01 Silent Night of Horrors: A Samantha Leary short story

Back to Samantha Leary Short Stories

Next: 02 The First Crack: A Samantha Leary short story

⚠️ Mature Audience Only

This story contains themes suitable for adults. Please proceed only if you are 18+.

By J.E. Nickerson

The tree lights flickered against ornaments dusted with last night’s tinsel. Beneath it, the body lay sprawled, wrapped in a cheap blanket like a grotesque gift. Samantha Leary crouched, eyes scanning every detail—the curve of the hands, the faint smudge of blood on the floor, the way the branches bent over her like a canopy.

Detective Greg Dickson lingered behind her, voice low. “Who… leaves someone like this?”

Samantha didn’t answer. She traced the bruises along the arms with her gaze. Defensive wounds. Fresh. She noted the slight frost on the blanket where it had touched the cold floor. Displayed. Intentional.

She bent closer. “Notice the hands. Scrapes, maybe from trying to push back?”

Greg exhaled. “And now?”

“We ask questions. The kind people try to hide from,” she said. Shadows pooled in the corners as the morning sun climbed too bright for the death beneath the tree. Outside, in the cold snow, someone watched the police. The woman had been silenced, her secret buried—but for how long?

Dive into the chilling short story ‘Silent Night of Horrors’ on Amazon — read it now!

Samantha Leary Psychological Thrillers

Step into Samantha Leary’s world—where hidden secrets, control, and obsession dominate the lives of victims. Can she uncover the truth before it’s too late? Explore the series and experience the suspense for yourself. 

Experience the world of Samantha Leary Psychological Thrillers today. For Mature Audiences Only.

Enter her world here

Step into the series on Amazon