Gothic Collection

Dare is the first work by author Melissa Leigh (she/her), a specialist in gothic horror short fiction and poetry. Her disturbing and terrifying works present frightening new takes on traditional horror tropes. A boy in a fight with his shadow, a mermaid longing for legs, and the typical ghost story dramatically transform under her capable hands. Leigh breaks the tension with dark romantic poems of love gone awry, love gone wrong, pining and longing.

Hush begins with “Back Alley Broadway”, where Dasha is unwillingly part of a VIP show aired live on the darknet by a ring of psychopaths. From country girl to slave, she is subject to indescribable torment by her captors. Her long-anticipated performance in "The Killer Circus" takes you to the blackest black. It delves into the truths of human trafficking and the consequences of deranged curiosity. Next, two sisters struggle to keep their bond after one is responsible for the death of the other's "miracle baby".