Creepy Samples Offering: The Resurrection of Wanette

 

Hello, everyone, and welcome once again to another Creepy Samples Offering! 

 

Today's sample comes from a story entitled "The Resurrection of Wanette." It tells the tale of a young woman named Renee who has been invited to the home of an established goth couple that she met the night before at an event. We pick up the story after Renwick and Autumn, her hosts, have been impressing her with all of their spooky furnishings. After a nice visit, Renee announces that she should probably be leaving, but the couple have one more marvel to show her.

 

“Do you mean to tell me that there are still more marvels to behold?” Renee inquired with a chuckle. 

 

“Oh yes,” Renwick responded, “the greatest marvel of them all. We wanted to save the best for last.” 

 

“It's downstairs,” Autumn informed her. “Follow me.”

 

Renee couldn't believe her eyes upon reaching the basement. She gazed in amazement at a lavish coffin occupying the far side of the room. It was beautifully polished and lined with white silk. 

 

Renee stared at the coffin in amazement. “H....how'd you get it? It's amazing.” 

 

“It just kind of came to us,” Renwick responded. “We found it on the property one evening.”

 

“We consider it magical,” Autumn added, “because of the way that it just seemed to appear with nobody claiming it. Special goth points if you'd like to sleep in it.” 

 

“Wh....what? Really? I can sleep in it?” 

 

“If you'd like. It's not every goth that gets to sleep in an actual coffin,” Renwick reminded her. “And the experience will sure garner the respect of everyone in the culture.”

 

Autumn went to a nearby closet and returned with a sheer, black nightgown. “You can wear this for the night, then you'll really look authentic.” 

 

“What can I say?” Renee responded. “I'd love to do it.”

 

“Then it's settled,” Autumn said with a smile. “You're going to have a very unique experience.” 

 

“And I feel very honored that you're inviting me to do this.” 

 

Her hosts simply smiled without saying another word.

***

Renee emerged from the dressing room a few minutes later. She looked stunning, and was absolutely giddy from the attention her friends had lavished upon her. 

 

“You look lovely,” Autumn informed her. “I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have sleeping in our coffin. Now, there's just one more thing we need to do before you climb in and sleep for the night.” 

 

“Oh? What's that?” 

 

“Anyone who sleeps in a coffin needs to have a goth name given to them. This is a rite of passage after all,” Renwick informed her. “So, may we name you?”

 

“Of course,” the flattered young lady responded. 

 

Autumn spoke next. “Then, from this moment on, you will be known by our community as Wanette.”

 

“It means the pale one,” Renwick added. 

 

“Do you accept this name?” Autumn inquired. 

 

“Oh yes! Yes, I accept it, and I'm truly honored. Thank you!”

 

“Then we'll leave you to your experience,” Autumn concluded. Good night!” 

 

“Yes, good night—and thank you both!” 

 

The two retreated up the stairway leaving Wanette to her own devices. She turned out the light and climbed into a coffin for the very first time.

***

Wanette had no sooner gotten comfortable inside the casket than sleep overtook her—a deep sleep—a sleep that was more death-like than ordinary slumber. She didn't move or even breath. She had, in fact, become quite lifeless. 

 

Well, there you have it. That will just about do it for now. And keep in mind that the conclusion to this story can be found in my latest book, A Day of Reckoning and Other Frightful Tales. Until next time then, keep it spooky!

Creepy Samples Offering: A Day of Reckoning

 

 

Hello everyone!  It has been two or three weeks since I posted the first in a series of Creepy Samples Offerings for my new book, "A Day of Reckoning and Other Frightful Tales." What I have for you today is a segment from the story for which the publication is named. Because this offering commences at the very beginning of the tale, there is no need for me to describe what has been going on previous to where the story picks up. So, then, let's just start at the beginning.

Jessica arose with a start, and looked around the dark room. At first glance everything seemed normal, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had overtaken her. Something was wrong; yet, she couldn't determine what it might be. As the young woman turned toward the bed, she gasped in horror. Stretched out across the covers was the lifeless body of a young woman. A closer inspection revealed that it was her own body. A trail of blood trickled down from two puncture wounds on her neck.

"Oh my God," she screamed. "My God! It can't be! No! Please no!"

The horrific memory of all that had just occurred flooded her mind. She remembered turning off the
lamp on the end table, and only moments later, feeling the breath of the cold night air caressing her skin.

"I don't remember opening the window," she had mumbled to herself while arising to shut it.

Jessica recalled the electrifying fear she'd felt when she saw a darkly dressed stranger standing by the gently swaying curtains. She remembered retreating toward the door when he hissed at her threateningly before opening his mouth wide, revealing two obtrusive fangs. She recalled struggling valiantly against the stranger's attack, and vividly recollected the sharp pain in her neck as the man's incisors penetrated her soft skin. She sobbed uncontrollably as she gazed upon the body that was once hers; now lifeless and drained of its essence.

Time stood still as the young woman, filled with grief over her own passing, continued to stare at that
which had once been her earthly vehicle--a body that once experienced pain and pleasure as well as the feel of the cool wind blowing through her hair. She thought about the young man she loved waiting for her back home, and how he had no way no way of yet knowing that she would not be returning to him.

She recoiled with the thought that her best friend, with whom she was staying, would react in the morning upon discovering her dead body. Her thoughts then turned to her friends and family back home, and the good times they'd all had together. Jessica grieved for the fleeting life she once had.
Seemingly frozen in time, she struggled to make peace with that which had happened.

When Jessica could no longer bear the sight before her, she stooped over in an effort to touch her former earthly vehicle. Then, she turned and walked out the door, without even attempting to open it.

Upon her arrival in New Orleans, she'd heard stories about resident blood drinkers, but had dismissedthem as superstitious fantasy and failed to pay them any mind. Now she believed; and, as she strode out into the darkness of the night, she promised herself that she would make the creature pay for what he'd done. 

"Vampire or not," she told herself, "he'll pay a high price for what he's done to me."

Well, there you have it. We now have a ghost seeking vengeance upon the physical being responsible for her untimely death. Does she accomplish her mission, and if so, how? To find the answer you'll have to follow the links here either to Romance and Horror Dot Com, to the Lulu Bookstore, or you can find this particular story available independently on Kindle. 

 

Until next time then, keep it spooky and thanks for being here!