The Window in the Ground

By: Steve Stred

Narrated by: Shep Pryor

On the outskirts of town hides a secret.

If you follow a path through the trees, read the rules (always twice) on the sign post, go up a hill and across a grassy clearing, that secret will reveal itself.

You see, for hundreds of years, this seemingly normal town has done its part, kept the balance.

But on this day, a rule will be broken.

You might have heard the rumors shared in whispers.

You may have been told about someone who’d seen it with their own eyes.

But now, on this day, you’ll join us.

You’ll come for a car ride and we’ll park.

Then we’ll walk along a path, read some rules (always twice), and go up a hill and arrive at a clearing.

Across the grass, you’ll see just what the town’s been hiding, protecting for centuries.

Then you’ll feel a pull.

And we’ll make our way over to it.

Over to the window in the ground.

“I looked at the mound and could see that a light was shining up from the under, from inside the window. Something was happening below.”

Steve Stred is the author of a number of novels, novellas, and collections. He has appeared in anthologies with some of horror's heaviest hitters.

He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with his wife, son, and their dog OJ.

©2020 Steve Stred (P)2022 Steve Stred

Critic reviews

"An immensely readable and original coming-of-age horror tale." (Duncan Ralston, author of Ghostland)

The Window in the Ground

Coming of age story that reminds me of “the Giver” by Lois Lowry, but with much darker undertones. Highly recommend.