A Letter In an Envelope that reads, “Introductions”
Welcome Stranger!
Looks like you’ve found our quiet little county along the Alabama-Florida line here in the Southeastern US. Our tiny little corner of the world. Let me be the first to say…
Welcome… and don’t forget to lock your doors at night.
Blighridge County, which holds the little towns of Gloamstead and Craigbrook, isn’t much. But those of us living here call it home. Folks here keep to themselves, mostly. But you’ll find we’re all good company… provided you mind your manners, and watch where you step.
You see both Gloamstead and Craigbrook have got their quirks. A bit of personality, you might say. See, shadows linger a bit longer than they ought to. Those soft voices on the wind? That’s just Leatherdown Bayou whispering louder than the wind should carry it. Don’t worry, it’s probably just saying hello. Probably. And anyway, you’re new here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Oh! If you’re for history, you don’t want to pass up Briarwood Manor. It’s a landmark, sure, but after dark? You might meet the family. And not in the way you’re thinking. But they might be glad to see you. Real glad.
Now, life here in Blighridge County might seem a bit old-fashioned. Sure, we know mankind went to the moon, and people are now talking a lot about going to Mars. That’s all fine. Here, we keep a bit to the old ways. A lantern in the window at the bayou’s edge. Salt by your doors. Oh, and if you think you hear a strange knocking after dark? Unless you’re expecting someone, best you ignore that. It’ll pass.
You see, the cypress, the moss, the bayou itself—they all remember things. Old things that chuckle over walking on the moon. Things that might be best left forgotten.
So stay sharp, keep your eyes open, and don’t trust every kind word you hear. You see, some shadows might have a soul… and a few teeth to along with that.
But now, you enjoy your stay!
Ah, one last thing… don’t miss out on Miss Milly’s meat pies!
They’re to die for.
See you in the morning!
Don’t forget to lock your door...
Roy Branham, Blighridge County Sheriff
P.S. If you get a little lost and need some help, stop by Moonlight Curiosities in Gloamstead. I knew Daniel’s uncle back in the day before he vanished. Daniel and Cassidy Hawthorne, who run the place now, are good people. They’ll help you out if they can. Just… watch what you touch there. That shop runs itself on more than just money…
Season/Book 1: Inkwell of Shadows
Click for the Table of Contents
Newlywed, but not newly-dead. At least, not yet…
Daniel Hawthorne thought marrying his long-time fiancée, Cassidy—a shapeshifting bat-creature called a skinshaper—would be the hard part. Especially compared to quitting his workaholic job as a software engineer to run his late uncle’s antique shop in a quiet Southern town.
Sadly, not so much.
After a supernatural enemy crashes their wedding night with blood and fire, Daniel and Cassidy barely escape with their lives. The old storefront is smashed. Their honeymoon? Ruined. To rebuild, they’re forced to take a dubious job investigating a set of antique fountain pens. Ones with a long and deadly history in their wake.
Now they find themselves caught up in a century-old problem steeped in ink and blood. At the same time, a mysterious figure is also looking for the pens—and is willing to kill anyone to get them. Worse? It all might have ties to the monster that nearly murdered them.
To protect home, sanity, and each other, Daniel and Cassidy must uncover the truth—at least before their names are written in blood.
Moonlight Curiosity Mysteries and Curses by Darklight is a work of pure, unabashed fiction. To be honest, it’s a bit creepy, if not spooky, when is isn’t beside itself with nerves. It tends to be a little shy. Did I mention it likes to needlepoint because there’s lots of stabbing? Names of characters, places, events, organizations and locations are all creations of the author’s imagination for this fictitious setting. Which means, really, he gets all the blame.
Any resemblance to persons living, dead, undead, or why-aren’t-they-dead-YET is coincidental. The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with the author's, since the characters and the author tend to disagree a lot. Like daily.
So excited for this! Southern Gothic vibes are my favorite.
This is the kind of thing that gives Southern kids nightmares.