First published 2014
Addison Goodheart lives hidden in an isolated home surrounded by deep woods. His father never knew he existed. His mother barely tolerates his presence. Only among the trees and wildlife does Addison find acceptance and peace. The forest becomes his sanctuary from a world that rejects him. But one day terror strikes, transforming his life completely and forever. This collection pairs the dark story "Wilderness" with twelve additional tales spanning decades of storytelling. The stories range from "Kittens" in 1966 to "Trapped" in 1989. These tales explore the mysteries that layer beneath ordinary surfaces. Each story reveals how the world operates like a machine generating endless surprises. The collection draws from works previously gathered in the anthology "Strange Highways" but focuses on the shorter pieces rather than the novellas.
Genres: short-stories, literary-fiction, 20th-century, horror, 21st-century, dark-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, outsider, transformation
Setting: Wilderness
Period: 1966, 1989
MP3 CD · Brilliance Audio
Content warnings: abuse, mental-illness