Creep

by William Cook

(Short Story - approx 8,500 words + Novel Excerpt from Blood Related)

Be careful who you get into a car with, even if that car is a taxi! A dark story of a young girl's date with death. CREEP is a story that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the gripping climax which is unexpected and will leave the reader cheering for more. Serial Killers don't always get away with murder, no matter how hard they try.

CREEP, is the first story in an exciting and gritty new psychological thriller series. Cassandra: Hunter of Darkness, is a hero to the victim and a merciless angel of death to the evil ones. A killer of killers, she strikes fear into the hearts of those who get their kicks off hurting others. Join Cassandra on her quest for justice and revenge as she begins her journey into the dark underbelly of serial murder and takes care of business as only she knows how.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Serial Killer

30 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2013

About the author

William Cook was born and raised in New Zealand and is the author of the popular Psychological Thriller, 'Blood Related.' He is also the author of two non-fiction books: 'Gaze Into The Abyss: The Poetry of Jim Morrison' and 'Secrets of Best-Selling Self-Published Authors.'

He has also written many short stories that have appeared in anthologies and has authored two short-story collections ('Dreams of Thanatos' & 'Death Quartet') and two collections of poetry ('Journey: the search for something' & 'Corpus Delicti'). William writes Psychological Thrillers mostly, but also dabbles in Horror Fiction and, more recently, Non-Fiction.

He is currently hard at work on a sequel to his Psychological Thriller, 'Blood Related,' a second volume of 'Secrets of Best-Selling Self-Published Authors' and an exciting new Pulp Thriller Series all due out in 2016. Stay tuned!

William loves to stay in touch with his readers and interact on social media. You can find him via the following links:

Email: williamcookauthor@gmail.com
Twitter: @williamcook666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamCookW...

Grab a free copy of William's 250 pg collection, 'Dreams of Thanatos.' Sign up now for the VIP newsletter at: http://williamcookwriter.com/p/subscr... (just copy and paste into your browser).

His work has been praised by Graham Masterton, Joe McKinney, Billie Sue Mosiman, Anna Taborska, Rocky Wood and many other notable writers and editors. William is also the editor of the anthology 'Fresh Fear: Contemporary Horror,' published by James Ward Kirk Fiction.

Member of the Australian Horror Writers Association, SpecFicNZ & the SFFANZ.


"This man is simply scary. There is both a clinical thoroughness and a heartfelt emotional thoroughness to his writing. He manages to shock as well as empathize, to scare as well as acclimatize, yet beneath it all is a well read intelligence that demands to be engaged. I loved Blood Related. Ordinarily I hate serial killer stories, but William Cook won me over. He is a unique and innovative talent."
- Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Flesh Eaters and Dog Days

"William Cook tells a gruesome story with a sense of authenticity that makes you question with considerable unease if it really is fiction, after all."
- Graham Masterton, author of The Manitou and Descendant

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassandra is kidnapped by a taxi driver (the creep). Can she survive him and his dog (Caligula)? What does she find out in the basement of his house? Is there any possibility to escape? This is quite a nailbiting tale with an absolutely surprising end. The author really takes you on a rollercoaster ride full of horror, torture and madness. The creep is very well done and leaves a lasting impact. Recommended!

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware! Maybe you should think twice about taking a taxi ride.
This is the premise of this short story. This book is fast paced and takes an interesting turn but there just wasn't enough suspense for me after the first few chapters.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very interesting but also hard to believe. For many reasons. First, that the MC is the daughter of a policeman. Her behavior shows that she either never paid attention to a word said or how beyond naive she is for her age. Let's let a cab driver that you're dubbing "the Creep" from the get-go drive to his home after thinking you should cut the ride short. Uh huh. Okay.

I think the ending was rather satisfying overall but also unbelievable for many reasons. It is fiction, however, so I'll let that go. You go, Cassandra!

This probably would have been better if I had read it straight through. As it was, I was left wanting. I liked the writing style, however. And just deserts!

I'll check out the author again.

TW: on-page rape, graphic images, animal harm.

[Shadow Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cassandra Morrighan hopped into a cab to go back to college, she never dreamed it would turn out the way that it did. She actually took a tad longer than most ppl to figure out she was in real trouble - we'll just chalk that up to her being trusting.
She woke up naked & chained in an unfamiliar place. The Creep had her, and she couldn't see any possible escape. When she found pieces and parts of all the girls before her, she vowed to get away, and take this guy down in the process.
This gave me the same rush as the great horror flicks of the 80's(and it would make an excellent film!) If you take the creep out of the creep-van and hurl him into a taxi... he's just as creepy!

[Ashley Hana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly a waste of my time. There isn't one thing that made it worth reading. It's just your average kidnapping-story with zero depth.

[Vincenzo Bilof · Rating 5 out of 5]

An origin story drenched in blood, "Creep" is an excellent precursor to an intriguing premise. By reading the title and the story synopsis, readers will know what to expect from this tale, but Cook's method of introducing his new brand of madness is where the intrigue lies.

Cassandra's development is the result of the detailed writing that Cook uses to capture the sensory deprivation and overload; emotions broil over in stomach-churning revelation. The story is a moment of self-discovery for Cassandra; with so many torture movies and stories on the market, the audience is quite familiar with this scenario. However, this story is the chrysalis; Cassandra's physical and emotional transformation is revealed through the amount of detail Cook pours into the environment around her. On the literal level, "Creep" offers visceral scares and bestial symbolism to explain Cassandra's moment.

Read by itself without any further context, "Creep" stands by itself well enough. It's a quick read if you allow yourself a quiet, dark place to read with low light. Cook continues to improve as a writer; there are still some moments / actions that are characterized through "telling" rather than showing, but this remains a personal preference of mine. Personally, I don't think Cook necessarily has to include this origin story in the upcoming novel; it can be referred to in scattered flashback moments, because this is rather a complete episode in Cassandra's life.

Considering what the story is designed to achieve/explain, Cook delivers upon his promise: the terror is personal and life-changing for Cassandra, and he explains why with well-crafted imagery and moments of revulsion.

Side note: Cook included one of my favorite scenes from his highly recommended novel, "Blood Related." There's enough entertainment value in this package to turn lovers of serial killer horror into William Cook fans.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsettling.

This is an intensely suspenseful story that strikes dread into the heart of the reader right from the first moment of foreboding. As the tension and desperation of the story builds, so does the reader’s sense of hopelessness for the protagonist, whose innocence reinforces the positioning of readers against The Creep.

The story is well-written and developed. The characterisation is effective and the detailed descriptions add depth and power to the the chilling effect of the story.

While the story certainly has its macabre moments, the story is centered more on the psychology of fear and revulsion. The Creep is a very real and twisted monster in his own right, and the author subtly plays on the reader’s sensibilities to unsettle and repulse them.

[Donald White · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just a normal day for Cassandra Morrighan. She had called a cab to take her back to college, looking forward to life in the dorm. But then, she met The Creep... This is a brutal tale of a struggle for survival in the worst of conditions. The tension is overwhelming and you can feel the poor victim falling into the depths of despair. There is violation and threats of worse. The descriptions are intense and at times you feel the desire to turn away. All is not lost, and that makes it all the more painful. For hope lingers, but always just out of reach. What can she do? And what will The Creep do to her?

[Shaun Meeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's another late review, but better late than never.
I read this one about three months ago and let me say, it's a story that will stick with you. If you have a weak constitution, you may want to pass this up as it does not skimp on the twisted words or gore. But, if you do try it, it will be well worth it. William Cook has a way with words, and even though this is a fast read, he manages to fill it with depth and life that so few are able to these days. This is a must for any horror fan.

[J.C. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story delivers a short, sharp, shock, like a punch to the gut. It's brutal, and as such won't be to everyone's taste, but for me Cook hit just the right level. At one point I feared that the story would fall into the trap of violence for violence sake, but the author stopped short of that and pushed the story on at just the right pace.
If this gives an accurate insight into the rest of William Cooks then I certainly look forward to reading more.

[Delta]

Too grossly graphic for me, so I will refrain from rating...

I need some ginger ale and saltines after reading that (to kill the nausea). So consider yourself warned. CREEP is graphic short story horror for those who like that sort of thing.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy Good...

I love a really yummy short read that takes me away from my world ... then makes my heart race and makes me check and recheck my surroundings for a real life reality check. Cook engulfed me into his creep world with the first line. A+ writing and creepy goodness will drag you in as well ... grab a copy ... then let it grab you.

[William Bitner Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading "Creep", by William Cook. Note to self, never find yourself alone with this guy his mind is wickedly twisted, may just have to much fun. Another great short story by a brilliant author, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

[Jourdan Fenwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick fast paced read. If you’re in a slump and need a pallet cleanser I’d give this one a go. The first 25% of the book is thrilling and captivating, the rest is just a nice psychological take on political insanity. Was not the most magnificent thing I’ve ever read but was pretty good and I finished it in one sitting! 3.5⭐️overall

[Victoria Beavers · Rating 1 out of 5]

There Is Plenty of Horror...

Unfortunately, the "horror" was in the writing. This is fiction, so I'm more than willing to suspend belief as I read. The problem, however, wasn't even with it being too unbelievable, it was more than that. The story was completely lacking in logic. I'll share just one. The victim is the daughter of a policeman, but allows her taxi driver to stop at his home. And then he pulls into his garage and shuts the door. Daughter of a policeman. Nineteen years old. After that, every third or fourth sentence racks up the count, and they get more inane as they go. On the plus side, there are very few grammatical errors. If you need your tales to make any sense, skip it (f it isn't free). That's just good sense.

[Dona Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Miss This One!!!

This story is loaded with tension from page one. If you don’t feel the stress, if you aren’t anxious, if your blood pressure doesn’t rise–you aren’t human. I kept thinking this could happen to me so easily. (There's something I may never do again-read the book and you'll know what.)

The trap snapped closed around Cassandra; there was no way out, and then Cujo’s smarter, meaner brother showed up, and everything got worse.

Then with a twist, Cook artfully raised the story to another, purer level, not easily achieved in this type of tale. I will be reading many more stories by William Cook!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever had second thoughts about a cab ride? a cab driver? You will after reading this short work. The author does a fabulous job of character development in a minimal number of pages and that is what makes the story successful. Well written, attention riveting, the story grabs you and doesn't let go until the end. Is the story complete? Will the author revisit the main character again following up on the career choice? We'll have to wait & see, meanwhile I'm looking for more from William Cook!

[JESSICA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book right here is the reason I don't take a cab or call a Uber or Lyft! I ain't letting no one kidnapped my ass and think they can touch my goodies! Hell-To-The-Frickin-No!! This book was dark and depraved with a capital "D!" Awesome short story! Loved the ending!! The creep (even though there was no description of him, just his bad body odor and foul-smelling breath! Yuk!) I kept picturing, Martin, from the movie; "The Human Centipede 2 (First Sequence)"

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young (19) girl is kidnapped by her taxi driver. Instead of taking her to the airport to go to college, he takes her to his home and terrorizes her with his huge Rottweiler; he beats and rapes her repeatedly/
She turns the tables and locks him in basement with his Rottweiler. the Rottweiler kills him and she escapes, while deciding not to go to college, but to become a policeman like her father.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story although the ending wasn't exactly how I would have liked it to be. Closure for the other families would have been nice. Good edge of my seat story.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast Pace Thriller

This short jumps from scene to scene with intensity and suspense. And the revenge is a sweet taste in your mouth.

[Angela Maher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. It's an interesting story but too much of the plot was implausible for me to really enjoy it.