The Malice Below

[Erik Handy]

Imagine if H.P. Lovecraft wrote Moby Dick.
 
Imagine no limits on terror.
 
Imagine no more.
 
From the author of Hell of the Dead comes the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

NOW AVAILABLE for only $1.99!

Here's an excerpt:

Marci Kim stared at the bear and the bear stared back.

Neither moved.

Neither broke eye contact.

Neither gave the other ground.

There was no room for flight.

Marci breathed easy.

The modern sitting room had sleek furniture, a flatscreen television taking up the majority of a wall, and a coffee table with all the latest tabloid newspapers scattered on top.

And stuffed animal heads nailed on every wall where there was empty space. This ghastly showcase memorializing the thrill of a hunt was obscene, but she had seen worse. Animal brains in jars of formaldehyde. That one always got her. Some far-off societies ate the brains of their captured prey, but one American so-called hunter kept his in jars to be displayed in every room of his house. From bedroom to kitchen to bathroom. She gave the thought that her field was well-suited for certifiable loonies more than a second's consideration.

She shifted her gaze from the bear to the elderly man limping into the room. While Kim was average-looking at best, Harold Martin stood out, an aura of regality about him despite his limp. His thick gray hair was slicked back. His blue eyes didn't miss a thing.

"Doctor Kim!" he happily said. "Thank you for coming."

She rose to shake his hand.

"Thank you, Mister Martin," she replied. "Although why you wanted to see me is beyond me."

"According to what I've read, nothing is beyond you." He gestured for her to sit. She did. "I have need of an open mind. My team has, how should I say, suffered a few losses on our last expedition and there's an open slot. For you."

Kim's enthusiasm threatened to burst, but she held herself together well. "Thank you for considering me, but I'm just a cryptozoologist like you. Having two on your staff --"

"Team," he corrected.

"Team. It seems a bit overkill."

"But, like me, you are more than a mere cryptozoologist." Martin sat next to her. "You're in it for the chase as well as the catch, are you not?"

Kim eyed that bear head. "You must've heard a lot about me, Mister Martin."

"Call me Harold," he said. "Your assistant had nothing but glowing praise about you."

He leaned closer to Kim. She wanted to back away. His presence was invading hers. Some manner about him struck a chord in her. This man is more than he appears, that chord rang.

"Doctor Kim, I need another keen mind on my team. An opportunity has presented itself off the coast of Australia. All I can say is that the potential discovery of a new species that has only been dreamed of is at stake."

Kim mulled the prospect over. To work with Harold Martin would be nearly divine. It would get her out of the university for a while and away from . . . other problems.

"With all due respect, I need a little more before I agree to anything," she said. She also didn't want to seem too eager. This was how this game was played.

Martin was taken aback. He quickly collected himself. Nodding, he rose. "Come to my office."

[Ann in Arlington]

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[Erik Handy]

Imagine if H.P. Lovecraft wrote Moby Dick.

Imagine no limits on terror.

Imagine no more.

The Malice Below.

People are disappearing on the seas, leaving behind ghost ships. The crew of the Final Fantasy are in search of the cause of these disappearances. Each crew member knows the dangers involved — the uncertainty of the tides, the ulterior motives of each other, the unseen monsters – but yet they seek.

The leader of this expedition, Harold Martin has his sights set not on the shared goal of the team, but on redemption.

Marci Kim is in it for the thrill of chasing the unknown . . . and the paycheck.

Dan Cole is in it for revenge.

All will collide as they face the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

NOW AVAILABLE at Amazon’s Kindle Store for $1.99!

[Bleekness]

Imagine if HP Lovecraft wrote Moby Dick....

Hmmm, if I did, my idea of going to the beach would probably be somewhere on a mountaintop, four hundred klicks away from the beach.

That tag line caught my attention, Erik. And your initial sample there does have a touch of Lovecraftian ambiance.  The sea has always been a place of wonder and, yes I'll admit it, terror for me (seeing "Jaws" as a kid didn't help either). I like your cover as well. That featureless, dead-calm glaze is an unsettling site, especially when associated with HP. The case file font you use is also a nice touch.

What or who are your influences?

Good luck with this. I hope it does well.



Regards,

Keith

[Erik Handy]

Thanks for your kind words, Keith.

Influences? There was a touch of Lovecraft mixed with the menace of an early 80's Italian horror movie, the predatory pace of an Asian horror movie, and whatever madness I may have been feeling at the time. I'm obviously inspired by movies.

Thank you for the interest!

Erik

[Erik Handy]

I just can't get the perfect blurb for this novel. Here's the latest.

Words can not describe the horror of The Malice Below. All that can be said is that once you finish reading this novel, don't expect the terror to end with the warm words THE END. No, the terror, the horror will stay with you forever, giving you nightmares, waking and not.

Think twice before reading this novel!

[Erik Handy]

Still can't get that perfect blurb. Here's the latest, but surely not the last!

The crew of the Final Fantasy is searching for the cause behind recent disappearances on the high seas. When they find it, there will be no escaping The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting Hell of the Dead comes a novel of furious suspense and supernatural horror that will haunt you for years to come!

Only $1.99!

[Erik Handy]

I think I got it! A blurb that I can finally live with!

The crew of the Final Fantasy is searching for the cause behind recent disappearances on the high seas. When they find it, there will be no escaping The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting Hell of the Dead comes 20,000 words of furious suspense that will haunt you for years to come!

[Erik Handy]

Night.

The marina was quiet, void of commotion save for the creaking docks and the bouncing boats on the tender water.

Cole's boat was dark.

Inside the main cabin, among the electronic equipment, were drained beer bottles. A half-emptied one was in Cole's hand. He sat at the table, staring at the shadows upon shadows around him.

He had been crying.

That was all he could do now. That and hate and plot. Later, there would be action.

Eventually he got up to turn on a light. The gloom around him didn't disappear; it simply shuffled around him. He went down to the hold.

A metal trunk sat on the floor nestled between duffel bags and cardboard boxes.

Boxes full of her clothes. Their photo albums.

Cole swallowed a sob down with some beer and then went to the trunk. He lifted the lid.

An unassembled rifle sat in a bed of gray foam.

Cole finished his beer.

He knew what he was going to do.

Do you dare to find out what he does next?

[Erik Handy]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I've lowered the price of this frightfest to $.99! WOW!

Check it out unless you're too afraid.

[Erik Handy]

People are disappearing on the seas, leaving behind empty ships and questions. The crew of the Final Fantasy are in search of the causes for these disappearances. Each crew member knows the dangers involved -- the uncertainty of the tides, the ulterior motives of each other, the unseen monsters -- but yet they seek.

The leader of this expedition, Harold Martin has his sights set not on the shared goal of the team, but on redemption.

Marci Kim is in it for the thrill of chasing the unknown . . . and the paycheck.

Dan Cole is in it for revenge.

All will collide as they face the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting Hell of the Dead comes 20,000 words of furious suspense that will haunt you for years to come!

NOW AVAILABLE for only $.99!

[Erik Handy]

The short distance to the bridge was a blur for Kim. Her feet pounding on the hollow floor echoed the pounding in her chest. She could feel that beat in her ears. It was exhilaration given form. She felt like if she pushed hard enough off the floor, then she could fly.

"Martin," she said, barely in the doorway. "We got --"

"We know," the elder interrupted.

She looked at what he and Knight were gaping at.

A pink light shone up through the calm, dark waves. The lit area was about fifty yards in diameter. The shape was more like a big jigsaw puzzle piece than anything round.

The light shining wasn't strong, but strong enough to bathe the Final Fantasy and all within close eyeshot.

Kim immediately thought the light came from a type of algae yet to be discovered. But she couldn't explain its apparent barb. She rebelled against her inquisitive nature and just desired to rest her eyes upon that submerged red. To laze. She thought she smelled . . . no, that was impossible.

Then the light blinked out, leaving the ship and the three on the bridge in the near dark of night. The minute glows from the ship's control's lights didn't do much in the way of illumination.

"It's gone," Kim said more to herself than the others just joining them. Emptiness tugged on her chain, wanting to draw her closer to embrace her. Hello, isolated princess, the warmth of that cold empty said to her as it glowed pink.

Don't go, Kim wanted to yell at the light. In the few seconds of its existence, the light seemed to be a natural part of life like the wind and rain. The light was sorely missed by the three on the bridge, even to the uninterested Knight. However, they kept their slight melancholies to themselves.
As the seconds passed, so did their gloom.

Keyes, Tagg, and Hunter leaped onto the bridge, too late.

Tagg and Hunter wasted no time racing to the deck.

The hunt was on.

to be continued in The Malice Below

[Erik Handy]

Cole tossed his revolver on his bed. He ran his hands through his hair.

This was it. The reason he came on this foolish quest. It was now or never. Before Martin came to his senses, gave up, and turned this tub around. Kim, Keyes, and everyone else on the ship were non-factors now. Martin had to be stopped.

Cole knelt at the chest at the foot of his bed. He opened it and took out the massive rifle.

He jammed a clip into it.

This was it.

He turned to leave, but his way out was blocked by Tagg, who had his pretty grenade launcher pointed at Cole's chest.

to be continued in The Malice Below

[Erik Handy]

TERROR STRIKES AGAIN!

People are disappearing on the seas, leaving behind empty ships and questions. The crew of the Final Fantasy are in search of the causes for these disappearances. Each crew member knows the dangers involved -- the uncertainty of the tides, the ulterior motives of each other, the unseen monsters -- but yet they seek.

The leader of this expedition, Harold Martin has his sights set not on the shared goal of the team, but on redemption.

Marci Kim is in it for the thrill of chasing the unknown . . . and the paycheck.

Dan Cole is in it for revenge.

All will collide as they face the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

Do you dare to take on 20,000 words of furious suspense?

NOW AVAILABLE for only $.99!

[Erik Handy]

STAY AWAY FROM THE WATER!

The crew of the Final Fantasy is searching for the cause behind recent disappearances on the high seas. When they find it, there will be no escaping The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting Hell of the Dead comes 20,000 words of furious suspense that will haunt you for years to come!

[Erik Handy]

I'd like to thank everyone who's bought this book due to these board posts. The success of this book has exceeded all of my expectations.

Thank you!

Erik

[Erik Handy]

The crew of the Final Fantasy is searching for the cause behind recent disappearances on the high seas. When they find it, there will be no escaping The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting novel The Web comes another exploration into terror!

NOW AVAILABLE for $.99!

[Erik Handy]

THE TENSION RISES

Kim passed Cole's open cabin and stopped by. Her purpose was twofold: to schmooze him and to just see him. He was easy on her eyes. She needed that base feeling right now. Maybe she'd keep it with her when she took a private moment for herself later. Cole was pulling on a sweater when she caught his eye.

"Going to the briefing?" she asked him.

"Of course. Marci." He gestured for her to come in.

She stepped inside. He rummaged through a duffel bag and pulled out a pistol. He gently handed it to her. She didn't know what to make of this gift. She didn't want the weapon. She didn't like this turn of events. Lying and manipulating the situation was one thing. Entering a gun into the
situation was another entity in itself. It was dangerous and she wasn't prepared for the repercussions.

Her stomach immediately felt empty. She felt like she was going to pass out, but she kept it together enough to avoid him noticing.

"Just in case things get hairy," he said to her.

Kim carefully took the weapon.

"I hope they don't," she honestly replied.

"Me, too."

to be continued in The Malice Below!

[Erik Handy]

Do you dare face the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

NOW AVAILABLE for only $.99!

[Erik Handy]

She fought to dredge up a memory or image to mentally take her away, to calm her, but the heaviness in the atmosphere and in her head kept her in the present.

The only thing she could come up with was a phrase that stuck like fingers in mud --

-- His eyes bled --



After reading these few words, do you dare read the rest of The Malice Below?

[Erik Handy]

People are disappearing on the seas, leaving behind empty ships and questions. The crew of the Final Fantasy are in search of the causes for these disappearances. Each crew member knows the dangers involved -- the uncertainty of the tides, the ulterior motives of each other, the unseen monsters -- but yet they seek.

All will collide as they face the tidal fury of The Malice Below!

NOW AVAILABLE for only $.99!

[Erik Handy]

from The Malice Below . . . .

Martin tried to stay interested in what Cole and Kim were telling him. He only wanted one thing from both of them and hearing this potentially troubling news was not that one thing.

"He's probably curled up in a hold sleeping off a bender," he said. "Did you look there?"

Keyes joined the group on the bridge. "I just did. He's not on this ship."

"He knows the water," Martin said.

No one knew exactly what that meant.

"He could've gone overboard," Kim said excitedly.

Martin shook his head and tried to quell his growing frustration. "No. I just told you he knows the water."

"We're turning back," Cole interjected. He didn't want to turn back. He could kill Martin whenever and wherever he wanted. Doing it out here on the wild waves would've been easier. But there were innocent people on board. Innocent people who were clueless to the history and future of Cole and Martin.

Cole ground his teeth together when he realized Martin's plan was working. He had to protect Kim, not because he cared about her, but because she was in harm's way now. History repeating. Although his plan was working, Martin's shortsightedness and zealousy to fulfill his plan made the old man blind to the fact that for his plan to truly succeed, he would have to order the boat to turn back and head home. This further angered Cole. The old man had to be stopped. Mere words would do no good.

Martin would keep toying with people with fatal consequences.

Martin was livid at this point. "We're about to drop the oscillator!" He raised his voice, trying to assert his authority. After all he wrote the checks. And he had his plan. Didn't these people realize he was trying to make things right while investigating and hunting this elusive sea creature? Couldn't they just go with the flow?

I should have picked another woman, he lamented. Another more docile woman. But Donna had spunk, attitude. It wouldn't be the same if Kim had anything less.

"We're not turning back because one man is missing!" he declared.

Knight walked in, unaware of the conversation and if he was aware, not giving a [crap].

"Knight," Martin said, "please tell everyone here we're not turning back."

In a deadpan tone, "We're not turning back." He knew who wrote the checks, too.

Kim got in the captain's face. "But you don't understand! Fisher's missing!"

This rousted the captain, but not much. "Did you check the hold?"

Martin shook his head, unable to come to grips with anything that was going on here; stuck in his own world with his own schemes.

"Fisher knew the risks coming out here," Knight said as he made his way to the front of the bridge.

"No one knew the risks!" Kim cried. "We've all been lied to --" She pointed at Martin, who took this latest tirade with a poker-face. " -- by him."

Calmly, Martin replied, "Is the ten million still worth it?"

The supposed secret deal was out in the open now. Kim didn't know what to say. A stutter showed on her face.

Everyone but Cole looked at her, waiting for a reply or an explanation.

"Ten?" Knight asked. "I know you said we could negotiate, but ten million? d*mn."

Martin smiled smugly. He got one up on the bitch. He just shot her credibility down. Plus he finally silenced her.

Oh, and he made her look stupid.

A knock on the window broke the tension. Tagg gave them all a [crap]-eating grin accompanied by an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

"All this talk of going back is pointless," Martin said. "The oscillator's been deployed."

Copyright 2011 Erik Handy

[Erik Handy]

The crew of the Final Fantasy is searching for the cause behind recent disappearances on the high seas. When they find it, there will be no escaping The Malice Below!

From the author of the unrelenting Rabid comes 20,000 words of furious suspense that will haunt you for years to come!

Do you dare take the plunge?!

[Erik Handy]

A sample if you dare . . . .


"Cut the [crap]," Cole told him. "I know why. I know why they're here. I know why I'm here. You're trying, old man. You really are. But nothing will bring my wife back. And nothing will ever make me forgive you. Nothing."

Cole walked away.

Martin soon left, speechless.

Keyes went back to the computers, but Kim fiddled with a monitor. It's starting to make sense, she said to herself.

Kim wanted to give up this opportunity, the money that went with it, and just be on solid ground away from these people. She thought she was playing a safe game where only feelings could be hurt. This game was starting to get too serious. She could feel the menace exuding from Cole. She had never felt her life was in danger, but now, aboard this ship, she felt like she could break like thin tissue paper.

She fought to dredge up a memory or image to mentally take her away, to calm her, but the heaviness in the atmosphere and in her head kept her in the present.

The only thing she could come up with was a phrase that stuck like fingers in mud --

-- His eyes bled --

Copyright 2011 Erik Handy

[Erik Handy]

Chapter 46

Knight shoved Kim into her cabin. She defiantly turned on him.

"Get on the bed," Knight told her. "On your stomach."

"[expletive] you."

Knight backhanded her. She started to sob. She gave up hope. She wouldn't be going home. Not after this. Not after what Knight had planned for her.

The captain pushed her onto her bed. She fell violently on it. The bed frame cracked. She braced herself for the strong touch of his hands.

Knight knew what he wanted to do with her and his penis got hard. Before he could tie her down, Keyes came from behind and nailed him in the back of the head with a fire extinguisher.

Knight fell forward to the floor. His eyes rolled back on his way down.

Kim wasted no time and leaped over the captain to Keyes' side.

"We have to put out a distress call," Keyes said.

"I'll do that," Kim said. "Listen, Tim. I'm sorry about all of this."

"Don't be --"

The ship shuddered once as if rammed.

Copyright 2011 Erik Handy