December 10, 2025 • 27 mins
The advent calendar arrived nine days ago. No sender. No explanation. Just twenty-four numbered doors and a carved face with empty eyes that seemed to know exactly who Matthew Klein used to be.Since then, Marshport has become a graveyard.Three people are dead. A teenage boy has been twisted into a puppet for murder. A phantom child wrapped in ash and embers stalks the shadows, demanding obedience. And Matthew Klein — the man who ran while his family burned thirty years ago — has been branded with a wound that will not let him forget.He tried to destroy the calendar. The ocean spat it back. He refused to open a door. His youngest son woke screaming, wrapped in the coils of a python that should not exist.Now a mysterious hooded figure haunts the edges of Matthew's world. A bearded man who appears at funerals and vanishes into crowds. Someone who knows the rules of this game — perhaps even someone who wrote them.Pastor Russell Hart has offered to help – but has made a caveat… don’t open the next door until he’s in the room with the calendar to see it for himself.
Get the print version of the novel: https://weirddarkness.com/AdventOfEvil
#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasHorror #HolidayHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HauntedCalendar #DarkChristmas #HorrorStory #DemonicEvil #CreepyTales #YuletideTerror
Get the print version of the novel: https://weirddarkness.com/AdventOfEvil
#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasHorror #HolidayHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HauntedCalendar #DarkChristmas #HorrorStory #DemonicEvil #CreepyTales #YuletideTerror
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
The advent calendar arrived nine days ago. No sender, no explanation,
just twenty four numbered doors and a carved face with
empty eyes that seemed to know exactly who Matthew Kleine
used to be. Since then, Marshport has become a graveyard.
Three people are dead, a teenage boy has been twisted
(00:22):
into a puppet for murder, a phantom child wrapped in
ash and embers stalks the shadows demanding obedience. And Matthew Kleine,
the man who ran while his family burned thirty years ago,
has been branded with a wound that will not let
him forget. He tried to destroy the calendar, the ocean
spat it back. He refused to open a door. His
(00:44):
youngest son woke screaming, wrapped in the coils of a
python that should not exist. Now, a mysterious footed figure
haunts the edges of Matthew's world. A bearded man who
appears at funerals and vanishes into crowds. Someone who knows
the rules of this game, perhaps even someone who wrote them.
(01:04):
Pastor Russell Hart has offered to help, but has made
a caveat don't open the next door until he's in
the room with the calendar to see it for himself.
(01:51):
Welcome Weirdos. I'm Darren Marler, and this is Weird Darkness's
Advent of Evil, a holiday horror novel written by Scott
Donnelly based on a concept from Dark and Marler. Twenty
four Doors, twenty four days, twenty four secrets waiting in
the darkness, just like an advent calendar counting down the Christmas.
(02:11):
We'll unlock one chapter each day, but what we find
behind these doors may not be the gift you're expecting.
You can find all available chapters, as well as the
print version in paperback, hardback, or kindle at Weird Darkness
dot com slash Advent of Evil. The calendar is waiting.
Let's see what awaits us behind today's door. Wednesday, December tenth,
(02:44):
there were donuts in the break room when I arrived
at work. I was still a little groggy from the
previous night and opted not to take a nap throughout
the day, so I knew I was going to need
as much energy as I could get, and if that
energy had to come in the form of an excessive
intake of sugary snacks and caffeine laden coffee, then so
be it. I wrapped two donuts in a napkin, a
(03:05):
glazed one and a cruller, and then poured myself a
hot cup of coffee. Sure it was stale and not
even close to being on par with the Joe Ingo
or even the breakfast bistro, but it did have caffeine,
and I was able to put as much sugar into
it as I needed. I walked through the precinct, taking
a bite out of one of the donuts, and heard
my name called from across the bullpen. I stopped and
(03:28):
saw Lieutenant Sears half hanging out of his office. He
waved his arm to grab my attention. I put my
arm up to let him know I'd heard him, and
then proceeded to make my way through the uneven clutter
of desks and workspaces to his office. I knew I
was in some sort of trouble. Seers didn't usually need
to talk with anybody one on one unless there was
some kind of internal issue or concern, and the one
(03:51):
that kept creeping back into the forefront of my mind
was my weak attempt at an unauthorized interrogation of Mike
Campbell at the Bowling Alley. The best I could hope
for was that our friendship was intact and it would
be nothing more than a slap on the wrist and
then be on your way. When I walked into sears office,
I immediately realized it wasn't one of his one on
(04:12):
one talks like he said it would be. Detective Warren
Davenport was also in there, seated against the wall. Sears
was lowering himself onto his chair behind his desk when
I walked in. Please back close the door behind you,
he asked. I did as he said and took a
seat in front of his desk. I shot a curious
glance over at Davenport. It was just out of my
(04:34):
view as I faced the lieutenant. What's going on? I asked.
I thought it was just going to be you and I.
It was, Sears said, pulling a stack of papers in
front of him. That was until Detective Davenport's investigation overlapped
with what I wanted to discuss with you and sort
of batted the hornet's nest. I remained quiet. I sat
(04:56):
my doughnuts down on the desk, but kept the coffee
in my hands. I wanted to see you because of
Mike Campbell. You're familiar with him, right, I nodded, yes, sir,
I stopped him for jaywalking a week ago. Any other
run ins with him? Since Sears asked, I could tell
he already knew the answer to that question, so there
was no use in trying to fudge my way around it. Yes,
(05:20):
I said, shame and regret beginning to sweep through me.
I went to his place of employment on Monday to
ask him a couple of questions, questions regarding what exactly
Sears pressured while keeping a calm, professional demeanor. I didn't
want to say anything. If I even began to get
into the insane problems I was having, they would throw
(05:42):
me in a nuthouse or relieve me from my job,
and I couldn't let that happen. I chose to remain
silent and lowered my head, like a child being scolded
for doing something wrong. I heard Davenport shift in his seat,
which made me look over at him. He was now
leaning forward and staring daggers into me. Did you ask
him about rendw En, Davenport questioned me. I continued to
(06:05):
look at him. Matt Campbell claims, you came to him
start asking questions about if he knew wren Or was
in the area of the town center the evening Bridjha
Kau died. Davenport continued, is that something you know that
we don't, mister Klein. I faced Sears again. He was
usually on my side, a friend as well as a superior,
But when I saw the way he was looking at me,
(06:25):
I could tell this wasn't a friendly circumstance we found
ourselves in. Rendwin's death wasn't made public at the time
you questioned Mike about it, Sears said, it's still under investigation,
and what you were doing could be considered impeding our
analysis of a potential crime. I never mentioned that he
was dead, I responded, This isn't just about you tiptoeing
(06:46):
around an open death investigation with a civilian, Matt Cerus said,
looking over at Davenport to shed more light on the concern.
Detective Davenport stood up and paced around the small office,
mostly behind me and out of sight. He reminded me
of when he pulled his car behind mine in the
New End driveway. Again, I felt trapped, but maybe that
(07:07):
was his whole thing, his way of intimidation and pressure.
You were friends with Bridget and she died. Rn lived
very close to you, and he died while off duty.
You're the one who stumbled across Gwen Martin's dead body,
Davenport exclaimed, not to mention, your best friend's son is
the one who attacked you and Carl Martin. I heard
Davenport's pacing come to stop. Are you seeing a through
(07:28):
line here, mister Klein, Because I am it's you. You
seem to have connection of some sort of all the
things going on here in marsh Port over the last
ten days. Wone can't help but wonder why I stood
up and faced the detective. Are you accusing me of something?
Davenport didn't verbally respond, He only grinned arrogantly at me.
(07:50):
I heard Sears stand up behind me. Look, Matt Bridget
has been a friend of yours for a long time.
Sears said, I could see where her death would have
upset you and maybe set your mind spinning a little bit,
maybe even acting out in ways that aren't typical for you.
You're a great cop, a great friend, and a great
father and husband. But with everything that's been going on
(08:10):
here lately, I can see a change in you. The
job gets to everyone eventually. What are you saying, I
asked the lieutenant. He hesitated, but then continued with what
he had planned the entire time. I'm going to place
you on a week of paid mental health leave. I
was shocked. I stared at Sears, upset and disappointed with
(08:33):
this decision. I didn't need mental health leave. I needed
to keep working to get to the bottom of everything
that's been going on. Leave your gun and badge here
and you can pick them up when you come back
next Wednesday. He added. I felt like I was in
a dream. I pulled my weapon from its holster and
sat it on his desk, as well as my badge.
I glared at Davenport. This was all his fault, connecting
(08:55):
the wrong dots. I snatched my donuts from the desk
and the office without saying another word. A Lane bedded
home with Anika snuggled up beside me. The mid morning
sun was beaming through the bedroom window, keeping my eyes
wide open and my mind racing. I was upset with
Lieutenant sears decision to send me home on a week
(09:17):
long mental health leave, but I was even more disturbed
by the fact that Detective Davenport would have insinuated I
had anything at all to do with the three deaths
that had taken place. It wasn't stupid, of course, there
was a connection between them all. It was the advent calendar.
But if I had said that, it wouldn't just be
(09:37):
mental healthly. If I'd be on, I'd be under constant watch,
drugged up and locked in a padded room with people
watching me through a two way mirror. The boys are
back at school today. Mason was feeling much better this morning,
Annika said, trying to bring me out of my silent fluster.
I turned my head toward her. That's great, I said,
(09:58):
I'm hoping that whole thing isn't going to kick start
a lifelong fear of snakes for him. Annaka didn't say
anything at first, but then the words that came out
of her mouth were inevitable. Matt, what's going on? She asked,
and I didn't blame her for asking again. Every time
she did, I'd find a way around having to answer her.
Whether it was the fear of her not believing me
(10:20):
or the fear of her actually believing me and bringing
this nightmare down on all of us, I wasn't sure,
but Pastor Heart was right. I needed to come clean.
With the people closest to me. I needed to tell
Anika everything. My parents and my brother died in a
house fire when I was ten. I finally confessed. Annika
(10:40):
sat straight up in bed what I just looked at
her and gave my shocking opener a minute to sink in.
I've met your parents, she said, and a brother. I
shook my head. Those were my foster parents, declines. Originally
I was a Norris. My parents were Cardi and Greta,
(11:00):
and my brother was Stephen. When I was ten, my
brother and I were using a spirit board on Christmas
Eve to talk to my dad uncle, who turned out
to be the demon of Bayville serial killer. The spirit
board worked and something came out of it. That night.
As the words came out of my mouth, I could
already feel a sense of relief coming over me. With
(11:21):
everything I was describing, I could picture it again, as
if it were really happening. I could see my brother
sitting across the table from me, and I could hear
the soft, wholesome Christmas music in the other room where
my parents were. I heard Stephen call upon Uncle David,
and then it happened. Something exploded from the spirit board
startling the both of us. I still couldn't make it out.
(11:44):
It was a blurry, indescribable entity. As Stephen and I
pushed away from the table, the candles fell, things grew
bright hot. I ran, and the roar of the fire
behind me swallowed my family's screams whole. I took a
deep breath and was back in the present, with Anika
sitting at my side in bed. I knew she could
(12:04):
see the trauma in my eyes, in my expression, and
hear it in my words. The advent calendar, I continued
the first day that little house was an exact replica
of the one I grew up in, the one that
burned down and killed my family. Every day since, whatever
comes out of the calendar is either a grim reminder
(12:25):
of my past, a threat of something tragic about to happen,
or a warning for me to continue to play about
the rules. When I saw Logan and Mason's picture come
out of it the other day, I got scared. I
threw the calendar into the sea. Then, because that was
against the rules, I paid the price. Rednuen died drowning
(12:46):
somehow in the same spot it goes rest where I
tossed the calendar and well. I lifted my pant leg
and showed Anika the burned fingerprints on my calf. Her
eyes widened. She released a gasp that she muted with
a hand over her mouth. It was like someone with
a fiery grip squeezed my leg as hard as they
(13:07):
could to punish me. Annaka was at a loss for words.
She examined my calf closely, disgusted by the charred appearance
of my skin, and then looked me in the eyes. Why,
she asked in a haunting whisper. Why is all of
this happening? I sighed, unsure of the dark motives behind
(13:28):
the events, but I had a theory. When my house
got on fire, I ran to save myself. I left
Stephen and my parents behind. Now I've been seeing a
small shadowy child around the house around Marshport. It's Stephen.
He's the one that's been taunting me, burning me and
(13:49):
threatening me to play by the rules. I think he's
angry that I left him. Annaka shook her head. No,
she said that's impossible. If he died, he died, there's
no way he could come back. Annika, I said, I
didn't think any of this was possible, but it is.
It's happening. The deaths, the warnings, they aren't just coincidences.
(14:10):
Everything is connected and it all comes back to that
advent calendar. Annaka took a minute to let my words gestate.
Then she said, who sent it? I shrugged. Pastor Hart
thinks it's maybe someone who knows a lot about me,
a lot about my past, maybe even someone from my past.
(14:31):
What about your parents, I mean your foster parents, Annika asked.
I hadn't considered them as the ones who left it.
They still lived in New York and were on the
older side. I highly doubt it, I said, we haven't
seen them in a while, and I just don't see
them making the trip here to drop off some sort
of bizarre object. Plus, they stepped in and saved me
(14:51):
when I was little. They gave me a life, a
pathway to my future. They're heroes to me, not villains.
Even heroes can become villa. Annika dryly said, are you
accusing my little old foster parents of being villains? I asked,
with a hint of impishness. Annaka burst out laughing, realizing
that she was grasping at straws and had just accused
(15:12):
her in laws of trying to curse the son who
they chose to love very much. I'm sorry, she laughed.
I've just I'm just so glad you finally opened up
to me. I've been feeling alike for years, even keeping
all sorts of things in, and now I feel like
I'm finally fully a part of you. I'm sorry, I said,
(15:32):
It's something that I've struggled with for thirty years, trying
to keep at bay and pretend never even happened. But
this month, ever since that god forsaken calendar showed up
at our doorstep, things have completely spiraled out of control.
Annaka hugged me, tightly, wrapping me in her warm hearted adoration.
At least you'll have a week off work to deal
(15:53):
with things the way you need to, and you'll have
me here by your side. I am so happy I
have you, I said, thank you for understanding. I'm just
glad you finally told me, she said, hugging me tighter.
You know, it's funny, she added, Mason said something at
the er about you having a secret. I pulled away.
(16:15):
What do you mean? What did he say? Well, you
know how he's been lately claiming everyone is against him,
blaming Logan for killing his bear, accusing everyone of lying.
You in particular, he said you lie to him all
the time and have a secret. He also said you
were the reason for the snakes. Why would he say that?
Annaka shrugged? He was in distress, he was attacked by
(16:37):
a deadly animal. I didn't take a lot of what
he said at face value. It's just kind of funny
that he predicted you had a secret. Though. I felt
my stomach drop as I started to wonder about something
I hadn't considered before. Simon claimed that Stephen alluded to
me having a secret. Had Mason also been communicating with Stephen? Did?
(16:59):
Did Mason say why you thought I had a secret?
Or why he thought I was lying about something? No?
She said, like I said, he was in distress, Matt,
I'm sure he wasn't thinking straight. I needed to talk
to Mason in private, one on one conversation, Lieutenant Sears style.
I wanted to know where his sudden distrust of me
(17:20):
came from. Had he seen Stephen? Was Stephen talking to
him as well? And if so? How many other people
had Steven been talking to in Marshport? How many other
people were going to start looking at me strangely and
accusing me of hiding things and keeping secrets. My phone buzzed.
It was a text from Pastor Hart. Are we still
on for today? It said? Annaka leaned over and saw it.
(17:43):
What's going on today? She asked, regarding the text. Pastor
Hart's coming over this afternoon. I confided in him a
little bit yesterday at Bridget's wake, and he said he
wanted to stop and see the Advent calendar for himself.
Oh okay, Annika said, You don't think her words trailed off?
What I mean? You don't think something is wrong with
(18:06):
the Advent calendar in that way? Do you in a
religious or demonic way? I'm not sure of anything, I said,
But Pastor Hart believes there could be negative energy surrounding
this calendar and wants to see it for himself. He
didn't seem overly concerned, but mostly just curious, I guess.
(18:27):
Anaka nodded, choosing to remain silent with her own continued
dark thoughts on what the calendar represented. Paster Russell Hart
was right on time, showing up at one p thirty pm.
Annika made lunch, soup and sandwiches. And we sat at
the kitchen table to eat. We discussed everything in detail further,
(18:49):
now that Anika was in the know. I told them
both about the hooded figure I'd been seeing around Marshport
and how I didn't know who it was or what
their significance was to any of the events, but that
he had been tied to two different crime scenes related
to the Advent Calendar's warnings. I also explained to Russell
that I'd seen him at the Tide's End funeral home
and thought that maybe he had a large, bushy gray beard.
(19:13):
Once lunch was over and everything was out in the open,
I escorted Russell to the living room. Annika lingered in
the archway as I led the pastor directly to the
Advent Calendar. It was standing up on a small table
to the right of the fireplace. I stepped out of
the way and let him see it for himself. I
noticed Russell stopped a good four or five feet away
from the calendar at first, and just studied its appearance.
(19:37):
He seemed to have a full body shiver ripple through
him as he stood there. He breathed deeply, and then
anxiously swayed back and forth a nervous chortle escaped him.
There's definitely negative energy in this room, Russell said, I
didn't notice in the kitchen, but here it's overwhelming. What
does that mean? Annika asked, concerned. Russell didn't respond to her. Instead,
(20:02):
he focused his attention on the calendar and took a
couple of cautious steps towards it. The way he approached
it reminded me of how I was trained to clear
a room in a house, careful of each step we took,
but keeping our attention on any possible danger. When he
was close enough, he stopped. He looked it up and down,
studying the way it was constructed, and admiring the detailed
(20:23):
engravings of Garland along the two sides and top. He
then surveyed the center of the object, the engraving of
the bearded man with featureless, empty eyes. I thought it
was Santa at first, I said. Russell shook his head.
He is not. He glanced back at me. He does
have a beard, though, just like your mysterious hooded lurker.
(20:46):
I felt my face contort in my skin flush. Was
he insinuating the engraving was connected to the hooded man
I'd been seeing possibly even one and the same. Do
you think the hooded man could have made this? Could
he engrave with an image of himself in the center
like a signature? Annika added in a whisper. Russell skeptically
(21:07):
shook his head while keeping his concentration on the calendar.
I don't know, he said, and things possible. Russell then
turned his attention to the open. Doors. One through nine
were open. Ten, at his own request, was still closed.
May I, he asked, reaching for the small black handle
on door number ten. I encouraged him to try, but
(21:30):
it already informed him that it would only let me
open it. Russell placed his thumb and index finger on
either side of the handle, and I noticed another chill
undulate beneath his skin. He tried to pull it, but
nothing happened. It appeared stuck, just as it had when
Anika and the boys tried. Russell stepped away open it
to Matthew, he said, with a nervous twinge in his voice.
(21:54):
I approached the calendar and pinched the handle, noticing out
of the corner of my eye that Russell had taken
in a few more steps back with ease, I pulled
door number ten open and took a step back myself.
I leaned forward and looked into the dark nook behind
the door. Even though the inside was infused by shadows,
it didn't appear to shelter anything. There wasn't a trinket,
(22:18):
a photo, nothing. I reached in with my fingers and
felt around, and just as I suspected, it was completely empty.
I staffed my head back at Russell. There's nothing in there,
I said, confused and fearful for what that meant. Annika
stirred uncomfortably in the archway of the room, and Russell's
entire body seemed to go from stiff to tents to
(22:40):
relaxed in under a second. Nothing, he repeated. I'd hoped
to God he wasn't second guessing me or anything I'd
been saying. I was certain there would be something inside
that would ultimately prove everything that had been going on
was directly connected to the calendar. This doesn't make sense,
I said, turning to Anika. Next, I don't get it.
(23:02):
There's been something in there every day since last Monday,
and now when I bring someone else here to see
to prove to them this thing is mad, it chokes.
I faced the advent calendar. Nothing, I shouted at it.
Are you kidding me? Are you wait? Annika shouted, halting
in my outburst of frustration, I stopped. She crept closer,
(23:24):
eyeing something on the calendar. It was something small, something
I hadn't seen. What is it, dear, Russell inquired, continuing
to keep a safe distance. Anika stopped by my side
and pointed to the inside of door number ten. What's that?
I leaned closer. On the inside of the door, opposite
(23:44):
from where the number ten was stamped. It was a
single word, yes, Yes. I read the word out loud.
I looked back at Anika and then to Russell. Neither
had anything to add. Annaka leaned close, Sir, but Russell
remained where he was, refusing to come closer. What do
you think yes would mean? I asked Russell. He slowly
(24:09):
shook his head. I'm sure. Just then, Annaka ignited a
flashlight on her phone and aimed it into the shadowy
tenth nook. There's more, she stuttered. I looked. With the
help of her light, I could see more inside of
the nook against a couple of its small walls. There
were more letters and numbers, but nothing that made up
a word like the yes. On the inside of the door,
(24:31):
I could make out what looked to be the number
twenty three and the letters l M twenty three and LM.
I repeated back to Russell, what could those mean? Codes
initials Logan and Mason. Anika trembled L and M. My
(24:51):
stomach twisted again, and a wave of nausea surged in
the back of my throat. That was true if Anika
assumed correctly. That was twice. Now that Logan and Mason
were threatened by the calendar, Russell finally stepped closer. Whether
it was curiosity or a hunt he had but didn't
say out loud, I wasn't sure, but something sparked him
(25:13):
to finally approach the object. He leaned down to look
at the markings as Anika stood off to the side
and continued to hold the light still. As Russell studied
the cryptic interior, we all heard a sickening sound, one
that resembled a loud, gurgling stomach or a backed up
drain about to explode. Sensing something was coming, Russell began
to step away again, but he wasn't fast enough. Without
(25:35):
any further warning or real world logic, A sudden, violent
expulsion of what I could only assume was blood, irrupted
from the nook. Annika screamed, and I jumped out of
the way. The blood splattered all over Russell, covering his
face and clothing from head to toe. He coughed and choked,
stumbled backwards, and fell to the floor. The bloody discharge
waned and then stopped, leaving us all in shock and alarm.
(25:59):
Russell stood up and spit some of the blood out
of his mouth. I can't help you, he gagged, revolted
in ill. I'm sorry. Russell turned and ran out of
our house, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in his wake.
Annika and I just looked at each other. Neither of
us had words for what had just happened. Thanks for listening.
(26:22):
If you like what you're hearing, please share it with
someone you know who loves scary stories at Christmas time.
If you like to read the full novel for yourself
in print, it's available in paperback, hardback and kindle versions
at weird Darkness dot com slash Advent of Evil. That's
also where you can go to hear each of the
twenty four chapters as they're posted I'm Darren Marler. Thanks
(26:44):
for celebrating Advent with me in the weird darkness.
The advent calendar arrived nine days ago. No sender, no explanation,
just twenty four numbered doors and a carved face with
empty eyes that seemed to know exactly who Matthew Kleine
used to be. Since then, Marshport has become a graveyard.
Three people are dead, a teenage boy has been twisted
(00:22):
into a puppet for murder, a phantom child wrapped in
ash and embers stalks the shadows demanding obedience. And Matthew Kleine,
the man who ran while his family burned thirty years ago,
has been branded with a wound that will not let
him forget. He tried to destroy the calendar, the ocean
spat it back. He refused to open a door. His
(00:44):
youngest son woke screaming, wrapped in the coils of a
python that should not exist. Now, a mysterious footed figure
haunts the edges of Matthew's world. A bearded man who
appears at funerals and vanishes into crowds. Someone who knows
the rules of this game, perhaps even someone who wrote them.
(01:04):
Pastor Russell Hart has offered to help, but has made
a caveat don't open the next door until he's in
the room with the calendar to see it for himself.
(01:51):
Welcome Weirdos. I'm Darren Marler, and this is Weird Darkness's
Advent of Evil, a holiday horror novel written by Scott
Donnelly based on a concept from Dark and Marler. Twenty
four Doors, twenty four days, twenty four secrets waiting in
the darkness, just like an advent calendar counting down the Christmas.
(02:11):
We'll unlock one chapter each day, but what we find
behind these doors may not be the gift you're expecting.
You can find all available chapters, as well as the
print version in paperback, hardback, or kindle at Weird Darkness
dot com slash Advent of Evil. The calendar is waiting.
Let's see what awaits us behind today's door. Wednesday, December tenth,
(02:44):
there were donuts in the break room when I arrived
at work. I was still a little groggy from the
previous night and opted not to take a nap throughout
the day, so I knew I was going to need
as much energy as I could get, and if that
energy had to come in the form of an excessive
intake of sugary snacks and caffeine laden coffee, then so
be it. I wrapped two donuts in a napkin, a
(03:05):
glazed one and a cruller, and then poured myself a
hot cup of coffee. Sure it was stale and not
even close to being on par with the Joe Ingo
or even the breakfast bistro, but it did have caffeine,
and I was able to put as much sugar into
it as I needed. I walked through the precinct, taking
a bite out of one of the donuts, and heard
my name called from across the bullpen. I stopped and
(03:28):
saw Lieutenant Sears half hanging out of his office. He
waved his arm to grab my attention. I put my
arm up to let him know I'd heard him, and
then proceeded to make my way through the uneven clutter
of desks and workspaces to his office. I knew I
was in some sort of trouble. Seers didn't usually need
to talk with anybody one on one unless there was
some kind of internal issue or concern, and the one
(03:51):
that kept creeping back into the forefront of my mind
was my weak attempt at an unauthorized interrogation of Mike
Campbell at the Bowling Alley. The best I could hope
for was that our friendship was intact and it would
be nothing more than a slap on the wrist and
then be on your way. When I walked into sears office,
I immediately realized it wasn't one of his one on
(04:12):
one talks like he said it would be. Detective Warren
Davenport was also in there, seated against the wall. Sears
was lowering himself onto his chair behind his desk when
I walked in. Please back close the door behind you,
he asked. I did as he said and took a
seat in front of his desk. I shot a curious
glance over at Davenport. It was just out of my
(04:34):
view as I faced the lieutenant. What's going on? I asked.
I thought it was just going to be you and I.
It was, Sears said, pulling a stack of papers in
front of him. That was until Detective Davenport's investigation overlapped
with what I wanted to discuss with you and sort
of batted the hornet's nest. I remained quiet. I sat
(04:56):
my doughnuts down on the desk, but kept the coffee
in my hands. I wanted to see you because of
Mike Campbell. You're familiar with him, right, I nodded, yes, sir,
I stopped him for jaywalking a week ago. Any other
run ins with him? Since Sears asked, I could tell
he already knew the answer to that question, so there
was no use in trying to fudge my way around it. Yes,
(05:20):
I said, shame and regret beginning to sweep through me.
I went to his place of employment on Monday to
ask him a couple of questions, questions regarding what exactly
Sears pressured while keeping a calm, professional demeanor. I didn't
want to say anything. If I even began to get
into the insane problems I was having, they would throw
(05:42):
me in a nuthouse or relieve me from my job,
and I couldn't let that happen. I chose to remain
silent and lowered my head, like a child being scolded
for doing something wrong. I heard Davenport shift in his seat,
which made me look over at him. He was now
leaning forward and staring daggers into me. Did you ask
him about rendw En, Davenport questioned me. I continued to
(06:05):
look at him. Matt Campbell claims, you came to him
start asking questions about if he knew wren Or was
in the area of the town center the evening Bridjha
Kau died. Davenport continued, is that something you know that
we don't, mister Klein. I faced Sears again. He was
usually on my side, a friend as well as a superior,
But when I saw the way he was looking at me,
(06:25):
I could tell this wasn't a friendly circumstance we found
ourselves in. Rendwin's death wasn't made public at the time
you questioned Mike about it, Sears said, it's still under investigation,
and what you were doing could be considered impeding our
analysis of a potential crime. I never mentioned that he
was dead, I responded, This isn't just about you tiptoeing
(06:46):
around an open death investigation with a civilian, Matt Cerus said,
looking over at Davenport to shed more light on the concern.
Detective Davenport stood up and paced around the small office,
mostly behind me and out of sight. He reminded me
of when he pulled his car behind mine in the
New End driveway. Again, I felt trapped, but maybe that
(07:07):
was his whole thing, his way of intimidation and pressure.
You were friends with Bridget and she died. Rn lived
very close to you, and he died while off duty.
You're the one who stumbled across Gwen Martin's dead body,
Davenport exclaimed, not to mention, your best friend's son is
the one who attacked you and Carl Martin. I heard
Davenport's pacing come to stop. Are you seeing a through
(07:28):
line here, mister Klein, Because I am it's you. You
seem to have connection of some sort of all the
things going on here in marsh Port over the last
ten days. Wone can't help but wonder why I stood
up and faced the detective. Are you accusing me of something?
Davenport didn't verbally respond, He only grinned arrogantly at me.
(07:50):
I heard Sears stand up behind me. Look, Matt Bridget
has been a friend of yours for a long time.
Sears said, I could see where her death would have
upset you and maybe set your mind spinning a little bit,
maybe even acting out in ways that aren't typical for you.
You're a great cop, a great friend, and a great
father and husband. But with everything that's been going on
(08:10):
here lately, I can see a change in you. The
job gets to everyone eventually. What are you saying, I
asked the lieutenant. He hesitated, but then continued with what
he had planned the entire time. I'm going to place
you on a week of paid mental health leave. I
was shocked. I stared at Sears, upset and disappointed with
(08:33):
this decision. I didn't need mental health leave. I needed
to keep working to get to the bottom of everything
that's been going on. Leave your gun and badge here
and you can pick them up when you come back
next Wednesday. He added. I felt like I was in
a dream. I pulled my weapon from its holster and
sat it on his desk, as well as my badge.
I glared at Davenport. This was all his fault, connecting
(08:55):
the wrong dots. I snatched my donuts from the desk
and the office without saying another word. A Lane bedded
home with Anika snuggled up beside me. The mid morning
sun was beaming through the bedroom window, keeping my eyes
wide open and my mind racing. I was upset with
Lieutenant sears decision to send me home on a week
(09:17):
long mental health leave, but I was even more disturbed
by the fact that Detective Davenport would have insinuated I
had anything at all to do with the three deaths
that had taken place. It wasn't stupid, of course, there
was a connection between them all. It was the advent calendar.
But if I had said that, it wouldn't just be
(09:37):
mental healthly. If I'd be on, I'd be under constant watch,
drugged up and locked in a padded room with people
watching me through a two way mirror. The boys are
back at school today. Mason was feeling much better this morning,
Annika said, trying to bring me out of my silent fluster.
I turned my head toward her. That's great, I said,
(09:58):
I'm hoping that whole thing isn't going to kick start
a lifelong fear of snakes for him. Annaka didn't say
anything at first, but then the words that came out
of her mouth were inevitable. Matt, what's going on? She asked,
and I didn't blame her for asking again. Every time
she did, I'd find a way around having to answer her.
Whether it was the fear of her not believing me
(10:20):
or the fear of her actually believing me and bringing
this nightmare down on all of us, I wasn't sure,
but Pastor Heart was right. I needed to come clean.
With the people closest to me. I needed to tell
Anika everything. My parents and my brother died in a
house fire when I was ten. I finally confessed. Annika
(10:40):
sat straight up in bed what I just looked at
her and gave my shocking opener a minute to sink in.
I've met your parents, she said, and a brother. I
shook my head. Those were my foster parents, declines. Originally
I was a Norris. My parents were Cardi and Greta,
(11:00):
and my brother was Stephen. When I was ten, my
brother and I were using a spirit board on Christmas
Eve to talk to my dad uncle, who turned out
to be the demon of Bayville serial killer. The spirit
board worked and something came out of it. That night.
As the words came out of my mouth, I could
already feel a sense of relief coming over me. With
(11:21):
everything I was describing, I could picture it again, as
if it were really happening. I could see my brother
sitting across the table from me, and I could hear
the soft, wholesome Christmas music in the other room where
my parents were. I heard Stephen call upon Uncle David,
and then it happened. Something exploded from the spirit board
startling the both of us. I still couldn't make it out.
(11:44):
It was a blurry, indescribable entity. As Stephen and I
pushed away from the table, the candles fell, things grew
bright hot. I ran, and the roar of the fire
behind me swallowed my family's screams whole. I took a
deep breath and was back in the present, with Anika
sitting at my side in bed. I knew she could
(12:04):
see the trauma in my eyes, in my expression, and
hear it in my words. The advent calendar, I continued
the first day that little house was an exact replica
of the one I grew up in, the one that
burned down and killed my family. Every day since, whatever
comes out of the calendar is either a grim reminder
(12:25):
of my past, a threat of something tragic about to happen,
or a warning for me to continue to play about
the rules. When I saw Logan and Mason's picture come
out of it the other day, I got scared. I
threw the calendar into the sea. Then, because that was
against the rules, I paid the price. Rednuen died drowning
(12:46):
somehow in the same spot it goes rest where I
tossed the calendar and well. I lifted my pant leg
and showed Anika the burned fingerprints on my calf. Her
eyes widened. She released a gasp that she muted with
a hand over her mouth. It was like someone with
a fiery grip squeezed my leg as hard as they
(13:07):
could to punish me. Annaka was at a loss for words.
She examined my calf closely, disgusted by the charred appearance
of my skin, and then looked me in the eyes. Why,
she asked in a haunting whisper. Why is all of
this happening? I sighed, unsure of the dark motives behind
(13:28):
the events, but I had a theory. When my house
got on fire, I ran to save myself. I left
Stephen and my parents behind. Now I've been seeing a
small shadowy child around the house around Marshport. It's Stephen.
He's the one that's been taunting me, burning me and
(13:49):
threatening me to play by the rules. I think he's
angry that I left him. Annaka shook her head. No,
she said that's impossible. If he died, he died, there's
no way he could come back. Annika, I said, I
didn't think any of this was possible, but it is.
It's happening. The deaths, the warnings, they aren't just coincidences.
(14:10):
Everything is connected and it all comes back to that
advent calendar. Annaka took a minute to let my words gestate.
Then she said, who sent it? I shrugged. Pastor Hart
thinks it's maybe someone who knows a lot about me,
a lot about my past, maybe even someone from my past.
(14:31):
What about your parents, I mean your foster parents, Annika asked.
I hadn't considered them as the ones who left it.
They still lived in New York and were on the
older side. I highly doubt it, I said, we haven't
seen them in a while, and I just don't see
them making the trip here to drop off some sort
of bizarre object. Plus, they stepped in and saved me
(14:51):
when I was little. They gave me a life, a
pathway to my future. They're heroes to me, not villains.
Even heroes can become villa. Annika dryly said, are you
accusing my little old foster parents of being villains? I asked,
with a hint of impishness. Annaka burst out laughing, realizing
that she was grasping at straws and had just accused
(15:12):
her in laws of trying to curse the son who
they chose to love very much. I'm sorry, she laughed.
I've just I'm just so glad you finally opened up
to me. I've been feeling alike for years, even keeping
all sorts of things in, and now I feel like
I'm finally fully a part of you. I'm sorry, I said,
(15:32):
It's something that I've struggled with for thirty years, trying
to keep at bay and pretend never even happened. But
this month, ever since that god forsaken calendar showed up
at our doorstep, things have completely spiraled out of control.
Annaka hugged me, tightly, wrapping me in her warm hearted adoration.
At least you'll have a week off work to deal
(15:53):
with things the way you need to, and you'll have
me here by your side. I am so happy I
have you, I said, thank you for understanding. I'm just
glad you finally told me, she said, hugging me tighter.
You know, it's funny, she added, Mason said something at
the er about you having a secret. I pulled away.
(16:15):
What do you mean? What did he say? Well, you
know how he's been lately claiming everyone is against him,
blaming Logan for killing his bear, accusing everyone of lying.
You in particular, he said you lie to him all
the time and have a secret. He also said you
were the reason for the snakes. Why would he say that?
Annaka shrugged? He was in distress, he was attacked by
(16:37):
a deadly animal. I didn't take a lot of what
he said at face value. It's just kind of funny
that he predicted you had a secret. Though. I felt
my stomach drop as I started to wonder about something
I hadn't considered before. Simon claimed that Stephen alluded to
me having a secret. Had Mason also been communicating with Stephen? Did?
(16:59):
Did Mason say why you thought I had a secret?
Or why he thought I was lying about something? No?
She said, like I said, he was in distress, Matt,
I'm sure he wasn't thinking straight. I needed to talk
to Mason in private, one on one conversation, Lieutenant Sears style.
I wanted to know where his sudden distrust of me
(17:20):
came from. Had he seen Stephen? Was Stephen talking to
him as well? And if so? How many other people
had Steven been talking to in Marshport? How many other
people were going to start looking at me strangely and
accusing me of hiding things and keeping secrets. My phone buzzed.
It was a text from Pastor Hart. Are we still
on for today? It said? Annaka leaned over and saw it.
(17:43):
What's going on today? She asked, regarding the text. Pastor
Hart's coming over this afternoon. I confided in him a
little bit yesterday at Bridget's wake, and he said he
wanted to stop and see the Advent calendar for himself.
Oh okay, Annika said, You don't think her words trailed off?
What I mean? You don't think something is wrong with
(18:06):
the Advent calendar in that way? Do you in a
religious or demonic way? I'm not sure of anything, I said,
But Pastor Hart believes there could be negative energy surrounding
this calendar and wants to see it for himself. He
didn't seem overly concerned, but mostly just curious, I guess.
(18:27):
Anaka nodded, choosing to remain silent with her own continued
dark thoughts on what the calendar represented. Paster Russell Hart
was right on time, showing up at one p thirty pm.
Annika made lunch, soup and sandwiches. And we sat at
the kitchen table to eat. We discussed everything in detail further,
(18:49):
now that Anika was in the know. I told them
both about the hooded figure I'd been seeing around Marshport
and how I didn't know who it was or what
their significance was to any of the events, but that
he had been tied to two different crime scenes related
to the Advent Calendar's warnings. I also explained to Russell
that I'd seen him at the Tide's End funeral home
and thought that maybe he had a large, bushy gray beard.
(19:13):
Once lunch was over and everything was out in the open,
I escorted Russell to the living room. Annika lingered in
the archway as I led the pastor directly to the
Advent Calendar. It was standing up on a small table
to the right of the fireplace. I stepped out of
the way and let him see it for himself. I
noticed Russell stopped a good four or five feet away
from the calendar at first, and just studied its appearance.
(19:37):
He seemed to have a full body shiver ripple through
him as he stood there. He breathed deeply, and then
anxiously swayed back and forth a nervous chortle escaped him.
There's definitely negative energy in this room, Russell said, I
didn't notice in the kitchen, but here it's overwhelming. What
does that mean? Annika asked, concerned. Russell didn't respond to her. Instead,
(20:02):
he focused his attention on the calendar and took a
couple of cautious steps towards it. The way he approached
it reminded me of how I was trained to clear
a room in a house, careful of each step we took,
but keeping our attention on any possible danger. When he
was close enough, he stopped. He looked it up and down,
studying the way it was constructed, and admiring the detailed
(20:23):
engravings of Garland along the two sides and top. He
then surveyed the center of the object, the engraving of
the bearded man with featureless, empty eyes. I thought it
was Santa at first, I said. Russell shook his head.
He is not. He glanced back at me. He does
have a beard, though, just like your mysterious hooded lurker.
(20:46):
I felt my face contort in my skin flush. Was
he insinuating the engraving was connected to the hooded man
I'd been seeing possibly even one and the same. Do
you think the hooded man could have made this? Could
he engrave with an image of himself in the center
like a signature? Annika added in a whisper. Russell skeptically
(21:07):
shook his head while keeping his concentration on the calendar.
I don't know, he said, and things possible. Russell then
turned his attention to the open. Doors. One through nine
were open. Ten, at his own request, was still closed.
May I, he asked, reaching for the small black handle
on door number ten. I encouraged him to try, but
(21:30):
it already informed him that it would only let me
open it. Russell placed his thumb and index finger on
either side of the handle, and I noticed another chill
undulate beneath his skin. He tried to pull it, but
nothing happened. It appeared stuck, just as it had when
Anika and the boys tried. Russell stepped away open it
to Matthew, he said, with a nervous twinge in his voice.
(21:54):
I approached the calendar and pinched the handle, noticing out
of the corner of my eye that Russell had taken
in a few more steps back with ease, I pulled
door number ten open and took a step back myself.
I leaned forward and looked into the dark nook behind
the door. Even though the inside was infused by shadows,
it didn't appear to shelter anything. There wasn't a trinket,
(22:18):
a photo, nothing. I reached in with my fingers and
felt around, and just as I suspected, it was completely empty.
I staffed my head back at Russell. There's nothing in there,
I said, confused and fearful for what that meant. Annika
stirred uncomfortably in the archway of the room, and Russell's
entire body seemed to go from stiff to tents to
(22:40):
relaxed in under a second. Nothing, he repeated. I'd hoped
to God he wasn't second guessing me or anything I'd
been saying. I was certain there would be something inside
that would ultimately prove everything that had been going on
was directly connected to the calendar. This doesn't make sense,
I said, turning to Anika. Next, I don't get it.
(23:02):
There's been something in there every day since last Monday,
and now when I bring someone else here to see
to prove to them this thing is mad, it chokes.
I faced the advent calendar. Nothing, I shouted at it.
Are you kidding me? Are you wait? Annika shouted, halting
in my outburst of frustration, I stopped. She crept closer,
(23:24):
eyeing something on the calendar. It was something small, something
I hadn't seen. What is it, dear, Russell inquired, continuing
to keep a safe distance. Anika stopped by my side
and pointed to the inside of door number ten. What's that?
I leaned closer. On the inside of the door, opposite
(23:44):
from where the number ten was stamped. It was a
single word, yes, Yes. I read the word out loud.
I looked back at Anika and then to Russell. Neither
had anything to add. Annaka leaned close, Sir, but Russell
remained where he was, refusing to come closer. What do
you think yes would mean? I asked Russell. He slowly
(24:09):
shook his head. I'm sure. Just then, Annaka ignited a
flashlight on her phone and aimed it into the shadowy
tenth nook. There's more, she stuttered. I looked. With the
help of her light, I could see more inside of
the nook against a couple of its small walls. There
were more letters and numbers, but nothing that made up
a word like the yes. On the inside of the door,
(24:31):
I could make out what looked to be the number
twenty three and the letters l M twenty three and LM.
I repeated back to Russell, what could those mean? Codes
initials Logan and Mason. Anika trembled L and M. My
(24:51):
stomach twisted again, and a wave of nausea surged in
the back of my throat. That was true if Anika
assumed correctly. That was twice. Now that Logan and Mason
were threatened by the calendar, Russell finally stepped closer. Whether
it was curiosity or a hunt he had but didn't
say out loud, I wasn't sure, but something sparked him
(25:13):
to finally approach the object. He leaned down to look
at the markings as Anika stood off to the side
and continued to hold the light still. As Russell studied
the cryptic interior, we all heard a sickening sound, one
that resembled a loud, gurgling stomach or a backed up
drain about to explode. Sensing something was coming, Russell began
to step away again, but he wasn't fast enough. Without
(25:35):
any further warning or real world logic, A sudden, violent
expulsion of what I could only assume was blood, irrupted
from the nook. Annika screamed, and I jumped out of
the way. The blood splattered all over Russell, covering his
face and clothing from head to toe. He coughed and choked,
stumbled backwards, and fell to the floor. The bloody discharge
waned and then stopped, leaving us all in shock and alarm.
(25:59):
Russell stood up and spit some of the blood out
of his mouth. I can't help you, he gagged, revolted
in ill. I'm sorry. Russell turned and ran out of
our house, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in his wake.
Annika and I just looked at each other. Neither of
us had words for what had just happened. Thanks for listening.
(26:22):
If you like what you're hearing, please share it with
someone you know who loves scary stories at Christmas time.
If you like to read the full novel for yourself
in print, it's available in paperback, hardback and kindle versions
at weird Darkness dot com slash Advent of Evil. That's
also where you can go to hear each of the
twenty four chapters as they're posted I'm Darren Marler. Thanks
(26:44):
for celebrating Advent with me in the weird darkness.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.