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The Midnight Vault
Venture into The Midnight Vault, an anthology featuring 29 compelling tales of science fiction and horror. Written by an extraordinary cast of breakthrough talent, this collection explores eerie and speculative realms, challenging the boundaries of the known.
From otherworldly horrors to dystopian visions, each story delves into the depths of fear and fascination, promising to captivate and thrill. Uncover dark corners of the universe and embrace the supernatural as you turn each page.
Dare to explore The Midnight Vault-where the fantastic and the frightful come alive..
Stories included:
"A Six-Part Death" - William Pauley III
"The HALCYONIUM" - Clancy Steadwell
"Hector" - Annie Hendrix
"The Lonely Planter" - Bryan Pirolli
"Separate Memories" - Michele Bardsley
"All The World's Static" - Jason Thompson
"An Elegant Solution" - Bridget Riley
"The Creative Lives Of The Lichtensteins" - EJ Trask
"Watched Pots" - Will Boucher
"Off Switch" - Honeygloom
"The Last Stop" - Shane Bzdok
"The Sun And The Moon" - CB Mason
"Sunbonnet Sue" - Lisa Kuznak
"Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me" - Sean Thomas McDonnell
"Vote Control" - Andy Futuro
"Soma's Reflection" - Edith Bow
"Room 13" - Miguel S.
"The Thing In The Box" - A.P. Murphy
"Amanita" - Sean Archer
"The Swing of the Pendulum" - Adam Rockwell
"In Capable Hands" - Shaina Read
"August's Fog" - Nyanka J.
"The Zeno Paradox" - J. Curtis
"The Joke's On You" - Stephen Duffy
"Mail-Order Bride" - K.C. Knouse
"The Switchboard" - Hanna Delaney
"What You're Made Of" - Jon Toews
"Conception" - Bob Graham
"Good Neighbors" - Liz Zimmers
From otherworldly horrors to dystopian visions, each story delves into the depths of fear and fascination, promising to captivate and thrill. Uncover dark corners of the universe and embrace the supernatural as you turn each page.
Dare to explore The Midnight Vault-where the fantastic and the frightful come alive..
Stories included:
"A Six-Part Death" - William Pauley III
"The HALCYONIUM" - Clancy Steadwell
"Hector" - Annie Hendrix
"The Lonely Planter" - Bryan Pirolli
"Separate Memories" - Michele Bardsley
"All The World's Static" - Jason Thompson
"An Elegant Solution" - Bridget Riley
"The Creative Lives Of The Lichtensteins" - EJ Trask
"Watched Pots" - Will Boucher
"Off Switch" - Honeygloom
"The Last Stop" - Shane Bzdok
"The Sun And The Moon" - CB Mason
"Sunbonnet Sue" - Lisa Kuznak
"Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me" - Sean Thomas McDonnell
"Vote Control" - Andy Futuro
"Soma's Reflection" - Edith Bow
"Room 13" - Miguel S.
"The Thing In The Box" - A.P. Murphy
"Amanita" - Sean Archer
"The Swing of the Pendulum" - Adam Rockwell
"In Capable Hands" - Shaina Read
"August's Fog" - Nyanka J.
"The Zeno Paradox" - J. Curtis
"The Joke's On You" - Stephen Duffy
"Mail-Order Bride" - K.C. Knouse
"The Switchboard" - Hanna Delaney
"What You're Made Of" - Jon Toews
"Conception" - Bob Graham
"Good Neighbors" - Liz Zimmers
- GenresScience Fiction
404 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2025
4 people are currently reading
3,536 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 20, 2025
From the inside cover:
"A Six-Part Death" by William Pauley III � To Anthony Fetterman, nothing was more sacred than the bond he shared with his wife and child, and murder was always considered to be the most evil of all sins. However, one peculiar morning, he came across a piece of information that changed his mind about both.
"The HALCYONIUM" by Clancy Steadwell � When a mysterious book hits the shelves of a local bookstore, the residents of picturesque Saint’s Grove find themselves disappearing. First a young man, then the investigating officer, then…who else? What awaits in the pages of the HALCYONIUM?
"Hector" by Annie Hendrix � Remote MegaCorp employee Benjamin Avery adjusts to a new remote position as a trainer for an artificial intelligence model named Hector. When Mr. Avery becomes suspicious of his food delivery driver, Hector convinces him his paranoia is due to the effects of isolation. As odd experiences with service workers continue, Mr. Avery is determined to confirm his suspicions.
"The Lonely Planter" by Bryan Pirolli � Unable to be who he is, and unable to be who he isn’t, Larry Spellington yearned for the one thing anyone has ever wanted: to be accepted. With one word, society ensured that goal remained out of reach. But when Larry met someone unexpected one fateful night after work, he strayed from his predetermined path and stepped outside the boundaries of what was good and acceptable, daring society to deny him.
"Separate Memories" by Michele Bardsley � In the future, technology makes it possible for a divorcing couple to divide everything—including their memories. What if your most painful remembrances are entangled with your most joyous? And what if someone else owns the memories you wish to keep?
"All The World's Static" by Jason Thompson � Being the story of a curious woman who discovers a radio unlike any other. She listens not to reply, but to understand, and that makes all the difference in the world.
"An Elegant Solution" by Bridget Riley � Jeffrey Potter is a man of numbers, predictability, margins; a man whose profession it is to know what people want, and to make them want what he has to sell. But when a New Mexico lightning storm interrupts his business trip, he finds himself trapped in a car with a woman and child fleeing death. Faced with a world eerily reminiscent of his own beliefs, motivations, and biases, Jeffrey must decide whether his cherished predictability is worth the human toll it exacts when taken to its ruthless logical conclusion.
"The Creative Lives Of The Lichtensteins" by EJ Trask � Dr. and Mrs. Lichtenstein lean on creative hobbies to bring meaning and richness to their suburban American lives. But creativity is a demanding mistress. Does this quiet couple have the guts to reach for something sublime?
"Watched Pots" by Will Boucher � “A watched pot never boils.� We’ve all heard it; we know it to be nonsense…so long as there’s flame, water will boil, yes? So, why are we warned not to watch? What would we see? What is the danger? One poor soul is about to find out�
"Amanita" by Sean Archer � Joe Flannery is a bachelor on a road trip who makes a detour into Oyster Falls, a town that seems so lovely…he’ll never want to leave.
"Off Switch" by Honeygloom � Jack likes to tinker with living things, to improve their designs, and make them suitable for the mass market. But this is one project he’ll wish he’d never started.
"The Last Stop" by Shane Bzdok � Joseph Bosemann is a veteran bus driver for the Metro Area Transit Authority. His job is rather simple—to take people from one place to another, but due to his dedication and obsession for punctuality, Joe has been selected for a promotion that will give him a new title and a rather extraordinary new route. His task will remain relatively the same but his special passengers and their horrifying last stop will be unlike anything he’s experienced before.
"The Sun And The Moon" by CB Mason � In a dystopian future, years after the world has been ravaged by seismic activity and natural disasters, young adults face challenges and struggles that mirror those in our present society. Meet Noah Wells, a high-achieving high schooler on track to finish in three years instead of four. However, the heavy weight and pressure of academic expectations—from teachers, neuroscientists, parents, and himself—has warped his self-esteem. On this night, with deadlines ticking down to zero, Noah is desperate for some semblance of control, no matter how fleeting, which takes him on a quest to find relief from the chronic anxiety that plagues him.
"Sunbonnet Sue" by Lisa Kuznak � Such distressing thoughts, and they’re getting louder. If only she could make them stop–but where are they coming from?
"Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me" by Sean Thomas McDonnell � Maestro Walter Gillian confronts an existential crisis while preparing to conduct a symphony, haunted by the disconnect between his creative fulfillment and the hollow applause of an expectant audience. As reality warps and the theater dissolves into surreal shadows, he reflects on the joy of obscurity and creation, realizing his true satisfaction lies not in accolades but in the pure act of composing.
"Vote Control" by Andy Futuro � It’s a normal day for Daphne: she bickers with her husband, shops for groceries, and votes for the man to be killed on the nightly news. But she can’t help thinking there’s something she forgot to do� Written in the style of a graphic novel script.
"Soma’s Reflection" by Edith Bow � In the future, we follow a girl who turns self-obsession into a drug. Her lack of self-awareness takes her down a nefarious journey that reveals the truth about herself and others. Losing individuality may reveal parts of ourselves we didn’t think were possible.
"Room 13" by Miguel S. � After a grueling day at work, Henry Standring vents his frustrations on an unsuspecting hotel worker. Soon after Henry finds out, why do hotels always skip the 13th room.
"The Thing In The Box" by A.P. Murphy � It’s said that Pandora released all the evils into the world when she opened a box. In this tale, Emerald, an impoverished descendant of an old family, recovers a family heirloom in the shape of a mysterious box. Old documents tell a grisly tale of its origin. But what’s inside the box?
"The Swing Of The Pendulum" by Adam Rockwell � Elementary school student, Billy York, is about to find out exactly how quickly things can change with the simple swing of the pendulum.
"In Capable Hands" by Shaina Read � Something as seemingly benign as a radio jingle ad offers Shawndra everything she’s been looking for: the perfect home for her aging mother, a place of safety that allows Shawndra to finally live her own life again. But when the new care home she has chosen seems too good to be true, Shawndra will face a decision that will take her to the edge of reality, and what it really means to be human.
"August’s Fog" by Nyanka J. � In this short story a quaint and quiet town descends into chaos as they learn the importance of memory.
"The Zeno Paradox" by J. Curtis � When an AI built to safeguard humanity begins to falter, it summons Dr. Hanna Lightman, daughter of its visionary creator. Drawn into a machine that forces us to confront history’s darkest moments, she must decide whether to repair it or risk surrendering humanity to its cold, unyielding logic forever.
"The Jokes on You" by Stephen Duffy � Stanley McGill, a struggling comedian, stumbles upon a mysterious book that catapults him to overnight success. But as his fame grows, strange and unsettling events begin to unravel his world.
"Mail-Order Bride" by K.C. Knouse � Millionaire Harvey Platz has remained a bachelor into middle age for fear a failed marriage would cost him half or more of his fortune. Is a humanoid mail-order bride the solution? Harvey believes it is and purchases one, but he is not prepared for what happens next.
"The Switchboard" by Hanna Delaney � James wishes he had a simpler life. Lucky for James, he’s the kind of man that gets anything he wishes for, whether he knows it or not.
"What You’re Made Of" by Jon T. � Meet Arvid—a man tired of blending into the background, yearning to be someone who commands the room, someone worth remembering. But in his search for admiration, he may find that wanting to be someone else means leaving something behind. In Port Kalakeitto, a man’s reflection is a fragile thing, and envy, like a shadow, might consume you whole.
"Conception" by Bob Graham � A young couple wants to start a family. While attending his wife’s ultrasound appointment, the husband learns through an unexpected appointment of his own that the decision to have children requires much more than adequate fertility on behalf of himself and his partner.
"Good Neighbors" by Liz Zimmers � Ethan Crouch, a man with his eyes fixed firmly on the perceived prizes of social and professional elitism, finds himself living among the hoi polloi in an unsophisticated but warmhearted and welcoming community. Can the folk of Joywood save Ethan from the consequences of his unbridled snobbery?
"A Six-Part Death" by William Pauley III � To Anthony Fetterman, nothing was more sacred than the bond he shared with his wife and child, and murder was always considered to be the most evil of all sins. However, one peculiar morning, he came across a piece of information that changed his mind about both.
"The HALCYONIUM" by Clancy Steadwell � When a mysterious book hits the shelves of a local bookstore, the residents of picturesque Saint’s Grove find themselves disappearing. First a young man, then the investigating officer, then…who else? What awaits in the pages of the HALCYONIUM?
"Hector" by Annie Hendrix � Remote MegaCorp employee Benjamin Avery adjusts to a new remote position as a trainer for an artificial intelligence model named Hector. When Mr. Avery becomes suspicious of his food delivery driver, Hector convinces him his paranoia is due to the effects of isolation. As odd experiences with service workers continue, Mr. Avery is determined to confirm his suspicions.
"The Lonely Planter" by Bryan Pirolli � Unable to be who he is, and unable to be who he isn’t, Larry Spellington yearned for the one thing anyone has ever wanted: to be accepted. With one word, society ensured that goal remained out of reach. But when Larry met someone unexpected one fateful night after work, he strayed from his predetermined path and stepped outside the boundaries of what was good and acceptable, daring society to deny him.
"Separate Memories" by Michele Bardsley � In the future, technology makes it possible for a divorcing couple to divide everything—including their memories. What if your most painful remembrances are entangled with your most joyous? And what if someone else owns the memories you wish to keep?
"All The World's Static" by Jason Thompson � Being the story of a curious woman who discovers a radio unlike any other. She listens not to reply, but to understand, and that makes all the difference in the world.
"An Elegant Solution" by Bridget Riley � Jeffrey Potter is a man of numbers, predictability, margins; a man whose profession it is to know what people want, and to make them want what he has to sell. But when a New Mexico lightning storm interrupts his business trip, he finds himself trapped in a car with a woman and child fleeing death. Faced with a world eerily reminiscent of his own beliefs, motivations, and biases, Jeffrey must decide whether his cherished predictability is worth the human toll it exacts when taken to its ruthless logical conclusion.
"The Creative Lives Of The Lichtensteins" by EJ Trask � Dr. and Mrs. Lichtenstein lean on creative hobbies to bring meaning and richness to their suburban American lives. But creativity is a demanding mistress. Does this quiet couple have the guts to reach for something sublime?
"Watched Pots" by Will Boucher � “A watched pot never boils.� We’ve all heard it; we know it to be nonsense…so long as there’s flame, water will boil, yes? So, why are we warned not to watch? What would we see? What is the danger? One poor soul is about to find out�
"Amanita" by Sean Archer � Joe Flannery is a bachelor on a road trip who makes a detour into Oyster Falls, a town that seems so lovely…he’ll never want to leave.
"Off Switch" by Honeygloom � Jack likes to tinker with living things, to improve their designs, and make them suitable for the mass market. But this is one project he’ll wish he’d never started.
"The Last Stop" by Shane Bzdok � Joseph Bosemann is a veteran bus driver for the Metro Area Transit Authority. His job is rather simple—to take people from one place to another, but due to his dedication and obsession for punctuality, Joe has been selected for a promotion that will give him a new title and a rather extraordinary new route. His task will remain relatively the same but his special passengers and their horrifying last stop will be unlike anything he’s experienced before.
"The Sun And The Moon" by CB Mason � In a dystopian future, years after the world has been ravaged by seismic activity and natural disasters, young adults face challenges and struggles that mirror those in our present society. Meet Noah Wells, a high-achieving high schooler on track to finish in three years instead of four. However, the heavy weight and pressure of academic expectations—from teachers, neuroscientists, parents, and himself—has warped his self-esteem. On this night, with deadlines ticking down to zero, Noah is desperate for some semblance of control, no matter how fleeting, which takes him on a quest to find relief from the chronic anxiety that plagues him.
"Sunbonnet Sue" by Lisa Kuznak � Such distressing thoughts, and they’re getting louder. If only she could make them stop–but where are they coming from?
"Blink Twice If You Can Hear Me" by Sean Thomas McDonnell � Maestro Walter Gillian confronts an existential crisis while preparing to conduct a symphony, haunted by the disconnect between his creative fulfillment and the hollow applause of an expectant audience. As reality warps and the theater dissolves into surreal shadows, he reflects on the joy of obscurity and creation, realizing his true satisfaction lies not in accolades but in the pure act of composing.
"Vote Control" by Andy Futuro � It’s a normal day for Daphne: she bickers with her husband, shops for groceries, and votes for the man to be killed on the nightly news. But she can’t help thinking there’s something she forgot to do� Written in the style of a graphic novel script.
"Soma’s Reflection" by Edith Bow � In the future, we follow a girl who turns self-obsession into a drug. Her lack of self-awareness takes her down a nefarious journey that reveals the truth about herself and others. Losing individuality may reveal parts of ourselves we didn’t think were possible.
"Room 13" by Miguel S. � After a grueling day at work, Henry Standring vents his frustrations on an unsuspecting hotel worker. Soon after Henry finds out, why do hotels always skip the 13th room.
"The Thing In The Box" by A.P. Murphy � It’s said that Pandora released all the evils into the world when she opened a box. In this tale, Emerald, an impoverished descendant of an old family, recovers a family heirloom in the shape of a mysterious box. Old documents tell a grisly tale of its origin. But what’s inside the box?
"The Swing Of The Pendulum" by Adam Rockwell � Elementary school student, Billy York, is about to find out exactly how quickly things can change with the simple swing of the pendulum.
"In Capable Hands" by Shaina Read � Something as seemingly benign as a radio jingle ad offers Shawndra everything she’s been looking for: the perfect home for her aging mother, a place of safety that allows Shawndra to finally live her own life again. But when the new care home she has chosen seems too good to be true, Shawndra will face a decision that will take her to the edge of reality, and what it really means to be human.
"August’s Fog" by Nyanka J. � In this short story a quaint and quiet town descends into chaos as they learn the importance of memory.
"The Zeno Paradox" by J. Curtis � When an AI built to safeguard humanity begins to falter, it summons Dr. Hanna Lightman, daughter of its visionary creator. Drawn into a machine that forces us to confront history’s darkest moments, she must decide whether to repair it or risk surrendering humanity to its cold, unyielding logic forever.
"The Jokes on You" by Stephen Duffy � Stanley McGill, a struggling comedian, stumbles upon a mysterious book that catapults him to overnight success. But as his fame grows, strange and unsettling events begin to unravel his world.
"Mail-Order Bride" by K.C. Knouse � Millionaire Harvey Platz has remained a bachelor into middle age for fear a failed marriage would cost him half or more of his fortune. Is a humanoid mail-order bride the solution? Harvey believes it is and purchases one, but he is not prepared for what happens next.
"The Switchboard" by Hanna Delaney � James wishes he had a simpler life. Lucky for James, he’s the kind of man that gets anything he wishes for, whether he knows it or not.
"What You’re Made Of" by Jon T. � Meet Arvid—a man tired of blending into the background, yearning to be someone who commands the room, someone worth remembering. But in his search for admiration, he may find that wanting to be someone else means leaving something behind. In Port Kalakeitto, a man’s reflection is a fragile thing, and envy, like a shadow, might consume you whole.
"Conception" by Bob Graham � A young couple wants to start a family. While attending his wife’s ultrasound appointment, the husband learns through an unexpected appointment of his own that the decision to have children requires much more than adequate fertility on behalf of himself and his partner.
"Good Neighbors" by Liz Zimmers � Ethan Crouch, a man with his eyes fixed firmly on the perceived prizes of social and professional elitism, finds himself living among the hoi polloi in an unsophisticated but warmhearted and welcoming community. Can the folk of Joywood save Ethan from the consequences of his unbridled snobbery?
April 4, 2025
They’ve done a good thing here.
March 19, 2025
Stellar collaboration from a talented group of writers. Broad range of story genres made it particularly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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