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

“But I reckon we should look for some water. I can hardly speak my throat’s so dry.”


“And something to eat,” added Carter.


The thought propelled Carter to his feet. He scanned the countryside on the other side of the hill and found it to be mostly grassland punctuated by large groves of trees. A mile or so to the east was a thicket of trees he suspected would be their best bet for locating water, and beyond them, a chain of small mountains.


“Okay,” said Carter clapping his hands, “let’s get going. I’m dying for a drink.”


Paul got to his feet and looked down at the line of trees that started at the foot of the mountains and snaked its way across the grasslands to the forest they were in.


“What are we waiting for?” he said with a wide grin.


The promise of water had perked up their spirits and their descent into the valley was undertaken with more vigour than either of them had had going up the hill.


“I can taste that water already,” said Paul. “Whoo-ooo!”


Chapter 4