First Time Buyers

by James Everington

Kat and Alex move into a new house... but they're about to discover even new houses can be haunted. Outwardly confident and united, secretly they both harbour doubts about the economic situation, and each other. When Kat sees a pale figure in the mist fleeing from her behind their house, those doubts and fears are brought to light in a way both macabre and surreal.A horror short story of approximately 7.5k words, First Time Buyers first appeared in the author's début collection, The Other Room.

Genres: Paranormal, Horror

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2011

About the author

I'm a writer from Nottingham, England- most of what I write is dark, supernatural fiction, although not necessarily 'horror' in the blood and guts sense. My main influences are writers like Ramsey Campbell, Shirley Jackson, and Robert Aickman. I enjoy the unexplained, the psychological, and the ambiguous in my fiction.

I drink Guinness, if anyone's offering.

Infinity Plus published my second collection of short stories, Falling Over (2013) and the novel The Quarantined City in (2016).

This year also saw the release of the limited edition novella Trying To Be So Quiet from Boo Books, and my first book as editor, The Hyde Hotel.

Reviews

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a creepy little story and I loved every word! James Everington is able to paint a vivid portrait with few words. We get to know the characters, feel their emotions, and see what their world looks like. After reading this one, I am in no hurry to explore empty homes.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a creepy tale about a couple being the first to move into a new housing estate, surrounded by empty houses and something else in the surrounding mist. I liked this, it was short and to the point!

[Vincent Hobbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm now a fan of Mr. Everington. This is the second story I've read from the author, and I must say, I'm hooked. A wonderful, truly scary tale! I will be downloading more of his work in the near future. Five stars. I suggest everyone read this story.

-Vincent Hobbes

[Ananda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good creepy little read.

[Doreena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give anything away...

[Kathy Maher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short horror story

A very quick read. No time to develop the characters or the storyline. Would have liked UT to be longer and with more details.

[Haight Ashbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story did absolutely nothing for me. There was nothing to love about either of the characters. I found them both to be very self absorbed and their relationship to be loveless. Neither of them had any trust or respect for the other. The only character in the story that had any sort of value was their dog. As for the "horror" in the story, it wasn't scary at all. The creature seemed like, what most would consider, an alien. It wasn't trying to attack or harm anything or anyone. It seemed to be simply looking for food and shelter. The story was perfect for a quick 10-15 minute read but was certainly not my cup of tea.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very strange circumstances surround new home buyers in the midst of the recession. They are the only homeowners in the community, surrounded by empty houses.
What happens to them is scary. (Horror story.)