Maxwell Stegner is also an avid survivalist who grew up in the rugged wilderness of Northern California. His heart belongs to the outdoors and this is where he finds his sense of adventure that fuels his writing. His expertise in surviving harsh conditions and overcoming challenges adds realism and excitement to his stories. He shares his knowledge and skills with his readers and shows them how to adapt and thrive in any situation.
Maxwell Stegner was born in 1984 and lived most of his life in Ukiah, California before moving to the Bay Area where he currently resides with his beautiful wife and two children. He invites you to join him on his writing journey and discover the wonders of speculative fiction. He promises to take you on a thrilling ride that will challenge your mind and stir your emotions.
You can read more from Maxwell right HERE.
SINISTER CELEBRATIONS
by
Maxwell Stegner
It was a dark and stormy night as the clock struck midnight, signaling the start of a birthday party like no other. The old mansion loomed over the small town, its Gothic spires and gargoyles casting ominous shadows. The townsfolk had always whispered about the mansion’s dark history, but curiosity got the better of them as they gathered outside, drawn to the mysterious invitation that had been delivered to each of their doors.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The guests, dressed in their finest attire, mingled nervously, their eyes darting around the dimly lit room. The host, a tall and enigmatic figure known only as Mr. Blackwood, stood at the center of the room, a sinister smile playing on his lips. As the clock struck one, Mr. Blackwood raised his glass, commanding the attention of the room.
“Welcome, my dear guests, to a night of celebration and horror,” he declared, his voice echoing through the mansion. “Tonight, we shall play a game, a game of life and death.” The guests exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what was to come. But curiosity and a morbid fascination kept them rooted to their spots. Mr. Blackwood continued, “Each of you has been chosen for a reason. You have all committed sins, sins that cannot go unpunished. Tonight, you shall face your darkest fears, and only the strongest shall survive.” With those chilling words, the doors to the mansion slammed shut, trapping the guests inside.
Panic filled the room as the realization of their predicament sank in. The once elegant ballroom transformed into a nightmarish maze, with blood-red walls and flickering candles casting eerie shadows. The first challenge began as the guests were split into groups, each tasked with finding a key hidden somewhere within the mansion. The air grew thick with tension as they scoured every room, their hearts pounding in their chests. But as they searched, they soon discovered that they were not alone. One by one, the guests fell victim to gruesome traps and horrifying creatures lurking in the shadows. Blood splattered across the walls, screams pierced the air, and the once elegant ballroom turned into a gruesome battlefield. The survivors, their faces pale with terror, pressed on, driven by a desperate will to live.
As they searched for the key in the library, they encountered a swarm of flesh-eating rats that gnawed at their limbs and faces. As they ran for their lives in the basement, they stumbled upon a torture chamber where mutilated bodies hung from hooks and chains. As they explored the attic, they were attacked by a horde of bats that tore at their flesh and eyes. The survivors managed to find their keys and regrouped in the ballroom, only to find that Mr. Blackwood had another surprise for them. He revealed that each key had a number on it, corresponding to one of the rooms in the mansion. He instructed them to enter their assigned rooms and face their next challenge. As they entered their rooms, they realized that Mr. Blackwood had tailored each challenge to their specific fears and sins. Some were forced to confront their deepest phobias, while others faced their own twisted reflections in a hall of mirrors. The mansion seemed to come alive, its walls pulsating with malevolence, as if feeding off the fear and desperation of its victims.
In one room, a woman who had cheated on her husband was locked in a cage with a rabid dog that mauled her to death. In another room, a man who had embezzled money from his company was strapped to a table where needles pierced his skin and drained his blood. In yet another room, a woman who had killed her child in a fit of rage was haunted by his ghostly cries and visions.
Finally, as dawn approached, only two guests remained. Sarah, a young woman haunted by guilt for causing her sister’s death in a car accident; and David, a man tormented by his past for abandoning his family in a war zone. They stood face to face in the ballroom, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. Mr. Blackwood emerged from the shadows, applauding their resilience. “Well done, my dear survivors,” he sneered. “But there can only be one winner. The final challenge awaits you.” Sarah and David were led to a room filled with weapons, their only chance at survival. The room was bathed in a sickly green light, casting an eerie glow on the assortment of knives, chainsaws, and other deadly tools. The two adversaries circled each other, their hearts pounding in their chests. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, they lunged at each other, their bodies colliding in a gruesome dance of survival. Blood sprayed across the room as they fought tooth and nail, their screams echoing through the mansion.
In the end, it was Sarah who emerged victorious, her hands trembling as she stood over David’s lifeless body. She had stabbed him in the heart with a kitchen knife, ending his misery. As the sun rose, the mansion returned to its dormant state, its dark secrets hidden once again. Sarah, the sole survivor, stumbled out into the daylight, her mind forever scarred by the horrors she had witnessed. The town would never forget the night of Mr. Blackwood’s birthday party, a night that would forever haunt their dreams.