Will o' the Wisp - Preview, Part III
Here's the final part of the preview of my brand new short story, Will o' the Wisp, creeping out of the shadows this Hallowe'en!
Missed Parts I and II? Check out my earlier blog posts.
___
I leaned forward, squinting more keenly out into the passing dark. I could see the glimmer of a distant light, floating and darting between what must be trees, as if someone was struggling to gather their bearings.
“Stop!” I called up to the driver. “There is someone out there, lost.”
“There is no one,” came the abrupt, gruff reply. I heard the crack of the whip, urging the horses on. “There is only marshland; no one can survive out there.”
Still, the wind formed into strangled, indistinct whispers, the distant light hovering, glimmering in the night.
“But I can see their light,” I protested, fearful for the poor soul trapped out on the marshes.
“What you see is the Friar’s Lantern. Only a fool pays it any heed, and no sooner does he than he is a doomed fool. On this night, more than any other.”
I had paid little heed to the date of note prior to this moment, considering myself neither religious nor superstitious.
“The Friar’s Lantern?” I queried.
“Friar w’ the Rush, will entice you out on yonder marshes and to your death. Pay it no heed, sir, I implore you. It is the Devil’s work. I have no wish for us to die tonight.”
I squinted into the night again, trying to identify the source of light. I had no doubt it was not the superstitious nonsense the driver claimed. Knowing nothing would impel him to stop, I dug the matches from my pockets and relit the lantern, in the dim hope that the lost soul may see the source of light and discern the direction of the road.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Continue reading this Sunday.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just four more days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
Missed Parts I and II? Check out my earlier blog posts.
___
I leaned forward, squinting more keenly out into the passing dark. I could see the glimmer of a distant light, floating and darting between what must be trees, as if someone was struggling to gather their bearings.
“Stop!” I called up to the driver. “There is someone out there, lost.”
“There is no one,” came the abrupt, gruff reply. I heard the crack of the whip, urging the horses on. “There is only marshland; no one can survive out there.”
Still, the wind formed into strangled, indistinct whispers, the distant light hovering, glimmering in the night.
“But I can see their light,” I protested, fearful for the poor soul trapped out on the marshes.
“What you see is the Friar’s Lantern. Only a fool pays it any heed, and no sooner does he than he is a doomed fool. On this night, more than any other.”
I had paid little heed to the date of note prior to this moment, considering myself neither religious nor superstitious.
“The Friar’s Lantern?” I queried.
“Friar w’ the Rush, will entice you out on yonder marshes and to your death. Pay it no heed, sir, I implore you. It is the Devil’s work. I have no wish for us to die tonight.”
I squinted into the night again, trying to identify the source of light. I had no doubt it was not the superstitious nonsense the driver claimed. Knowing nothing would impel him to stop, I dug the matches from my pockets and relit the lantern, in the dim hope that the lost soul may see the source of light and discern the direction of the road.
___
It may be safer for some questions to remain unanswered...
Whilst running an errand late one Hallowe'en night, a young gentleman comes across a young lady in need of assistance. From whom or what she flees is unclear, but nevertheless he desires to help.
When she vanishes without trace, he determines to find the reason for her disappearance, a quest which may lead him into unknown peril.
For, amongst the shadows, there lurks something sinister...
___
A gothic horror short story from the author of "The Jack O'Lantern Men" and "Whispers from the Dead of Night".
Continue reading this Sunday.
Available to download 31/10/2021. Pre-order on Amazon now!
Just four more days 'til Hallowe'en!
🎃 TRICK OR TREAT?! 😉
Visit me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Instagram
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