Carter is a teacher in London. One night he steps out into an autumnal storm and, on the way to his car, the oncoming night engulfs him and transports him to another, more sinister world. Almost immediately he senses he isn’t alone. When he turns and sees a shadowy figure approaching, he launches himself at the stranger. He soon discovers that Paul, the handsome Australian man pinned beneath him, is in a similar state of disorientated bewilderment. Together they begin to explore their surroundings, hoping and praying they can find a way back home. What they are about to encounter will send terror coursing through their veins. Little do they know this is a mere taste of the nightmare to come. Will their growing feelings for each other survive what follows? Can they themselves survive?

The Collection

“Yeah! It seemed to shimmer and the next thing I knew I was walking around in some tunnel. Bloody dark in there, I can tell you. I suppose you know about that, though. After stumbling about in there for a while I ended up here. There are others, too.”


Paul shuffled about to face Carter and sat up on his knees.


“Yep. At the beginning I was like you, wary of every noise. I bumped into one guy, but when I said hello he took off into the forest. I guess most of us are feeling the same way—pretty freaked out.”


“You can say that again. So, any idea where we are?”


Paul shifted his weight from one buttock to the other.


“Nah,” he replied. “I’m as lost as you or anybody else here. I have no idea how I got here, but what I’m more concerned with is how I’m going to get out of here.”


“You and me both,” said Carter, climbing to his feet. “And we aren’t going to do that by sitting around in the leaves.”


“You’re right about that,” said Paul. “Which way do you want to go?”


Chapter 3