Excerpt from "Red Eyes In The Darkness," by D.L. Finn.
Who doesn't enjoy a great thriller? Today I'm pleased to post about a new short story written by an author who's writing I've come to admire. She is both a skilled poet and talented plot weaver. Please welcome, D.L. Finn, as she shares some insight into her latest short story, Red Eyes In The Darkness.
Thank you, Mark, for having me on your blog today😊
For the second annual #RRBC 90-Day Alpha / Omega (Beginning to End) ‘Short Story’ Writing Contest I put aside my book, "This Last Chance" and worked on a story for the contest. “Red Eyes in the Darkness: A Short Story” is now available.
Blurb:
What happens when you’re living the good life after retirement and your world suddenly turns upside down? Will and Cass Henderson learn the truth after a family member is murdered, but no one believes them because they’re the prime suspects. The Hendersons have a red-eyed killer in the family, and they’re next on its kill list.
Excerpt:
Life had been good for years. A long, successful marriage, two kids, three beautiful grandkids, our house paid off, and both of us retired from teaching. All good until the day we realized we were related to a killer. It was a normal-looking human being. I say It because whatever humanity Ronald had was gone. What was left was pure evil. It knew when to smile, what to say, and what buttons to push to get a reaction. Then It would skillfully appear the victim.
Everything we held dear was ripped from us five months ago when the police brought us in for hours of grueling interrogation and then finally released us. There wasn’t enough evidence to charge us, but the stigma of being a suspect in the murder of my sister clung to us like the potent spray of a skunk. It made sure of that.
My husband and I finally had the conversation we’d been avoiding.
“We can’t live like this,” Will started.
“I know,” I said quietly, “but we’ve worked all our lives to get here.”
“Yes, we have, Cass. We’ve been lucky up to this point, but our luck ran out after the murder. We need to consider selling the house and leaving.” Will was unable to look at me.
“I love our house. Our things. Our life here…well, our old life before. I want things the way they used to be.” I was surprised that I had no tears left to shed.
Will put his arm around me. “I know. This house is where we raised our girls—where it’s been so good. I love it here too, but we can’t ignore this anymore. We can’t even go to the store without seeing Ronald or getting cold stares from our ‘friends.’ He isn’t going to give up. He’s insane, and we are the only ones who know what he’s capable of.”
“We have enough savings—we could travel,” I suggested as I picked invisible lint off my black leggings.
Will shook his head. “We could only travel for so long, Cass, then we’d have to come home. He’d be waiting.”
I sighed. “You’re right.”
“If we sell the house, we could buy an RV and live in it. I doubt he’d follow us, but if he did, we’d at least be able to leave.” Will brushed his wavy brown-and-gray hair out of those blue eyes I’d fallen in love with over forty years ago.
“He wins if we sell the house and leave. That’s what he wants.” I moved my lint search to my sweater.
“He’s already won. No one talks to us anymore. Our children avoid us, and we haven’t seen or spoken to our grandkids since we were questioned by the police. It’s crazy.”
I was tired of trying to figure it out. How could a killer convince everyone we love that we were the killers? I wish I’d been there when It had convinced them of our guilt so that I could’ve defended myself. The police were no help. No one was.
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A little info about D.L. :
Author Bio
D.L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links
Twitter: @dlfinnauthor
