Rachel Roe Writing

The rain pelted down on the old tin roof that covered Nora’s back porch. It had brought into the forest a cold and settling fog. She looked through the trees to see Roscoe chasing some unseen woodland creature. A sharp whistle rang out as Nora pulled her fingers from her mouth. Roscoe stopped and perked his ears immediately. As he galloped back toward her, tongue lolling out of his mouth, she turned and opened the screen door to her small cabin. He ran inside and immediately shook. Nora wrinkled her nose as the droplets splattered her cargo pants and hiking boots. She couldn’t help but smile. His antics kept things interesting out here by herself. Roscoe also gave her a sense of security. This big, muscular shepherd looked intimidating. He was a big goofball. Nora smiled to herself, then set to preparing their dinners. She poured a healthy amount of kibble from the rodent-safe container into the big metal dog dish by the door. Roscoe stood patiently watching her, not moving until he wa...

As the sun began to set, a collective shiver ran through the town. The creeping darkness felt heavier than usual, more ominous. Every resident shared the same thought: would the creature strike again tonight? Bryn let out an exasperated sigh as he watched the townsfolk panic. This new intruder was quickly becoming a thorn in his side. Every evening, the people locked their doors, corralled their livestock, and stayed inside. How was he supposed to eat like this? He rolled his eyes as several homes painted large Xs on their doors in pig’s blood. As if that would deter anything. Nothing had ever been warded off by pig’s blood. Where were they even getting this information? As the sky dimmed, Bryn hunkered down in the bushes just off the town square. He was determined to see the imposter for himself, the cryptid daring to trespass on his territory. Hours passed. Bryn’s joints stiffened in the crouch. He flexed his hooves one at a time to shake off the numbness, but it didn’t help. Soon he...

  A loud thud reverberates next to my ear as the blade of the knife sinks into the high back of my chair. Splinters fly, and the wood shudders under the blade's weight. I don’t flinch. Instead, I saw through another bite of steak. “How was your day, darling? You look thirsty. Shall I pour you another glass?” my dear Annalise asks me. Her voice is sickeningly sweet as she rises from the table.  “Oh, it was alright. Nothing too exciting. Though that merger I was telling you about is looking promising.” I reply as I hand her my glass to refill. “How was yours?” “I had a wonderful day,” she coos in my ear as she hands me a glass of my favorite whiskey. “And it’s only getting better now that you’re home.” I smile at her and take a long draw of the amber liquid. Relishing the burn as it travels down my throat and settles in my belly. I can see her watching me intently, though she’s pretending not to. I love the way she stares at me. Watching my every move. It’s one of her most endea...

I  sit bolt upright, a scream still caught in my throat. I glance at my surroundings, relieved when I realize I am still tucked safely in my bed. The sheets are a tangled mess around my legs, and my shirt is stuck to my skin. I shiver as the cool breeze from the open window hits my damp skin.  Pushing the curtains to the side, I shove the window closed. It creaks and finally settles into place. The old windows of my apartment have needed replacement since I moved in six years ago. My eyes trace the crack in the top pane. As my focus shifts from the pane to the night sky, my blood runs cold.  High in the sky, right where the moon should be, a large red print reads “ERROR  404.”  I rub the glass as if the glowing print is somehow a smudge on the glass. When it doesn’t wipe away on my fingers, I can feel the panic rising.  I quickly scramble out of bed and run across the hall. Shoving the door open without even knocking, I burst into Kaya’s room. Given the cir...