How did I come to create The Monster In Between?

I created this story some years ago, but first published it in Autumn of 2022. It was one of my short stories that I wanted to get out in the open. For many years, I’ve been writing short stories. I have quite a few, that I hope to release in an anthology. I don’t have the date for it, but just know its coming. 

Those that know me, know I can be a bit talkative at times and very introspected at other times. 

I can usually be found trying to find the most nature driven spot to relax and just write. In my earlier years, I would find a good coffee shop, put on my headphones, and spend hours writing on end. That’s me in a nutshell. But I digress. 

When I began writing The Monster In Between, it was honestly, a more comedic type of story. I envisioned it having a sense of suspense and eeriness, but I hadn’t quite determined if it would become a horror fiction or not. As I began to mull over the characters and see them in their full majesty, I decided to bring the horror full circle with two main characters that were pretty humorous in their own regard. 

The first episode starts off very different. It gives a irritated teen vibe. Someone bothering you, but you can’t get rid of them. They are your “achilles heel”, so to speak. But you are destined to have this thing following you around. It’s something you’ve always heard about and now you are destined to deal with it. 

I turn a different direction in episode two, towards the other main character in the story. This gentlemen gives you a run for your money. He’s expressive and up to his head in scary drama. He’s a open book with his thoughts, but not sure of why he’s being dealt the situation he’s found himself in. Although his fate isn’t determined just yet, his personality shines throughout even in the mist of his eerie situation. 

Here is a clip from The Monster In Between,

“Is this your first time?”

She looked at me through dark shades and a brown wig.

“Depends on what first we’re talking about,”

I smiled as I moved closer in her direction. She seemed pleasant enough to converse with, that I pulled out a cigarette to calm my nerves.

“Oh, we can’t use those here.”

The lady smiled as she took the cigarette out of my hand and extinguished it with her shoe.

“Well, apparently we can’t do anything here, now can we?” I reached in my pocket to grab another stick when she slapped my hand hard. “Apparently, you don’t know why you’re here.” She pulled down her glasses and all I wanted to do was throw up.

If you liked this snippet, then head on over to Spotify or Apple Podcast to listen today.

With its awkward suspense and down right funny horror, you’ll enjoy The Monster in Between, now available on The Adult Bedtime Stories for the Creative Soul Podcast. 

If you are interested in reading the full episodes, feel free to head right over to Kindle Vella and read from the beginning. 

Hope to see you there.

XOXO, TA Storyteller