
by J. R. Rey
Monsters are real. They’ve always been here, hiding in plain sight. Sam had no idea... until something ancient and hungry stepped out of the woods and tore his life apart. Now he’s not just running from the darkness... he is the darkness. Twisted into a creature he doesn’t understand, driven by a brutal urge that he can’t control, Sam must choose: protect the ones he loves, or embrace the monster inside. In a new city, Sam is hunted on all sides by those who slay things like him without mercy... Hunters. Sam hides among them, searching for answers as he helps them track something hiding right under their noses... Sam himself. But as he gets closer to their secrets and their daughter Autumn, his own secrets risk coming out.What will happen when his curse attracts even greater threats that slumber beneath the city, from a dark, hidden place that might destroy them all? What will happen when Sam stops holding back and lets... IT... out? Will he discover what he has truly become? When he was still human, he thought monsters were myths and legends. Now... he has to study those old legends to try and figure out what exactly is hiding behind his eyes. His fears begin to swell, overtaking his fabricated life as he slowly realizes something. The thing he's carrying inside of him is maybe something far older, and exponentially more dangerous than any of them is prepared to face.This is a story to try and address the question we have all asked ourselves after watching that one movie, or finishing that great book. What would "we" actually do if we were turned into something? If we had the power and anonymity to move in the dark like a supernatural creature, how would that play out with an average person and their family? -Slow-burn progression -Deeper emotional story -Hard choices to be made -Makes mistakes -Re-releasing this story. You will start to see differences sporadically if you read and remember the first version that I had on RR. Book 2 is when the real changes will start. Hope you enjoy. Comment / Rate / Review if you like it... or if you don't, too. - Releasing as often as possible. Check daily.
#15
7/25/2026
Peak #44
1d
#14
7/20/2026
Peak #49
0d
#13
4/1/2026
Peak #50
0d
#12
3/31/2026
Peak #48
0d
#11
3/26/2026
Peak #40
3d
One state-enhanced oracle order, filtered by each list. Observed Royal Road ranks remain separate ground truth.
Rank updated 11 Oct 2026, 03:38 UTC
Entry forecast updated 11 Oct 2026, 03:38 UTC
Ranking model: rs-public-oracle-state-v1
Forecast model: rs-model-entry-v1
Chart history contains only this ranking model's runs; legacy points are not spliced in.
Previously appeared on Rising Stars, but no supported current projection is available.
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