches, throwing off the four teens. Shelley clutched Cam and he pulled her in for a kiss.

You’re awful, she said through a wide grin.

Colored lights burst through the hallway. Shelley took a step away from Cam, her expression falling as she stared at him.

What’s wrong? he asked.

Shelley reached past Cam and pulled Mac away from Brandon.

Hey!

Shelley’s nostril’s flared. She pulled out her cell phone and turned it into a makeshift flashlight.

What are you doing? Brandon asked.

Trying not to freak out, Shelley said. Before, when you bought food, Mac spilled some chili on his shirt.

Oh shit! Shit shit shit! Threat level damn!

Brandon pulled back and examined Mac’s shirt. There’s a chili stain right here.

And none here, Shelley said, tugging on Cam’s shirt. You assholes switched, didn’t you?

It was the first time! the twins protested. The ultimate compliment!

Screw off! Shelley shoved her phone back in her