Snow Dragon: Episode II

A 10-part horror serial

A mythical monster has awakened beneath Deer Falls following an earthquake. Can the Duggan family destroy this vicious and lethal predator before it drives the sleepy Colorado town to extinction? 

Snow Dragon is a prequel to Pandora Reborn — my debut horror novel released in 2018. All 10 episodes of this horror novella are available exclusively to paid subscribers of my Strange New Worlds newsletter or my Patreon page. Check back each Sunday for the latest episode through the end of September.

I | II | III | IV | V |VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | Epilogue

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Evan’s phone vibrated. He glanced down at the screen and saw an incoming call from Deputy Leeds. His throat tightened and his heartbeat quickened. A phone number from the sheriff’s office popping up on his caller ID meant one thing alone.

Bad news.

Evan activated his Bluetooth and took the call.

“Talk to me.”

“We found the remains of a victim of a wild animal attack,” A distinct tremor threaded through the young deputy’s voice. “We’ll need you to identify what predator we’re dealing with here.”

“Send me the address,” he said. “I’ll be over there in a few minutes.”

His trek over to the Division of Wildlife office would have to wait. Living in Deer Falls while working as a wildlife biologist kept him busy. The local sheriff’s office regularly consulted with him on various matters related to native wildlife. Fatal animal attacks were rare in these parts. Still, they weren’t rare enough for Evan’s liking.

Even a single animal attacking humans was one animal too many.

Evan turned right onto Main Street and headed north, toward The Ranches district. He turned onto a winding road leading due east into Silver Fork Canyon. Two police vehicles and an ambulance were parked outside a ranch house approximately a half-mile from the canyon mouth. Cracked paint covered the house. It had peeled off from siding in a few spots out front after enduring more than a few ragged winter storms.

Evan parked his black SUV on a gravel covered shoulder adjacent to the driveway. He left enough room for the ambulance to back out and turn down the road leading back to the highway. Leeds lifted his head and glanced over at the SUV. He waved Evan forward.

The deputy hunched over a blood-stained blanket covering an open body bag on the hardened front yard snow. Evan adjusted his glasses, settling them on a more comfortable spot hugging the bridge of his nose. Bears, wolves, coyotes, and cougars ranged throughout the Arapahoe National Forest. Many called Silver Fork Canyon home. Each species displayed its own behavioral pattern, occasionally resulting in unfortunate attacks on residents and their pets or careless tourists.

“I won’t lie,” Leeds said. “It looks pretty ugly under that blanket.”