Wicked Words

INTRODUCTION

by Jon C. Cook

What scares you?

Is it Ghosts? Zombies? The Unknown? The Dark? Maybe it's a combination of things. Whether we like to admit our fears or not, there is something that scares us and sometimes we don't even know what it is ourselves until it is right there in front of us.

Why do we tell stories intended to scare us? Is it to comfort ourselves in the knowledge that "this could never happen"? Maybe we like to be scared because to fear is to be reminded that you are alive ... for now. Whatever the reason, fright and suspense are ingrained within us so deeply that we simply cannot resist knowing what is behind that locked door, or lurking in that dark forest, or creeping just out of sight.

With Wicked Words, Wicked Wordsmiths of The West introduce themselves along with an exploration of the fears and terrors we all possess. Each story within represents an attempt to tap into the horrors around us, be they real or imagined ... be they before our eyes, or inside our hearts.

Read these wicked words if you dare, but understand that as you do, you may be inching ever closer to that one thing that terrifies you. The question is this: Once you know, can you ever hide that fear away again?

Enjoy... Story Contents Reckless by Stacy Lucas

The Dollhouse by Marsha A. Blevins

Grandmother's Attic by Olivia Ferguson

The Man between the Books by Jon C. Cook

The Rules by Nikki Gladwell

Midwest Mills by Jake Atkinson

Waiting by Rebecca Barray

Flesh and Blood by Julianne Tillis

Nothing by M. J. Ferguson

Hell Hole by Brent McGuffin

Apology Not Accepted by Rebecca Barray

Perfect Gentleman by Tobi Doyle

Daddy's Girl by M. J. Ferguson

I'm Not Crazy by Rebecca Barray

Dead Letters by Doyle MacBrayne

Resurrected by Stacy Lucas

What Isn't Seen by Jake Atkinson

Lessons by Jon C. Cook

History Repeats by Olivia Ferguson

Blanket by Marsha A. Blevins

Shadows by Brent McGuffin

Hunted by Sarah Davis

**ALL proceeds go directly to Wicked Wordsmiths of the West, a nonprofit organization in Huntington, WV, dedicated to promoting an interest in writing and furthering the skills of local writers.**