Happy October Everyone!
I hope you’re all avoiding the Christmas decorations that
are invading the stores. What are they doing out already? Can’t retailers wait
until November 1 to put out the snowmen? That’s scary, but today I’m sharing
something spookier, a look at DEAD TIL DAWN…
Dead ‘Til Dawn
Disturbing the dead doesn’t prove you’re brave – it proves
you’re stupid.
After touring Gettysburg battlefield, Jessica, Tim, and
Steve decide to sneak out to the Devil’s Den for some late-night fun. Jessica’s
friend Kathy objects, and warns them about trespassing where they’re not
wanted.
Undaunted by ghost stories and fueled by his own arrogance,
Tim races toward the Devil’s Den. When the group drives through mysterious
battlefield fog, they find themselves surrounded by Civil War soldiers looking
for a little fun of their own.
Kathy leaves the others to fend for themselves and flees to
Little Round Top. Although she’s rescued by a kindhearted Union solider named
Charlie, she refuses to believe that what she’s experiencing is real. As the
nighttime battle rages on, Charlie introduces Kathy to other weary soldiers,
and she quickly realizes she’s trapped in the land of the dead until dawn.
***
So how did this story come about? Well, if you know me, you
know I love writing psychological/creepy/spooky horror stories. And I also love
traveling to historic places — especially if they’re haunted.
This novella was inspired by actual events that happened to
me in Gettysburg, PA. I had a very unusual experience with battlefield fog and
I wanted to use it in a story.
Although I don’t consider myself a “paranormal investigator”
I love exploring haunted places and
taking ghost tours. Historic houses and basically “anything old and
creepy” appeal to my imagination. Is it any surprise that I love Halloween?
Here’s an excerpt from Dead Til Dawn, featuring the infamous
battlefield fog. I’m happy to say that the book got several great reviews on
Amazon!
Steve leaned forward in the back seat and tapped Tim on the
shoulder. “You think we can get to the Devil’s Den now? Won’t they have
security guards?”
“Who’d guard a battlefield at night? Ghosts?” Tim chuckled.
“The ghost stories we heard today were cool,” Steve replied.
“I wanted to take that ghost tour at the orphanage. They let you investigate
and try to contact dead soldiers. Maybe tomorrow—”
“I told you, that was a rip off,” Tim interrupted. “Who
cares who died out here, anyway? It was over a hundred and fifty years ago. I
don’t know why you keep wasting your time and money on that paranormal crap.
There’s no such thing as ghosts. People in town made up those stories to rake
in tourist money and sell costumes to idiot reenactors. If playing dress-up…
Whoa!”
Tim stopped the car. A wall of white mist covered the road
ten feet ahead of them.
“Is that fog?” Jessica asked, brushing her long red hair
over her shoulder.
“Yeah,” Steve answered. “But why is it there and not
anywhere else?”
Kathy peered out the side window. The two-lane road was
crystal clear on both sides of the car, but the line of fog blocked their path. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Let’s go
back.”
Tim glared at her in the rearview mirror. “You wanna go to
the hotel? Get out and start walking.”
Kathy pursed her lips and counted to ten. Tim was a
controlling smart-ass who insulted everyone, and for the last two days she’d
been his primary target. It would be a miracle if she made it through the rest
of the weekend without killing him.
She considered her options. The hotel was at least two miles
behind them. It would be an easy walk, but she didn’t think it was smart to go
wandering off alone in the dark. Besides, Tim wanted her out of the car. She
wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of doing what he said. If he wanted her to
leave, she’d do the opposite.
“I’ll stay.”
“Then keep quiet,” Tim barked, then stomped on the gas and
plowed into the fog.
“Check it out. We’re surrounded,” Steve exclaimed.
Fog engulfed the car, blocking out the fields, trees, and
fences along the road. Every so often Kathy thought she saw a glimpse of
movement in the misty darkness, but it was hard to tell with Tim speeding like
a maniac.
Steve pointed behind them. “Look back there. The town’s
gone, swallowed up,” he said.
Kathy gazed out the rear window. Steve was right. Behind
them, Gettysburg lay sleeping, wrapped in a blanket of milky whiteness.
“Sweetie, do you remember where the turnoff is?” Jessica
asked.
“Yeah. I spent the whole afternoon trapped on that tour bus,
visiting boring monu… what the—” Tim slammed on the brakes and the car
screeched to a stop.
“What’s wrong?” Steve asked.
“Nothing. I thought I saw—” Tim paused and ran his hands
through his short black hair. “I thought I saw the turn and I didn’t want to
miss it. Stupid fog plays tricks on your eyes.”
Leaning forward, Kathy tried to see through the fog, but it
was hopeless. It was as thick as paint and surrounded the entire car.
***
Wanna find out what happens when they get out of the car?
Order your copy here:
If you’re ready for more horror stories, don’t miss
Nightmare in the North and Kropsy’s Curse.
Happy Haunting!
Kelli
