Try as he might, Kenny can’t seem to hold it all together.

Porcelain – Michael Bonomo

Despite having been out of work and down on his luck for several months, Kenny tries his best to stay positive. Easier said than done when his father in law is constantly breathing down his neck, ready and waiting to remind him of his failures. If only he could learn to ignore the old man’s taunts. One night a particularly heated confrontation leaves Kenny desperate for a temporary escape from clutches of everyday life.

Little does he know that life will never be the same again.

Kenny finds himself no longer running from his home life, but ultimately trying to escape from himself. His frantic attempt to run away leads him on a journey he could never imagine, into a world he never wanted to experience. Any previous problems he had will seem very minor in comparison to what comes next.

Michael Bonomo, the author of this chilling short, places the reader directly inside the rapidly deteriorating mind of Kenny, where they witness first-hand the character’s downward spiral into a world filled with self loathing and terror.

Bonomo paints a vivid picture of Kenny’s journey by combining literary images with some of the creepiest elements of classic horror stories [I don’t know about you, but personally, I find nothing more unsettling than a child’s laughter]. This level of imagery, matched with a unique and fulfilling storyline creates a satisfying ghost story which is sure to thrill the reader.

Many thanks to Michael Bonomo for sending me a free review copy of the story.