If He Finds Us: A psychological thriller short story

by Daniel Hurst

He's looking for us. What if he finds us?

When I arrive at the house and see the man who lives there, I feel safe. I feel like he can protect me. He has two children. They seem safe too. So I hide with them. I hide from the man who wants to find me. But if he does, I've just put a whole family in danger. If I have, I might not be able to save them...

A standalone short story with a shock ending from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor's Wife, The Couple's Revenge and Til Death Do Us Part

Genres: Thriller, Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2025

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

there is so much over explanation in this short story, and a lot of clipped sentences, which makes it hard to concentrate on the story. The twist was good though.

[Melody McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful read with well-developed characters for such a short piece. With a sense of tension throughout, you know that something bad is going to happen, and the ending totally caught me by surprise.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful with an unexpected twist!

This short story pulled me in with emotion and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the unexpected conclusion. The plot is cleverly twisted with a constant sense of foreboding throughout. This is a great quick read that is intriguing, gripping, and entertaining.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for something short I turned to this story by Daniel Hurst. This psychological thriller is sure to have the reader take note as they forge onwards. Sherry is on the run and must find a place to hide. She encounters Marcus one day and they agree that she can live with them, as long as she keeps a secret. Marcus and his two children are also hiding and cannot risk anyone finding them. While Sherry and Marcus connect, she gets a little squirrely and wants to venture out to shop one day. While she's out, Sherry finds a man following her, one who says nothing but gives her quite the scare. Has Sherry put everyone in danger by simply wanting to be helpful? Hurst provides a spine-tingling piece here!

This piece by Daniel Hurst was a quick and highly entertaining read, culminating with something pretty dark. The story is complemented by a strong narrative that keeps the reader involved as it clips along. The reader cannot help but wonder what is set to happen, as events go from peaceful to panic-filled, all in a matter of pages. Tensions run high and Hurst knows how to shake the reader to their core.

Characters are not plentiful, but Hurst finds a way to keep things interesting. The story is seen through Sherry's eyes, while she navigates her own issues and those of Marcus. The reader gets a little backstory about them and some development, but not enough to be completely hooked. All the same, curiosity fuels this piece and the characters found therein.

Surprises emerge to keep the reader on their toes. I was not expecting how things would climax, but that is the benefit of a great psychological thriller. I liked how Daniel Hurst delivered a great twist once more and kept things going until the final page turn. I could not ask for more and this one surely met all my expectations. I will have to read Daniel Hurst's full-length novels this year, as this was a piece of writing that kept me curious from beginning to end.

Kudos, Mr. Hurst, for a chilling story.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I arrive at the house and see the man who lives there, I feel safe. I feel like he can protect me. He has two children. They seem safe too. So I hide with them, I hide from the man who wants to find me. But if he does, I've just put a whole family in danger.

This short story is just seventy pages long.

A woman running away from her ex ends up on a farm where a man and his two children live. He was also hiding from something. Within a few short months together, they are both developing some feelings for each other. Then just as you think you know where this story is heading, Daniel throws a curve ball that sent chilling vibes along with it.

#KindleUnlimited

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW. Short, but packs a punch. Am I the only one that didn't see that coming?

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a twisty short story. I did figure out the twist towards the end but still enjoyed it overall - this would have made a good full length book.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A smidge predictable but a fun twist read. 3.5!

[Catherine Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had my suspicions and I was right!
A very good, short read that kept me on my toes, and I literally couldn’t put my kindle down.

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love a good short story and this was one! only 70 pages but you’re able to connect with each character and feel the feelings and then boom, plot twist. highly recommend if you’re into short stories.

[Tony da Napoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 of 3 standalone short stories "with a shock endings" from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 ... Reading these while on a trip at the recommendation of a reviewer I respect (Matt).
Too short to say much without spoiling. A couple people hiding from someone and living in rural hot, dry Texas. Surprise ending as guaranteed. A good read. Free on Kindle Unlimited else $1.32.

[Laura Felty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical for Hurst

I will always jump at the chance to read this author's books. This is very short but in depth. Quite the unexpected twist. That is all I'm going to share. Excellent read, as per Hurst's usual.

[Stacy Legg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially was going to give this book 2 stars but I decided on 2.5 stars (rounding up to 3) because of the epilogue. This book was just meh imo 😐.

[Mahpara Nodee]

3.5

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A character with my name in it????? But spelled differently???? Hmmmmm a great short thriller that can be read in 1 setting.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If He Finds Us by Daniel Hurst was a fast, gripping read that kept my attention from start to finish. The tension builds steadily, and just when you think you have a handle on where the story is going, it takes a sharp turn. Daniel Hurst does a great job creating an unsettling atmosphere and keeping the suspense high throughout.

And that ending—I was genuinely shocked. I did not see it coming at all, and it completely changed how I looked back at the story. While parts of the book felt familiar within the thriller genre, the pacing and final twist made it well worth the read.

Overall, this was an engaging, quick thriller with a jaw-dropping ending that left me thinking about it long after I finished. A solid 4-star read for suspense lovers who enjoy being caught off guard.

[Tarien Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start, the tension is there, sitting heavy on every page, and it never really lets you relax. It’s one of those books that makes you uneasy in the best way, constantly reminding you that danger is always close.
The pacing is strong and the short chapters make it hard to put down. I found myself saying “just one more chapter” more times than I can count. The sense of fear and urgency is well done, and the twists kept me engaged throughout.
That said, while I really enjoyed it, there were moments where I wanted a bit more depth, especially emotionally. Some parts felt like they moved too quickly when I wanted them to linger just a little longer.

[Vidhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

To hide from her stalker ex-boyfriend, Sherry has left her hometown and is on the lookout for the next place she can call home and feel safe. After being on the run for some time, she is finally welcomed by a man named Marcus, who lives with his two children on a remote farm. Eventually, she finds out that even they are in hiding! The question is - can she really trust this stranger? Will Marcus confess to Sherry what they are really escaping from?
I will not deny that the summary seemed intriguing. Consisting of only 70 pages and free on Kindle Unlimited, it was a no-brainer to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. For me, the plot was pointless and lacked logic. I mean in what world are we living in? Why couldn’t she report her stalker to the cops? Take help from her family or friends? Is it that easy to leave everything behind and just run? The author does not explain. There was a twist in the end hence the 3 stars. Though I did not see it coming, I still wasn't satisfied with the ending. It did leave me questioning the book altogether. Maybe I should have given it 2 stars! You can avoid the high ratings on Goodreads and Fable and give this one a miss. It’s not worth it.
PS- The description on Kindle says it’s a “psychological thriller”. However, I failed to understand the so-called “psychology” behind it!

[Meg’sLostInABook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sharp and slick read based on survival and hide and seek from the POV of Sherry who has ran away from her home town on California to Texas to hide from her ex. In doing so, she is taken in by Widow - Marcus and his daughter and son who are making their own new life by hiding from the bad man.

Was intriguing from the get go — and will definitely eat up the second short story being released soon!

[Alyssa Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Therese Urbonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this! Such a short and easy read but had me hooked from the first page! Just wanted a quick read for the last day of the year, and honestly I loved this. Solid like 4.3 for me. I’m adding more from this author to my want to read.

[Venessa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for a short story. From the characters to the storyline and the suspense. The ending was amazing, I didn't see it coming.
Daniel Hurst is a new favorite author of mine.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Kim Kiedrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short with so many twists!

[Christoi Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book with a twist at the end!!!

[Wendy Vos · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 🌟
For a short story this was really good. It was very well written and easy to read! I was intrigued from start to finish.

[kimberly schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story with a semi twist.

[Reina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good short story! I wanted there to be more context! I want to know more about Sherry and the man she is staying with! I KNEW something wasn’t right, just from reading the prologue!

Why did it have to end so abruptly? Maybe the second book will tell me more!

[Josie Oconnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I guessed the twist but still a fun read. Love a good short story. Easy read, tense and gripping.

[Holly Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy that much. The general plot was good but predictable