Paranormal Zone: Hosted by Tom Spitalere & Bob McDermott

Hey there, fellow seekers of the unexplained!

Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of being a guest on the Paranormal Zone podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo: Tom Spitalere and Bob McDermott. We delved into the mystical realms, exploring empathic abilities and the release of my new book, The Yin Yang Chronicles: Living in the Gray. The Balance between Good and Evil available on Amazon!

It was so much fun! Tom and Bob, with their encyclopedic knowledge of all things paranormal, welcomed me with such open minds.  We laughed, we pondered, and we shared  some awesome paranormal experiences.

Then we discussed my book, The Yin Yang Chronicles—my literary brainchild—that delves into the murky waters where light and shadow intertwine. It’s a journey through ancient prophecies, secret societies, and the blurred line between hero and villain.

But wait, there’s more! You can catch our spirited conversation on the Paranormal Zone YouTube channel. Just click here to listen to the episode. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button while you’re there! 🔔

So, fellow truth-seekers, join me in this cosmic dance of energies. Let’s explore the unknown, embrace our empathic gifts, and find that delicate balance between light and darkness.

Remember: Paranormal Zone isn’t just a podcast; it’s a portal to wonder, mystery, and maybe—just maybe—the answers we’ve been seeking all along.

Stay curious, my friends!

~ Sheila ❣️

The Yin ~ Yang Chronicles: Living in the Gray. The Balance between Good & Evil.

Hi everyone,

Allow me to share a glimpse into my soul—a journey that transcends mere ink on paper. “The Yin ~ Yang Chronicles: Living in the Gray. The Balance between Good & Evil” is my heart’s symphony, a dance between light and shadow, virtue and vice. Within these pages, you’ll find a tapestry woven from threads of mystery, redemption, and the delicate balance between Good and Evil.

As the author, I’ve poured my essence into every page, crafting characters who grapple with their inner demons while navigating a world teetering on the precipice. This is a book full of exciting short stories that unravel the veils of existence, seeking equilibrium in a universe that thrives on polarity.


Why should you embark on this literary odyssey? Here are three compelling reasons:


The Gray Zone: Life isn’t black and white; it’s a canvas of grays. Our choices define us, and sometimes salvation lies in the murkiness. Explore the shadows of morality as our protagonists confront their own shades of gray.

Free Kindle Offer: From April 8th to April 12th, my gift to you—a chance to immerse yourself in this saga without spending a dime. Kindle readers, rejoice! Download your copy and let the words weave their magic.

A Review, A Whisper: In return, I ask for a single favor: a review on Amazon. Share your thoughts, your emotions, your musings. Your words will echo through eternity, shaping the destiny of these tales.

🌟 Claim Your Copy of The Yin ~ Yang Chronicles: Living in the Gray. The Balance between Good & Evil at Amazon


Thank you, everyone, for embarking on this shared voyage.



With ink-stained gratitude,

Sheila ❣️

Interview with film producer, Marty Schiff!

Today I am welcoming film producer, Marty Schiff. Thank you, Marty for stopping by!

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I’ve lived and continue to live a very interesting life.  I grew up in the East Suburbs of Pittsburgh during the final years of the booming steel industry. My family was in the printing business while most of my neighbors worked in the mills or coal mines.  I was the first Schiff NOT to be a printer in three generations. I was the youngest of three with an older brother and older sister who “broke my parents in” so that by the time they got to me…they had given up on parenting and I was pretty much a feral child being raised by squirrels in Eastmont Park. My imagination was always fertile ground.  I was passionate about film and television from a very early age and started making my own 8mm home movies at the age of 10.  When I was very young, I went to the movies weekly with my maternal grandmother and would spend the week suffering through school until I could go to the theater again. I started writing at a young age as well.  My first film script, IT’S JUST ANOTHER DAY,  was written by hand at the age of 14.  There was only one copy of it and it was lost in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.  (If you want to know what it was about feel free to buy me lunch someday.) I continue to create content by producing films, commercials, music videos, and digital content. I write as much as I can.  I went back to school a few years ago and received my MFA in Writing for Stage and Screen. Teaching was something I’ve always enjoyed and once I had my Masters degree I was hired at the University of Cincinnati to teach film and television production.  I have been fortunate to have lifelong friends and two amazing children.  My daughter has carried on in my footsteps by being a social media/content manager for a nonprofit and performing improv in the evenings and on weekends.  My son teaches math and science and works with local theaters on the tech side of things.  I never slow down.  I hate that our time is limited on this earth and I’m always up for the next adventure.  

What made you want to become a filmmaker?

I think it was the passion for film and TV I had as a child.  As I mentioned earlier, I went to the movies often.  Weekly with my Grandmother to the Warner Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh.  My parents would take my brother, sister, and me to the drive-in or local theaters for a movie a few times a month as well. I remember seeing fairly advanced films for a young child. I saw “The Graduate”, “How the West Was Won”, “West Side Story” and, “Rosemary’s Baby” (this could explain a lot) to name a few before I was 11 years old.  But the real jump-start into filmmaking was my father giving me an 8mm Kodak Brownie movie camera when I was 10.  I shot dozens of reels of film every summer and as often as I could after school in the fall, winter, and spring.  Most of my early films were usually rip-offs of TV shows like “Laugh In”, Laurel and Hardy bits, or things that my friends and I would think up on the spot. Most of those early films were lost in the Northridge quake as well.   I was into comedy at an early age.  Listening to comedy albums by Newhart, Pryor, Gabe Kaplan, Robert Klein, and others.   I was a television junkie and can still tell you what was on Television on a Saturday morning starting at 6 AM in Pittsburgh in 1962. I was passionate about shows like “The Fugitive” and “The Twilight Zone”, but, the sitcoms were my favorite.  

Since your last interview, https://sheilareneeparker.com/2016/05/27/interview-with-marty-schiff/, can you share with everyone some of the projects you’ve been working on? 

I rarely act anymore and have been more involved in producing for the last 15 years.  My most recent project PIG HILL was shot in Meadeville, PA, and is based on an urban legend in the same area.  We are closing a deal for distribution as I write this response.  Hopefully, it will be coming to a theater near you within the next year.  My next project will be BEATEN PATH, a horror film that takes place in an alternate universe.  I’m looking forward to starting shooting that in the spring of 2024.  I have two TV series that I’m trying to get sold and a game show…like I said…I never stop.

As far as being an actor, what has been your favorite role to play? and why?

I think that’s a multipart question….in the theater, I loved playing Bottom in Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Television it was Hern Burford on Nickelodeon’s OUT OF CONTROL, and in Film it was playing a Knight on a Motorcycle, Sir Ban, in George Romero’s KNIGHTRIDERS

What would you consider is the most challenging part about being an actor?

I think the hardest thing about being an actor is committing to the role 100%.  Being brave enough to let yourself go and become someone else…then coming back to being you after the role is done.  Many actors have trouble getting there and others have trouble coming back to being themselves.   

You’re also a professor, what’s that like and what kind of courses do you teach?

I teach everything in the Film and Television department.  I’ve taught and teach writing, directing, film history, production, professional skills, and Capstone.  

With such a busy schedule, how do you maintain balance?

I’m not sure that I do.  I work a lot so my personal life suffers.  Also, when you work in my industry you don’t know months in advance when you are going to be sent to the wilds of Georgia or on a river somewhere near Chicago to do a film.  When the phone rings…I go.  It’s very hard on relationships.  Plans fall through on occasion so you live in the moment.  But, all of that being said, I’m very happy with my life. Maybe happier than I’ve ever been.  New technology like Zoom, Facetime, and Whatsapp have made it easier to be away.  I take advantage of all of those.  

Where can fans follow you and your work?

Feel free to friend me on Facebook and Instagram. If you’d like a professional relationship connect with me on LinkedIn.

Any advice for those who’d like to follow in your footsteps?

I know it sounds cliche but never give up.  Stick with it and be willing to take a hard look at yourself to know where your strengths and weaknesses are.  Surround yourself with positive people and eliminate the negative, life-sucking vortexes, from your world as quickly as you can.  Trust me…you do not need them. 

My formula (non-mathematical) for success:  S=C2

/T x P2 ….

Success = Confidence and Commitment over Talent times Practice and Perseverance 

Most of all,  live every minute of every day.  They are not infinite and there will be good times and bad, happy and not so happy, but that’s life.  Do not let the bad times define you.  Move on…and enjoy the gifts you have. 

“The Astral Abyss: Symphony of the Four Horsemen”

(short story by Sheila Renee Parker)

In the shadowy recesses of the cosmic abyss, a malevolent force, born of ancient nightmares, stirred with a hunger for chaos. Unseen by mortal eyes, this malevolence coalesced into a dark entity known as the Harbinger. Its presence sent shivers through the fabric of reality, heralding an impending doom.

As the Harbinger unleashed its sinister power, the very essence of terror coagulated into four grotesque forms—the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Pestilence, a wretched amalgamation of decay and disease; War, a monstrous embodiment of carnage and destruction; Famine, a skeletal figure draped in hunger and desolation; and Death, a spectral reaper wielding a scythe that thirsted for the souls of the living.

With a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the cosmos, the Horsemen came to life, their malevolent eyes reflecting the abyss within. The Harbinger bound them to its will, commanding them to ride forth upon the astral winds and unleash a torrent of horror upon the realms of existence.

Pestilence spread a virulent plague that withered life to its very core, leaving barren landscapes and desolate cities in its wake. War swung its colossal sword, unleashing a cataclysmic conflict that consumed entire civilizations in a frenzied maelstrom of violence and despair. Famine cast a cursed shadow, draining the life force from all living things, turning once-thriving lands into ashen wastelands.

And then came Death, the harbinger of ultimate darkness. Its skeletal steed galloped relentlessly, and with each stride, the fabric of reality unraveled. Souls were torn from their mortal vessels, and a symphony of anguished wails echoed in the void.

As the Four Horsemen rode together, the apocalyptic storm they unleashed devoured worlds and extinguished stars. The cosmic tapestry of existence tore asunder, revealing the gnashing maw of oblivion. The Harbinger reveled in the chaos, watching as the universe succumbed to the grotesque ballet of destruction.

The birth of the Four Horsemen marked the onset of an unrelenting apocalypse, a nightmare from which there was no awakening. The cosmic horrors they wrought left no corner of the cosmos untouched, and the screams of the dying echoed into the eternal abyss, swallowed by the void that now reigned supreme.

“Mystique of the Silver Vines: A Dance with Haunting Secrets”

(short story by Sheila Renee Parker)

In the dimly lit ballroom, the masquerade masks concealed more than identities. Clara, drawn to an antique mask adorned with twisted silver vines, felt an unsettling chill as she fastened it to her face.

As the night unfolded, the mask seemed to merge with Clara’s expressions, distorting her features into an eerie reflection. Whispers circulated about the mask’s sinister history – tales of past wearers succumbing to a mysterious trance, forever lost in the shadows.

Dancing with an unseen partner, Clara felt a cold grip around her as the mask tightened. Desperate to remove it, she discovered an absence of clasps. Panic set in as the mask fused seamlessly with her skin, the silver vines creeping into her flesh.

As the clock struck midnight, the ballroom transformed into a grotesque spectacle. Masked figures twisted and contorted, their elegant attire unraveling into grotesque mutations. Clara, now a mere puppet to the macabre mask, joined the ghastly masquerade.

The once enchanting dance turned into a nightmarish waltz, the music discordant and haunting. The masked throng moved with unnatural grace, their distorted faces locked in an eternal grimace. Shadows whispered secrets as the grotesque masquerade claimed its latest victim.

As dawn approached, the ballroom returned to stillness, the grotesque figures freezing in place. Only the eerie echoes of a twisted melody lingered, and the cursed mask lay in wait for its next unwitting wearer, ensuring the masquerade of horrors would continue its dreadful dance.

“Stalked by Shadows”

Step by step, I stroll the streets, the eerie silence of the night enveloping me in a shroud of darkness. The moon hides behind thick, impenetrable clouds, casting the city into monochromatic shades of black. Shadows, twisted and malevolent, stretch and coil upon the rooftops of the towering buildings, concealing the nefarious creatures that await their chance to strike.

Atop those spectral edifices, the creatures lurk, their eyes aglow with a sinister red. They watch, patient and vigilant, as the unsuspecting souls wander the forsaken streets below, oblivious to the impending horrors that hover above. These creatures, neither ghost nor man, have one purpose — to claim their prey, their teeth sharp as razors and their claws like daggers.

The air is thick with a cold, damp foulness that chills to the bone. An eerie howl echoes through the night, sending shivers down my spine. I clutch my coat tightly, the very fabric of my existence, a feeble shield against the malevolence that lingers in the darkness. My breath forms clouds in the frigid air, visible proof of my dread.

As I press on through the labyrinthine alleys and deserted streets, the world around me becomes a macabre painting, a nightmarish masterpiece. Then, a sudden revelation seizes the creatures above. They see me, just as I see them. Their sinister red eyes widen with realization, their fates sealed.

For they are not the hunters tonight. No, it is I who hungers, I who feeds upon the malevolent. In a heart-pounding twist, the roles reverse, and I become the harbinger of justice, the protector of the innocent. With newfound purpose, I confront the shadows that once stalked me, their howls now desperate cries for mercy.

I am the hunter, and they are my prey. And as I move through the haunted streets, the balance between light and dark teeters on a precipice, and the city holds its breath, awaiting the final stroke of my vengeance.

~ A short story adapted from my poem, “The Unforeseen” (by Sheila Renee Parker).

(“The Unforeseen”. A poem by Sheila Renee Parker.)

The Bloody Benders….. A Family of Serial Killers

A few nights ago, I was channel surfing looking for something to watch as my eyes grew heavy with sleep. Then, I stumbled upon a film on Tubi (https://tubitv.com/ which is a free streaming channel with lots of great films and t.v. shows. I highly recommend it! And like I said… It’s free! 😁)

Anywho…. A horror film caught my eye. The actors and actresses were people I was unfamiliar with and there wasn’t loads of cinematic action, romance…. etc… So, why did this movie grab my attention?

Because of its description… And here it is…. “The real-life story of America’s first serial killer family, the infamous “Bloody Benders,” that terrorized homesteaders in late-19th century Kansas.” ~ https://tubitv.com/movies/514711/bender

“The Bender family, more well known as the Bloody Benders, were a family of serial killers who lived and operated in Labette County, Kansas, United States, from May 1871 to December 1872.[1] The family consisted of John Bender, his wife Elvira and their son John Jr. and daughter Kate. ” ~ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Benders

Even though my eyes were heavy and I was ready to drift off to sleep, I couldn’t resist wanting to watch this film all because it was based on true events. I was like, “A serial killer family? From the 1800s? Why was this the first time I was hearing about this?!?!” This family was alleged of killing several people.

I watched it and was tripping the whole time. Without giving any spoilers, the premise of the movie is about a doctor who is traveling out on the prairie. He happens upon an old house, literally out in the middle of nowhere, stops for groceries, a meal and a night’s lodging. All hosted by the Bender family which consists of an older couple, their daughter and young son. Well, he takes to their kindness and then falls victim to their murderous ways. Later, the doctor’s brother stumbles upon the house in search of his missing brother. He takes a liking to the daughter, but unlike his brother, was able to escape the murderous family’s acts…. You’ll have to watch the film to see how it ends because I don’t want to ruin the film for ya..

But according to several reports, this nefarious family was never… let me repeat…. NEVER….. caught! A family of serial killers…. Loose…. Never caught…. OMG, really?! That is freaky!! Chills!!

Anyway…. Check it out for yourself if you’re into history and films based on true events. It was insane! The whole story still freaks me out!

The Consternation of the Subconscious Mind

It was getting late and I was falling fast asleep, into a peaceful slumber. And then, suddenly I awoke to a strange surrounding. It was daytime, several hours had obviously passed and I was oddly outside in a macabre setting. How I had gotten there was quite unknown to me. The sun was high, trees were all around and the figure of a filthy, vulgar man towered over me. With a half-smoked cigar gripped tightly in the corner of his mouth he asked me, “How ya likin’ that? Doesn’t it feel gooood?” As he finished his question, his speech became taunting as if he were playing some sort of twisted game.

Sweat and grime dripped off his forehead down to my face. I could smell his rancid breath filled with stale cigar smoke as he slurred each word. I quickly turned my head away from him. I could see that we were in a desolate place out in the middle of nowhere. I was alone with this societal reject who for some ungodly reason wanted to execute his perversion onto me. He had me laid out on my back on a hard surface, maybe a make-shift table or something, who knows…. and I was stiff, but not paralyzed even though the tingling sensation that coursed throughout my body caused me to feel numb. It was weird, like I had been drugged.

I struggled to move my arms and bellowed out. “WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”

He erupted with a deep, guttural laugh, “HAHAHAHAHAHA… WHOOHOO!!!!” Laughing so hard that it caused him to stumble backwards, almost losing his balance, then he was back to me. Bending over, face to face with me again, as his eyes left mine he eerily led his gaze down to my stomach area. With his grisly smile he goaded, “You haven’t even noticed, have you?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?” I was confused, my vision blurred as I tried making sense of it all.

“LOOK!” He demanded.

I mustered enough strength, blinked a couple of times to clear my eyes and brought my attention to where he was talking about.

“OH MY GOD!!!!!” I screamed.

He laughed even harder and more sinister as the look of terror consumed me. My eyes were lain upon a horrendous vision, one so vile that to speak of it continues to unnerve me.

What I was seeing before my very eyes was one of the most gruesome acts I had ever seen, and it happened to me. It threw me into a world of shock. Apparently the disgusting man was getting off on it because he looked so elated as he jeered around.

“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?! WHHYYYY?!?!?!” I cried. My hands reached down to my midsection, grabbing what I could to piece myself back together. I had been sliced open, from side to side, with my entrails emerging to the surface. Blood was all over me as my insides slipped between my fingers.

His depraved laughter continued as I attempted to gain my freedom. Still on my back with my body ripped apart, I tried pushing backwards with my feet to inch my way off the table.

“You can’t do it! Look at you! HAHAHAHAHA…..” He roared.

Then, “PLOP!” My body fell to the ground. I moaned in agony as my back cracked with pain, but I didn’t let that stop me. While this revolting man continued to laugh, he casually wiped the sweat from his brow with his dingy white tank top. He was clearly enjoying watching me suffer for he knew I wouldn’t get far due to the dreadful state that I was in.

With each minute inch that I moved, so did my exposed intestines as the blood pulsated outward. I arched my back upwards to keep everything off the dirt and ground below, and just like a contortionist, I tried crawling backwards to get away. I looked ahead in my upside-down position, hearing his heckling behind me, knowing that I would eventually have to give up. I knew in my heart that there was absolutely no way that I was going to escape this wretched hell that I was in, but I had to at least try to survive.

 

 

 

It was in that moment that reality finally kicked in and I woke up. Everything that happened above was merely a nightmare. Thank God! It bothered me so much that I found it hard to go back to sleep. I went to work the next day feeling drained and offbeat. This was a few nights ago and I still can’t shake the vivid imagery of the dream. It was so real…  the colors, the surrounding, the intense fear. What would provoke me to have such a horrible nightmare? I’ve conducted dream interpretation before in the past, not just for myself, but for others as well. However, this one continues to bother me. Did I watch something disturbing prior to drifting off to sleep? Nope. Did I have a crazy conversation the day before pertaining to anything similar? Nope. So, what could it have been? Just some randomness played out by my subconsciousness?

The human psyche is a complex one, one that is so diverse that it leads to insurmountable inquiry.

 

 

 

 

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker

~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html

~ Sheila Renee Parker on YouTube: Sheila Renee Parker

 

 

 

 

“The Change”

“POW!”

The loud sound of gunfire exploded just feet away from my head causing my eyes to pop wide open. Panic stricken, I immediately jumped to my feet.

“Ma’am, are you ok?” The rifle toting man frantically asked.

“Huh? What?!” I spat the words out as my heart raced with fear. “What the hell’s goin’ on?”

“You were being attacked.” He continued while oddly looking my body over as if he was checking for something.

I shrugged him off with a harsh, scowled expression. “Get off me!”

“Hey, I was only tryin’ to help!” He abruptly growled back.

“Huh?” The confusion was still running rampant through my brain, but then a brief second of clarity began to occur. The night was pitch black, so black that even the moonlight couldn’t be seen through the thick cover of trees. I honestly couldn’t even see me waving my own hand in front of my eyes.

Then suddenly, my estranged hero started snapping his fingers in a rude attempt to get my attention. “Hey!” He exclaimed.

“What?” I shouted back.

“Look around you!” He yelled while shining his flashlight throughout the woods like a deranged lunatic.

“What the hell are you…….” My voice trailed off with a weakened tone as I started to see what he was referring to.

In my stunned state I had become paralyzed with fear. For what I had seen before me, in the flashed glimpses of his light, was the vanishing of ravenous creatures scurrying away. Their bellowed groans diminished into the air along with the foul stench that wreaked of rotting flesh from their bones.

I freaked, “What are those??!!”

“Calm down.” The hunter said.

“How can you tell me to calm down?” The tears welled my eyes and rushed down my cheeks like a busted dam had given way.

“Take a breath. Are you all right?” He added.

“I dunno, I guess so.” I began to feel my body, checking to make sure that everything was still intact. However, I did feel some soreness, maybe bruising in my lower back on the right side, but I wasn’t about to tell him about it. There was absolutely no way I was going to let some creeper lift up my shirt, even if it was to help me. His rough, unkempt appearance made me feel uncomfortable enough as it was. So, I casually lowered the bottom of my shirt and pretended that everything was ok.

“What’s a girl like you doing out here?” He asked, twitching around towards every little sound amongst the trees. His trigger happy self was armed and ready to fire again.

With a shameful tone I answered, “I’m homeless.”

“Homeless?” His annoying questions continued as he finally took notice of my make-shift campsite not far behind me.

“Yeah, had it out with my folks. Haven’t seen them in months. I guess with all the sleepless nights I’ve been having, that I finally passed out hard enough and didn’t even realize I was being attacked. Or maybe it was the drunk induced coma…. who knows? Or better yet…. who cares?” I spewed the words out with pure sarcasm. The harsh taste of last night’s whiskey still lingered on my lips.

“Ya know, you’re pretty nosy for an old man.” I snapped.

“Whatever, I gotcha. None of my business.” He backed off with his hands waving in the air.

Then, it was my turn to quiz him like he did me. “What’s your story? Why ya out here in the middle of the night carrying around a gun? Who goes huntin’ this late?”

“I’m a hunter.” He boastfully replied.

“Well, duh… I can see that.” I scoffed.

“Uh huh…..” He paused, looking around, guarded as if waiting for those vile creatures to return. “Those damned things. Whatever the hell they are. I hunt them.”

“Zombies?” The word blurted from my lips before I had a chance to even rationally think about what I was about to say. Suddenly, I felt a wave of embarrassment sweep over me because I knew that mentioning anything so bizarre was completely and totally insane.

“Yeah, somethin’ like that.” He quickly answered, still looking around, paranoid with every twitching sound. His trigger happy finger on his gun continued to be ready and waiting upon command.

“Wait! No way!! Zombies don’t exist.” I joked, but then was quickly reminded of the sharp pain in my back as it throbbed like that of a nagging toothache. And then, a disturbing thought popped into my head. One so horrifying that I wouldn’t dare speak about it to the hunter. The nightmarish possibility that what if when I was being attacked, I was actually bitten by one of those gruesome things? It was at that moment that I discovered the intensity of the wound on my back. As discreet as I was trying to be, the hunter took notice of my sudden behavior.

“Somethin’ wrong?” He glared.

“Nah, I’m good. Just an itch.” Quickly I brushed it off.

“Uh huh… don’t be such a lady and let me take a look then.” The old man stepped towards me, shining his flashlight at my waistline.

“I sure as hell ain’t no lady, and I swear if you take one step closer, I’m gonna take you out at the knee. Trust me, old man, I know how to take care of myself.” Moving three to four steps back, I stiffened up, ready for my defense.

“Ok, whatever. I don’t give a damn anyway.” He said as he backed away. And as he stepped back, a stick snapped under his foot. Somehow he lost his balance and fell to the ground. When he did, he caught himself, but while landing he scraped his hand, exposing the raw flesh just beneath the skin’s surface.

“Son of a…..” He mumbled.

Then, all of a sudden, I caught the sweet scent of something. It was something I had never smelled before, something sweet like nectar. I raised my head, sniffing the air around me trying to catch wind of it again. But the higher my nose got, the more faint the desirable smell became. Confused, I began to look around for its origin. My mood was changing and the feeling of emptiness started to take over in my stomach. Hunger was beginning to consume me at an exceedingly rapid pace. My stomach growled with a pain that was so intense that it needed immediate satisfaction. It was growling extremely uncontrollably and the need of fulfillment was urgent. My senses were sharpening, my vision and hearing, and my movements twitched. Something was happening, something terrifying!

“Hey, you all right?” The fallen hunter asked. He looked up at me with a puzzled look on his face, well aware of my odd behavior.

“Yeah, I feel just fine.” A malicious grin slowly formed across my face. As I spoke those words, I began to feel a nefarious sense engulf me. It permeated from the spot on my back and grew stronger as it coursed through my veins. Was it happening? Did those creatures pierce my skin with their razor-like teeth? I felt as if I was changing into one of them. The sense of being predator was exhilarating and the sudden urge to hunt was dire. I needed to feed.

And that was when it hit me. I looked down at the injured man on the ground. His scraped hand was bleeding….. ahhhh…. the sweet smell of nectar!

Our eyes locked and we both knew of the imminent danger that he was in. Obviously, his mounted years of being an experienced hunter paid off because he knew with whom he was dealing. The fierce change had been rapid for me. I had just been born into this ravenous world where rage devoured my soul and hunger had taken over. My nostrils flared and my heart raced, pulsating with every beat. I was ready to pounce him and tear him flesh from bone.

“Now, Miss…. ya ain’t gotta do this….” The rough man pleaded. He tried scurrying back while reaching for the long handled blade that was tucked away in his boot, but wasn’t quick enough for my unbridled advance.

In an instant, I was straddling on top of him, pinning his arms down with my legs. He struggled as hard as he could, even spat in my face and called me some “not so kind”names, but he still couldn’t break free. I suppose that with this new change of mine, came an insurmountable strength that I would have to get use to. Whatever it was, I liked it!

“Now, now, now…. I thought you were big, bad and tough.” I playfully teased, leaning in just inches from his face, so close that our breath intertwined. Anger filled his eyes as he gritted his teeth. Tension thickened between us as the heavy moment in time felt like an eternity. I was waiting for the right moment, almost like toying with my prey. It felt so good, almost orgasmic. Then, without warning, the bastard head butted me, busting my nose. The blood automatically started to flow down into my mouth.

“Mmmmm……” I licked it from my top lip. Tasting my own nectar caused the rage to intensify as it surged throughout my entire body. I reared back and bellowed out a wicked howl, then glared into the frightened eyes of my weakened victim. Terror covered him like a fear filled blanket. His lips trembled and his eyes welled while he cried out, “NOOOO!!!!”

I quickly lunged into him with razor-sharp teeth, piercing the warm, soft flesh of his neck like a hot knife cutting into butter. His blood flowed so sweetly into my mouth like the finest glass of merlot. From there, I began to nibble, then taking full bites to satisfy my insatiable hunger. I could feel his dying body convulse between my legs as I devoured him down to the last fiber of his being.

Finally, the hunter had become the hunted…..

 

 

 

 

CSParkerJewelry on Etsy! https://www.etsy.com/shop/CSParkerJewelry  (Handmade Jewelry. Natural Stones. Glass Beads.)

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker

~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html

~ Sheila Renee Parker on YouTube: Sheila Renee Parker

 

 

 

 

Hellhounds: Such Naughty Lil’ Pooches

Popularly known as “The Bearers of Death”. These mangled, black furred, dog-like beasts have existed in legends for centuries. They’re reported to be supernatural in nature and possess ghostly characteristics with a foul odor. They’re also known to terrorize their victims with their gnarling sharp teeth and razor claws. They have red glowing eyes, super strength and speed, and may even have a fiery appearance with hellish abilities.

According to European folklore, many have claimed that if a person stares into a hellhound’s eyes three or more times, or hear its terrifying howl, it could be an omen or possibly the cause of that individual’s death.

These naughty little pooches’ purpose? Often, to protect the entrances to the realms of those who have passed on, like burial grounds and cemeteries. The nefarious beasts may be responsible for other ghastly duties like protecting unearthly treasure and/or hunting the souls of the lost.

The tale of these ferocious creatures is well-known throughout Great Britain. The Isle of Man has their own version referred to as “Moddey Dhoo“. Wales has their’s known as “Gwyllgi”. The “Cadejo”, according to Central American folklore, is a large black canine that haunts those who walk late into the night on country roads.

As stated earlier, hellhounds are referred to as “The Bearers of Death”. These creatures were given this title because it was alleged that they were created by ancient demons to serve as heralds of death. Sightings have been documented all throughout history, including locations within the United States: Louisiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio and then even abroad in Vilseck, Germany. The hellhound known as “Black Shuck” roams the Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk coastline of England. It has been seen lurking around graveyards, dark forests and crossroads. According to Catalan myth, their version of the foreboding beast is referred to as “Dip”: The Devil’s emissary who sucks its victim’s blood.

Just a few years ago the London-Based archaeology group, DigVentures discovered the skeleton of a gigantic dog from a shallow grave less than two feet deep in the ruins of Leiston Abbey, Suffolk. According to the archaeologists, they stated that the dog’s height was more than seven feet on its rear legs and weighed around 200 pounds. The DigVentures team believes that the skeletal remains likely date back to medieval times. It is possible that the canine was a rather large hunting dog and perhaps possibly the initial spark that created the legend of “Black Shuck”.

So, makes one wonder doesn’t it? Do nefarious creatures like the demonic hellhound really exist? Or are they the product of superstitious minds who possess wild imaginations?

A little something to think about while sitting alone in a slightly dimmed room on a dark and stormy night. And don’t worry if you hear slight scratching on the window beside you. It’s probably just the wind blowing a tree limb that’s causing the noise, or…. maybe it’s not….. perhaps it’s a hellhound trying to claw its way in……… 😉 ***HOWLS!!!***

 

 

 

 

 

CSParkerJewelry on Etsy! https://www.etsy.com/shop/CSParkerJewelry  (Handmade Jewelry. Natural Stones. Glass Beads.)

Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author

~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker

~ Art by Sheila Renee Parker available at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheilarenee-parker.html

~ Sheila Renee Parker on YouTube: Sheila Renee Parker