WATTYS 2021 HORROR WINNER!
NOW A PUBLISHED NOVEL! Paperbacks available on Amazon, eBooks available on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo! 😈
Diego's life has spiraled since the gruesome death of his brother Miguel, and moving to a new town right before his senior year definitely wasn't on his to-do list. Oh, yeah, and neither was saving the world from a centuries-old, undead spirit who's turned Diego's new high school into its own personal buffet.
* * * *
Diego Rivera killed his older brother. At least, that's how he sees it, since it was his behind-the-wheel blackout that cost Miguel's life. He's been a shell of his old self since, unable to shake the mental toll of that traumatic day. As if nightmares, spontaneous barfing, and disfigurement weren't enough to deal with, now there's a serial killer going around offing his peers. Great.
He'd rather not think about the brutal killings any more than he has to, but his new friend Watts notices something he can't ignore: a pattern that suggests Vanterbest High's most popular students are involved in the murders. And not only that, but he thinks they're the newest members of an ancient demon-worshipping cult.
So, you know, normal high school stuff.
Reluctantly, Diego lets Watts drag him into outrageous theories, paranoid research, and the recruitment of two intimidating outcasts. But a bunch of jocks and cheerleaders can't really be behind the terror plaguing their small town... right?
Well... yes and no. The truth is, things are about to get complicated. And bloody. Really, really bloody.
When Jane Madarang's neighbor Natalie kills herself and leaves behind cryptic instructions, it's up to Jane and her classmates to unearth deadly secrets.
*****
Natalie Driscoll is dead.
She threw herself out a window and left her neighbor Jane to unravel their town's darkest secrets. Following Natalie's instructions leads Jane to three other high school students who all have something to hide. The four of them must carry out Natalie's final errand while solving the mysteries written in her diary. But the secrets they unearth may be far more dangerous than what they ever imagined.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of suicide, violence and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]