Another two blood soaked tales from the author The Horror Channel is calling "The UK's Horror Supremo"... In 'The Greatest Show on Earth' we are given a new reason to fear the Big Top and clowns haven't been this scary since Pennywise... In 'The Tunnel' something is waiting in the dark and its hungry... very hungry.
Excerpt:
I can’t remember how long the train was in the tunnel, but I can tell you this. I thought I’d never leave.
I left the house at six that morning to attend the convention, kissing my wife softly on the cheek so as not to disturb her sleep.
“Bye darling.” I failed and she rolled over to smile up at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and drawing me in for a kiss that said how much we would miss each other.
Our lips met and we lingered, tongues gently touching each other with heart felt emotion. Goodbye kisses are never lustful, well not in my case. They’re always meaningful because you can never be sure if it will be your last kiss.
Who knows what will happen when you walk out the door. Everything you love about each other should be embodied in that single meeting of the lips. And in our case it always did.
“I love you Mr Smales.” Our mouths parted and my reflection filled her eyes.
“I love you too.” I leaned down and kissed her nose. “But I’ve got to go, say goodbye to the kids for me.” I pushed upright, never taking my eyes off the beauty that is my wife.
“I’ll call you later.”
“You’d better.” She blew me a kiss and I mimed being knocked backwards. “Enjoy yourself.” She was still laughing as I left the room.
*
I didn’t want to wake the older two kids, but I couldn’t resist a peek in on the youngsters.
“Is it sunshine?” My little girl looked over at me, asking in her own sweet way if it was time to get up.
“Not yet darling.”
“Where you going?” She sat up frowning. “Work?”
“No, Daddies got to meet some people.” I kept my voice low as not to wake her brother.
“Can I come?” She started to climb out of the bed. “I’ll get dressed quick.”
“Not today darling.” She stuck out her bottom lip in sulkiness. “But you go get in the big bed with mummy.” The lip retracted and she ran along the landing with a smile.
“Is it sunshine?” As I descended the stairs I heard her mother laugh.
*
For Mid October it was warm and the walk to the train station, though dark, was pleasant. I’ve always liked that moment before dawn. It’s peaceful in an indescribable way. To wake up whilst the rest of the world is asleep is truly inspiring. The silence of that moment usually spurs me on to some of my best writing, fingers stabbing away at the keyboard until the first rays of sun begin to probe their fingers around the curtains and into the sanctuary of the room.
The tunnel was dark, but not in the good way. Not in the way that inspires. The tunnel was a darkness that only wanted to absorb life, not give.
The journey to the station didn’t take long, my thoughts only interrupted by one other pre-dawn traveller. He was old and as he neared he stopped and looked at me imploringly.
“Have you seen my Marjorie?” He was dressed in a coat over pyjamas and on his feet were a battered pair of slippers. “She’s been gone so long.” Tears welled in his eyes and I was filled with a sadness at his loneliness.
A loneliness that could only be matched by the darkness that surrounded us in the tunnel.
