The Suburban Book of Dreams: Monster Slayers, #2

By Jamie Sands

Some nightmares are more than just dreams

Kids are disappearing from Rain's hometown.

First it's strangers, then it's someone a lot closer to home. Rain's best friend Jacky is distraught and wants to help. But to help, she'll need to know the truth about Rain's side hustle hunting ghosts with her boyfriend Jake.

Coming clean is one thing, but Rain has been having strange and disturbing dreams, and they might be indicating that she's the next target - or possibly the source of the disappearances?

Either way, something hinky is going on.

Rain's done with hiding things from her family, but that doesn't mean that the supernatural world doesn't have more surprises for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: jamie sands
• Release date: Jun 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781738596799

Jamie Sands

Jamie grew up in Wellington, New Zealand, and was a library devotee and constant reader of fiction from an early age. Their fiction covers many genre including Romantic Comedy, Horror, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy and Cosy Mysteries. They’ve had stories published in Baby Teeth horror anthology, Enamel literary magazine and self published a number of roleplaying games. They live in Auckland, New Zealand, with their fiance and a round cat called Mochi. Jamie’s visited Japan twice (another trip is always planned) and would like to move into Tokyo Disneyland. Find Jamie online at their website which includes links to their facebook author page, twitter, newsletter and roleplaying games they've written. ***  If you've noticed any grammatical errors, typos or plot holes, please get in touch, I'd love to correct these and it's relatively easy in digital formats.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rain

Rain’s back slammed against the wall. She clutched the handle of her axe with both hands, winded, the force of her grip turning her knuckles white. She gritted her teeth, pushed off from the wall and swung the axe at her nearest target — a small doll made of soft felt.

The impact separated the head from the doll’s body.

But the body kept moving, stumbling towards her.

The second doll, a large floppy clown doll with the curled red wool hair had dodged back as soon as she’d swung, but she knew she had to keep alert or it’d slam its long white cotton limbs into her again.

She spared a quick glance to the right to check on Jake. He was crouched on the floor, chanting the words to a spell. Hopefully it would work.

The doll she had decapitated moved towards her foot, the headless body walking on its tiny felt feet, arms outstretched.

Rain wasn’t sure exactly what it was going to do to her, it was only about twenty centimetres tall, but she didn’t want to find out.

She flicked her foot out and sent the doll flying.

The clown doll took advantage of her momentary distraction and wrapped its long arms around her. This thing was made of cloth and stuffing and it shouldn’t have been this strong. It wore a jaunty pink and green clown outfit, and was almost as tall as Rain . It clamped her arms to her sides, restraining her.

Jake! Rain grated out, squirming to try and break the clown’s hold.

The other dolls, maybe twenty-five of them, advanced faster now, most of them targeting Rain, but a handful heading Jake’s way.

He looked up and swore. Raising his hand, he said something in Japanese and threw a handful of powdered herbs onto the spell sigils he’d drawn on the floor.

The clown’s arms squeezed painfully over Rain’s chest, constricting her breath. She kicked backwards but only hit air. The clown moved at the same time, and off-centred from the kick, they both went crashing down.

Rain tossed her axe aside so she didn’t land on the blade, and used her foot as leverage to roll on top of the clown doll. She kicked and squirmed, breaking the thing’s hold on her, and retrieved her axe.

She heard Jake’s voice as she started swinging her axe again. The clown doll was coming for her again, its button eyes stretching and its red felt mouth yawning open, recealing teeth and fire where there should be only cotton and stuffing.

Rain swung the axe through its middle at the same moment Jake clapped his hands twice. The sound of a ringing bell followed. All the dolls froze and then flopped to the floor, totally inert.

Rain didn’t move her feet but turned her head to check that all the dolls were cloth again. None of them moved. She tried to catch her breath, but adrenaline was still running high.

Nice work, those things were persistent. Jake stood up and rubbed his hand through his hair. It was getting long, shaggy really, but Rain liked the way it looked on him.

You too. The sound of Jake’s voice sounding all normal and relaxed triggered something in her brain to relax. She let the axe drop to her side and straightened from her fighting posture to something more relaxed. That spell took a while, though, huh?

I guess. Jake frowned and approached her. Are you hurt?

No, I think it's only bruises. Rain ran her hand up her side and winced, finding a tender spot. Yep, that clown packed a punch.

I really hate dolls. Jake shuddered. He reached over to touch her arm.

Rain flinched. Ow, bruises there too.

He rubbed her arm gently. Sorry, I wanted to check if you're, you know, still there.

She looked up into his face. Her heart melted like they’d only just met all over again.

I’m still here. She leaned in, going onto her toes to kiss him. Reassuring the both of them that they’d survived another ghost hunt and were both still alive.

Jake pressed his lips against hers and prolonged the kiss. She melted against his chest, put her non-axe arm around his neck and sighed happily. She’d almost be happy to stay there and kiss him all night if it weren’t for the dolls.

She pulled playfully at his hair. How can you hate dolls?

He smiled his lop-sided smile and shrugged. Look around you. What’s to like?

Not all dolls are haunted. Rain let go of him and looked around.

The house was an old Victorian. Jake had been contacted to handle the haunting. They were on the top floor in the master bedroom. The room had a huge wooden wardrobe in one corner, but other than that it was decorated in a modern way. The dolls were strewn over the room.

Rain was pleased the porcelain doll with the hard little hands hadn’t got close enough to her to do any damage. She picked it up and put it on the end of the bed.

Prove it, Jake said. Prove there are innocent dolls, I bet you can’t. They’re all freaking evil.

My Barbie dolls were nothing but plastic, Rain said, sniffing. Although I might put the rag doll Dad made me into a box after tonight. Remind me how this happened? You mentioned a ritual?

Jake gathered up his spell materials into the battered leather satchel, as he spoke.

So the kids, they’re like ten and twelve, they found this thing online. Apparently kids were passing the story around at school. Like an urban legend, or one of those meme dare challenges, I don’t know exactly. It’s called one man hide and seek.

One man hide and seek, Rain repeated. It sounded familiar. Like something Rachel might have talked about at a sleepover to scare Rain and Jacky, back in the old days, when Rachel was still alive.

She crouched and picked up her bag from where she’d left it at the side of the room, sliding the blade protector onto the head of the axe. If she turned her face to hide her sorrow from Jake it was probably a coincidence.

The idea is that you invite a ghost into a doll and then play hide and seek with it. Like, the ghost will possess the doll and make it move around. You’re meant to catch it and exorcise it at the end with salt and everything.

And I guess the first part worked in this case? Rain stashed her axe inside her bag and slung it over her shoulder. But not the second part.

That felt more demonic than ghostly. Jake frowned as Rain moved to the door.

She remembered the mouth of the clown doll.

Yeah, that thing had flames in it. Its mouth was all huge and weird and fiery. Like Hell?

The ritual I used was a general cleansing, designed to work on vengeful spirits, demons, anything that wishes the building or the people in it harm.

And it worked. She reached for his hand and tugged him out of the room. Come on, let’s get out of here before the dolls decide to get up again.

Jake followed her, squeezing her hand with his eerily cool one. See you agree, all dolls are all haunted and potentially evil.

Not all dolls. But definitely these dolls. I’d like some distance. When did you say the family’s coming back?

Tomorrow, assuming we were successful. I should give them a call. Jake pulled out his phone and made the call, assuring the frantic voice on the other end of the phone that yes, the ghosts were all gone now.

Rain didn’t pay too much attention to the conversation. This was their seventh such job in the two and a half months since Rachel’s ghost had passed on. The administration side of the job bored her. The calls, the reassurances. Although in this case it was funny hearing Jake’s side of the conversation. Rain couldn’t make out the voice on the other end, but Jake’s side told the whole story.

Yes, some things on the internet are real spells. He paused and licked his lips. Uh huh, you should probably monitor what your kids are getting into.

Rain smothered a giggle.

Jake raised his eyebrows. Yeah, urban legends are more real than you think. But it’s all sorted now. If you could just put the money through tonight? Great, thanks so much.

He hung up and pocketed his phone, rolling his eyes some. Money should be cleared through in the morning.

They headed out the front door, locking up behind them.

Jake climbed onto his motorbike and Rain checked her backpack was secure before hopping on and wrapping her arms around him. If it hadn’t been for their helmets she would’ve buried her face in his neck. She made do with holding him as tight as possible.

He drove her home. Rain climbed off the bike, sighing a little at the return to normality. She took off her helmet and Jake removed his to lean in and kiss her goodnight. It was a delicious kiss, smoky from the ritual. It warmed her after the wind of the bike ride.

I wish you could stay over, she murmured against his lips.

Jake smirked. I don’t think your mum and dad would approve… He glanced towards the house where the outside light had been left on for Rain.

Whatever, my parents love you. Rain kissed the corner of his mouth where his skin was downy and soft. But I do have school in the morning, so.

Sleep well. He pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her forehead.

She squeezed him back and then pulled away to head inside.

Her mother was waiting up in the kitchen. She smiled and stood to give Rain a hug as she walked in.

Hey mum. She returned the hug. Ellen, Rain’s mother, was a serious woman who worried about Rain but had accepted — as much as she was able to — that she needed to go out and fight monsters. Rain had only just managed to convince her family that monsters were real. But it helped that they’d met and trusted Jake. He was very responsible and sensible while also rocking a total bad boy aesthetic.

Are you hungry? There’s muffins if you want a snack, Ellen said.

I’d love a muffin, thanks mum. Ellen busied herself heating it up and Rain leaned against the bench, watching her. How’s Saff’s packing going?

Slow, Ellen sighed. She’s onto books, and she keeps stopping to hold each one and decide if it sparks joy.

Rain laughed. She’s watched that Marie Kondo show too many times. She should know what sparks joy and what doesn’t by now.

I told her she won’t have that much room in the new apartment, but she’s determined to check every single book. Ellen handed Rain two steaming hot banana-bran-chocolate muffins. They smelled incredible.

Thanks Mum.

How’s Jake? Ellen asked.

Just hearing his name made Rain feel like she was glowing. It was utterly disgusting how in love with him she was. It’d started as a crush but the more she got to know him, the more she wanted to be with him all the time.

Ellen nudged Rain in the arm.

He’s really good, the online ads seem to be working really well. This was a family where the kids had summoned something weird. She paused and looked at her mother critically. Do you want the details?

Will it give me nightmares? Ellen asked. She held up her hand. Bearing in mind I already have nightmares about you going out to fight ghosts.

I won’t give you the details then, Rain said. Jake is good. We made him some money for rent and he’s getting good reviews and everything.

Good. Ellen yawned and leaned against Rain’s shoulder for a moment. Well, I’m going to bed, got an early start tomorrow.

Thanks for the muffins. Rain kissed her mother on the cheek, making quick work of the muffins and putting the plate into the dishwasher before taking her bag upstairs to have a shower and go to bed.

Chapter 2

Rain

Rain sat in the backyard in the late summer sunshine, the long, green grass was soft under her legs and hands. She hummed a song she’d learned in school, Pokarekare Ana, making daisy chains, without a care in the world. She could smell moss and leaves, soil, scents of comforting familiarity.

She stretched her toes into the grass and looked up at the sun, streaming down through the leaves of the best climbing tree in the yard. The wind moved the branches, dappling the light onto Rain’s face.

Soon, her father would come out and set up the barbeque and start cooking dinner — sausages and vegetable skewers. Her mother would bring out a big salad made of leafy greens and seeds with sliced hard boiled eggs in it.

She picked another daisy out of the lawn and positioned her thumb to slice the stem with when the green stalk split wide open. Rain sighed. Now the daisy was ruined. If the stalk split you couldn’t thread them together. Sticky tape or glue wouldn’t fix it. She dropped the ruined daisy on the grass and leaned over to pick another one.

Something changed.

A shadow fell over her. Goosebumps sprung up on her skin. The shadow was from something behind her. A presence.

Some instinct told her that whatever stood over her was a terrible thing. Something she didn’t want to see, didn’t want close to her. Her skin crawled, but she turned all the same.

She had to see what it was, although everything in her screamed not to.

Breathing hard, Rain turned her head.

She saw a tall, thin shape. Like a man but too tall, his limbs elongated, making him over eight feet. His head was bulbous, horribly pale. All colour and light seemed sucked out of the garden, and the grass under her legs felt prickly and rough.

It wasn’t a man. There were no details of a face, just some dips and peaks hinting at eyes sockets and a nose. No eyes. No mouth.

Fear seized Rain’s heart and squeezed her lungs. She opened her mouth to scream, pulling her legs up to her chest.

As she moved, the thing stretched even taller. More arms pushed out from the side of its body. The arms ended in long stretched fingers, gnarled and grey. All of its hands reached for her, grasping.

She wanted to run but she clutched her legs and froze in place. She could only watch as the horrible fingers got closer and closer.

She screamed. At least she could do that.

Rain screamed for her life.

She woke up, twisted in her bedsheets and soaked with sweat. Her room was dark, and she was panting hard.

There was a noise in the house, footsteps, and Saffron, Rain’s big sister pushed the door open. Rain! What happened, are you all right?

Rain focused on pulling the sheets off her legs. How had they gotten so tangled? I’m fine. Nightmare.

You were screaming, I thought someone was here, murdering you.

Sorry. I’m okay.

Saffron took hold of the ends of the sheet and helped Rain to shake it flat. You gave me a heart attack. She sat beside Rain and held an arm out.

Rain tucked herself under her arm and wound an arm around her sister’s waist. Sorry for scaring you.

It must’ve been a really bad dream. You haven’t had a screamer like that since you were little and we shared a room.

Rain leaned against her sister. Her heart rate slowed as she smelled the familiar lime shower gel and laundry powder smell of her older sister. The dream was already fading and she was embarrassed that Saffron was fussing over her in the middle of the night.

I don’t remember. Did I have a lot of nightmares back then?

You were pretty little. You’d scream and call for mum. Saffron huffed. Then when she showed up you’d relax again.

Rain felt uneasy. The dream had felt familiar. Was it just because Saffron was telling her she’d used to have a lot of nightmares?

Maybe it was something else. Something about that figure…

Saffron patted her back and let go. Go back to sleep, puddle.

Right. Thanks Saff, sorry.

Saffron left the room.

Rain lay back down, but with her heart still racing, and the nagging feeling that she’d seen that weird figure before she wasn’t sure she’d be able to sleep again.

What was it? It didn’t look like any of the demons she’d fought at the end of summer. It didn’t look anything like Brant, the carnival owner. Brant had been tall, sure, but he’d also been human.

The thing in her dream hadn’t resembled the other-worldly monster that had killed Rachel. It was much too thin and, well, well-dressed. It looked as if it wore a black suit, with a tie and everything.

It made no sense.

If she was going to have nightmares of anything shouldn’t it be dolls walking around?

She sighed and flipped her pillow over, trying to get comfortable on first one side and then the other. Probably some random weird thing her mind had conjured up. Not all nightmares had to make sense, after all.

She closed her eyes, but even with school in the morning, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go to sleep.

Chapter 3

Rain

Rain had to rush in the morning. She’d fallen asleep again eventually but had slept through her alarm. Her mother had come to wake her, and she had only twenty minutes to get ready.

She was adjusting her school tie and stuffing a toaster waffle into her mouth when a familiar horn tooted outside. Rain grabbed her school bag and kissed her mother goodbye.

Have a good day, be safe! Ellen called as Rain ran out the door and down the steps.

Jacky had recently got her full driver’s licence and she’d inherited her father’s old car. She had been driving Rain to school. The car wasn’t much to look at, a small white hatchback with plenty of miles on it, but Jacky kept it clean and had put a little unicorn rainbow sticker on the back bumper. Plus, it gave the two friends freedom.

Rain got into the passenger seat.

Morning! Jacky’s bright smile faded a little as she saw the toaster waffle partially hanging out of Rain’s mouth. You’d better not get crumbs everywhere from that thing.

Sowwy, Rain spoke around the waffle. She stuffed the last of it into her mouth and swallowed it. Hey, how’s things?

Pretty good, Jacky said. My parents gave me money for petrol. I was thinking we could head out to the beach this weekend?

Bit late for the beach isn’t it? Although it wasn’t freezing cold yet, it was definitely too cool for swimming in the sea.

Yeah but we could still walk on the beach and get fish and chips or something. Jacky glanced at Rain sideways, uncertain. It’s okay if you don’t want to, it’s just an idea.

Rain felt guilty, like she’d pushed Jacky into old, bad habits of deference and feeling less-than. No, I want to, that sounds nice. Instagrammable.

Jacky’s face relaxed into a smile. I thought so too.

The drive to school was infinitely more pleasant in Jacky’s car than it was on the school bus. Rain relished it. She wanted her own driver’s licence, but with Saff moving out, and the whole getting her parents to be cool about her going out to literally hunt monsters, Rain didn’t want to push it.

What’d you get up to last night? Jacky asked. I looked for you online.

Uh, no I was out with Jake, til pretty late. Rain drummed her fingers on her knee. She hadn’t told Jacky anything about ghosts and monsters. She didn’t want to freak her out.

Oooh, did you get hot and heavy? Jacky teased.

Rain laughed and shook her head. Jacky, who even says hot and heavy? We kissed, but that was kind of it. Does that count as heavy?

I dunno, was it hot?

Rain had always thought of Jacky as sweet and a little naive, but she’d changed recently. Rain liked how confident Jacky was now. She would never have wished Rachel to die, not in a million years, but her absence had mellowed the both of them out. Jacky wasn’t on edge nearly as much and Rain could relax and have fun, rather than always being ‘on.’

It was hot. How about you, are you interested in any cute boys? Rain asked. I’d ask if Jake had any friends to hook you up with but I know he basically doesn’t. That wasn’t exactly true, but all of Jake’s friends were hunters and Rain wasn’t ready to tell Jacky anything about that part of her life.

Nah.

Jacky parked in the student car park at the back of the school and they walked in together.

I have art, Jacky said. Catch you at lunch?

For sure, make pretty art! Rain waved as Jacky headed towards the art block. Rain had switched her schedule to pick up Physical Education instead of Physics. It was more useful for her extra-curricular activities.

Shauna, Rain’s favourite frenemy, was also taking P.E. She was in the changing room when Rain came in. Shauna had been wary of Rain since she’d got physically violent with her Although Rain had apologised, she knew Shauna couldn’t exactly forget it. Rain didn’t blame her, she still felt awful about letting her rage get the better of her.

Morning Shauna. Rain always started the conversations between them, like a sort of peace offering.

Mornin’ Shauna replied, not looking over. She sat on a bench, focused on lacing up her sneakers. "How’s that hot boyfriend of yours? Heard you were riding around on his bike