Whispers in the Night (38 page)
Read Whispers in the Night Online
Authors: Brandon Massey
“I don't . . . know.” He was groggy and disoriented, as if he had awakened only minutes ago from a deep slumber. “I've been writing a novel. Done with it now.” He grabbed the spiral notebook off the dinette table and handed it to her.
Confused and anxious, Danita opened the notebook.
“What is this?” she asked, flipping through the pages. “What the hell is this?” She turned back to the first page, smacked it, and shoved it toward him.
He looked at it.
A Midnight Haunting
A Novel by Alexandria Bentley
A Novel by Alexandria Bentley
“Oh, Jesus,” he said, and fell onto the sofa.
Alexandria's words, spoken during their fateful first meeting, came to him:
I think of hiring a ghostwriter to complete it for me . . . A ghostwriter would have to be completely filled with my spirit to do any justice to the story . . . My only wish is to complete the novel before I dieâand if I die before I'm done, then I'd want to have my ghostwriter finish the tale....
“Drew?” Danita said. She stepped toward him hesitantly.
He stared at the title page. Then he lowered his face to the pages and wept, his tears mingling with the ink . . . running in black streams down the paper.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS
Tananarive Due
is the national best-selling author of
Joplin's Ghost
,
The Good House
, and many other acclaimed novels. She lives in Southern California.
is the national best-selling author of
Joplin's Ghost
,
The Good House
, and many other acclaimed novels. She lives in Southern California.
Â
Wrath James White
is a former world-class heavyweight kickboxer, a professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts trainer, bodybuilder, distance runner, performance artist, and former street brawler, who is now known for creating some of the most disturbing works of fiction in print.
is a former world-class heavyweight kickboxer, a professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts trainer, bodybuilder, distance runner, performance artist, and former street brawler, who is now known for creating some of the most disturbing works of fiction in print.
He is the author of
Succulent Prey
, a novel of extreme erotic horror, the acclaimed short story collection
The Book of a Thousand Sins
, and the novella
His Pain,
published in 2006 by Delirium Books. Wrath is also the coauthor of
Teratologist,
cowritten with the king of extreme horror, Edward Lee, and
Poisoning Eros
, cowritten with Monica J. O'Rourke.
Succulent Prey
, a novel of extreme erotic horror, the acclaimed short story collection
The Book of a Thousand Sins
, and the novella
His Pain,
published in 2006 by Delirium Books. Wrath is also the coauthor of
Teratologist,
cowritten with the king of extreme horror, Edward Lee, and
Poisoning Eros
, cowritten with Monica J. O'Rourke.
Â
Anthony Beal
is a thirty-one-year-old lunatic whose passions include aged tequila, Cajun food done right, and writing erotic horror fiction and poetry. A passionate fan of Poe, Brite, and Lovecraft, Anthony enjoys pressing his sweaty body against liquor lounge wallflowers and is believed to exist in more than one universe. It is said that he possesses the uncanny ability to distinguish between people closest to him sheerly by the taste of their sweat. When he isn't baptizing nude nuns with flavored oils, Anthony enjoys collecting skulls, maintaining his Web presence,
www.anthonybeal.net
, and achieving states of spiritual transcendence through inebriation.
is a thirty-one-year-old lunatic whose passions include aged tequila, Cajun food done right, and writing erotic horror fiction and poetry. A passionate fan of Poe, Brite, and Lovecraft, Anthony enjoys pressing his sweaty body against liquor lounge wallflowers and is believed to exist in more than one universe. It is said that he possesses the uncanny ability to distinguish between people closest to him sheerly by the taste of their sweat. When he isn't baptizing nude nuns with flavored oils, Anthony enjoys collecting skulls, maintaining his Web presence,
www.anthonybeal.net
, and achieving states of spiritual transcendence through inebriation.
Â
Lexi Davis
's imagination runs wild . . . sort of like a starving cat at a sushi bar. But this is a good thing when she channels it into writing fresh, fun paranormal stories.
's imagination runs wild . . . sort of like a starving cat at a sushi bar. But this is a good thing when she channels it into writing fresh, fun paranormal stories.
A UCLA English graduate and native Californian, Lexi is fascinated by the supernatural realm. First she wrote horror but quit after scaring herself and running out of the room. She abandoned hard-edged horror and opted to write wickedly entertaining stories showcasing her humorous voice and witty dialogue. This landed her a multibook deal with Pocket Books. Her debut novel,
Pretty Evil
, was nominated for Best First Novel by
The Romantic Times
.
Pretty Evil
, was nominated for Best First Novel by
The Romantic Times
.
Â
Randy Walker
is a former lawyer turned writer. “To Get Bread and Butter” is his first major publication. He resides in Mississippi, where he is at work on several novels and short stories.
is a former lawyer turned writer. “To Get Bread and Butter” is his first major publication. He resides in Mississippi, where he is at work on several novels and short stories.
Â
Dameon Edwards
is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina. He currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. “Dream Girl” is his first professional writing credit. He is currently working on his first horror novel.
is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina. He currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. “Dream Girl” is his first professional writing credit. He is currently working on his first horror novel.
He is a graduate of the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and obtained a master's degree in public administration. He is also an alum of HBCU's Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, with a B.S. in political science and Mary Holmes College in West Point, Missouri, with an A.S. in social science.
His literary influences are James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Lloyd Alexander, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Steven Barnes, Octavia Butler, John Ridley, Omar Tyree, Noire, Peter David, Richard Laymon, Frank Miller, Mark Waid, and Keith R.A. DeCandido.
Â
Chesya Burke
has been writing professionally for several years. Her work has appeared in
The African American National Biography
, published by Harvard University and Oxford University Press, and in a variety of distinguished magazines and anthologies, such as
Dark Dreams I
and
II, Would That It Were
, and many more. Chesya received the 2003 Twilight Tales Award for fiction and an honorable mention in
The Year's Best Fantasy and Science Fiction: 18th Annual Edition.
has been writing professionally for several years. Her work has appeared in
The African American National Biography
, published by Harvard University and Oxford University Press, and in a variety of distinguished magazines and anthologies, such as
Dark Dreams I
and
II, Would That It Were
, and many more. Chesya received the 2003 Twilight Tales Award for fiction and an honorable mention in
The Year's Best Fantasy and Science Fiction: 18th Annual Edition.
She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, with her husband, four daughters, three dogs, two cats, and a fish called Michael.
Â
Robert Fleming
, a former award-winning reporter at the
New York Daily News
, is the author of
The Wisdom of the Elders, The African American Writer's Handbook, Havoc After Dark, Fever in the Blood,
and the editor of the collections
After Hours
and
Intimacy.
His poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in numerous periodicals and books, such as
Brotherman, Up-South, Gumbo, Sacred Fire, Gumbo, Brown Sugar, Dark Matter, Proverbs for the People, and Dark Dreams.
He lives in New York City.
, a former award-winning reporter at the
New York Daily News
, is the author of
The Wisdom of the Elders, The African American Writer's Handbook, Havoc After Dark, Fever in the Blood,
and the editor of the collections
After Hours
and
Intimacy.
His poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in numerous periodicals and books, such as
Brotherman, Up-South, Gumbo, Sacred Fire, Gumbo, Brown Sugar, Dark Matter, Proverbs for the People, and Dark Dreams.
He lives in New York City.
Born in Port Chester, New York,
Rickey Windell George
recalls having written horror since the tender age of five. Now internationally published, he is best known for his unique blending of no-holds-barred carnage and over-the-top sexuality.
Rickey Windell George
recalls having written horror since the tender age of five. Now internationally published, he is best known for his unique blending of no-holds-barred carnage and over-the-top sexuality.
George's work has been seen in a host of publications, including
Dark Dreams I
and
II
,
Fantasies, Blasphemy, Chimera World #1, Scared Naked Magazine,
and
Peepshow Magazine
. He is also the author of the 2005 collection
Sex & Slaughter & Self-Discovery
.
Dark Dreams I
and
II
,
Fantasies, Blasphemy, Chimera World #1, Scared Naked Magazine,
and
Peepshow Magazine
. He is also the author of the 2005 collection
Sex & Slaughter & Self-Discovery
.
Â
Lawana James-Holland
, in her words:
For York, member of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery, 1803â1806
.
, in her words:
For York, member of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery, 1803â1806
.
“History is about more than dates and places. It is about interaction, choices, and life.” This is her third appearance in the
Dark Dreams
anthology series. Lawana lives with her husband in the Washington, D.C., area. Please visit her Web site at
www.ellenkay.com/lawana.html
for more info.
Dark Dreams
anthology series. Lawana lives with her husband in the Washington, D.C., area. Please visit her Web site at
www.ellenkay.com/lawana.html
for more info.
Â
Michael Boatman
's stories have appeared in
Red Scream
and
Horror Garage
magazines, and in the anthologies
Sages and Swords; Revenant: A Horror Anthology; Badass Horror; Daikaiju II! Return of the Giant Monster Tales!,
and
Voices from the Other Side: Dark Dreams II
. As an actor, he's best known for his role as Carter on ABC's
Spin City,
and for the HBO comedy
ARLI$$,
in which he played Stanley Babson. He is at work on his third novel, and developing a horror /comedy feature film at Stan Winston Studios in Hollywood. He lives in New York with his wife and four children.
's stories have appeared in
Red Scream
and
Horror Garage
magazines, and in the anthologies
Sages and Swords; Revenant: A Horror Anthology; Badass Horror; Daikaiju II! Return of the Giant Monster Tales!,
and
Voices from the Other Side: Dark Dreams II
. As an actor, he's best known for his role as Carter on ABC's
Spin City,
and for the HBO comedy
ARLI$$,
in which he played Stanley Babson. He is at work on his third novel, and developing a horror /comedy feature film at Stan Winston Studios in Hollywood. He lives in New York with his wife and four children.
Â
Maurice Broaddus
is a lay leader at the Dwelling Place Church, a scientist, and a writer. He's been published in dozens of markets, including
Weird Tales Magazine
and
Dark Dreams II
and
DeathGrip: Exit Laughing
anthologies.
is a lay leader at the Dwelling Place Church, a scientist, and a writer. He's been published in dozens of markets, including
Weird Tales Magazine
and
Dark Dreams II
and
DeathGrip: Exit Laughing
anthologies.
His sole goal is to be a big enough name to be able to snub people at conventions. In preparation for this, he often practices speaking of himself in the third person.
Â
Terence Taylor
is an award-winning children's television writer who lives in Brooklyn, where he now writes speculative fiction for adults. His previous stories appeared in
Dark Dreams I
and
II
, and he recently completed his first novel,
Bite Marks
, which he hopes will see publication soon. For more about Terence and his work, visit his Web site at
www.terencetaylor.com
.
is an award-winning children's television writer who lives in Brooklyn, where he now writes speculative fiction for adults. His previous stories appeared in
Dark Dreams I
and
II
, and he recently completed his first novel,
Bite Marks
, which he hopes will see publication soon. For more about Terence and his work, visit his Web site at
www.terencetaylor.com
.
Â
Tenea Johnson
was blessed to be born a Johnson, “the latest survivors in a long line of the constantly strong.” She has learned to coax the stories from congas, djembes, and jazz guitars. Together, they created fusions: storytelling to music. So far the Knitting Factory, Dixon Place, the Public Theater, and others have opened their doors to the form. Recently, she started an independent label, Counterpoise Records, to amp her signal. Her fiction, fusions, poetry, essays, and interviews have appeared in
African Voices
,
Arise
,
Humanities in the South
,
Infinite Matrix
,
Contemporary American Women Poets,
and
Necrologue
. You can reach her at [email protected].
was blessed to be born a Johnson, “the latest survivors in a long line of the constantly strong.” She has learned to coax the stories from congas, djembes, and jazz guitars. Together, they created fusions: storytelling to music. So far the Knitting Factory, Dixon Place, the Public Theater, and others have opened their doors to the form. Recently, she started an independent label, Counterpoise Records, to amp her signal. Her fiction, fusions, poetry, essays, and interviews have appeared in
African Voices
,
Arise
,
Humanities in the South
,
Infinite Matrix
,
Contemporary American Women Poets,
and
Necrologue
. You can reach her at [email protected].
Â
Christopher Chambers
is the author of three Angela Bivens mysteries,
Sympathy for the Devil, A Prayer for Deliverance,
and
Official Mischief
, the last of which has been optioned to USA Networks. His historical novel,
Yella Patsy's Boys
, noted in the
Federal Register
by the U.S. Senate, comes in 2008. He has written short stories featured in major literary magazines. He is also coauthor of two graphic-adventure collections:
The Darker Mask
and
The Green Hornet & Kato Return
. He is a veteran of the
Dark Dreams
series. Mr. Chambers resides in Washington, D.C.
is the author of three Angela Bivens mysteries,
Sympathy for the Devil, A Prayer for Deliverance,
and
Official Mischief
, the last of which has been optioned to USA Networks. His historical novel,
Yella Patsy's Boys
, noted in the
Federal Register
by the U.S. Senate, comes in 2008. He has written short stories featured in major literary magazines. He is also coauthor of two graphic-adventure collections:
The Darker Mask
and
The Green Hornet & Kato Return
. He is a veteran of the
Dark Dreams
series. Mr. Chambers resides in Washington, D.C.
B. Gordon Doyle
, in his own words:
Born and raised in the Empire State,
The son of the son of a preacher.
A dark horse, a falling star.
The last of the Dunbar Apache.
, in his own words:
Born and raised in the Empire State,
The son of the son of a preacher.
A dark horse, a falling star.
The last of the Dunbar Apache.
Â
Knave of ravens, reluctant magician.
Out of the blue and bold as love,
I go walking after midnight along
The moonlight mile.
Out of the blue and bold as love,
I go walking after midnight along
The moonlight mile.
L.R. Giles
is a Virginia native whose work has appeared in
Dark Dreams I
and
II
. His serial novella “Necromance” was featured at
www.awarenessmagazine.net
and his full-length novels
The Darkness Kept
and
See/Saw
are currently seeking homes. Check out more of his work at
www.lrgiles.com
.
is a Virginia native whose work has appeared in
Dark Dreams I
and
II
. His serial novella “Necromance” was featured at
www.awarenessmagazine.net
and his full-length novels
The Darkness Kept
and
See/Saw
are currently seeking homes. Check out more of his work at
www.lrgiles.com
.
Â
Tish Jackson
has been writing since elementary school, usually creating stories of suspense or horror to terrify her family and friends. She is also an avid poet and was a regular on the poetry circuit in the Bay Area and Las Vegas. She has written for several Web sites as an editorial columnist, and currently runs a Web log, “Really Smart Talk,” where she participates in the monthly “Radical Women of Color Carnival.” However, Ms. Jackson has decided to focus more on the creepy aspects of literature, as those seem to be the most satisfying. This will be her first published horror story.
has been writing since elementary school, usually creating stories of suspense or horror to terrify her family and friends. She is also an avid poet and was a regular on the poetry circuit in the Bay Area and Las Vegas. She has written for several Web sites as an editorial columnist, and currently runs a Web log, “Really Smart Talk,” where she participates in the monthly “Radical Women of Color Carnival.” However, Ms. Jackson has decided to focus more on the creepy aspects of literature, as those seem to be the most satisfying. This will be her first published horror story.
Â
Brandon Massey
was born June 9, 1973, and grew up in Zion, Illinois. He is the author of the supernatural thriller novels
The Other Brother
,
Within the Shadows
,
Dark Corner
, and
Thunderland
; a collection of short fiction,
Twisted Tales
; and editor of
Dark Dreams: A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers
and
Voices from the Other Side: Dark Dreams II
.
was born June 9, 1973, and grew up in Zion, Illinois. He is the author of the supernatural thriller novels
The Other Brother
,
Within the Shadows
,
Dark Corner
, and
Thunderland
; a collection of short fiction,
Twisted Tales
; and editor of
Dark Dreams: A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers
and
Voices from the Other Side: Dark Dreams II
.
Mr. Massey currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and their two dogs. Visit his Web site at
www.brandonmassey.com
for the latest news on his forthcoming books.
www.brandonmassey.com
for the latest news on his forthcoming books.
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Compilation, Introduction, “Ghostwriter” copyright © 2007 by Brandon Massey; “Summer” copyright © 2007 by Tananarive Due; “Scab” copyright © 2007 by Wrath James White; “And Death Rode with Him” copyright © 2007 by Anthony Beal; “Are You My Daddy?” copyright © 2007 by Lexi Davis; “To Get Bread and Butter” copyright © 2007 by Randy Walker; “Dream Girl” copyright © 2007 Dameon Edwards; “My Sister's Keeper” copyright © 2007 by Chesya Burke; “The Wasp” copyright © 2007 by Robert Fleming; “Hell Is for Children” copyright © 2007 by Rickey Windell George; “Flight” copyright © 2007 by Lawana James-Holland; “Hadley Shimmerhorn: American Icon” copyright © 2007 by Michael Boatman; “Nurse's Requiem” by Maurice Broaddus; “WET PAIN” copyright © 2007 by Terence Taylor; “The Taken” copyright © 2007 by Tenea Johnson; “Mr. Bones” copyright © 2007 by Christopher Chambers; “Rip Crew” copyright © 2007 by B. Gordon Doyle; “Power and Purpose” copyright © 2007 by L.R. Giles; “The Love of a Vampire Is Everlasting” copyright © 2007 by Tish Jackson.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
Dafina Books and the Dafina logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-1742-4
First Dafina Trade Paperback Edition: July 2007
First Dafina Mass Market Edition: September 2014
First Dafina Mass Market Edition: September 2014
eISBN-13: 978-1-61773-609-4
eISBN-10: 1-61773-609-0
Kensington Electronic Edition: September 2014
eISBN-10: 1-61773-609-0
Kensington Electronic Edition: September 2014
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