Snow Dragon: Episode III

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 patrons of 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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Casey’s face fell while staring at the whiteboard on the front wall of the classroom. Each word his teacher wrote on the board — while repeating the same information aloud — made his heart sink a little deeper. Homework before Christmas break was a nightmare come to life.

Even worse — she assigned a group project.

“You’ll split into assigned pairs,” Mrs. Fry said. “Your assignment is to compose a 10-minute oral report on the chosen topic. You and your partner will each present a five-minute segment.”

A hand shot up in Casey’s peripheral vision.

“What’s the topic?”

Mrs. Fry sighed and tapped her marker against the whiteboard. It left behind a pair of irregular blue dots.

“Famous Coloradoans from the 19^th century.” She didn’t bother to mask the irritation in her voice. “Pay attention to what’s written on the board, Jaime.”

Casey turned and glanced over at Jaime on the opposite side of the room. A sheepish look crept over his classmate’s face. He quickly averted his gaze when Jaime made eye contact.

“Listen, carefully.” Mrs. Fry turned and faced the class. “I will read off each assigned pair. It is your job to get together and work on this project outside of class.”

She started calling out assigned partners. Casey planted his elbow on his desk and rested his chin in his palm. He tried to pay attention to what she was saying, but her monotone voice didn’t make it easy.

“Casey Duggan will partner with Christina Bowman.”

He straightened up in his chair and glanced at the back corner of the room. An olive-skinned girl with dark-brown hair met his gaze. Casey smiled. She returned a nervous half-smile.

“Careful, dude,” a voice called out behind him. “If you piss her off, she’ll shove her broom up your ass.”

Christina’s eyes hardened. She sprang out of her chair. Casey gulped. His eyes trailed her as she marched behind the back row of desks. Christina stopped mid-row and seized another boy named Derek by his shirt collar. She yanked him out of the chair, her face inches from his own.

“Leave me alone. Or else.”