Anarchy - Strange Tales of Outsiders is a compendium of stories following queer, punk, outsiders in worlds of chaos crossing genres of queer fiction, horror, and dark fantasy. Experience The Carny Cage, a prison story, with Dirk, whose life is like the carnival ride The Zipper locked up and spinning out of control. Follow Dean on his journey, Where the Road Roams, to find his brother and piece together the past in a fragmented and cut-up tale. Break taboos with a mysterious hitcher in, The Deadfall, as he takes a ride with a van full of coeds into the wilderness where they descend into terror beyond the limits. Witness the Death Tarp. Daniel goes beyond death to return as his shroud, a panel of the AIDS quilt, in a supernatural tale of disease and revenge. Invoke the Dark with a goth youth and his companions as he opens the gates of hell with dark rites. Discover the secret of Under the Moonbow through intense therapy sessions as Maleki, tattooed with the story of his past, schemes to be free of Ponoko Asylum and the covenant with his captor, Dr. West. All of this and more await you inside Anarchy.
Anarchy - Strange Tales of Outsiders is available on Amazon
Excerpt from the short story “Dark" included in Anarchy:
Surely this was a sign, enough of its own.
The third pine was away in the distance, but the triangle shape it formed with the others was there as powerful as the pyramids. The church sat quietly behind him watching something older than the Christian rites held inside unfold on its doorstep. The dark blue sky called out, stars seemed bright, and small wispy clouds sleekly flew by the full solemn moon. The craters and crevices were more visible than ever like they were magnified. Damon looked at his hands. He was still a boy, but the change into a man had begun.
This is it…all that is past will be forgotten. I will have a clean slate. I will do right by you this time.
Placing his hands together in a kneeling position, he closed his eyes to his shame. Darkness engulfed. Thoughts floated to the surface trying to distract with trivial worries.
No…no…got to remain clear.
A deep breath went out of him.
This is the time.
Damon cracked his neck and started counting.
One…
A tingling sensation traveled from the solid earth into his lower body.
Two…
A head rush hit him more so than the first time he got high or even huffed Freon.
Three…
Fear rose.
Is someone watching? Was that a light of a car…a police car?
Four…
Fighting panic he willed it away.
Five…
Sexual confusion came in waves of sex and shame intertwined.
Six…
The wind chilled him forcibly blowing his hair and clothes.
Seven…
The cross vibrated in his palm that clasped it almost burning, but that is impossible. Damon opened his eyes and the world was — different. Space unfolded in clarity. He was uncertain if it was really changed or if he was actually seeing it without distraction. A shooting star sparked across the deep blue sky with other shades and swirls above.
Surely this is a sign.
Damon rose meeting the wind. In the moment, he pulled the cross free from his neck to push it to the bleeding bark of the stricken pine. Sap flowed freely and thick to hold the cross firm in its grasp. In amazement, he watched as his grandmother’s heirloom was covered.
No going back — it is done. Are the demons really gone?
Damon took a tentative step forward not wanting to leave the site of a possible miracle without more concrete proof. Proud, but tinged with slight doubt haunting the back of his mind, he walked away not daring to look back lest it find him again. Another star shot across the heavens as the wind gusted.
This is really it?
Resigned yet uncertain, Damon sighed softly and spoke in a whisper, “There is always the next time…”
Damon walked the lonely path home. The solitary, haunting sound of a far away train followed him back into the dark to wait some more.
Author Bio:
David Sharp is a writer of creative fiction. A dreamer, he grew up identifying with the outsider from his teenage punk years on. His stories are filled with characters on the fringe of society, from troubled youth and thrill seekers to hardened gunslingers and mysterious loners. Each one is on a journey to find themselves and pursue their desires across exciting and sometimes dangerous landscapes. A Texan by birth, he currently lives in Chicago with his partner Bo.
Anarchy - Strange Tales of Outsiders is his first self-published book now that he has the rights to his past works. He is an affiliate member of the Horror Writer’s Association and you can follow him at davidsharpwriter.com and FB @Writer.DavidSharp.
No comments:
Post a Comment