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Awaken
A suspenseful short vampire tale of terror.
Overview:
Where am I?
Andy awakes with no recollection of where he is, how he got there, or how long he's been there. All he knows is that it's cold, it's dark, and he's alone.
When he finally escapes, he encounters strange, supernatural creatures. Terrifying monsters of the night.
Thinking of his daughter, Emma, his only goal is to get home and make sure she's okay.
And he has only one choice...
...Run.
Overview:
Where am I?
Andy awakes with no recollection of where he is, how he got there, or how long he's been there. All he knows is that it's cold, it's dark, and he's alone.
When he finally escapes, he encounters strange, supernatural creatures. Terrifying monsters of the night.
Thinking of his daughter, Emma, his only goal is to get home and make sure she's okay.
And he has only one choice...
...Run.
20 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2015
116 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Zach Bohannon
83 books120 followersZach Bohannon is a horror and science fiction author. His books include the Amazon #1 bestsellers, Dead South, and Empty Bodies. He loves heavy metal, video games, hockey, reading, and he doesn’t trust a beer he can see through. He’s a retired drummer, and has had a beard since 2003—long before it was cool. He lives in Tennessee.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 14, 2021
A short and spooky story about a man who wakes up in the night in a mausoleum. As he goes through the graveyard he hears screams and encounters some strange creatures/vampires in the night. He hurries home to get to his young daughter and make sure she is safe…
A quick and frantic read. Extremely short, but fun to read around Halloween.
A quick and frantic read. Extremely short, but fun to read around Halloween.
June 14, 2022
** 15 Minute Reads from Kindle **
I thought I'd try a few of these 15 minute reads from Kindle to see how they compare quality wise to other short stories I've read.
A suspenseful read about one man's perspective of vampirism. It was a very short story that would fit perfectly into a break and the author did a wonderful job of succinctly setting out an interesting plot with well rounded characters and pacing that ratcheted up the tension to the last sentence. I'd be very interested in reading more of the author's longer works, this one left me wanting more! An excellent example of how a quality short story should be written.
I thought I'd try a few of these 15 minute reads from Kindle to see how they compare quality wise to other short stories I've read.
A suspenseful read about one man's perspective of vampirism. It was a very short story that would fit perfectly into a break and the author did a wonderful job of succinctly setting out an interesting plot with well rounded characters and pacing that ratcheted up the tension to the last sentence. I'd be very interested in reading more of the author's longer works, this one left me wanting more! An excellent example of how a quality short story should be written.
January 3, 2017
A nice little horror story.
I found this tale to be very intriguing. I wasn't sure where it would end up. I personally loved how the author gave us information in short pieces, slowly bringing us into the scene, into the horror.
Although a short story, the characters were well developed, and this was done quickly.
A nice read for horror fans.
Also, even in the end, we still don't get a definite answer as to what the creatures are. I love that element of mystery. A horror story that leaves some questions unanswered, leaves us unsettled, as horror should do.
I found this tale to be very intriguing. I wasn't sure where it would end up. I personally loved how the author gave us information in short pieces, slowly bringing us into the scene, into the horror.
Although a short story, the characters were well developed, and this was done quickly.
A nice read for horror fans.
Also, even in the end, we still don't get a definite answer as to what the creatures are. I love that element of mystery. A horror story that leaves some questions unanswered, leaves us unsettled, as horror should do.
July 26, 2017
This book was suspenseful, but it was too quick as before I knew it, the book was finished. Wish it had been just a wee bit longer, but it was still a good read. A man wakes up in a cemetery with screaming all around him and as he tries to make his way home to his daughter, he has to literally run all the way home as there are vampires everywhere. Three stars for this one.
December 9, 2021
I have heard of short stories, but this one seems to be incomplete. Like the train of thought was cut off.
September 7, 2015
Great Read
I enjoy horror short stories with a twist, and Awaken didn't disappoint. Nice blend of action and atmosphere. An enjoyable read.
I enjoy horror short stories with a twist, and Awaken didn't disappoint. Nice blend of action and atmosphere. An enjoyable read.
December 17, 2020
I liked it. It was concise and detailed. It was intense and had enough action and plot to maintain a balance. It was well written I thought. I liked it. Good reading for a short piece.
February 27, 2017
Bohannon give me more of your stuff!
This is a wonderful short story with a simple enough plot, a Father looking for his daughter in the awakening of vampires attacking the town. This short story is really well written, and the gore is pretty non descript - it's nice to see an author choosing more shock horror and plot twists in a story like this rather than relying on the gore horror aspect. I love how Bohannon has described the vampires in this, a vivid image in my head at the horrors that haunt the night. The plot doesn't seem rushed at all, and the plot twist in the story was stunning and made me jolt a little.
Bravo, Bohannon, it's rare a vampire story gets me this much. Wonderful, a definite recommendation to any vampire / horror fans that read this review.
This is a wonderful short story with a simple enough plot, a Father looking for his daughter in the awakening of vampires attacking the town. This short story is really well written, and the gore is pretty non descript - it's nice to see an author choosing more shock horror and plot twists in a story like this rather than relying on the gore horror aspect. I love how Bohannon has described the vampires in this, a vivid image in my head at the horrors that haunt the night. The plot doesn't seem rushed at all, and the plot twist in the story was stunning and made me jolt a little.
Bravo, Bohannon, it's rare a vampire story gets me this much. Wonderful, a definite recommendation to any vampire / horror fans that read this review.
May 2, 2020
AWAKEN
Waking up in a cold, unfamiliar place with zero recollection is a nightmare. Trust me. I know. Like Bohannon's character, Andy, I once woke to chilling darkness, feeling my way around. I was in my bathtub, in an inch of water...in just my socks. Ok. I confess. A serious night of binge drinking had occurred. Nothing quite as ominous as poor Andy's predicament. And, wow! It is one hell of a predicament.
Beings it's short, I'm going to skip the wordy review. Instead, I will tell you that it is a nice introduction to Bohannon as an author. I liked it. Could feel and picture the horror that was unfolding in front of Andy's disbelieving eyes. It's terrifying in more ways than one. (Probably better to wake up drunk and shivering in the tub) Sorry, Andy.
I downloaded this short story to support Indie authors...cuz I'm cool like that and the cover's catchy. Well done, Zach.
Waking up in a cold, unfamiliar place with zero recollection is a nightmare. Trust me. I know. Like Bohannon's character, Andy, I once woke to chilling darkness, feeling my way around. I was in my bathtub, in an inch of water...in just my socks. Ok. I confess. A serious night of binge drinking had occurred. Nothing quite as ominous as poor Andy's predicament. And, wow! It is one hell of a predicament.
Beings it's short, I'm going to skip the wordy review. Instead, I will tell you that it is a nice introduction to Bohannon as an author. I liked it. Could feel and picture the horror that was unfolding in front of Andy's disbelieving eyes. It's terrifying in more ways than one. (Probably better to wake up drunk and shivering in the tub) Sorry, Andy.
I downloaded this short story to support Indie authors...cuz I'm cool like that and the cover's catchy. Well done, Zach.
March 17, 2016
Wow!
What a surprising ending! A man walks up in a cemetery mausoleum. He's confused and has no clue how he got there. He instantly remembers his daughter alone at home and struggled to escape the stone prison.
He hears screams outside as he is climbing a wall and then sees a man with blood dripping down the side of his mouth and a body to the side of him, a young man with s chunk of his throat ripped out. What happens next? I'm not telling.
What a surprising ending! A man walks up in a cemetery mausoleum. He's confused and has no clue how he got there. He instantly remembers his daughter alone at home and struggled to escape the stone prison.
He hears screams outside as he is climbing a wall and then sees a man with blood dripping down the side of his mouth and a body to the side of him, a young man with s chunk of his throat ripped out. What happens next? I'm not telling.
November 8, 2016
Poor editing.
October 27, 2017
Didn't give me anywhere near a scare.
October 31, 2015
Quick little Halloween read with an interesting twist!
January 16, 2026
My accurate rating is 2.1 stars.
This is my first experience with this particular author, and I have to admit that it left me feeling a bit ambivalent. The narrative lacks substantial character development, which is critical for creating a strong emotional connection with the reader. We are introduced to the protagonist, Andy, in a minimalistic manner—just enough to grasp the basics of who he is, but not enough to form a real bond. Throughout the story, he references other characters, yet they remain largely undeveloped and distant, making it hard to invest in their fates. While the plot does progress, it often does so in a manner that feels detached, stripping away the emotional stakes that are typically so integral to a gripping tale.
The story begins with Andy awakening in a disorienting environment, shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. Confusion envelops him; he has no memory of how he arrived at this bleak place or how long he has been trapped there. All he truly understands is that it is cold, the silence is oppressive, and he is utterly alone.
Upon his escape, he is thrust into a chaotic world filled with eerie, supernatural creatures that threaten him at every turn. These nightmarish monsters embody fear itself, lurking in the shadows and preying on his vulnerability.
Haunted by thoughts of his daughter, Emma, Andy’s driving motivation becomes crystal clear: he must return home to ensure her safety. His love for her ignites a fierce determination within him, driving him to face unimaginable horrors.
With only one course of action ahead of him, he resolves to... Run.
Initially, the story did not captivate my interest right away; it felt somewhat slow and unengaging. However, as the plot began to unfold, I found myself becoming more intrigued by the layers of tension and mystery. There is a clever twist that, although somewhat predictable, still manages to keep the reader on edge, offering a rewarding moment of clarity as the truths of Andy's situation come to light. Overall, it’s a decent read that gradually reveals its merits, transforming my initial reservations into a genuine appreciation for the storytelling.
This is my first experience with this particular author, and I have to admit that it left me feeling a bit ambivalent. The narrative lacks substantial character development, which is critical for creating a strong emotional connection with the reader. We are introduced to the protagonist, Andy, in a minimalistic manner—just enough to grasp the basics of who he is, but not enough to form a real bond. Throughout the story, he references other characters, yet they remain largely undeveloped and distant, making it hard to invest in their fates. While the plot does progress, it often does so in a manner that feels detached, stripping away the emotional stakes that are typically so integral to a gripping tale.
The story begins with Andy awakening in a disorienting environment, shrouded in darkness and uncertainty. Confusion envelops him; he has no memory of how he arrived at this bleak place or how long he has been trapped there. All he truly understands is that it is cold, the silence is oppressive, and he is utterly alone.
Upon his escape, he is thrust into a chaotic world filled with eerie, supernatural creatures that threaten him at every turn. These nightmarish monsters embody fear itself, lurking in the shadows and preying on his vulnerability.
Haunted by thoughts of his daughter, Emma, Andy’s driving motivation becomes crystal clear: he must return home to ensure her safety. His love for her ignites a fierce determination within him, driving him to face unimaginable horrors.
With only one course of action ahead of him, he resolves to... Run.
Initially, the story did not captivate my interest right away; it felt somewhat slow and unengaging. However, as the plot began to unfold, I found myself becoming more intrigued by the layers of tension and mystery. There is a clever twist that, although somewhat predictable, still manages to keep the reader on edge, offering a rewarding moment of clarity as the truths of Andy's situation come to light. Overall, it’s a decent read that gradually reveals its merits, transforming my initial reservations into a genuine appreciation for the storytelling.
May 29, 2019
Please note that I’m commenting here as a professional writer and editor, with the sole intention of helping the author improve his work:
The pacing and syntax of this story both need some work. It had too many starter phases like “tries to” and “seems to” that kept pulling me out of the story. Just get into the action. I kept wanting to rewrite segments of the story as I was reading it, instead of enjoying it purely as a reader. I would’ve preferred to have had a completely immersive experience but the wording of this story made that difficult.
Also, I was able to guess the ending about halfway through the story.
My advice to this author would be to spend some time tightening the language of this story, and that would also improve the timing and supense of this story as well. As the action builds, use shorter phrases and words to quicken the pace.
Overall, a decent initial attempt but the writing needs further refinement.
The pacing and syntax of this story both need some work. It had too many starter phases like “tries to” and “seems to” that kept pulling me out of the story. Just get into the action. I kept wanting to rewrite segments of the story as I was reading it, instead of enjoying it purely as a reader. I would’ve preferred to have had a completely immersive experience but the wording of this story made that difficult.
Also, I was able to guess the ending about halfway through the story.
My advice to this author would be to spend some time tightening the language of this story, and that would also improve the timing and supense of this story as well. As the action builds, use shorter phrases and words to quicken the pace.
Overall, a decent initial attempt but the writing needs further refinement.
October 26, 2019
Andy awakens in a strange, dark, cold place. Thus begins the suspense and mystery of this quick horror story. What Andy does recall is that he has a daughter, Emma, whom he must get to and protect. He doesn't understand the howling, vicious creatures he hears and sees as he runs to his home. That mystery will have to wait until he can get to Emma. But when he gets home he is confronted by his neighbor who is trying to withhold Emma from him. Why won't his neighbor let him hug his own daughter?
Andy's character is developed as he puzzles his situation and races to his daughter. The story is created with mystery, suspense and a bit of action that moves along for a quick and easy read. The thing I enjoy about horror is the irony. This short story didn't disappoint me as I enjoyed the suspense leading up to the ironic ending. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a short horror story. My rating 4.25.
Andy's character is developed as he puzzles his situation and races to his daughter. The story is created with mystery, suspense and a bit of action that moves along for a quick and easy read. The thing I enjoy about horror is the irony. This short story didn't disappoint me as I enjoyed the suspense leading up to the ironic ending. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a short horror story. My rating 4.25.
April 7, 2018
Sometimes a long novel can leave you empty, and in some cases they can be a waste of time. However, some short story (if well written) can has a lasting effect on your mind. This short story did just that. I gave it 4 stars because it was not clear to me how he got in the mausoleum. Who placed him there? He had asked the question, but it was never answered. Maybe the author did this on purpose?
November 21, 2019
I got this because it was free, and honestly it's nothing special. The author has a real talent for writing descriptions and making you really be able to envision your surroundings and what the characters are feeling. But the dialogue and plot? That left a lot to be desired.
If you have a few minutes, I say read it, but don't expect anything great.
If you have a few minutes, I say read it, but don't expect anything great.
December 27, 2021
😮
Very short story starts off with a man trapped in a mausoleum with no recollection of how he got there. The only thing on his mind is whether his daughter is safe or not. When he manages to free himself he encounters creatures that can't be explained and fears even more for his daughter.
Very short story starts off with a man trapped in a mausoleum with no recollection of how he got there. The only thing on his mind is whether his daughter is safe or not. When he manages to free himself he encounters creatures that can't be explained and fears even more for his daughter.
December 22, 2022
Well Done
This short story is well written with no typos or grammatical errors .
It starts with Andy waking up in a mausoleum and as he struggles to get home he finds a world filled with monsters. The end answers all questions that Andy struggles with on his flight home.
Well worth the short read.
This short story is well written with no typos or grammatical errors .
It starts with Andy waking up in a mausoleum and as he struggles to get home he finds a world filled with monsters. The end answers all questions that Andy struggles with on his flight home.
Well worth the short read.
January 1, 2024
Hmmm
This wasn't a bad story by any means. However, I don't know how I feel about it. It is a very short story. This story takes place in a day's time. Andy wakes up in a weird place, runs through the night to get home, then "something" happens, and the story is over. I would have liked to have some more details, feelings, or thoughts.
This wasn't a bad story by any means. However, I don't know how I feel about it. It is a very short story. This story takes place in a day's time. Andy wakes up in a weird place, runs through the night to get home, then "something" happens, and the story is over. I would have liked to have some more details, feelings, or thoughts.
June 27, 2018
Overall I thought this was a good book. I thought it was written well, but to say it was a short horror story, it wasn't scary at all.
It's not what I would call a scary book, but it was still a good read.
It was still a good read and I would read this again someday.
It's not what I would call a scary book, but it was still a good read.
It was still a good read and I would read this again someday.
February 9, 2018
Leaves the reader hanging.with out any resolution or a ending of any kind.
Would love to read a better ending. The author is very talented in the writing of the story lots of detail and good start to story.
Would love to read a better ending. The author is very talented in the writing of the story lots of detail and good start to story.
March 8, 2019
Ride Awakening
Short story but a nice one. Andy wakes up in a strange place his only thoughts how did he get there and he has to go home to his daughter. He meets creatures of the night along the way but he has to go home to his daughter. You'll have to read it to see.
Short story but a nice one. Andy wakes up in a strange place his only thoughts how did he get there and he has to go home to his daughter. He meets creatures of the night along the way but he has to go home to his daughter. You'll have to read it to see.
June 24, 2019
Writing was messy. The story was neither scary nor surprissing - I kinda saw it coming from when he jumped the fence. It was an ok story to read while I'm so tired I'm sick to my stomach, though. Mindless and not needing much concentration
May 24, 2022
Good story.
An enjoyable wee book. I like short stories from the start and the finish with no padding in between. We still got the gen on the characters but not what they're wearing and so on. Definitely check to see more of what this author has written.
An enjoyable wee book. I like short stories from the start and the finish with no padding in between. We still got the gen on the characters but not what they're wearing and so on. Definitely check to see more of what this author has written.
June 28, 2024
Sad
I would've liked for the story to be longer. Andy still had human emotions so a story around those emotions and what he has become would've been a great story to read. Maybe not horror but a great story none the less.
I would've liked for the story to be longer. Andy still had human emotions so a story around those emotions and what he has become would've been a great story to read. Maybe not horror but a great story none the less.
May 12, 2025
Great short story.
A captivating narrative unfolds, revealing intriguing details from the opening scene to the final moments of this exceptional short story. The piece demonstrates remarkable literary craftsmanship, weaving together compelling elements with precision and skill.
A captivating narrative unfolds, revealing intriguing details from the opening scene to the final moments of this exceptional short story. The piece demonstrates remarkable literary craftsmanship, weaving together compelling elements with precision and skill.
September 6, 2025
Bohannon set a solid scene and ran with it.
The main character felt right but something felt missing. There was decent tension buildup during the short story.
The ending gives an interesting take.
Looking forward to reading more from Bohannon.
The main character felt right but something felt missing. There was decent tension buildup during the short story.
The ending gives an interesting take.
Looking forward to reading more from Bohannon.
August 19, 2017
Ok
Good Lil twist
Wish a Lil longer. . . ... . . . . .
... .
.. . .
Good Lil twist
Wish a Lil longer. . . ... . . . . .
... .
.. . .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews