Island of the Giant Snail

By Jeffrey LeBlanc

Children of Horror,

Oozing, creeping things slither about in this conjured world of darkness. Hellish, alien-looking creatures, best left to scurry and feed alone in mysterious, deadly landscapes. I sit, marveled and listen to these creatures. How can you not imagine grotesque, gigantic slimy things lurking and waiting to eat you?

Onward darkly dreaming, enshrouded in mist, I hear their slurping, their gnawing through wilderness canopy. Oh! The terrors are palpable watching a lumbering lurker in the shadows of a quiet mountain range!
Secretive, sluggish, and nightmarish-snails, bring back that nostalgic, icy chill up my spine. I peer out from a winding creek and behold the expanse of darkness. I look with a sense of awe and wonder, as a child left alone in their large room, hoping nothing is slimily slithering under the bed. Or reaching down through the towering pines to attack. Alas, one can always hope...there is a 'Dweller of the Dark' waiting.

Our story has tapped into a deep fear I have of things that slither, creep...and squirm. Yes, this tale definitely made me shudder and squirm. Maybe, it's the feel of warm, gelatinous sheets slimily dripping on my skin. Maybe it's the caterpillar sting to the back of the neck. Or more unnerving, the crawl of something that leaves a gritty feel akin to sandpaper across the face. It's certainly a tale that kept me awake for a few nights. We hope it crawls into your skull as well and horrifies you the same sense of unease. Again, no worn to Death jump scares or horror clich?. We wanted something that leaves the dread, unnerves...and different. Maybe we got it right this time. Or maybe it leaves a little something to grow on your mind down the road. As a nest of hungry spiders...or slugs, writhing and eating in your brain. We wish you many sleepless nights.

This story has more teeth than the original short story that inspired it "At a Snail's Pace". That one is part of a collection "These Hallowed Horrors". After checking with horror fans, everyone seemed to want more slime and bone-breaking action in their snail...trails. We truly hope you enjoy! --JL

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B09MDK97XB
• ISBN13: 9798776080456
• Release Date: November 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.7" x 9.6"