Freak
I watched quietly out of the window as the school bus wound its way up the thin mountain road
and came to a stop at the dirt driveway where my Mom and my sister Jessica stood waiting for me.
There was a slight chill in the Autumn air and the gloomy, overcast sky reflected my dark mood as
I stepped off the bus.
''See you tomorrow, freak!'' a blond-haired fat boy yelled out the window when the bus driver
finally found the right gear and made the yellow bus lurch forward, leaving me in a cloud of black
smoke. Typical, I thought. Just typical.
''Who was that boy?'' Jessica asked, genuinely concerned. ''I can take care of him if you
want.''
''Jessica! ... What did I tell you about using your magic to hurt people?'' Mom said and took me by
the hand.
''Mom!'' I protested, a little embarrassed thatshe wanted to hold my hand. I mean I was thirteen
and not a baby anymore. She smiled knowingly but didn't let go until we stood in front of our
trailer.
''Can I go fishing out by the pond?'' I asked.
“OK Joey ... just be home in time for supper.''
''Alright Mom,'' I said and ran off into the woods.
I didn't really want to go fishing, but lately....
© Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.
The material in this book may not be reproduced
reprinted in whole or part without the expressed
written consent of Steven R. Zellers or Wordwizard
Publishing.
I watched quietly out of the window as the school bus wound its way up the thin mountain road
and came to a stop at the dirt driveway where my Mom and my sister Jessica stood waiting for me.
There was a slight chill in the Autumn air and the gloomy, overcast sky reflected my dark mood as
I stepped off the bus.
''See you tomorrow, freak!'' a blond-haired fat boy yelled out the window when the bus driver
finally found the right gear and made the yellow bus lurch forward, leaving me in a cloud of black
smoke. Typical, I thought. Just typical.
''Who was that boy?'' Jessica asked, genuinely concerned. ''I can take care of him if you
want.''
''Jessica! ... What did I tell you about using your magic to hurt people?'' Mom said and took me by
the hand.
''Mom!'' I protested, a little embarrassed thatshe wanted to hold my hand. I mean I was thirteen
and not a baby anymore. She smiled knowingly but didn't let go until we stood in front of our
trailer.
''Can I go fishing out by the pond?'' I asked.
“OK Joey ... just be home in time for supper.''
''Alright Mom,'' I said and ran off into the woods.
I didn't really want to go fishing, but lately....
© Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.
The material in this book may not be reproduced
reprinted in whole or part without the expressed
written consent of Steven R. Zellers or Wordwizard
Publishing.
Freak
Many people who have read Darktales have said the
Freak is their favorite story. It is the first of many
stories in the Darktales series that feature Joey
Harper who is twelve years old. He is growing and
learning and curious about the world. But Joey has a
problem. His fifteen year old sister Jessica and his
Mom are both practicing witches. Joey is afraid of
almost everything and especially anything
supernatural. To his dismay Jessica often practices in
the dark side of magic.
The following is a review of DarkTales: A Collection of Sick Twisted Scary Stories and DarkTales: Volume Two by Ron
Wynn of the Nashville City Paper.
Nashville author Steven R. Zellers originally penned the first volume of DarkTales almost 11 years ago, but he’s now
updated it and penned a second collection.
As the title suggests, these are stories that can shock, stun, frighten or delight, and sometimes manage all those things
within their tightly constructed frameworks. Zellers knows how to manipulate details, but also he varies his approach.
Sometimes things accelerate right from the opening paragraph, and the remaining narrative simply sustains what’s
already been generated. Other times he’ll slowly build the tension, working to a strong conclusion and injecting surprise
elements that nicely wrap the story.
There are 18 entries in the initial volume and 12 more in the sequel. While readers’ choices and preferences will differ
depending on their perspectives and interests, some recommendations from DarkTales include “Tinman,” “Smokey
Mountain Rain,” “Freak,” “Grandma’s Secret” and most interestingly “Writer’s Block.” Anyone who’s ever had a problem
composing a letter or finishing an assignment will find it quite intriguing. His opening story “My Wife” and final entry
“Jewels” are also outstanding.
Prime pieces in DarkTales: Volume Two include “Ice Queen,” “Northern Lights,” “Seven Dates from MySpace” and “Till
Death,” as well as “Halloween” and “Trust.”
Some horror/suspense writers, most notably the late Rod Serling, used the genre as a social message tool. There are
some stories with underlying or implied themes, but overall Zellers is mainly interested in spinning a compelling yarn
rather than examining a particular social ill.
The DarkTales volumes offer fine examples of both striking horror pieces and excellent short story writing. Ron
Wynn Nashville City Paper
Wynn of the Nashville City Paper.
Nashville author Steven R. Zellers originally penned the first volume of DarkTales almost 11 years ago, but he’s now
updated it and penned a second collection.
As the title suggests, these are stories that can shock, stun, frighten or delight, and sometimes manage all those things
within their tightly constructed frameworks. Zellers knows how to manipulate details, but also he varies his approach.
Sometimes things accelerate right from the opening paragraph, and the remaining narrative simply sustains what’s
already been generated. Other times he’ll slowly build the tension, working to a strong conclusion and injecting surprise
elements that nicely wrap the story.
There are 18 entries in the initial volume and 12 more in the sequel. While readers’ choices and preferences will differ
depending on their perspectives and interests, some recommendations from DarkTales include “Tinman,” “Smokey
Mountain Rain,” “Freak,” “Grandma’s Secret” and most interestingly “Writer’s Block.” Anyone who’s ever had a problem
composing a letter or finishing an assignment will find it quite intriguing. His opening story “My Wife” and final entry
“Jewels” are also outstanding.
Prime pieces in DarkTales: Volume Two include “Ice Queen,” “Northern Lights,” “Seven Dates from MySpace” and “Till
Death,” as well as “Halloween” and “Trust.”
Some horror/suspense writers, most notably the late Rod Serling, used the genre as a social message tool. There are
some stories with underlying or implied themes, but overall Zellers is mainly interested in spinning a compelling yarn
rather than examining a particular social ill.
The DarkTales volumes offer fine examples of both striking horror pieces and excellent short story writing. Ron
Wynn Nashville City Paper
E-book $1.99