While She Was Out

by Ed Bryant

On a casual errand, a woman is forced to fight for her life when she is attacked by a group of relentless and evil strangers. Going beyond the pale, Ed Bryant’s short story is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that is sure to make you think twice about your next trip to the mall. This story is the basis for the 2008 film by the same name, starring Kim Basinger and Lukas Haas.

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Edward Winslow Bryant Jr. is a science fiction and horror author strongly associated with The New Wave.

Born in White Plains, NY, raised in Wheatland, WY, Master of Arts for the University of Wyoming (1968). Currently lives in North Denver.

Not only a science-fiction and horror writter but also screenplayer for CBS, Lifetime and Disney, and even actor in a couple of movies.

Winner of several awards including Nebula, he also writes poetry, non fiction, reviews, criticism and edits his own e-zine. Founder of Norther Colorado Writers Workshop, senior editor of Wormhole Books and always helping with different writing workshops over the years.

Reviews

[Chet Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noir classic. Group of nomadic gangster young men after housewife out on a bad stormy night. One by one the scenes evolve more violently as the story unfolds quickly. Loved it: short, good writing, succinct, and a little quirky. How quickly Bryant drew the few characters that mattered. A well thought out thriller: chilling characters, violence and suspense. Loved the ending. Perfect for a movie. A simple classic by Bryant.

[Jeffrey Powanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nasty, violent short story about a Colorado woman who goes out one miserable wintry night to the mall for some tampons and ends up being terrorized by four teenagers. A very simple premise for a sensationalistic pulp story, but Bryant does a fine job with it. The story was adapted into a 2008 B-movie starring Kim Basinger, which is available here on Prime Video.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and tight. It seems like it could be the prologue for a longer piece, but stands alone on its own merits. Better than the movie of the same name.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short story that needs editing. I guess it was okay, but I wasn't impressed.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and exciting 0-to-60 story that will surprise and entertain!

A woman goes to the mall one cold, slushy night before Christmas to pick up some last-minute wrapping paper and walks straight into a nightmare. She encounters a gang of thugs in the parking lot who are on the lam and takes umbrage at her attitude about their parking. The confrontation quickly escalates to murder, and the woman must run for her life and try to outwit her pursuers, alone in the rural darkness and frigid isolation.

While She Was Out really was a heart-pounding, heart-STOPPING tale, and I understand why it was developed into a feature film. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was blown away by its surprising twists and turns. Violent and frightening!