A Bitter Look

There are corpses everywhere, the stench of blood and death assaulting my nose, but it’s still hard to believe any of this is real. It’s not like I meant to do this, it’s not my fault. Is it?

Sirens break me out of my daze, the familiar warbling increasing in volume as they get closer.

The police. They’re coming to Crawemere – with their questions and logic and scepticism. They’re going to want answers, but they’re not going to like the truth I have for them. I’m in so much trouble…

The Sulphur Diaries Excerpt:

“There is blood everywhere, on the walls, on the tables; I’m not sure what I just stood in, but it’s slippery.

Johnny! I scream, to be heard over the racket from outside, but there’s no answer and I can’t see him in the dim light. There’s a wet thump against the outer wall, though I daren’t look out of the windows. If I do, I might never be able to look away.

The shrieking outside is like nothing I’ve ever heard, and I freeze. Clenching my hands to stop their trembling, I peer into the gloom. Soft red light from some torches show me nothing but a puppet-show of shadows fighting outside. I recognise some of the locals: Mr Higgins, the Croft twins, their shapes easy to pick out as they struggle against the imps.

There seem to be more of them now. Where are they coming from? I remember calling to Lyle – not even an hour ago, however much it feels like days – but why are these imps attacking, why–”

Read the first three chapters here or buy the novel now.