Read The First Chapter From Instincts Point Hope!

Seeing as the second installment of The Horde Trilogy released last week, now the shift has turned toward the next release from Dark Titan Publishing. The crime-thriller/psychological-thriller novella, Instincts Point Hope. Below you will find the first chapter of the upcoming book.

1

Two months after the case of the Pleasure Man was solved, Brant Harper continued his work into other cases which many of his colleagues deemed peculiar to solve. The town is aware of Harper’s contributions to them ever since he’s been out solving cases and finding more evidence toward unseen killers. The town deemed him a hero. Suggesting he settle on the common cases within the boundaries of Point Hope, Connecticut. Harper often ignored his colleagues regarding the choice of cases and always wanted the ones the others deemed out of the ordinary.

On a foggy day in Point Hope as it occasional is on a clear day, before entering the file office, Detective Smith approached Harper with caution. His hands up near his shoulders with a smirk across his face. Harper stared with a shrug.

“Finally found you.” Smith said with a smile. “Others said you would be heading into that room. Even though you’re not supposed to go in there.”

“What did the Chief tell you to say to me?” Brant questioned. “Did he tell you to watch me if I go ahead and enter the room?”

“Nothing. Other than to stay out of those case files. You know he said they’re off limits.”

“Off limits? Then, if that was true, the Pleasure Man would not exist and he wouldn’t have murdered those people.”

“I know you’re doing this for the good of the town. Between you and I, this place is already filled with a negative energy. Unlike New Haven, this town is where nightmares are real.”

“Nightmares.” Brant said with an exhale. “Every place has its round of murderers. It’s commonplace.”

“I’m not talking about average serial killers or drug lords. There’s something different here. Some otherworldly.”

“You’re thinking of becoming a paranormal investigator or something?”

“No. I know when something’s off. As do you.”

Harper collected Smith’s words before placing his hand on the doorknob. Smith sighed. Harper stood and waited to see what Smith’s next motive would be. Would he attempt to stop him from entering the room? Would he let him pass and enter? Or? Would he tell the Chief of Harper’s disobedience to the rules? Harper waited and Smith gave him a nod before taking three steps back.

“Good choice.” Harper replied.

Searching through the case files, Harper paused on one in particular. Titled, “The Head-Collector”, Harper grabbed the file and left he office to see Smith standing at the exit, somewhat waiting for him.

“Did you tell the Chief?”

“No. figured you know what you’re doing. No reason for me to report this to the Chief.”

Harper smirked with relief as he held the file. Smith’s eyes turned toward it as Harper waved it. In one glance, Smith caught the tab of the file and read the title. Smith’s head went back as he laughed.

“You’re not seriously taking on that one are you?”

“It’ll be no different than the Pleasure Man.”

“I think it will be. Haven’t you heard of this Head-Collector?”

“Figure I will once I read what’s in this file.”

“One thing from me. He’s not like the Pleasure Man or any of the average thugs we encountered out in the field. This guy, he’s something else.”

“He’s just a man and this is just a case. Waiting on someone with bravery to solve it.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“I am.” Brant said with confidence.

Brant went and double-checked to see if there were any more files pertaining to the Head-Collector’s murders. His purpose for searching is known amongst the officers as there have been multiple files found on certain suspects. As if someone wanted them scattered throughout the office building. Seeing as there weren’t any other files on the Head-Collector, Brant left the station to head home.

Once he was home, Harper opened the folder and read everything there was on the Head-Collector. A mysterious individual. A serial killer who decapitates his victims and keeps their heads as his trophies. The history of the Head-Collector intrigued Harper. So much so to the point of uncovering the killings in decades past. Point Hope had always been the residing place for the Head-Collector and somehow he was never caught by the authorities. The same was said of the Pleasure Man, yet, Brant had proved him wrong upon his discovery.

“Alright. Now where do I begin.”

Within the file were case photos from the crime scenes. Photos of evidence of potential weapons used in the killings. Photos of the victims. All decapitated and left on the ground either outside or within a building. The records within the file had detailed a number of officers have tried to stop the Head-Collector. However, through some strange mystery they never succeeded. It was as if the Head-Collector would appear at will and vanish without a trace. Such is the known around Point Hope, Connecticut.

Brant had often heard the stories from the older locals of the town. Rumors of paranormal occurrences to vanishing suspects. As if they were to disappear without a trace and could never be found in other cities or towns outside of Point Hope. Point Hope was like a vacuum to them or a black hole, whichever the locals prefer. Harper never delved into the stories of the locals as deep as the other officers. He was always focused on the cases. Completing the task and going into the next case. Every so often would he hear the tales spoken by his colleagues of strange activities happening across the town. Some even suggested the crimes in New Haven were more tolerable than the strangeness hovering over Point Hope.

“I’ll never get over the stories of this town. The people here, they truly believe there’s something otherworldly here. As if it dwells under the concrete streets and the green fields. Maybe they’re right. Maybe not. However, it is none of my concern. Only this case is.”

Still sitting at the desk for several hours, studying every photo and document on the Head-Collector, Brant paused on one of the pages. Discovering an address. The details under the address stated the location was the home of the Head-Collector. Rumored to have been abandoned over ten years ago. Harper nodded and stamped the address, keeping a record of it. Brant collected the pages and photos and closed the folder. Leaning back in his chair and exhaling with relief as the touch of tiredness encompassed him.

“Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’ll head out to the home of this Head-Collector.”

Instincts Point Hope releases on June 10, 2022 in paperback and eBook.