What do you think?
Rate this book
For Pete's Sake
"For Pete's Sake is one of those short stories that make you question the world around you after reading it."
—Readers' Favorite, 5/5 Stars
Christmas Eve is a time to spend cozily by the fire among family and friends with warm drink in hand.
Not for Brandon this year.
Forced by his boss on a business trip far from home, Brandon finds himself stuck in a grungy airport lounge, surrounded only by strangers as a blizzard closes in. It’s a depressing way to pass the holiday. That’s all it would be too if he were anywhere else.
But in this terminal Christmas Eve marks a tragic anniversary. And these strangers passing through, they aren’t exactly who they seem. Most have been waiting in the airport quite a while, a few—you might say—have never left at all . . .
It’s a realization Brandon fears he’s arrived at too late, and it just might cost him everything.
—Readers' Favorite, 5/5 Stars
Christmas Eve is a time to spend cozily by the fire among family and friends with warm drink in hand.
Not for Brandon this year.
Forced by his boss on a business trip far from home, Brandon finds himself stuck in a grungy airport lounge, surrounded only by strangers as a blizzard closes in. It’s a depressing way to pass the holiday. That’s all it would be too if he were anywhere else.
But in this terminal Christmas Eve marks a tragic anniversary. And these strangers passing through, they aren’t exactly who they seem. Most have been waiting in the airport quite a while, a few—you might say—have never left at all . . .
It’s a realization Brandon fears he’s arrived at too late, and it just might cost him everything.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
23 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 3, 2022
Clever short story that will keep your attention from the beginning to the end.
Brandon is having to travel on Christmas Eve in the middle of a snowstorm and is one unhappy traveler.
I related well to Brandon, and was interested in his story. The plot was clever and well written. The author was able to make the reader feel Brandon’s frustration, as well as the cold snowy night. I’d love to read an entire book by this author, not just a short story.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
Brandon is having to travel on Christmas Eve in the middle of a snowstorm and is one unhappy traveler.
I related well to Brandon, and was interested in his story. The plot was clever and well written. The author was able to make the reader feel Brandon’s frustration, as well as the cold snowy night. I’d love to read an entire book by this author, not just a short story.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
June 11, 2022
For Pete’s Sake by Ana Darko is a short horror story that takes place in an airport on Christmas Eve. We follow Brandon who is not happy about having to travel for work during the holidays, as he is waiting to board his flight he meets a mysterious man named Pete. Tension builds after the flight attendant has an odd reaction when Brandon mentions the name Pete. Brandon meets another mysterious character once he boards the plane and from there on the reader's curiosity is piqued. The interactions between Brandon and the people he encounters in the airport are very strange but you don't think much of it until you get to the middle of the book and your imagination starts to run wild wondering if these people are real or not. The author sets the tone of the story like one would a horror movie with a storm coming and an almost empty airplane, setting the reader up for a good scare. However, when Brandon starts talking to Charles who also had an encounter with Pete you start to think that maybe Charles is in cahoots with Pete. Ana Darko's writing is suspenseful and I was completely immersed in the story just waiting to be scared. The end of the story took me by surprise and was a pleasant and unexpected twist. Darko's writing is not your typical horror story but more of a psychological thriller as it kept me waiting for something scary to happen. Because the story takes place on Christmas Eve, I thought the story was going to turn into a warm and fuzzy story with a heart warming ending but it was quite the opposite. In around 40 pages the author manages to provide the reader with just enough information to intrigue them and she successfully builds the suspense keeping the reader's attention. I love when that happens, and this is rightfully a scary story. If you like scary stories, I highly recommend this one!
April 26, 2023
A free short story for Kindle from Amazon.
Take a hint from the author's name--even though this takes place on Christmas Eve, it's dark. As the song, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" says, 'There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago..."
Take a hint from the author's name--even though this takes place on Christmas Eve, it's dark. As the song, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" says, 'There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago..."
October 1, 2022
Brandon is upset that he will be traveling on Christmas Eve for a business meeting. Then he encountered an old man named Pete at the airport. After a brief conversation Pete vanished.
After boarding the plane Brandon met Charlie and began discussing Brandon's encounter with Pete.
A story story that will keep you intrigued until Brandon realizes what Charlie's last words meant.
It makes you wonder if all these characters are real.
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
After boarding the plane Brandon met Charlie and began discussing Brandon's encounter with Pete.
A story story that will keep you intrigued until Brandon realizes what Charlie's last words meant.
It makes you wonder if all these characters are real.
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 5, 2022
I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. This is a shorter horror story but it sure does pack a punch in the suspense department. This is a new author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills and how they pulled me into the story. The twists and turns are edge sitting and had me turning pages fast. The plot has great growth that will keep you coming back. I really enjoyed this book and I highy recommend it.
October 10, 2022
I read this very short story in the middle of the night when I couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't realize how short it was until all of a sudden it was over. I thought......Oh, for Pete's sake, what just happened? So then I still couldn't get to sleep pondering this clever short. Read it at lunch or at least when you can really pay attention. It's good.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
February 21, 2023
Unfortunately, Brandon has to fly for work on Christmas Eve. That's made even worse when he hears a fellow traveler's, Pete, tale of woe about his family. Brandon goes to board & when he turns to look for Pete, he has disappeared. Talking with another traveler, Brandon & the reader soon realize things aren't quite what they seem.
A clever little story that is reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode, it's more of a psychological thriller instead of a horror story imo. Definitely a good read!
A clever little story that is reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode, it's more of a psychological thriller instead of a horror story imo. Definitely a good read!
June 9, 2022
Good for a short read
Enough intrigue in the story to make me want to check out other short stories by this author. Would have loved for a little more in this story, but it was good for what it was.
Enough intrigue in the story to make me want to check out other short stories by this author. Would have loved for a little more in this story, but it was good for what it was.
January 7, 2024
Awesome short story.
Man waiting for a flight on Christmas Eve. A man, Pete starts talking to him. The man, also sees a pilot and the pilot referring to himself as the new guy.
There's a reason for that. They are ghosts.
More to the story.
Man waiting for a flight on Christmas Eve. A man, Pete starts talking to him. The man, also sees a pilot and the pilot referring to himself as the new guy.
There's a reason for that. They are ghosts.
More to the story.
June 13, 2022
atmospheric short horror
September 28, 2022
This short story was engaging and left off at just the right spot. You’re wondering what’s going to happen, with your brain coming up with all types of scenarios. Loved it!
October 7, 2022
OHMYGOSH what a great story, perfect for around the campfire. Thanks to Hidden Gems for the opportunity to read and review!
October 10, 2022
Great short story with Twilight Zone overtones, featuring a man named Pete.
December 11, 2022
Very good short story. (Uncanny rather horror.)
September 23, 2024
Pretty Good
I enjoyed this short read. I was well written and suspenseful. I especially liked how it ended which is rare.
I enjoyed this short read. I was well written and suspenseful. I especially liked how it ended which is rare.
August 28, 2022
This was a fun little read, I had to re-read a few parts to make sure I understood it, but it was a fun thriller short story
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews