Seldom Seen in August

laughed, but couldn’t quite summon the air required. He was drenched in sweat, could hardly breathe. The room had become a sauna, and a foul-smelling one.

In the dark, he heard them pacing.

Wade dropped to his haunches, his hands like antennae, searching the floor for the chair leg. He didn’t need a weapon. It would hardly do much good against an immaterial thing, but he wanted it, knew it would make him feel less vulnerable.

They can’t hurt you, he reminded himself.

A klaxon sounded in the room, and he cried out in fright.

Gates opening.

No, not gates.

Cell doors.

Keep it together, it’s a trick, just a trick, just—

In the dark, someone touched him.

# # #

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in Dungarvan, Ireland, Kealan Patrick Burke is an award-winning author described as “a newcomer worth watching” (Publishers Weekly) and “one of the most original authors in contemporary horror” (Booklist).

Some of his works include the novels KIN, MASTER OF THE MOORS, CURRENCY OF SOULS and THE HIDES, the novellas THE TURTLE BOY (Bram Stoker Award Winner, 2004), VESSELS, MIDLISTERS, and JACK & JILL, and the collections RAVENOUS GHOSTS and THE NUMBER 121 TO PENNSYLVANIA & OTHERS (Bram Stoker Award-Nominee, 2009).

Kealan also edited the anthologies: TAVERNS OF THE DEAD (starred review, Publishers Weekly), BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE, QUIETLY NOW (International Horror Guild Award Nominee, 2004), the charity anthology TALES FROM THE GOREZONE and NIGHT VISIONS 12 (starred review, Publishers Weekly, British Fantasy Award & International Horror Guild Award nominee).

A movie based on his short story “Peekers”, directed by Mark Steensland screened at a variety of international film festivals and won a number of awards. You can view the film at the author’s website.

As actor, Burke played the male lead in Greg Lamberson’s film SLIME CITY MASSACRE, the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic SLIME CITY, which will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Video On Demand in 2011.

Visit Kealan on the web at www.kealanpatrickburke.com, and read more titles by the author at Smashwords.com.

Copyright

Copyright 2010 by Kealan Patrick Burke

Cover Photography by Adrienne Wallace

Cover Design by Kealan Patrick Burke

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.