Bete Noire Issue #24
()
About this ebook
Bête Noir brings you the best in dark fiction, poetry and art. In this issue we bring you, Megan E. Cassidy, Bob Johnston, Cesar Valtierra, Brian Koukol, Ash Krafton, Lawrence Buentello, Marge Simon, Carl R. Jennings, Wesley D. Gray, J. R. Restrick, J. J. Stienfeld, Matthew J. Hockey, Tony Haynes and Ian Stonall
A. W. & Jennifer Gifford
Many of A. W. Gifford’s story ideas come from the nightmares of his wife, Jennifer. Though she too is a writer of dark fiction, she will never write these stories herself, fearing that if she does, they will come true.He is the editor of the dark fiction magazine Bête Noire and his work has appeared in numerous magazines, webzines and anthologies.Though he grew up in the northern suburbs of Detroit, he now resides outside of Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, two dogs, Reagan and Riley, and a pride of cats.Jennifer Gifford has always had a fascination with the dark and humorous side of fiction. She hates creepy old dolls, spiders, and garden gnomes. The inspiration for her stories strikes her in the oddest of places from an elevator, walking in class, even in the shower. She loves to read, to cook, and loves horror movies. In turn, her nightmares are often the basis for her husband's stories, because she fears that writing her own nightmares will make them come true. Jennifer has been writing for almost two decades, and spends her time in three states: Georgia , Michigan , and panicked.
Read more from A. W. & Jennifer Gifford
Bete Noire Issue #18 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBete Noire Issue #21 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFor All Eternity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn Poe's Shadow Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bete Noire Issue #27 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBete Noire Issue #26 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBete Noire Issue #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Bete Noire Issue #24
Related ebooks
Hades: Stephanie and the Merciless Reaper Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Perforating Pierre: Jane Delaney Mysteries, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMischief at Eden's Gate Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSexy Bad Escort: Sexy Bad Series, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWitness Pursuit Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Black Hides the Curse: Cursed Wolves, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCheated: The Death Cheater Series, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Avenging Angel: The Malhaven Mystery Series, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Sorta Do: Aspen Gold Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHigh Stakes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Play With Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The End of Interludes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLaid: A Blue Collar Bad Boys Book: Blue Collar Bad Boys, #5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Later Gator: Southern Fried Sass, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Marsupial Inside Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsToo Close: A Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFlirty in Cheshire Bay Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMetaphorosis June 2019 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMystery Tribune / Issue Nº12: Winter 2020 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Girl at the Front Desk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNancy Werlock's Diary: Nancy Werlock's Diary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShould Have Played Poker Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLonghairs and Short Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Adventures of Philippine Maximine, P.I. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwo Can Witch the Game: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery: Crooked Windows Inn Cozy Mystery, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYak Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Second Chance Home for Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Horror Fiction For You
The Watchers: A thrilling Gothic horror soon to be a major motion picture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dracula Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Have Always Lived in the Castle Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Annihilation: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Authority: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Four Past Midnight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Outsider: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Only Good Indians Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brother Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cycle of the Werewolf: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Hell House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Last Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Deep Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5John Dies at the End Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Am Legend Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Heart Is a Chainsaw Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Edgar Allan Poe Complete Collection - 120+ Tales, Poems Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pet Sematary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Whisper Man: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hollow Places: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Best Friend's Exorcism: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories of Ray Bradbury Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Weiser Book of Horror and the Occult: Hidden Magic, Occult Truths, and the Stories That Started It All Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Troop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tommyknockers Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Revival: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Bete Noire Issue #24
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Bete Noire Issue #24 - A. W. & Jennifer Gifford
Issue #24
BÊTE NOIRE
FEAR IS JUST A POINT OF VIEW
Published by Dark Opus Press
Editors:
A. W. Gifford
Jennifer L. Gifford
P.O. Box 811
Ortonville, MI 48462
www.betenoiremagazine.com
Smashwords Edition
This collection is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and scenarios are the products of the authors’ imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, places, or events is
purely coincidental.
Bete Noire Magazine copyright 2017 Charm Noir Omnimedia
Cover art copyright 2017 A. W. Gifford
All stories, poems, artwork and photos copyright 2017 of their respective creators
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication can be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission from the authors of the work or Charm Noir Omnimedia
This ebook is licensed for the personal use of the purchaser. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to another user. If you are reading this and are not the original purchaser, then you are in violation of this license.
In This Issue
Self Defense – Megan E. Cassidy
Exit – Bob Johnston
Robot – Cesar Valtierra
Pie in the Sky – Brian Koukol
Daily Dose of Vitamin EVP – Ask Krafton
The Thing in the Field – Lawrence Buentello
The Doll Conjourer – Marge Simon
The Flowers of Failed Labor – Carl R. Jennings
The Thin Man – Wesley D. Gary
George Talman of Sanford Street – J. R. Restrick
An Existence Photographed – J. J. Steinfeld
Repeat After Me – Matthew J. Hockey
Lost – Tony Haynes and Ian Stonall
Self Defense
Megan E. Cassidy
This whole thing is nonsense. You know it was the girl’s own fault. I guarantee it. But if I must answer your questions, I must. For the record, my name is Nora VanHousen. At the time of the incident, I was standing just over there by the kitchen island. Beatrice and I had been counting the oyster forks and were about to move onto my grandmother’s pearl-handled caviar spoons when we heard a commotion in the foyer. I assumed someone was here to see Parker. Well, of course, I called for Louisa right away. I was not about to rush out into my entryway without having our caller properly announced. I had no way of knowing that there was no caller and the tumult was caused by Louisa herself. It didn’t even occur to me until Beatrice said, Mummy, I do believe that our Louisa is screaming in the foyer.
Of course, those weren’t her exact words. She is only four years old, you know. Still the sentiment was the same, and Beatrice is quite articulate for someone her age. Our little ritual of counting the silver has helped to develop her mathematical skills as well. She’s a shoo-in for Berkshire Prep next fall. Verbal fluency and math are only part of her education, of course. She is already taking art and music lessons as well. Beyond that, it is my duty as her mother to teach her how to be a lady. Keeping track of the servants is such trying work, and I’ve been very careful to teach my daughter all the tricks my mother taught me.
Mother would begin in the dining hall. We had large Persian rugs in that room. They were terribly heavy and difficult to clean. Sometimes, the help would simply lift the corners to dust under them or run a vacuum over the top. This may be the way some people clean their carpets, but to do it properly, you have to pick them up, take them outside, and beat the dust out of them at least once a month. Rolling them up to clean underneath is required weekly. Maids can be so lazy, you know.
Forgive my rudeness. You probably don’t know. Well, let me tell you, they are horribly indolent if you don’t keep them in line. Mother and I would go to each rug in the dining hall, and then move to those in the parlor, the music room, and the gallery. She would hold up one end of the rug and I’d crawl underneath and leave loose change in the middle. Sometimes merely a quarter or dime, but other times, we’d leave silver dollars and paper money as well.
We had to test their honesty, of course. If the money was still there the next week, the maid was slovenly and had not cleaned things thoroughly. If the money was gone, she was a liar and a thief. Someone who takes a quarter will just as easily steal a diamond pendant or a husband, if given the chance. If the coins and money were stacked neatly on the nearest table or handed directly to mother, the maid passed her first examination.
This was my favorite little trick as a child, and has proven to be quite useful now I’m running a household myself. There were other tests, of course. Counting the silver each week to make sure none was missing through either thievery or carelessness. Going through the servant quarters to inspect for neatness. Speaking a false rumor in a girl’s presence and waiting to see whether it would return to us through the usual channels. I don’t know what I would have done without Mother’s guidance.