Brad Thomas is an English author of Horror, Thriller books and short stories. He is also writing his grandmother’s life story. From a young age, all he wanted to do was become an author. Growing up in Tipton, West Midlands, England, he never thought it would be possible, but he never stopped chasing his dream.
You can find out more about Brad’s books and work on his social media: Facebook / Instagram
HAPPY NEW FEAR
by
Brad Thomas
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR." Everyone shouted as the clock struck midnight. The past year had flew by for Riley Briers, he couldn't believe that he was going to be thirty this year. Every New Year’s Eve he would make the trip from his home to his parents’ house. It was only an hour drive, so he didn't mind, plus family was everything to him. He loved seeing his parents Maxine and George, his younger sister Megan and her fiancée Mark came too. Riley's older brother, Victor was also there, he moved back in with their parents when his girlfriend Shannon, left him a few months ago.
"Hope 2024 will be an amazing year for you all." Shouted George to all his family. He had to shout as music was blasting away in the living room.
"I need another drink." Victor said, as he stood up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen.
"Never mind another drink, I need the bathroom again. I'm always the same when I've had a drink.” Megan said chuckling as she walked towards the bathroom.
"Well, does anyone have a new year's res..." Maxine couldn't even finish her question, the power tripped out and they were all in total darkness.
"Damn, trust it to happen tonight." George snapped angrily as he stormed off to solve the problem.
After around ten minutes the lights came back on, Riley and Maxine sat there in shock. Mark was laying on the floor in a pool of blood.
"WHAT THE FUCK." Riley shouted as Maxine began to scream. Just then Victor came running in the living room covered in blood too.
"Oh my god, Megan is in the bathroom, and I don't think she's breathing." Victor shouted and then looked down to see Mark on the floor and screamed.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON."
"I don't know Vic, I have to see Megan." Riley shouted.
The fear on Riley's face said it all, the sight of blood made him feel sick. He stood up and went to walk towards the bathroom to see his sister, but if it’s true and she was dead, then he needed to find his father too.
“I need to find dad; he could be hurt too.”
Riley was in shock, but he knew he had to find his dad, he went towards the door to the hall way and then he began going dizzy and felt like he was going to black out, but just then Victor grabbed him.
"Come on bro, you are not going out there alone, especially like that...Mom, lock the living room door after us and DO NOT let anyone in. We will be back once we find dad."
Maxine nodded in shock as they left the living room, she locked the door behind then.
They went to look for their father.
"You don't think it was dad that killed Mark do you? We both know he hated Mark." Riley asked Vic as they walked into the kitchen.
"I don't know, I mean…I doubt it. Dad isn't a killer; he hasn’t got it in him. Even though he hated Mark I don't think he'd hurt him or Megan. Then again, if it is dad, you'd have no worries as you are his favourite."
"Come on Vic, don't try and make jokes now."
“Sorry Riley, I’m just trying to occupy our minds, we’re both in shock. We have to find out who did this.”
They checked the whole house and found nothing. It was in complete darkness apart from the eerie moonlight that lit up the hallway.
"Let's check outside in the garage, Vic. Maybe dad is still outside trying to get the power on."
They left the house and headed towards the garage. Riley pushed open the garage door and his jaw hit the floor. Their dad, George was dead on the floor too.
"What the hell is going on Vic? Who would do this?" Riley asked. As he asked this, he felt breathing down his neck and a whisper in his ear.
“Happy New Fear Riley.”
This spooked Riley and as quick as a flash he spun around and as he turned, he felt three, maybe four sharp pains in his stomach.
Riley looked down to where the pain was and saw a kitchen knife sticking out his stomach.
"Vic? You're my brother, why?" He said as he dropped to the floor bleeding everywhere.
"It's not me Riley, it's the voices in my head. They told me to kill Shannon and then kill you all, well, apart from mom. I will be her favourite now. The voices also told me not fear any of you, things will be better this way. Do you fear me, Riley?"
Riley didn’t take his eyes off Victor, Victor’s facial expression had drastically changed. His eyes looked like empty dark holes staring into nothing. Riley couldn't even answer his brother, he just kept looking up at him as he lay on the floor, he was losing consciousness and began slipping away.
"Happy New Year, Riley. HAPPY...NEW...FEAR"
Victor turned around and walked away, leaving Riley dead, in the opening of the garage door, the body of their dad just five feet away. Victor re-entered the house, the lights still out and everything in complete darkness. He entered the living room.
“We’ve lost them all mom, we need to call the police.” Victor cried out to his mom.
Upon hearing this, Maxine dropped to the floor in floods of tears, sobbing her heart out. Victor walked over to her, helping her back to her feet.
“I’m here for you mom, I’ll take care of you” Victor said hugging him mother.
“It’s ok Victor, my son. You’re not the only one…I hear the voices too.”
Upon saying this, Maxine pulled out a knife slashing Victor’s throat. He dropped to the floor.
“Happy New Fear to you too, son.”