OFFLINE: IN THE FLESH

Kealan Patrick Burke

Kindle Edition

Copyright 2014 by Kealan Patrick Burke

Kindle Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

www.kealanpatrickburke.com

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PRAISE FOR OFFLINE

“There was not one moment where I doubted that I could very well be reading real transcripts of a conversation between two High School students. Once again, Burke reeled me in, and forced me to read the whole story in one sitting, something I rarely ever do. In a perfect world, Kealan Patrick Burke would be sitting atop the bestseller lists..." - Horror World

"A great, short, and addictive read, Offline is a fantastic introduction to a brilliant author and his ability to write in many different styles. Burke has a very clearly defined voice in the genre, and goes ample distances to entertain the reader. This is a must have for all of you social media junkies out there." - Dreadful Tales

"The story is told through the transcripts of "Josh" and "Mandy's" online conversations on a certain social networking site. This style adds bits and pieces of wonderful "ah ha" moments to the reader slowly, and that really adds to the tension of wanting to find out what is going to happen as a result of this online relationship. The easy chatting style is all too familiar... and the creep factor may be too, but hopefully not. I felt like a voyeur going through someone's chat history at times, and I enjoyed every minute of it." - Horror Drive-In

OFFLINE: IN THE FLESH

The following transcript was recovered from the Facebook accounts of teenagers Kelly Lewiston and Aaron Tyler. Responding to a 911 call placed at approximately 10 p.m. on August 15th, 2014, police discovered at the scene a body bound at the wrists and feet and wrapped in oilcloth. The deceased had been stabbed thirty-eight times in the chest.

June 4th, 2014 – 10.45 p.m.

Kelly: Hey. Thanks for the add.

Aaron: Hey yourself. Love the pics!

Kelly: Lol. Thanks. Yours are nice too.

Aaron: Thanks! How is your evening going?

Kelly: Meh. Just sitting at home watching TV.

Aaron: Sounds chill.

Kelly: What are you doing?

Aaron: Talking to you and listening to some music.

Kelly: Nice. What kind of music do you like?

Aaron: Skrillex. Dub step. That kind of stuff. You?

Kelly: Country, lol.

Aaron: Yikes :) Not a big fan to be honest.

Kelly: I grew up in Kentucky. It was all I listened to. My Mom thought Garth Brooks was the bees knees, though I grew out of him right around the time he did that weird album pretending to be somebody else.

Aaron: I hate when people do that. Have you ever gotten Catfished on here?

Kelly: I’ve only been on here a few months. What’s Catfished?

Aaron: The name came from a documentary and it’s a TV show now. It’s when someone has a fake profile pretending to be somebody else.

Kelly: Oh, no I haven’t. Have you?

Aaron: Twice. It sucks.

Kelly: Why would people do that?

Aaron: I don’t know. Usually it’s because they’re miserable or something and they think nobody would like them for who they are, or how they look, so they pretend to be somebody more attractive or cooler, or whatever.

Kelly: That’s kind of sad.

Aaron: Right? What puzzles me is why they do it when they know it can’t go anywhere. I mean, say I was Catfishing you and we set up a date. What’d be the point? I couldn’t show up because I’m not who you think I am.

Kelly: Yeah, seems silly.

Aaron: I guess they just like the attention.

Kelly: So are you who you say you are? :)

Aaron: I am, I promise :)

Kelly: You’re pretty cute then ;)

Aaron: Aw thanks. You’re very cute yourself!

Kelly: Thx!

Aaron: So what are you watching?

Kelly: Game of Thrones.

Aaron: Awesome. I love that show.

Kelly: Me too, though I’m a few eps behind. Catching up on DVR.

Aaron: Okay, well, I’ll let you get all caught up and maybe we can chat about it when you are, if you like.

Kelly: Sure, sounds good :)

Aaron: Night Kelly. It was good to “meet” you.

Kelly: You too. Night.

June 5th, 2014 8.38 p.m.

Aaron: Hi Kelly

Kelly: Hey!

Aaron: So how was Game of Thrones?

Kelly: Awesome as usual.

Aaron: It’s a great show. One of my favorites.

Kelly: Mine too. Who’s your favorite character?

Aaron: The little guy. Can’t remember his name. The dwarf. Not sure if that’s cool to say that.

Kelly: LOL! Yeah, Tyrion. I like him too, but I’m kind of a fan of Jaime.

Aaron: Uh-huh, I wonder why? ;)

Kelly: Yeah, he’s a hottie :)

Aaron: So…I want to ask you something and I hope it doesn’t come off as creepy or anything…

Kelly: Uh-oh. Now I’m worried!

Aaron: LOL, no need to be. It’s just that your profile shows you live like, half a mile from me, so…

Kelly: So…

Aaron: So I was wondering if you’d be cool with the idea of meeting.

Kelly: Not really.

Aaron: Oh, why?

Kelly: Because you’re being Catfished!

Aaron: ???

Kelly: LMAO!!! Just kidding. Yeah, sure, we can do that :)

Aaron: Wow, I was about to freak out, lol. Awesome! When and where’s good for you?

Kelly: Somewhere public, obviously. Just in case you turn out to be a psycho.

Aaron: I promise I’m not.

Kelly: I doubt a psycho would admit it.

Aaron: True, true.

Kelly: You know Bennie’s?

Aaron: The diner?

Kelly: Yeah.

Aaron: I’ve never been, but I know where it is. When are you free?

Kelly: How about tomorrow night? Say, 8.30?

Aaron: That sounds great! Can’t wait! You want to give me your cell so I can text you just in case?

Kelly: I don’t have a cell

Aaron: Really?

Kelly: Yep. Does that make me odd?

Aaron: Not at all. I just assume everyone has one these days. It’s cool :) I’ll just see you there.

Kelly: Okay!

Aaron: Really looking forward to it!

Kelly: Me too :) I have to go for now though. My Mom just woke up.

Aaron: Okay. Say hi to your Mom for me. Kidding!

Kelly: See you tomorrow night.

Aaron: You bet!

June 6th, 2014 11.25 p.m.

Aaron: You there, Kelly?

Kelly: Hey. I’m sorry.

Aaron: Where were you? I waited for like two hours. Did you change your mind? It’s cool if you did. I’m just a little confused.

Kelly: No, I didn’t. I just couldn’t make it out. Something came up.

Aaron: I understand. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.

Kelly: I know. Me too. It sucks.

Aaron: I ended up thinking maybe you were Catfishing me after all. It’s okay if you are. I’d just prefer to know so I don’t end up feeling stupid.

Kelly: That’s not what’s happening. I really am sorry. I just couldn’t get out.

Aaron: How come?

Kelly: My mother.

Aaron: Is she sick?

Kelly: No. Not really. I can’t talk right now though. Can I hit you back tomorrow?

Aaron: Yeah, sure.

Kelly: I really am sorry. I was looking forward to our date.

Aaron: Yeah.

Kelly: Don’t be mad. Please.

Aaron: Ok.

Kelly: Goodnight.

Aaron: Night.

June 7th, 2014 9.09 p.m.

Kelly: Hey Aaron

Aaron: Hey yourself

Kelly: You still mad at me?

Aaron: No. Just not sure what to think.

Kelly: I know. I didn’t mean things to happen like this. But I guess I should have known they would.

Aaron: What does that mean?

Kelly: My Mom is pretty religious.

Aaron: Oh.

Kelly: And pretty strict.

Aaron: I see. I’m sorry to hear that.

Kelly: Are you religious?

Aaron: Not really. I mean, I believe in God, but I don’t go to church or anything. No one in my family does.

Kelly: What religion are you?

Aaron: Roman Catholic.

Kelly: We’re Baptist.

Aaron: I don’t know a whole lot about that. Or any religion except my own, really.

Kelly: My father was a minister back in Kentucky.

Aaron: Can’t imagine that made for an easy childhood.

Kelly: It didn’t. At all. He was even stricter than my Mom.

Aaron: Yikes. That’s rough.

Kelly: You have no idea.

Aaron: So your Mom stopped you from meeting me last night?

Kelly: Yes.

Aaron: Shit. I’m sorry I got mad. I was just really looking forward to meeting you.

Kelly: I know. Me too We can try again.

Aaron: How? Won’t your parents just freak out on you again?

Kelly: It’s just my Mom now. My Dad died. It’s why we left Kentucky. To get away from the memory.

Aaron: I’m sorry. I feel even more like a jackass for getting mad now. Sounds like you’ve had a hard time of it.

Kelly: It has been tough, but I’m strong. Or at least, I try to be. But my Mom isn’t any better since we left home. She drinks a lot, takes a lot of pills. I’m starting to think she’s going crazy.

Aaron: Have you tried to get her help?

Kelly: She doesn’t want help. Doesn’t think she needs it. I’ve tried talking to her about it, but she gets violent.

Aaron: Violent how?

Kelly: Just…violent.

Aaron: You know that’s not right, right? You’re making me want to call the cops here.

Kelly: You can’t do that.

Aaron: I won’t. It’s not really my place to interfere. It just worries me to hear it. You’re 17. Nobody should be hitting you for any reason, and you shouldn’t be letting them.

Kelly: Let’s change the subject.

Aaron: Okay…

Kelly: Do you want to try again?

Aaron: A date?

Kelly: Yes.

Aaron: Not if it’s going to get you in trouble, or hurt.

Kelly: It won’t. I’ll be more careful next time.

Aaron: If you’re sure.

Kelly: I am.

Aaron: Then, yes, definitely. You want to set a place and date and work toward that, or…?

Kelly: During the day is easier. We can ditch school and meet somewhere. Hang out for a while.

Aaron: I know a place. You know the old abandoned amusement park up in Hilldale?

Kelly: Yes. I used to take photographs of those creepy mannequin things there.

Aaron: Oh wow, I’d love to see them.

Kelly: I’ll send them to you.

Aaron: Great! Where do you go to school?

Kelly: Garretsville.

Aaron: Okay. I’ll borrow my Dad’s car and I’ll swing by there at about 9 a.m. You want to do it Monday morning?  Will that work for you?

Kelly: Yes. I’ll bring us some food. We can have a picnic :) What do you like in your sandwiches?

Aaron: Anything except baloney or tomatoes. Oh, and onions.

Kelly: Lol, okay. I’ll see you Monday morning then. I’m so excited!!

Aaron: Me too. Don’t stand me up, lady ;)

Kelly: I won’t.

Aaron: What happened to being careful around psychos, lol?

Kelly: If you met my mother, you’d know that’s what I *am* doing.

Aaron: Yikes, okay. Talk to you soon. Good night :)

Kelly: Night.

June 9th, 2014 7.57 p.m.

Aaron: Hey!

Kelly: Hey you :)

Aaron: Did you get in trouble?

Kelly: No, but I’m glad I brought a change of clothes. All that dirt might have been tough to explain :) But she was sleeping when I got home, so I was able to wash up and everything.

Aaron: Good!

Kelly: Did you have fun?

Aaron: Fun doesn’t begin to describe it. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw you waiting outside the school.

Kelly: LOL, why?

Aaron: First off, I didn’t think you’d be there. Second, you’re absolutely gorgeous. Your pictures don’t do you justice AT ALL! I think I’m in love, LOL.

Kelly: Me too.

Aaron: Really?

Kelly: Kinda. I know it’s silly, but I haven’t been with a guy in a long time. It’s been hard, as you know. I’d forgotten how much fun it can be. And you’re not just some jerk. You’re very sweet.

Aaron: I’ve never been called sweet before. Give me a minute to process that, lol.

Kelly: I’m serious. And I love how you looked at me.

Aaron: It was very hard not to. You’re one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen.

Kelly: Only ONE of the most beautiful?

Aaron: In real life, anyway :)

Kelly: LOL! Well, thank you. And you’re a hunk ;p

Aaron: Thanks :) The time flew today, didn’t it?

Kelly: It did. It went by way too fast.

Aaron: I’d love to meet you again.

Kelly: Me too. Sooner rather than later. I still have to be careful though. If she finds out about this, she’ll lock me in my room for a month.

Aaron: You’re kidding right?

Kelly: Kinda. When she goes off, she goes way off.

Aaron: I hate that you have to deal with that.

Kelly: She’s my mother. I love her. But yeah, she can be really cruel sometimes. Most of it is grief and the things she takes to forget it. Some of it is just the way she was raised. She’s still stuck in the Dark Ages.

Aaron: We should run away together (j/k)

Kelly: Before today, I’d have laughed at that idea. You make me want to run away with you. But I can’t leave her. I’d never forgive myself for abandoning her like that. Despite it all, I know she loves me and that I’m all she has left.

Aaron: Of course, and I’d never seriously ask you to do that. It just sucks that you’re in this situation. Sucks for me too to not get to see you as much as I’d like.

Kelly: There are ways around that ;) As long as we’re careful.

Aaron: I can’t wait to see you again.

Kelly: I’ll do my best to make it a short wait then :)

Aaron: Please do. Maybe someday instead of hiding out somewhere creepy like that amusement park, we can ditch school and come here. Both my parents work so there’s nobody here during the day.

Kelly: I’d like that very much.

Aaron: We even have a pool :)

Kelly: Wow, so you guys are rich then?

Aaron: Nah, I wouldn’t say that, but my parents do okay.

Kelly: Sounds nice.

Aaron: Hey, I didn’t mean it to sound…ugh, I don’t know what I meant, but I’m sorry.

Kelly: Don’t be, I really am happy for you. Means I have the option of marrying into money. Swwwweeeeet!

Aaron: LOL! I would totally marry you.

Kelly: Ha! You’re nuts.

Aaron: Probably.

Kelly: I’m sending you a pic I took for you earlier.

Aaron: Ooh, okay.

Kelly: Did you get it?

Aaron: Yes I did. Sorry. Forgot how to type for a minute. You have an amazing body.

Kelly: Looks even better in the flesh.

Aaron: Maybe next time you’ll let me see it :)

Kelly: Maybe I will ;)

Aaron: Want a pic of me?

Kelly: Yes.

Aaron: Okay hang on.

Aaron: Sent. You like?

Kelly: Yes. I have only one bit of criticism.

Aaron: Okay…

Kelly: Next time lose the underwear.

Aaron: LOL! Okay. I will if you will :)

Kelly: Deal.

Aaron: Yay! Lol.

Kelly: Okay, I have to go. Mom’s up and around and I’m sitting here half-naked. Talk to you soon?

Aaron: Absolutely.

Kelly: Thank you for today.

Aaron: I should be thanking you.

Kelly: You’re welcome.

Aaron: Night, Kelly.

Kelly: Night Aaron.

June 12th, 2014

Aaron: Sooooo…my parents will be away tomorrow and my school has a field trip. I’m sitting here poised with a pen ready to forge a note so I can stay home. You want to come over?

Kelly: What is your NAME?

Aaron: Lol, what?

Kelly: So you’re the little shit who’s trying to take her away from me. WHO ARE YOU?

Aaron: Is this Kelly’s Mom?

Kelly: This is the WOMAN who didn’t almost die giving BIRTH to a sweet angel baby GIRL I raised through years of HELL just to have her corrupted by some horny little shit from THE OUTSIDE who doesn’t know better than to stay away from things that don’t BELONG to him.

Aaron: I don’t think I should be talking to you.

Kelly: There’s a lot of things you shouldn’t be DOING, and yet you seem to feel like you can do them anyway. So why not talk? Why not use that DIRTY TONGUE of yours and tell me all the LIES you’ve told my daughter? Why not try to sweet talk me into SPREADING MY LEGS for you, you dirty HEATHEN little fuck?

Aaron: I’m sorry you’re upset, but you don’t know me, and you’ve got it all wrong.

Kelly: Have I? Because I’ve read all the conversations between you two. I’ve seen the PICTURES you’ve been sending. Tell me you don’t want to stick your POISONED LITTLE COCK—and oh, how LITTLE it is!—into my baby GIRL for your own WICKED satisfaction. Feel free to tell me I’m WRONG, you pigshit LIAR. Tell me I’m WRONG and I’ll gladly apologize for misjudging you.

Aaron: I’m sorry, but you’re out of your mind, and I have no desire to talk to you.

Kelly: DESIRE. Tell me what DESIRES you do have. Oh wait, I already KNOW them, don’t I?

Aaron: Screw this. Bye.

Kelly: GUTLESS. You’re GUTLESS. GUTLESS. SPINELESS. COWARD.

Aaron: Seriously. Lay off the meds and go talk to a shrink.

Kelly: Want me to send you a PICTURE of my baby GIRL so you can see the BRUISES I had to give her, all because of you?

Aaron: I swear to God if you’ve hurt her, I’m calling the cops on you for child abuse.

Kelly: GOD. How dare you invoke HIS name, you little shit. Like you know anything about GOD. He doesn’t listen to SINNERS. But yes, oh please, by all means go ahead. Did you know she’s only SIXTEEN? That makes you a RAPIST, which seems appropriate when that’s what you are anyway, you filthy little FUCK.

Aaron: You SERIOUSLY need to get help.

Kelly: GOD doesn’t see it that way, not that you’d know.

Aaron: Get help.

Kelly: The DEVIL knows your name.

June 21st, 3.27 p.m.

Kelly: Thank God you’re online.

Aaron: Jesus, Kelly, I was worried sick. Do you know how many times I almost called the cops? I thought she’d done something to you.

Kelly: She did, but that doesn’t matter now.

Aaron: The hell it doesn’t. You need to get out of that house. Where are you?

Kelly: I’m at the library. Told her my books were three weeks overdue and we couldn’t afford the fines. She didn’t want to let me go, and I’m not entirely sure she didn’t follow me, so I’m not going to stay long. I just wanted to let you know I’m okay.

Aaron: Kelly, this sucks. I’m afraid for you, and I miss you. We have to do something about this.

Kelly: I saw what she said to you. I’m sorry. But at least now you know what I’m dealing with.

Aaron: I do, and it terrifies me. Why don’t you leave, come stay at my place until we figure things out?

Kelly: I wish I could, but she’d only call the police and make them take me back. And then I don’t know what she’d do to me when she got me home.

Aaron: Look, my dad’s a lawyer. If we talk to him, if you tell him what’s going on, there may be something we can do to help. I mean, this is ridiculous. She’s abusing you, you see that right?

Kelly: She’s just sick. It’s not her fault.

Aaron: Yes, she is sick, but you can’t keep making excuses. How far does she have to go before you realize that?  You need to stand up to her!

Kelly: You don’t get it, Aaron. If I stood up to her, she’d kill me.

Aaron: Jesus Christ. Read that sentence back and tell me this isn’t an insane situation.

Kelly: It is, but please don’t curse, Aaron.

Aaron: What?

Kelly: I’m upset enough.

Aaron: Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I’m just…I don’t know what to do.

Kelly: I’m not sure there’s anything you can do. We had fun for a day and I loved every minute of it, but this is too dangerous so we should just quit and get on with our lives.

Aaron: No.

Kelly: No?

Aaron: No, I can’t accept that.

Kelly: Why? You still hardly know me.

Aaron: I know enough to know I want to be with you. Even just as friends. But I wouldn’t let any friend suffer the way you are. It just isn’t right. And I won’t.

Kelly: She told you I was sixteen.

Aaron: She did. Is that true?

Kelly: I’ll be seventeen in August.

Aaron: I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. I can’t help how I feel.

Kelly: I know. I feel the same. But there’s nothing we can do.

Aaron: Meet me.

Kelly: You know I can’t.

Aaron: You said she sleeps a lot, knocked out from booze or pills or whatever. Can’t you sneak out?

Kelly: If she found out, I’d probably spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

Aaron: Christ.

Kelly: Aaron…

Aaron: Sorry. Look, I just want you to come over here. Talk to my father. See if there’s anything at all that can be done. There has to be. People don’t get to just beat their kids anymore. There are laws, and my father will know what they are.

Kelly: I’m sure there are, but all of them would mean getting my mother in trouble.

Aaron: For fuck sake, Kelly, she DESERVES to be in trouble for this.

Kelly: You don’t understand.

Aaron: Maybe, but I know it isn’t right.

Kelly: I have to go. I’m sorry.

Aaron: Meet me, please. Even if it’s for the last time. I need to see you.

Kelly: I can’t. Goodbye.

Aaron: Please don’t go.

Kelly: I have to. People are starting to stare. I guess nobody’s supposed to cry in a library.

Aaron: Kelly wait.

August 14th, 2014 6.45 p.m.

Kelly: Aaron?

Aaron: Hi!

Kelly: I’m glad you’re online :)

Aaron: Me too :) How have you been?

Kelly: Ups and downs. You know how it is.

Aaron: Not really, but I can imagine.

Kelly: I saw you yesterday.

Aaron: You did? Where? Why didn’t you talk to me? I would have loved to see you.

Kelly: I was in the car with my mother. And you were talking to a girl. :)

Aaron: Oh, that’s Erica. We have English together. She’s just a friend.

Kelly: She’s pretty :)

Aaron: Not as pretty as you. Nobody is.

Kelly: It’s okay if you’re more than just friends. I want you to move forward with your life. There’s no reason you should wait in the hope that my situation changes.

Aaron: If I thought it would change, I’d be happy to wait. Being with you would be more than worth it.

Kelly: Really?

Aaron: Of course!

Kelly: Well, then maybe I have a little bit of good news. Nothing too dramatic but it’s a start.

Aaron: Tell me!

Kelly: Tomorrow’s my birthday.

Aaron: I know. I have it as a reminder on my phone. Wanted to send you a message but it’s been so long I wasn’t sure if you’d get it or not. Or if you’d want to, even if you could.

Kelly: Of course I would. I’ve missed you.

Aaron: I’ve missed you too.

Kelly: My mother was sober yesterday for the first time in as long as I can remember. She saw you with the girl—Erica—and she saw how it affected me.

Aaron: I’m sorry. I promise you it’s nothing, but I never want to hurt you.

Kelly: It’s okay. Like I said, you have every right to move on. Point is, she changed.

Aaron: Your Mom?

Kelly: Yeah. Instead of going home, she brought me to Dairy Queen. We sat outside on a bench in the sun and had ice cream. We haven’t done that since I was a kid.

Aaron: Wow, that’s awesome! I’m really thrilled to hear it.

Kelly: It was wonderful. She was like her old self again. We talked for a long time, and at the end of it she asked me what I wanted for my birthday if I could have anything at all. She told me not to worry that whatever it was would make her angry. She told me to forget everything that’s happened, just for a moment, to forget the monster she knows she’s become, and to make a wish.

Aaron: I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Sounds like she’s had a major breakthrough. Do you think it’ll stick?

Kelly: I have no idea. I’m afraid to hope that it will. But even that little break is gift enough. And that’s what I told her. I told her having her treat me to ice cream on such a wonderful day and for her to just be her, the real her, was present enough for my birthday. And she cried, Aaron. She actually cried and said she was sorry.

Aaron: That is amazing. I’m so happy for you.

Kelly: Thanks :) But you haven’t heard the best part yet.

Aaron: I’m all ears!

Kelly: She thanked me for being kind, but that I needed to tell her what I really wanted. She said she didn’t know if this calm would last and that she hated not being able to promise me it would, but that I’d better take advantage of it while I could. So I told her what I wanted.

Aaron: And what do you want.

Kelly: You, Aaron. I want you.

Aaron: I want you too.

Kelly: Even though we were getting along so well, I thought she would return to her old self the minute I said that and start quoting Bible verses while she beat me. But she didn’t. It was a true miracle, Aaron. I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream.

Aaron: What did she say?

Kelly: She said she had meant every word and if that was my wish, she wanted it for me.

Aaron: Holy…I mean, WOW.

Kelly: I asked her if I could invite you over for dinner on my birthday.

Aaron: Oh. You think that’s a good idea? I mean, considering all that’s happened, won’t it be awkward? I said some things to her, and she said some things too…And what if in the middle of it all she goes back to, y’know…the way she was?

Kelly: She won’t. I know she won’t. I can’t say how long this new her will last, but I could see in her eyes that she means for me to have this one wish, and that she won’t interfere. She’s promised not to drink. She won’t even be in the room while we eat, though I would like for you to at least meet her, to see that she’s not the monster you think she is. Not all the way through at least. I want you to see with your own eyes that she loves me, and maybe it will help to explain why I would never do anything to hurt her or get her in trouble.

Aaron: Okay. If it means I get to see you, I’m all for it.

Kelly: I’m so happy to hear you say that.

Aaron: What’s your address?

Kelly: 8118 Lime Tree Avenue

Aaron: Okay, I know where that is. What time?

Kelly: Seven?

Aaron: Should I dress up? I mean, wear a suit or something?

Kelly: LMAO! Why would you wear a suit? It’s a birthday, not a funeral.

Aaron: I know! I just mean…because I’m meeting your Mom and all. I want to make a good first impression.

Kelly: I think that ship has sailed, buddy :)

Aaron: LOL, yeah, okay.

Kelly: Just dress as you would if you were meeting me. That’s what you’re doing after all.

Aaron: All right, I will.

Kelly: And don’t be nervous. I know it’s a weird situation, but it will be fine, I promise.

Aaron: Okay. I’ll see you at seven.

Kelly: I can’t wait!!!

August 15th, 2014 10.08 p.m.

Kelly: Why did you leave?

Kelly: Aaron. I know you’re there.

Kelly: Why did you LEAVE?

Kelly: Answer me. I don’t know what’s HAPPENING. We were having such a good time and you just freaked out.

Kelly: Please just ANSWER me.

Aaron: How long has she been like that?

Kelly: Like what? She was better than I’ve ever SEEN her. She was the OLD her. I told you she would be fine. You were the one acting CRAZY.

Aaron: How long has she been like that?

Kelly: What does that MEAN? You’re acting weird. She was nothing but NICE to you!

Aaron: How long has she been like that, Kelly? Answer the question.

Kelly: What is the MATTER with you? Are you out of your MIND? Do you have any idea how HARD she had to work on herself to be NICE to you? I thought you LOVED me?

Aaron: I do. I do love you. Or I did. I just don’t know what’s going on.

Kelly: Did she SAY something to you when I was upstairs? Please help me to UNDERSTAND why you’re acting this way?

Aaron: I need you to listen to me, Kelly. Please.

Kelly: I AM listening. I just don’t understand what you’re SAYING.

Aaron: How long has your mother been dead?

Kelly: What. The. FUCK. Are. You. Talking. About? Have you LOST your mind?

Aaron: It looked like she’d been in that basement for months, maybe longer. How long has it been, Kelly?

Kelly: I thought you were DIFFERENT. I thought you LOVED me. I thought you wanted to BE with me. But you’re just like everyone else. You claim to be TOLERANT of other people’s BELIEFS, of other people’s LIVES, but you’re not. You’re the same as all those other HEATHENS.

Aaron: That night I spoke to her on here. That was you. Why, Kelly? Make me understand.

Kelly: Are you going to call the POLICE on me now like they did back in Kentucky? All those NON-BELIEVERS, people who claim to have FAITH but are empty and dead inside. Is that what you’re going to do, Aaron?

Aaron: I’ve already called the police, Kelly. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. But there’s something badly wrong with you. I just don’t understand how I didn’t see it before now.

Kelly: Because all you wanted to do was LIE with me, you little shit. All you wanted was to corrupt my VIRTUE. Nobody sees ANYTHING from behind a veil of SIN except their own inner DESIRES and UGLINESS. But guess what? I’m PURE, Aaron, the purest thing you will ever know, and now I know where you LIVE.

Aaron: I’m so sorry, Kelly. Please believe me. I’m so sorry.

Kelly: I know what you ARE.

Kelly: And I know your NAME.

Your message: And I know your name has not been delivered. The recipient has either blocked you or disabled their account.

* * *

Kelly Lewiston was never apprehended. The investigation into the murder of her mother, Abigail Lewiston, continues. Anyone with any information pertaining to the whereabouts of the suspect is advised to call Orange County Sherriff’s Department at the following number: 407-254-7000.

# # #

MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

JACK & JILL

“Jack & Jill is filled with some of Burke’s best imagery to date. There’s a palpable tension running through the book from the very first page, and Burke is unrelenting in the way he tightens the screws on characters and readers alike.” - Fearnet

“It’s also worth mentioning that there was one sequence toward the middle that, while I won’t spoil it, I’ll just say has got to be one of the most disturbing scenes to take place in a bathroom (this side of the Overlook Hotel or the Bates Motel). This novella was creepy, through and through.” - Shock Totem

“One of the most powerful pieces of fiction I’ve read in a long time, one I will not soon forget. Kealan Patrick Burke doesn’t just touch a nerve. He hooks it up to an emotional powerline and cranks up the juice. This one hits like a bolt of lightning.” - Ravenous Reads

THE TENT

“If Jaws was the story that made people stay away from the ocean, The Tent is the mean little novella that will keep them out of the woods.” - Norman Partridge, author of Dark Harvest.

“Burke has concocted a tasty mix of The Thing meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Twilight Zone, and he made sure to marinate it in a couple of gallons of blood before setting it free.” – Fearnet

“...packs a wallop in terms of emotional tension and fright.  And it also possesses one of the most extraordinary and unique monsters I think I’ve ever read in a horror story.” - Horror World

KIN

“If you’re a fan of Jack Ketchum, Richard Laymon, or movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Deliverance, don’t miss Kin.  Burke’s novel not only re-imagines the classic slasher tropes, but it invents new ones. This is a modern classic, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.” - Fearnet

“If you took the moral quandaries about revenge, justice and violence against evil from Dennis Lehane’s Patrick Kenzie novels, spread it over the sprawling cast of a Stephen King thriller, and mixed it with the Southern Gothic grotesques of Eudora Welty, you might end up with something like Kealan Patrick Burke’s new novel, Kin.” - Litstack

“It’s odd that an Irish transplant to the Northern US has written one of the best Southern Gothic novels in recent memory. I’ll look forward to Burke’s next work just as much as I hated to see this one end. I would highly recommend Kin to lovers of old fashioned horror fiction with a twist. If you’re going to read just one noir cannibal revenge novel this year, Kin should fit the bill.” – Dark Discoveries

MASTER OF THE MOORS

“...the themes are big and the peril is honestly engaging. By and large this is a wonderful specimen of the genre, well worth reading under the covers with a flashlight” - Cherie Priest, Subterranean

“Burke evokes the creepy atmosphere beautifully and the gory scenes are done with as much taste as is possible under the circumstances.  Grady is an interesting protagonist whose adventures should capture the attention of most readers who enjoy a touch of the grotesque. I’ve enjoyed several of the author’s short stories in the past and am happy to say that he is no slouch at novel length either.” - Don D’Ammassa

“Very atmospheric, great characters, fabulous old fashioned classic Hammer Horror style English gothica at its best, and above all else, easily the best new horror novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading in ages.” - Mass Movement Magazine

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in Dungarvan, Ireland, Kealan Patrick Burke is the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of five novels (Master of the Moors, Currency of Souls, Kin, The Living, and Nemesis: The Death of Timmy Quinn), over a hundred short stories, four collections (Ravenous Ghosts, The Number 121 to Pennsylvania & Others, Theater Macabre, and The Novellas), and editor of four acclaimed anthologies (Taverns of the Dead, Quietly Now: A Tribute to Charles L. Grant, Brimstone Turnpike, and Tales from the Gorezone, proceeds from which were donated to children’s charity PROTECT.)

Kealan has worked as a waiter, a drama teacher, a mapmaker, a security guard, an assembly-line worker at Apple Computers, a salesman (for a day), a bartender, landscape gardener, vocalist in a grunge band, and, most recently, a fraud investigator. He also played the male lead in Slime City Massacre, director Gregory Lamberson’s sequel to his cult B-movie classic Slime City, alongside scream queens Debbie Rochon and Brooke Lewis.

When not writing, Kealan designs covers for print and digital books through his company Elderlemon Design. To date he has designed covers for books by Richard Laymon, Brian Keene, Scott Nicholson, Bentley Little, William Schoell, and Hugh Howey, to name a few.

In what little free time remains, Kealan is a voracious reader, movie buff, videogamer (Xbox & PS3), and road-trip enthusiast.

A movie based on his short story “Peekers” is currently in development through Lionsgate Entertainment.

www.kealanpatrickburke.com