For the Children by J.B. McLaurin
Mulberry, Kentucky 1853: Jessica has been separated from her husband, Harrison, for months. After years of trying to do all the things expected of a woman of her station, he left her after having an affair with her best friend. Adding insult to injury, the affair began after Jessica’s third miscarriage.
Looking back, she feels foolish for ever falling for him, even more so for trying to make him happy. All he ever gave her in return was scorn, his backhand, and his special brand of punishment. Made her atone for her miscarriages. Told her it would cure her.
Now, two years later, she is due to host a gathering to raise money for the children at the local orphanage. Harrison is at the top of the guest list.
Everything has its time and its place: the last words Harrison spoke to her when he left her. With her newfound wisdom, Jessica now agrees with this phrase.
Everything has its time and its place, including a reckoning.
A short story of revenge written under J.B.’s real name.
Covenant
A new take on haunted houses and objects. Covenant explores deals that are just too good to be true.
Kurt works a humdrum job as a cybersecurity analyst at his successful startup. Everyday he drives by Woodrow Manor and daydreams of living there one day.
Then, unexpectedly, that day comes. Woodrow Manor is for sale. For a song. He can’t believe it. This place could be his. A home where he can finally start a life with his longtime girlfriend.
But there’s a catch: the estate comes with a covenant that requires the owner to put out certain Halloween decorations each year. No exceptions. The goblins, gargoyles, werewolves, and plague doctors must go out by the road for the spooky season.
Kurt thinks the covenant is weird. Who wouldn’t? But he’s not going to let that keep him from the deal of a lifetime.
Sight by J.B. McLaurin
Bill, a teenager living with his single mom, loves exploring the caves in the woods behind his house. By daylight, he has covered every inch of the twisty caverns. But he has always wanted to go inside at night. After the witching hour, he sneaks out to uncover what secrets the caves hide under cover of night.
A nightmarish creature waits for him there.