After last week’s cover reveal, I decided to invite all my fellow Black Opal Authors who are in THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS anthology over for a little sharing time.
First up, Eric Henson, his short “I Thought The Grinch Was Green” is part of our collection available December 14th from Black Opal Books.
Just to whet your appetite, here’s a little peek into his story….
Excerpt from: “I Thought the Grinch Was Green” by Eric Henson
Carol sat up so fast that she grew dizzy. Whether awakened by some internal alarm or external sound she did not know. Outside the winter wind gusted and rattled her old bedroom windows. The plastic insulation her father fastened over them ruffled from the draft seeping beneath. Carol listened but heard nothing more than the moaning wind.
She looked at the clock hanging over her dresser. Unable to focus on the hands she rubbed her eyes clear and discovered it was eleven thirty-four. Laying her head back down on her pillow, Carol waited for sleep to find her again. Just as her eyes grew heavy and her mind drifted off, she heard a muffled sound. Carol lifted her head and faced her door. Her heart skipped a beat and said—Santa Claus!
Who else could it be?
Carol jumped from her bed, slipped on her favorite fuzzy pink slippers, grabbed her matching favorite pink robe, and dashed for the door. Anticipation built within her as she slowly open the door and inched out. Carol, who wished to go unnoticed by Santa, slinked along the wall to avoid the spots on the floor that creaked. She watched for the shadows within their lighted Christmas tree as she drew closer to the living room. Carol almost squeaked in excitement when she heard the jingling and the tinkling of bells. She pressed both of her hands against her mouth as an uncontrollable smile took her face.
Only two words existed for her right then, Santa and Claus.
Then the rhyming and chiming bells became mixed with other sounds—the clattering of chains, a swift whooshing followed by a light thud, and the unmistakable sound of whimpering. His goat-like image seemed to float across her mind before she turned the corner. It was eerie, frightening, almost as if she herself had willed Krampus into being.
Taller than the Christmas tree, the creature hunched to avoid hitting the ceiling. In one hand Krampus held a bundle of birch branches and in the other he had Peter by the ankle. Her brother tossed and wailed, upturned, as the hairy monster birched him. The sight looked more like Halloween then Christmas. Carol shook her head and rubbed her eyes.
When she opened them Krampus was closer. He looked at her with his head titled to one side, in a confused dog-like manner. She looked at upside-down Peter’s reddened face, at the slight tremor along his jawline, and it broke her young heart.
Krampus tilted his horned head the other direction and in a deep-rumbled voice said, “You should not be able to see me child. You should be lost in slumber.”
Little Carol closed her eyes tight and shook her head hard. Krampus watched her. Well aware of what she attempted to do—every child did the same. When she reopened her eyes, he was even closer. It was as if the monster advanced when unseen. All it took was an instant and he moved in on you. They were impossible odds. At some point you had to blink, had to look away. The mere sight of Krampus assured this.
Want more?
Then check out THINGS THAT GO BUMP FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a collection of paranormal shorts from Black Opal Authors, coming December 14th!
Interested in taking a ride with Eric?
His debut novel, HARROW, is the first installment in a series centered on the aftermath of a small group of fallen angels who, in order to prevent the cacodemon Báalzbub from destroying all of existence, sought the help of those they once betrayed. The second installment, titled UNKINDNESS, is in progress.
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Eric Henson is an American fiction writer of dark fantasy, supernatural horror, suspense, and thriller. Henson is known for intertwining theology, mythology, science and psychology into his writing. Born in Salem, Massachusetts and lived the majority of his life in New Hampshire, Henson’s writing generally takes place in fictitious towns in New England. With Harrow, New Hampshire being the center point. Other towns include Clayton and Salem Willow.
Henson has severe dyslexia, a learning disability that impairs one’s ability to read, speak, and spell. Over time, Henson managed to overcome many of the hurdles created by his disability, and hopes to inspire others suffering from dyslexia not to give up on themselves.
Henson is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Atlanta Writer’s Club. He currently lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
You can find Eric on the web at: www.hensonfiction.com or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/EricHensonAuthor